Welcome to our Original Math Project

Teachers comments are placed throughout this project in green

Site Contents: Introduction | Survey | Results | Graphs | Consideration | End of Page

This research project was conducted by Erin and Yvette, for the purposes of the University of Saskatchewan. We interviewed some people(teenagers presently in high school) about why they owned a car, and how they financed their car. The object of the project was to find out whether it is really worth owning a car while still in high school.

Our Sample Survey: This survey was distributed through the hallways of our lovely high school, Marion M. Graham. Check it out and see what you would say! Survey: 1. How much did you pay for your car? 2. Is it second hand or brand new? 3. How did you pay for your car? - partial help from parents - entirely by parents - by yourself 4. Do you have a job? 5. How do you finance your car? - partial help from parents - entirely by parents - by yourself 6. Approximately how much do you spend every year on repairs? 7. How much do you spend on insurance, license plates and gas? 8. What do you spend money on other than your car? 9. What is the main reason you wanted a car? 10. What is the main purpose for a car? 11. Now that you have a car, would you say it is worth it while you are still in school?

The Survey Results: 1. Avg. price paid: $6040
How did you make the money to buy the car?
What type of taxes are there on cars?
 
2. Cars bought a) brand new: 24% (b) second hand: 76%
 
3. Way of paying the car a) parents: 57% (b) partial help: 17% (c) yourself: 27%
Was the parents money a loan? Do you have to pay them back?
Do you owe the interest?
 
4. Do you have a job: a) yes:76% (b) no: 24 %
How many hours can you work in a week? Day?
 
5. Avg pay/month: $338
If so, what is the wage you make?
What is your salary, gross wage, deductions, take home pay, etc.
 
6. Way of financing car: a) parents: 58% (b) partial help: 17% (c) yourself: 26%
Are there other options such as paying with a bank loan, paying in installments?
 
7. Avg spent on repairs: $427
 
8. Avg spend on insurance etc.: $1380
How are insurance rates calculated?
Are they different for various people, cars, situations?
 
9. Other things to spend money on: Food,entertainment, other people, alcohol, cigarettes, hobbies/sport
Do you have a budget you follow?
What other things do you need to include in your spending?
Do you need to worry about saving money for University?
 
10. Main reason for wanting a car: Getting to school, hobbies, sport, responsibility, independence
Is there other ways you could do this--bus, car pool etc.
 
11. Main purpose of car: Getting to school/sport/hobbies/job, driving others around, running errands
 
12. Is it worth it: a) yes: 97% (b) no: 3%
What factors make it worth it?
Are they the same for everyone?


Our work showed us, that it is quite obvious financially not worth it to own a car. This is demonstrated by the amount of money students spend to support their car. Unless their parents pay for it, they have to pay for gas, insurance, and licensing. This is a major drain on their bank account. Also, they need to have jobs and have less time for studying. However, as one student put it "What you loose in money, you make up in style". The students with cars felt more independent and responsible. Surprisingly, most students did not mention the popularity factor.

If it is financially not worth it, why did 93% of the students consider it "worth it"
What other factors were they considering?
What types of cars are most economical for students to drive, all factors considered?

 

 

 

Some more things to consider:

1) Gas prices rise and fall with the time.
How are gas prices determined and what makes them rise and fall?
 
2) Accidents kill!!! (and when they don't, they're expensive)
What makes accidents expensive?
 
3) The cheaper the car, the more the repairs will cost.
4) Don't drink and drive
5) Remember to insure your car, even if it's expensive
How are insurance rates determined.
Why are they different for various people
 
6) The highest accident rate in in the 18-25 range
 
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Government Insurance
 
Yvette & Erin
 
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