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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  June 22, 2009 04:59 PM

Is it less damaging to the environment to maintain an old car, or buy a new one?

Some older cars (60s 70s) get great gas mileage. Is it better for the environment to maintain an older car or buy a new one?

It seems to me that the damage done in building a new one, and trashing the older one, is far greater than simply maintaining the older car as long as possible.
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Interesting: chriswingate

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June 29, 2009 06:56 AM
Even the automakers don't know the exact environmental cost per car:

http://www.nist.gov/mel/msid/dpg/sccwmp.cfm

However, estimates for CO2 emissions related to the manufacture of a typical car, including parts suppliers and transport, range from 10% to nearly 30% of the total CO2 emissions over the car's lifespan, which is a sizable up-front environmental cost.

http://environment.about.com/od/environmentfriendlyautos/a/new_old_cars.htm
http://www.ae-plus.com/Key%20topics/kt-emissions-news4.htm

Adding in the natural resources needed to build a car and their extraction and refining costs, plus the environmental costs of trashing the old car (even if much of it can be recycled), and it makes more sense to maintain the old car, or maybe replace it with a used car with better fuel economy.
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Helpful: chriswingate

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