dallison

Right now i am driving our 01 4runner that gets about 15mpg. This truck is used for around 17k miles per year, which 15k is for work.

It really doesn't bother me to put gas in it right now. But, as we all know, the lower gas prices won't last long. Or at least they shouldn't.

If i go 15k mpy @ 15mpg @ the current price of $2.35 gallon i would spend around $2350 on 1000 gallons. If gas goes to $3.35 i would spend around $3350 per year.

Now if i get a more fuel efficient appliance then i might feel better.

Of course at the top of the list is a prius which should get around 50mpg. I would use around 300 gallons @ 2.35 for a cost of $705 or $1005 for $3.35 gas.

If you go down in mpg then the savings would be less but still substantial.

A car that gets 35 mpg would cost $1010 @ 2.35 gallon and $1440 @ 3.35 per gallon.

Insurance would be $400-500 per year plus $36-55 registration so that would have to be considered.

The way things sit with gas prices, it only cost about $1000 more a year to run the 4runner. That i can live with as i don't have to maintain a 5th car.

But, the cars that i would consider are the honda insight, new civic, prius, lexus ct200, mazda 3 hatch.

Obviously prices for these cars are really low right now but it is difficult to know if and or when prices will increase again along with the car prices.


My wife drives the tsx that gets decent mileage, the is300 gets 20 mpg so that is out and the 911 gets driven enough @22-25mpg so that helps.
I really don't want to get rid of the is300 since the MRS. likes it. I am having a hard time to justify 5 cars, but why not? Each vehicle serves a purpose.

What are your thoughts?

SamDoe1

Is the majority of your drive city or highway? The answer to that will dictate my recommendations.

dallison

Now mind you, there are only two of us and four cars at the moment. i would also have to take into account depreciation compared to gas savings.

I could get an insight or prius for 10-14k so depreciation would be less than buying a new car.

AZuser

new Civic > *

Prius and Insight won't do as well MPG-wise on highway vs city.

My brother and sister in law both have Prius and with mixed driving (more city than highway), they average low 40's in MPG. Main benefit for getting Prius was carpool stickers.

D's Up

^^^.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

Civic.

dallison

It's half highway half back country roads.

03-6/6

ive seen the new fusion hybrids in the mid to upper 50's pretty often. highest i saw was around 70.

wackjum

I can attest the Prius really saves money. I have a 2nd generation that I picked up for dirt cheap. It has been a little beast that has over 300,000 miles. I did have to replace the traction battery about a year ago. Aside from that, it has been solid. I drive over 35,000 miles a year.

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

I'm having a tough time with the logic behind spending more money to save less. You said it yourself that you would be adding to your monthly outgo in insurance and registration. One thing you didn't mention is the cash that you'll spend actually buying the car, whether self-financed or not, it is money that should be placed into consideration as well.

Unless you just don't like spending money on fuel in particular, I say the cost of a 5th vehicle far exceed the fuel savings. If this is about getting a more fuel efficient car then go for it, but don't justify it by saying you'll save money (in the future).

I see three alternate options:
1. Trade the 4 Runner. This relieves you of the 5th car decision
2. Daily drive the IS. It's better on gas than the 4 Runner
3. Wait for gas to increase to what you are predicting before getting another car. Perhaps you can save up for a Tesla Model S while you wait

Sign: 50 Cents 2nd cousin

Midnight Mystery

You sure do have a lot to consider...

I'll just throw a few into the mix...

I like the higher ride height myself...

How about a new accord, I know someone who gets 38 on a 45-50 mph road for commute... Not to mention 0-60 in 7.3-7.5 ish seconds!!!

Or look at the CR-V, it has way, way, way more space than your 4Runner as those are tiny inside, I just sat in one the other day, very claustrophobic...

The new civic is also good...

There's a lot out there, oh, and did I mention, the hybrid Accord is supposedly going rouge for 2017 and it looks kind of like the new Malibu...

If your not worried about mpg at this very time, it gives you plenty of time to develop opinions and ideas...

Have fun!!!

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

If you're using your personal vehicle for work, you should be writing off that mileage or being reimbursed for it...

Outside of my daily commute we bill clients $.54/mile

https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/201...ving-Announced

Why has no one else brought this up?

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

You're missing one very important variable. Are you getting the car for free?

How many years will it take to recoup the cost of the new car?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I considered getting an older used model myself, anything specific to look out for? It's definitely not an attractive car but it serves its purpose.

SamDoe1

Mix of the two? I'd find a super cheap pre-fix VW TDI and and run it for the rest of time. The resale value of those cars dropped like that of a two week old Range Rover after the scandal came around.

dallison

My co-worker has one of those so i don't want to look like i'm copying him.

We may end up selling the lexus, but who knows.

dallison

That is a very good point there too.

I think the depreciation would be worse than the savings in fuel which would make it a moot point.
take for example a 2012-13 prius with 20-50k miles for $11-14k. I would assume that it would lose 1-2k per year up until it reaches 6-8k value. and at that point it would have lost about 6k in value.

unless.......... the gas prices go up and the values stay the same or increase. but, that's like the stock market.

I would think that the next go around would be the best bet and to make a more wise choice at that point.

dallison

i think driving the is would be more fun than a fuel efficient new vehicle.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

wise choice grasshopper.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

If depreciation is an issue, I'd just get a used Prius and call it a day.

If you went new, I'd get a Civic with the 1.5T

csmeance

Insurance on 5 cars monthly when you can only drive 2 cars at a time, do you really need 5? Sounds like a waste of money and storage space.

Sounds like many of the cars in your fleet have aged, are you factoring in future maintenance like tires and brakes that might be due soon?

If you have the IS300, you could drive that and save money every day without spending a dime. It's an IS so it'll last a long time.

If that doesn't jive well, you could trade in the IS300 for another good high MPG car that the wifey does like such as a newer used IS.

Fuel won't always stay this cheap and prices have been bouncing around!

ALarsh

Sell 4 runner
Sell IS
Get Prius
Close thread.

dallison

The insurance and volume of cars is what gets me. Granted insurance with full coverage is only about $4-500 per year per vehicle with 300k limits.

We'll see about selling the IS. If i could sell it for what i had paid in Jan, then i may let it go.

oonowindoo

if MPG is your priority then get a full affordable Electric car.

If you drive too many miles per day - Chevy Volt or Prius

If you want to have some fun at the same time - Telsa

If you can't afford a Tesla, well go back to Prius.

ChunkyDA

You really need to look at ownership cost, not just gas mileage. If you are adding a 5th car the hit to your budget will be more than any fuel efficiency will ever offset. Another set of tires, another round of oil changes, etc. If you are considering replacing a car your math becomes simple like your first post. Fuel cost is only a portion of operating cost and ultimately a minor part of ownership cost which includes insurance and depreciation.

dallison

I've decided to keep the current fleet and daily the is300 and the 911. Yes, i know, 1st world issues.

five cars just seemed stupid to have, but sometimes i don't think but this had me scratching my head.

neuronbob

Good move. Increased outlay to save fuel made no sense to me, either.

dallison

When i was looking a the cost of a vehicle and it's higher mpg versus the depreciation and added cost, at some points it almost made sense.

When i drive the IS, it gets around 23 so that's already an improvement. Getting 45-50 right now would be an improvement but not a huge one.

There is more enjoyment in driving that flat 6 than a 4 cylinder with all of those extra sensors and motors and whatever else could break and drive me nuts.