The perfect second car?
In the United States, as specified on the company's website, the Zenn retails for $12,600 US. With the current exchange rate (calculated on May 26, 2008), that's $11,877 CA -- or $13,406 including taxes. Let's say I give $906 in cash upon purchasing the vehicle and I use financing for $12,500 at a 9.98-percent rate over 5 years (as verified on the website of Desjardins). It would then cost me exactly $265.45 a month to drive the Zenn. But wait a minute: I need to subtract the $200 a month I currently spend on gasoline and maintenance for my Nissan. So, in reality, I would only have to pay $45.65 a month.
On the other hand, let's not forget about insurance and registration fees. In the end, my low-speed vehicle would realistically cost me about $100 a month. At the conclusion of my 60-month loan contract, I would start saving over $200 a month. Should gas prices rise to $1.50 a liter, I would save an additional $40.
Count me in!
I know, that's a lot of numbers, but I see clearly enough to be convinced. Sometimes, all you need to do is to take a piece of paper and a pen, and start calculating. Not only would I pay $100 a month for a Zenn, but I would have the privilege of owning the two same vehicles for almost two decades, which would dramatically reduce my fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Isn't that extraordinary?
If I can do it, you can do it -- everybody can do it. I already have my own garden, make my own compost and recycle everything that's recyclable; with a low-speed electric car on top of that, I guess I'd be totally Zenn!
photo:ZENN
In the United States, as specified on the company's website, the Zenn retails for $12,600 US. With the current exchange rate (calculated on May 26, 2008), that's $11,877 CA -- or $13,406 including taxes. Let's say I give $906 in cash upon purchasing the vehicle and I use financing for $12,500 at a 9.98-percent rate over 5 years (as verified on the website of Desjardins). It would then cost me exactly $265.45 a month to drive the Zenn. But wait a minute: I need to subtract the $200 a month I currently spend on gasoline and maintenance for my Nissan. So, in reality, I would only have to pay $45.65 a month.
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| 2008 ZENN 2.2 |
On the other hand, let's not forget about insurance and registration fees. In the end, my low-speed vehicle would realistically cost me about $100 a month. At the conclusion of my 60-month loan contract, I would start saving over $200 a month. Should gas prices rise to $1.50 a liter, I would save an additional $40.
Count me in!
I know, that's a lot of numbers, but I see clearly enough to be convinced. Sometimes, all you need to do is to take a piece of paper and a pen, and start calculating. Not only would I pay $100 a month for a Zenn, but I would have the privilege of owning the two same vehicles for almost two decades, which would dramatically reduce my fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Isn't that extraordinary?
If I can do it, you can do it -- everybody can do it. I already have my own garden, make my own compost and recycle everything that's recyclable; with a low-speed electric car on top of that, I guess I'd be totally Zenn!
photo:ZENN