One "do it all" car or several "different usage" cars (ownership preference)

[sportyaccordy]

I think a lot (probably too much) about the first car I'm gonna buy when I leave NYC. With gas being so freaking crazy, something like a G35 for a daily driver is completely out of the question. $60 a week on gas... ouch. So I am thinking of something practical, like an Accord or even a Civic, for DD duties. But I would still have the need for speed and wrenching, so I would also get an S2000 & probably turbocharge it.

I came to this conclusion because on another board some dude did a review of the new M3, and he only makes like $40K a year but is seriously considering somehow financing & daily driving it. Unless I was making serious bank, I just don't know that I could reconcile such an expensive DD... and while the M3 is awesome, it's always going to be a compromise that can be avoided by just getting two cheaper cars that serve its dual purposes more fully. Plus even if he could get its performance for cheap, daily running costs will just be a pain with gas headed upward.

Same with nearly anything where a special circumstance dictates need. If I were to commit to some snowbound place, I'd rather get something like a Cherokee for the winter and a more fun + economical spring car over a Subaru.

With cars being more reliable and offering a lot in the 5-15K range (for example I could def get an early 00s Civic & S2K for under 20K), this seems to be the more sensible approach to me for people with conflicting automotive needs.

What do you guys think?

[NomisR]

Well, not only the price of purchase but you also have to consider the price of insurance and registration .  The additional cost of additional insurance and registration and other maintenance items for another car, you can get one multipurpose car that guzzles gas and still not have it cost much more.

But of course, it really depends on the cost of the above and what cars you choose.  Speaking from experience, I went the 2nd route only becausee I replaced my gas guzzling fun/multipurpose car and replaced it with an single purple fun car and just so happened, got my old multipurpose car back with good mileage so it worked out for me.  But the additional cost of insurance for 2 cars would've made up for the additional gas cost. 

[sportyaccordy]

I think u are in Cali correct? Yea in NYC my insurance ranged from about $100-300; I am not sure how much it would be to add another car to an existing policy. But I know outside places like NYC & Cali insurance is dirt cheap and probably not really a big factor. Like say a G35 costs $150/mo to insure and $250/mo to fuel up. I'd rather insure a Civic + S2000 for $250 and maybe pay $175-200/mo in gas. A little more $$$, but I could reconcile the gas usage in the Civic and would really get to go all out and fully enjoy the S2K.

[hotrodalex]

Different cars, simply because I love cars and having multiple is always a plus.

[Vinsanity]

it does seem kinda fun to have 2 cars; it keeps things interesting at the very least. But for my personal needs, one nice car is definitely the way to go. My commute is short (at least the driving part), and the occasion is still rare where the Caddy is insufficient for hauling duties. Sometimes I do think about getting a supplemental car as opposed to a replacement one, though.

[NomisR]

I think u are in Cali correct? Yea in NYC my insurance ranged from about $100-300; I am not sure how much it would be to add another car to an existing policy. But I know outside places like NYC & Cali insurance is dirt cheap and probably not really a big factor. Like say a G35 costs $150/mo to insure and $250/mo to fuel up. I'd rather insure a Civic + S2000 for $250 and maybe pay $175-200/mo in gas. A little more $$$, but I could reconcile the gas usage in the Civic and would really get to go all out and fully enjoy the S2K.

Yeah, originally for me.. the insurance for the Rx8 was about $650 every half year.  When I got the Elise, the insurance is about $780 every 6 months and the RSX is $910 every 6 months. 

But then again, this is an extreme example since the Rx8 is considered a 4 door so insurance is cheaper and the RSX is a "high risk" car so insurance is more expensive.

But seeing that I was spending almost $2000 more per year, gas would easily be affordable even at 18mpg at $4.50/gallon.  But of course, my insurance is now less than half that so much better now. 

But I want to go really unthusiast by getting rid of the RSX for an even better mileage car like an Insight..  we'll see.

[sportyaccordy]

God damn so u were paying like $4K/yr in insurance? Couldn't u consolidate the RX-8 & RSX down to something practical (i.e. 1st gen TSX)? Seems like a lot of overlap.

[MX793]

I like having a winter car and a more fun, less practical summer car.

[NomisR]

God damn so u were paying like $4K/yr in insurance? Couldn't u consolidate the RX-8 & RSX down to something practical (i.e. 1st gen TSX)? Seems like a lot of overlap.

I didn't have to pay for the RSX insurance when I had the Rx8.  I gave it to my mom to drive and she was paying for that insurance so it wasn't so bad.  I got the RSX back about 6 months after  I got my Elise because my mom moved back to Taiwan.  So that was when i had to take on both insurances. 

[the Teuton]

I'm going to keep PlastiCar, but I am planning on getting a convertible sports car on the cheap as soon as I can afford to do so.

Because no one drives an MSC in the snow.

[NomisR]

MSC?

[the Teuton]

MSC?

Mystery Sports Car. I'm stealing a Raza term here. Just go with it.

Come on, how many sub-$5,000 sports cars are there on the market?

[NomisR]

Mystery Sports Car. I'm stealing a Raza term here. Just go with it.

Come on, how many sub-$5,000 sports cars are there on the market?

A quick search on Autotrader, for $5000, you can get a 1994 Trans Am, a 1999 Plasticar, or a 1991 MR2.

So whatever happened to coming to So Cal?

[SVT666]

I would love to have different cars, but reality is that I have to have an all-rounder.  My wife has a 4x4 Explorer for familu duties, towing our tent trailer, utility trailer, and off roading.  My SVT Focus is the fun car.  Unfortunately, the Explorer sucks gas like there is no tomorrow and my wife put almost 30K miles on it last year.  My Focus only gets roughly 27 mph on the highway and it drinks premium.  I put 400 miles on it each work week.  Oh well, expensive gas is better than a car payment.

[giant_mtb]

That thing only goes 27mph on the highway?  Guess those SVT sport wagons aren't so sporty after all!

[the Teuton]

So whatever happened to coming to So Cal?

Things take longer than you'd want them to. Still might happen, still pushing for it, still have no idea if anything will materialize.

Regardless, I will be PlastiCelibate for at least a while longer.

[dazzleman]

If I drove more miles, I'd love to have 2 cars for different purposes.  But since I only drive, 8,000 miles per year total, more than one car makes no sense for me.

[68_427]

Multiple. But If I could only have one, it'd prolly be a S401/2 Legacy or RS4 or something.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I like having a winter car and a more fun, less practical summer car.

Same here!

[Raza]

Everything has its own purpose.  Nothing that does all does anything very well.  There are cars that are good compromises, but they are still compromises. 

[dazzleman]

Everything has its own purpose.  Nothing that does all does anything very well.  There are cars that are good compromises, but they are still compromises. 

Exactly.  There are times I'd love a 2-seater convertible, and times I'd love an SUV or something like that to transport things.

But I can't justify keeping wasting assets around for such minimal use.  I'm not rich enough, and I don't want to work any longer than necessary, so it's more important to me to save money.

[68_427]

Exactly.  There are times I'd love a 2-seater convertible, and times I'd love an SUV or something like that to transport things.

[Laconian]

That can't transport shit. Its trunk is tiny.

[68_427]

You lack creativity.

[280Z Turbo]

A friend of mine got rid of his Acura for a Chevy 3500 dually crew cab diesel. He's using the truck as a daily driver.

He got it because he wants to tow his car a couple times a year in the summer. He's obviously loaded for a soon-to-be college graduate.

Talk about one hell of a compromise.

[68_427]

How many miles?

[The_Joker]

My Miata is my do it all car. I have carried a 7 ft artificial christmas tree, a 20 gallon air compressor, 4 wheels and tires, and 3 seats in the passenger side.

[Rupert]

The more cars the better.

However, saving on gas is almost never a good excuse to buy another car. Second car = $4000 + $600/yr insurance (at least), gas savings for a year for a 30 mile commute going from 15 mpg to 35 mpg at $4/gal= $1140.

[Rupert]

Mystery Sports Car. I'm stealing a Raza term here. Just go with it.

Come on, how many sub-$5,000 sports cars are there on the market?

Many many many. My Miata, MGB, and the 944 were all sub-$5000. Also, old Fiats, MR2s, RX7s, Supras ('80s), 914s, 924s, 2002s, Midgets, Jenson-Healys, certain Triumphs, some Zs, GTIs, Mustangs, Camaros/Firebirds...

You guys and your I will have a sports car (someday, really, I swear I'm not just full of shit). Just buy one!

[The Pirate]

Two cars is awesome.  Once I get the feeling that the Audi is up to some long distances, I'm tempted to ditch the Proteg? for something fun.  But yeah, it's never a cost saving measure.