Bump for 3rd tank. made it to 1225 miles today...which means the engine "wear in" period is more or less complete.
Also had to fill up...and scored a 39.34 MPG! It hasn't been warm in PA either and we've been getting a good amount of rain. I'm really excited that the car is doing beyond what I figured for mileage. I averaged the Mini in at around 34 MPG when comparing the costs to the Subaru. if the average comes out to be 37-39ish, an extra 4mpg is half a day's commute on each tank, which is about $4 less per fill up on premium gas!
To compare (Gas):
18.48 mpg Caprice @ 3.499 per gallon = 18.93 cents per mile
28.25 mpg Subaru @ $3.499 per gallon = 12.36 cents per mile
37.00 mpg Mini @ 3.899 per gallon = 10.54 cents per mile
To Compare (Payments, Mileage over loan, caprice had no loan, but total in repairs versus selling price = depreciation)
Caprice = 15.00 cents per mile (8,000 over $1200 depreciation)
Subaru = 10.94 cents per mile (32,000 miles over $3500 depreciation)
Mini = 16.88 cents per mile (80,000 miles over $13500 depreciation)
A quick cost per mile sum:
Caprice = 33.93 cents per mile
Subaru = 23.30 cents per mile
Mini = 27.42 cents per mile
So saving 2 cents per mile in better gas mileage does help offset the cost of buying the car! But it will still be more expensive in the end
But I'm feeling it will be well worth it to drive a Mini for an extended period of time!