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My truck gets 16 mpg, and I drive 33 miles each way to work . I figure $2,587 a year in gas @ 2.30 a gallon
If I buy a used honda civic that gets 33mpg, I would save $1254 year minus whatever my car insurance goes up, and whatever money I put into the car ( tires, battery etc etc)
I just don't see how I can save money ... I HAVE to keep a truck for hauling and towing .. I don't see how I can save money and own 2 cars ..
My truck gets 16 mpg, and I drive 33 miles each way to work . I figure $2,587 a year in gas @ 2.30 a gallon
If I buy a used honda civic that gets 33mpg, I would save $1254 year minus whatever my car insurance goes up, and whatever money I put into the car ( tires, battery etc etc)
I just don't see how I can save money ... I HAVE to keep a truck for hauling and towing .. I don't see how I can save money and own 2 cars ..
Is it worth it ? If so, how ?
Well 2587 in fuel...
Would it be cheaper to relocate closer to work?
You forgot the cost of insurance...
To have 2 vehicles, depending on who you are insured through and your driving record, you may have a discount for multi vehicle policy?
Keep the truck find a used TDI from the 90s pre emissions BS. Buy it outright if possible. Keep the truck for the weekends and towing hauling...
Civics are stupid expensive to insure in my town opposed to where I lived in NY.
The factors are how many are reported stolen. How many are involved in accidents. And not sure about this one, how many are involved in speeding violations.
A friend pays 60 per month in insurance on his civic and the insurance company told him it would be cheaper in a town where his parents lived 30 miles further north where there aren't as many accidents involving deer...
That same car to insure with the same coverage in my town, would cost hime 200 per month through his insurance company. Accidents, thefts, etc.
Civic is just one option for a vehicle.
How about an older sentra? Those are timing belted,so less maintenance(granted the tensioners last)
What truck do you have now? Is it possible get a 4 banger instead?
Our insurance only went up 12 bucks a month when I bought an 02' Maxima. Older cars with basic coverage shouldnt cost much.
There is a whole list of cars you can choose from. Pick a few,then call your insurance for quotes.
Actually call several companies and get quotes.
Another vote for VW TDI... anything before 2007 will keep you out of the overly-complex emissions junk. The 1999.5~2003 ALH engines in the Golf, Jetta and Beetle are robust, well documented and CHEAP. Like, they're going for $3k and less, cheap. Depressing to me as I have a 2001 that's worth next to nothing on the market. But, 300k miles and my "failures" have been mostly suspension bushings, rubber hoses and the only notable part was the alternator. I might have a cooling fan that's bad right now too... we're talking less than $1000 in parts in the 13 years and 230k miles I've owned the vehicle. Still getting 48~49mpg fuel economy too, driving it normally. Never did understand what people did to routinely get over 50mpg.... I'm more of a cruise control at 5 over the limit, A/C kinda guy. Insurance is cheap, state tax/tag fees are cheap, parts aren't cheap but they're not terrible either.
If you want to go that route though, find a TDI guru for at LEAST a PPI/pre-purchase inspection. There are a couple different forums dedicated to the cars where you can find those mechanics, and are probably the best source for the cars themselves. If you're mechanically minded, I see "mechanics specials" for $1000 all the time in Atlanta.
Now, as far as just Saving money and the least hassle, moving closer is the best solution.
Drive a Nissan Leaf, pay no money on gas. It gets a 130mi range that's good for 2 days of your driving and each charge can be as low as $2. That's roughly $6 a week unless you can find somewhere to plug in and charge for free.
I currently live 12 miles from work, and am purposely moving farther away next month, to 33 miles away .
Thanks for the help.
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