P.M. BRIEFING : Small, Luxury Car Gap Widens

The costs of owning and operating a new domestic or imported car has not only increased, but the disparity between owning a small car and a large luxury one is significantly greater than last year, Runzheimer International said today.

In its latest projections of new car operating costs for the 1991 model year, the Rochester, Wis., travel and consulting firm found that a 1991 Mercedes 300SEL luxury sedan will cost nearly three times as much to own and operate annually--$16,817--as will a 1991-Ford Escort subcompact--$5,891. A 1991 Lincoln Town Car luxury sedan will cost nearly twice as much.

The analysis of 15 similarly equipped cars and small vans spanning a wide price range takes into account operating costs such as fuel, oil, tires and maintenance, based on a three-year, 60,000-mile ownership cycle.

The study also includes fixed costs, such as depreciation, insurance, financing and taxes, in its calculations.