We haven't done car payments as a couple. Ever. That being said, I can certainly see where life circumstances might force us into that if everything came crashing down at once.

Even without the car loans though, I hear you on the additional costs. We do the remote car starter thing too, when the temperature dips below a certain number at night. Because we are now writing and studying at home, our monthly gas budget has decreased some, as has our insurance since our mileage on both vehicles is now minimal.

Again though, it's still freaking expensive. Partly because we live so far from things. Part of the tradeoff we made for affordable lakefront property, but some days it's hard to remember that when the gas costs here are so far above what everyone else in the country is paying. Ditto with groceries and such.

Since I haven't had my coffee yet, I realize I've likely reached the point of rambling. I'd be interested in anyone else's take on vehicle expenses.