I’m thinking about getting a 2nd car. Any thoughts,

I’m thinking about getting like a Lexus es 350 older like 2013 or older, a Toyota venza 4 cylinder/v6 fwd 2009-2015.

im going to keep my tundra but was wondering if its a smart idea to off s cheap 2nd vehicle because i waste to much gas with my tundra.

I know there will be maintenance and that’s why im having second thoughts.

 

I'm searching for a minivan for the fam. I already have 2 others, an 02 Celica that I teach my son to drive in and a 93 SC400 which is my daily, until I get tired of dealing with idling issues and I go back to the Tundra for a day or 2.

 

Sounds corny but the 06-11 Mercury Gran Marquis are very dependable very roomy & comfortable
(not Toyota level) But very dependable and can be had for less than 4k $

 

Adding another vehicle to save gas only works if the second vehicle is dirt cheap, gets 40+ mpg, and you commute A LOT. Otherwise, things like second set of insurance, taxes and maintenance costs keep the second car from actually saving you any money.

 

Based on your previous threads, definitely not if you need to finance the second car. You'd probably be better off putting more towards your truck's principle.

 

Would the 2nd vehicle be a benefit or liability?

Consider maintenance, registration, storage, and insurance. If the cost of gas, is the only concern. You would have to drive tens of thousands of miles to eat up the cost of the 2nd car.

I personally have 2 small cars outside my truck. Insurance alone, costs me far above what I would spend on gas just driving the Tundra.

 

Classic topic and I’m sure many of us thought about the same thing. I wrestled with it for awhile when I was job site hopping a lot and didn’t need a truck necessarily.

in my opinion only works if the car is dirt cheap and you can wrench a bit. I was looking into buying like a beat up Honda or something for like 1500. Decided against it

 

It's entirely dependent on your situation. You have to run the numbers on the cost of each option.

I have a commuter car but we already owned it and just haven't sold it as we've added vehicles to the stable. I also have what I would consider a relatively long commute for the area I live it at about 30 miles one way, pretty much all on the highway. Not to mention salt all over the roads in the winter.

Pros of an extra vehicle for commuting:

• Keep mileage and wear and tear off your truck so it potentially lasts longer
• Lower day to day fuel costs

Cons:

• Cost of purchasing an additional vehicle
• Added maintenance costs and time required
• Added insurance costs
• Added costs for wear items (e.g. tires) and time to replace
• Need space to park the additional vehicle
• Need a way to maintain the battery in your truck if you're not driving it much, especially in winter

 

my daily is a 2014 prius. bought it new and at the time, i had a one year old tacoma. sold the tacoma, and four other trucks later, ended up with a CPO 2017 tundra CMOR 4x4. the prius has about 155k on the odo, and still runs great and still gets about 45-50 mpg. roomy enough but it's basically a commuter car, errands around town. i've actually used it when i've driven to the dock (Los Angeles to San Diego) for off shore fishing trips. with the back seats down, fits my 150 qt cooler, tackle bag, personal duffle, and my rods, including a 8' footers and my 9' jig stick. i've abused the prius and it just keeps going.

 

I just bought a beater Audi TDI from carvana. I got a PPI and lucked out and got a brand new motor replacement under warranty. Still can't believe my luck.

 

I found an 08 Ford Escape for $300. Needed an engine so I picked one from a salvage yard & replaced it myself. This little car is great, good mileage, parts are super cheap & insurance is next to nothing. Good heat & A/C, my beater car.

 

This is really the only way to do it and be economically smart about it. As others have stated, the cost of the commuter car, plus registration, maintenance and insurance is usually a wash at best when comparing to gas prices of the truck......but if the goal is to save the wear and tear on the truck and you can easily afford it, go for it.

 

I have used a 2nd vehicle for well over 15 years.

Financially it has NEVER been beneficial PERIOD. I only own it because it allows me to have two vehicles (wife’s Highlander and my Tundra) that are safe to put my kids in. My RAV4 is destroyed on the outside; keyed, both bumpers ripped off multiple times after being crashed into while parked, and broken windshields.

It’s ONLY worth it to me because I do believe in taking of what I own. But because of my career choices (location and the utter LIE parking is provided) that I am forced to have two cars…

 

The other reason we have 3 vehicles is for our family logistics. Today, I took the truck to work, my wife took the commuter car to work and we left the family car at home on the off chance that babysitters might need to take our kids somewhere in the event of an emergency or something.

 

I daily a FJ Cruiser and only use the Tundra for truck stuff (like 40 miles a week on average). The Tundra did not fit in the garage and can be difficult to park in certain situations. I paid cash and found a nice single owner on craigslist. Gas mileage is my main gripe since I am averaging about 16.5 which isn't all that much better, the trade off is that the FJ is pretty fun. I would consider if you really need a Tundra and could go to a different vehicle. The cost savings of another car like people have said is hard to justify unless its sub $5K and very high mpg (and somehow low maintenance). In my case financially having another vehicle doesn't make financial sense, instead I am paying to keep the Tundra low miles + flexibility with a different/entertaining other vehicle to put miles onto. $5K + insurance/taxes + maintenance is alot of gas that could be in the Tundra.

 

I agree.

 

The Crown Vic/Grand Marquis are such fun cars…I would love to own one and make it into a sleeper muscle car.

 

Between the wife and myself, we have 4 vehicles plus a Harley. It's nice to have choices regardless of whether is makes financial sense or not.

 

I vote Venza.

 

Skys the limit when it comes to parts & aftermarket items. The foundation is there though 4.6 V8 4 speed 8.8 3.08 rear 1/2 of them are dual exhaust. Or if it's a Grand Marquis leave it as is and cruise in what is essentially a base Town Car the upper models come with rear air suspension.
With the 2.73 & I'd get 24 mpg. Not bad for a big comfy boat. I love the wife's 20 Camry but more room and a V8 is not a bad thing....

 

4 cylinder Camry, 36.3 mpg. Cheap, burns very little gas, and pretty much the maintenance is a regular oil change and basic stuff.

 

Not to thread jack, but here's my Vic.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/procharged-2011-crown-vic.147222/

 

Very nice Crown Vic...id buy one or a G.Marquis in clean shape just on principle. Id really like to find a clean 85 fox body 4 Dr or sedan LTD Them things are around 3200 lbs.

 

I talked to a taxi/limo driver who put 300k miles on his Lincoln Town Car before he had to retire it.

 

Considering the junk coming out of Detroit now. That's impressive. Not sure but I think the Trannys burn up before the motor.

 

It was about 10 years ago that he'd switched to a GMC Acadia so the Lincoln must have been a late 2000s or early 2010s model.