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If you have an SUV that is hard on gas as your primary vehicle is it wise to buy a second inexpensive vehicle that is good on gas to use for commuting to work and the like? On one had you save gas and mileage accumulation on your primary car but on the other you have to pay for the second car and provide insurance, maintenance and pay tax on it. I am considering getting a small pickup which would also be of some value on its own because I could haul trash and mulch and stuff.
If you have an SUV that is hard on gas as your primary vehicle is it wise to buy a second inexpensive vehicle that is good on gas to use for commuting to work and the like? On one had you save gas and mileage accumulation on your primary car but on the other you have to pay for the second car and provide insurance, maintenance and pay tax on it. I am considering getting a small pickup which would also be of some value on its own because I could haul trash and mulch and stuff.
If you can afford it then I don't see why not. I have a midsize SUV and the wife drives a Honda Accord. We take the Accord for long trips. I have been wanting a used pickup though, mainly to haul the dog around and to have place to carry all the crap I buy at lowes.
meatpile
09-08-06, 09:49 AM
If you have an SUV that is hard on gas as your primary vehicle is it wise to buy a second inexpensive vehicle that is good on gas to use for commuting to work and the like?
no.
chipshot
09-08-06, 10:05 AM
If you can afford it then I don't see why not.
How could another loan plus gas and maintenance be cheaper than the gas for the first?
How could another loan plus gas and maintenance be cheaper than the gas for the first?
Who said anything about a loan?
slydevl
09-08-06, 10:13 AM
Is thelt actually Photoguy?
Science
09-08-06, 10:21 AM
A decent bicycle is $400. A great one is $1000.
slydevl
09-08-06, 10:23 AM
Or your could be a total dipshit and buy a Vespa
Or your could be a total dipshit and lease
:imagestor
slydevl
09-08-06, 10:45 AM
:imagestor
Yeah, its real smart to own a depreciating asset :thud:
You would not only save gas money but you would also save depreciation on your primary vehicle since you would put fewer miles on it. The depreciation on an older inexpensive vehicle is not very much compared to the depreciation on a newer vehicle.
I was looking at a truck for sale by the state that was a drug siezure vehicle. I bid $500 for it but it sold for $1500. It was a 1997 Nissan.
meatpile
09-08-06, 11:07 AM
You would not only save gas money but you would also save depreciation on your primary vehicle since you would put fewer miles on it. The depreciation on an older inexpensive vehicle is not very much compared to the depreciation on a newer vehicle.
I was looking at a truck for sale by the state that was a drug siezure vehicle. I bid $500 for it but it sold for $1500. It was a 1997 Nissan.
You are wrong that you would save money.
chipshot
09-08-06, 11:13 AM
The depreciation on an older inexpensive vehicle is not very much compared to the depreciation on a newer vehicle.
But you would have two depreciating vehicles. The primary variable in the first vehicle depreciating is the time more so than the miles.
meatpile
09-08-06, 11:16 AM
CArs are fun. If you want to buy a truck, buy it. I have 3 vehicles and don't drive anywhere. I save no money by owning more than 1 car.
You are fooling yourself if you think you're saving money. Just spend the money on the truck and enjoy it as a toy that costs money.
You are probably right, it would cost more in the long run. I may still get one though. It is a pain to haul stuff in or on my SUV. I had to haul a mattress the other day by bungee cording it to my roof rack.
Freakshow
09-08-06, 12:12 PM
You are probably right, it would cost more in the long run. I may still get one though. It is a pain to haul stuff in or on my SUV. I had to haul a mattress the other day by bungee cording it to my roof rack.
Get one if you want it...but don't think it's a good economical decision. If you have the money to buy one...invest it. Don't dump it into an deppreciating asset. You'll still have taxes to pay, title, insurance, etc...to save what...$20 per month?
gridfaniker
09-08-06, 12:30 PM
My commute to work is about 15 miles. I drive a Rascal in the summer and a Polaris in the winter.
SUV at 16 mpg
Truck at 24 mpg
10K commuter miles per year
SUV gallons used 625 at $2.5 per gallon 1562.50
Truck gallons used 416.67 at $2.5 per gallon 1041.68
Gas savings $520.82 or $43.41 per month
Cost of Second Vehicle
Purchase $1000
Tax, tag, title $150
Insurance (annual) $225
Inspection (annual) $10
Tag $20
Total cost per year $260
Annual savings $260.82
Time to recoup one time costs 4.41 years.
Of course this is predicated on not having to spend any money on maintenance to keep a $1000 car running. You would probalby eat up your $260 per year savings in maintenance and repairs pretty quickly.
SUV at 16 mpg
Truck at 24 mpg
10K commuter miles per year
That's the root of the issue - 24mpg still sucks. If you have an SUV and won't use it to haul shit, you shouldn't have an SUV - get a minivan if you need space, a luxury sedan if you need people carrying in style, etc. And your second car should be a corolla or something UBER reliable and UBER gas efficient. Then the math starts to turn... Borrow/rent trucks when you need them unless you live on a farm or work construction (home depot rents trucks relatively cheap for the rare needs I've had). Hell, Meat loves to talk about the huge plywood sheets he can haul in his Odyssey...
I just hate hauling trash off in it. I live in a rural area where you have to haul your trash to the dump. I should probably just deal with it though and save the money.
Southern_Yankee
09-09-06, 05:41 PM
http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1646283&postcount=26 :soda: :thud:
I am about as bad as anyone on cars. I guess that is why I posted on here, hoping someone would talk me out of it. I really have not lost much money on older trucks and cars I have owned. Most of my costs has been from buying a fairly new car and trading it too soon.
meatpile
09-09-06, 11:39 PM
I am about as bad as anyone on cars. I guess that is why I posted on here, hoping someone would talk me out of it. I really have not lost much money on older trucks and cars I have owned. Most of my costs has been from buying a fairly new car and trading it too soon.
Your losses have been because you constantly buy cars. If you didn't you'd have alot of money.
Here's a money saving tip:
Pay the money you would buy a truck with into the loan you are currently upside down on.
You are right, I am not going to buy a truck. I have rubber liner in the back of the SUV, I should be able to haul trash and stuff in it with out messing it up.
PhotoGuy
09-10-06, 05:47 PM
get a scooter... you can haul trash in a radio flyer
having a hard time figuring how a $1000 truck isn't going to need maintenance or break down, and will get 24 mpg
meatpile
09-10-06, 07:17 PM
having a hard time figuring how a $1000 truck isn't going to need maintenance or break down, and will get 24 mpg
It's the rationalization truck.
twentybelow0
09-17-06, 08:22 AM
having a hard time figuring how a $1000 truck isn't going to need maintenance or break down, and will get 24 mpgNissan
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