Wife thinks a work car would be best

So, was talking to wife about gas mileage with the truck. She thought I should buy a work beater. I laughed and said the cost of the car ,insurance,registration,inspection, and not mention maintenance would exceed the gas cost. She asked me how much I was spending on gas, and figured I spent 2500 dollars more a year in gas not having a "work car"...looks like a beater is in my future

 

I was just in the same bought. I daily drove my truck about 60 miles each day and was getting about 14MPG. I decided to buy another car with better gas mileage. I went back and forth on used vs new and in the end I opted for a new Honda Civic, which gets 40+ mpg. I did not want to deal with the unexpected maintenance of a used car. If you can swing a new car I would do it. Even those $10,000 Nissan Versa's are not bad. My insurance only went up about $10 per month.

 

I am a Subaru guy...so I will probably get a old Impreza or (gasp) Ford Focus!

 

I almost bought a WRX for my beater, but it would have been a huge mistake. Definitely doesn't represent the word "beater". More like a 2nd money pit and speeding tickets.

 

Had one....it was badass

 

I suggest a full spreadsheet comparison. I've done this several times;
Tundra=15mpg, economic car =30mpg, Assume 15k miles/year @ 3$/gal (1k gals vs 500gals) so savings on gas is $1,500/yr.
Initial cost=$15,000, yearly costs(lube, oil, registration, tires, etc) say avg op costs= maybe $500.
This is fast figuring and I'm drinking a bit so maybe I'm missing something but seems like you're not gonna break even for 15 to 20 years. This assumes you have a trouble free car too.

 

Do you know how long I have been waiting to post that picture? ...and by that time Saturn was basically a Saab

 

But I am a cheap ass...so your figures are off...think of a 1000 dollar, bald tire ...sure you can piss in it..car. That's my route

 

If that is the case, what are you waiting for? It is only a 1000 bucks!

 

I own three pickups,...need to liquidate first

 

Still recommend you do the full cost/benefit spread. Might be surprised at what you turn up

 

I have a spreadsheet for pretty much everything that involves money. Great way to manage/look at things. I have severe OCD. haha

 

What if I steal a car everyday other day to get to work. How would that figure in? Or do I have to cut the spreadsheet in half?

you don't say?

 

When I was living that life I had to have 3. 1 for me to get to work, 1 for the wife, 1 to swap for the one that broke that week and I would work on the next weekend

 

My old work car

 

I too am in the market for a beater. While shopping around found a good deal on a great condition `88 Cabriolet and picked it up for my daughter. Now I'm back in the market for a beater and down some scratch. =\

I've always just used my work Prius for a commuter, but I got a nice promotion that includes a fat raise but because I will no longer be visiting customer sites I no longer get a work car. I see a Geo Metro in my future. My commute is a 70 mile round trip, 5 days a week.. I just don't want to put all those miles on my truck.

 

My wife had a geo metro in college and wants me to buy and restore one....I told her only if I can do a LS swap to it....she didn't get the joke....lol

 

Would be in my top 2 ways to disintegrate a Geo Metro though!

 

Damn straight!...already did a LS swap to a old chevy and a engine swap to a VW rabbit...how far off could a V8 metro swap be

 

I still drive my wife's first car..2000 honda civic (made in japan)..240,000 miles...easy to park in the city and i don't care about the scratches or door dings..we got our money back with that car

 

I was busting balls ...the reality is I drive 20-30 mile to work everyday and go through a quarter tank of gas. Thats all highway and not even counting other places I need to run. So I really do need a solution...100 bucks + in gas a week is sad. Love the truck just wish it was on a Tesla frame.

 

Yup....would actually smoke a Tundra...and weighs as much!

 

It's tesla....and it's a drag strip killer...just go to tesla racing channel on you tube...those cars are insane. They rip up hellcats!....that alone is impressive.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tysEI30SOzQ Tesla model x beating a alpha Romeo in the quarter mile...lol

 

Tesla 0-60 2.8 seconds....that is crazy fast!....yes after 100 it fatigues ...but come on that is crazy fast! Btw....I am looking at Subaru Imprezas and Ford Focus.