Mileage on Car

"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
07/07/2014 at 21:22 • Filed to: None

I am putting more miles than I'd like on my daily, but don't think that will change soon. Has anyone looked at how much you would have to drive to be ahead buying a cheap car to put miles on instead of your new car? I also would have to figure out how to have two cars with my living situation, but if it doesn't make sense anyway then no need to think about that.

Have some cars I have been wanting recently.

DISCUSSION (22)

CRider > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 21:25

Buy a motorcycle to commute on. They're cheap to own, fast and fun to ride and get Prius like fuel economy.

trmoore09 > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 21:25

I've been considering this recently as well. We've put 30k miles on our CX-5 in the last year. However, we did get the extended Mazda warranty, so it doesn't really worry us. Plus the value is holding pretty steady so we're not losing much in depreciation (yet).

thedevilinside > CRider
07/07/2014 at 21:27

Terrified of riding a motorcycle on the street. No go. That would save some miles, but I usually rack up miles 500 at a time.

NeilR > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 22:00

Kinja'd!!!

Go with the Tacoma. What it lacks in efficiency it makes up for in longevity and maintenance costs. Follow Toyota's maint schedule and you'll be golden for 300k miles or more.

thedevilinside > NeilR
07/07/2014 at 22:14

My concern with Tacomas is the price, 100k miles and it still costs $15k. I always follow maintenance schedules, no concerns there.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:00

Well you have to ask a few more questions:

1. How long is your commute?

2. What is your daily driver?

3. What would you buy solely as a commuter?

4. Are you prepared for the inevitable repair bills to your commuter, or can you do it yourself?

5. Is the cost difference great enough to warrant the purchase of a second car

For example, if you're driving a newer Suburban that gets an average of around 15 MPG, 60 miles a day, and is depreciating fast with all those miles, would you be willing to get into a late-90s civic with a bunch of miles just to commute?

Say the Civic was $2,500. You also have to pay tax and registration which in most states comes to around $250. Then you have to insure it, which will be an additional cost — to be really cheap let's say it goes up another $35/mo.

In a month, you'd save about $165 in gas, assuming gas is close to the national average of $3.60/gallon.

Before any maintenance, you're looking at a savings of $130/mo in operating costs. So that gas savings would have to stay the same or get better for close to two years (21 months) in order for the little Civic to pay off

And, despite the fact the Civic was only $2,500 and uses less than half the gas of the Suburban, it's still a 15-year-old car that has a bunch of miles on it.

So when the inevitable happens and the head gasket blows (abused d-series engines are the most common reason for B16 swaps in 90s Civics), are you going to be willing to spend $300 and a whole day repairing it yourself, plus down time for the head in the machine shop, or $1000 and taking it to a mechanic? (Since you have the head off anyway, you may as well just replace the timing belt, water pump, and serpentine belt while you're at it)

Or the CV axles start to click, or the power steering starts to leak, or the brakes start to squeak, or a little pinkish brown puddle starts to form under the transaxle, or any number of other issues that happen with an old, beat up commuter car, will you be wiling to fix them?

It's probably not worth it.

thedevilinside > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
07/07/2014 at 23:09

My "commute" is really short plus some driving around during the day for work, probably 30 miles a day. Road trips are where I rack up the miles to get to a bit over 20k miles a year. I get ~27 mpg on them but only a 290 mile range. I would possibly do most of my daily driving with my current car and just put miles on the other. It sounds like if definitely doesn't make sense. But it isn't all about cost, I want to keep my current car since it is fun and I'd like to not just run it into the ground. I wonder if keeping the fun car and not making all my daily drivers fun would factor in.

Big Bubba Ray > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:10

Just curious, why are you concerned with a lot of miles on your DD? I, personally, like to rack up mileage on my Subie. Are you leasing?

If gas is an issue, have you considered a motorcycle?

CRider > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:14

I understand the fear of riding on the street, but you have to overcome that. If you ride safely you'll be fine. It might help to take riding course.

NeilR > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:19

They retain their value quite well. As long as it's been well maintained, buy one that's as old as you can, they they haven't changed much since '05.

thedevilinside > Big Bubba Ray
07/07/2014 at 23:21

Gas isn't the issue, nor is leasing. I have a Focus ST and I'd like to keep it around for awhile. The warranty will be gone faster than I imagined, which wouldn't be a huge deal but I am getting it just how I want it, and not wanting to kill it is really the concern.

thedevilinside > CRider
07/07/2014 at 23:23

I've been considering a riding course for fun. I enjoy learning to drive all kinds of vehicles, semi's, column shift dump trucks, old cars, etc. I could look more seriously into that, but I doubt I'd feel comfortable based of how riding a scooter feels.

thedevilinside > NeilR
07/07/2014 at 23:24

Would be nice to be able to tow a car, 6500 lb capacity with the V6 is kinda borderline I think, but I don't want a bigger truck. I'd sacrifice the car tow capability before going bigger.

NeilR > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:27

You would be fine towing most cars. The 4.0L is very stout. It could tow itself no sweat.

thedevilinside > NeilR
07/07/2014 at 23:29

I think max car weight would be 3700 plus trailer and any spares/stuff. Mostly a thought exercise right now, although I am checking locally to check one out. I've never sat in one.

CRider > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:43

Riding a scooter is not like riding a motorcycle. A bike is heavier, has bigger wheels (more stability), and more power among other things. It's a lot more confidence inspiring. Scooters are fun, but I'd never seriously ride one on a major street, let alone a highway. Check out the MSF beginner riding course, then you'll know what riding a bike is like, and how to do it safely. Plus, that allows you to get your M license. And remember that different bikes have different riding positions, so try out a few types of bikes and see what you feel more comfortable on. I'd recommend an enduro, they're cheap, slow for a motorcycle, very forgiving, and can take a lot of abuse.

NeilR > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:45

They drive quite nice for a small pickup. I think you'll like it.

Big Bubba Ray > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:52

That makes sense. I picked up my Outback used so I don't care about racking up miles haha

Have you considered a Miata (because Oppo) or something else for really cheap? I'm sure you could pick up a beater for cheap as a new DD and take out the FST when you get the itch for some fun.

The Taco would be a good choice, but they hold their value so it might be hard a find a good low mileage one for a low price.

thedevilinside > Big Bubba Ray
07/07/2014 at 23:55

I'm fairly tall and against soft tops so a Miata won't work

Big Bubba Ray > thedevilinside
07/07/2014 at 23:58

Damn, you're making this tough! Haha I understand as a fellow tall guy/soft top not-lover. Go Taco, if you can find one in good shape with semi low mileage.

thedevilinside > Big Bubba Ray
07/08/2014 at 00:03

I like a lot of types of car! Just not ones with a soft top, Prius, or ones I don't fit in. I'm planning on checking out a Tacoma when I get a chance to go casually look at one.

Matt Urban > NeilR
07/09/2014 at 17:12

Yes and aftermarket support. My 02 is at 227k and runs like a top.