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

[NomisR]

Do it all? 

[Eye of the Tiger]

[NomisR]

That's not a car, this is a car

[hotrodalex]

Me too.  Hey, I'm one of the few real enthusiasts here who put up and drives an actual enthusiast car

My enthusiast car stays in the driveway. Hopefully not for long, though. Possibly in 2 weeks it'll be drivable.

And to annoy Rupert, here's my future car plans: some sort of motorcycle when I'm in college (probably just get an old Ninja at first, then move up from there), along with my El Camino. After that, I'll add a 3rd vehicle; either a Datsun 510, E30 M3, or a 60's American sedan (lowered and with rims).

[MX793]

Oh and I agree that people can make do w/normal cars. My dad drives his M45 on shit low pro 18s day in and day out, rain, snow, sleet, shine. I will have to ask him if he's ever got stuck... I don't think he has though and we've had some monster blizzards. You throw a set of winter or snow tires on anything mainstream, the only thing that can stop you is if the snow is a foot tall on the road or its turned to ice. We make too many excuses

NYC doesn't get that much snow.  I think the average season's snowfall is barely 2 feet.  And what you guys call a "monster blizzard" we call "snow showers" in upstate.  We got more snowfall in the first half of December than NYC got all season (by a margin of nearly a foot).

[Rupert]

Yea but the way I see it, if I was gonna spend $15K on 1 "do it all car", I feel like I could get more bang for the buck getting 2 older cars that are less compromised. The savings are probably minimal because of insurance, but you get more bang for the buck. I.e., instead of an EVO, I'd get an old Eclipse GSX and like a Honda Fit or something. Same cost, "more" car, lower fuel/maintenance costs.

Wanting a fun car and a practical car is fine (see my garage), but don't try to make some excuse about saving money by buying more cars. If you are so concerned with saving money, buy one $7500 car instead of two.

[Rupert]

Can't tow with a midsize sedan.  Besides a Pontiac Tempest had 14" of ground clearance and a new Ford Fusion has 5". 

Most people don't need to tow, and I don't believe for a second that a Tempest had more clearance than my Explorer.

[dazzleman]

Wanting a fun car and a practical car is fine (see my garage), but don't try to make some excuse about saving money by buying more cars. If you are so concerned with saving money, buy one $7500 car instead of two.

I agree.  Thinking you're going to save money by having 2 cars instead of 1 is a rationalization.  Might as well just be honest with yourself, and admit you're willing to spend extra money to have 2 distinct cars, rather than hide behind a false idea that a second car can actually save you money.

[The Pirate]

I agree.  Thinking you're going to save money by having 2 cars instead of 1 is a rationalization.  Might as well just be honest with yourself, and admit you're willing to spend extra money to have 2 distinct cars, rather than hide behind a false idea that a second car can actually save you money.

Bah, I actually expect to make money on the Audi when it finally pukes for good and I part it out.

But you're generally correct.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I agree.  Thinking you're going to save money by having 2 cars instead of 1 is a rationalization.  Might as well just be honest with yourself, and admit you're willing to spend extra money to have 2 distinct cars, rather than hide behind a false idea that a second car can actually save you money.

Having two cars allows for zero down time and saves money if you do all of your own work. That is my rationalization.

[The Pirate]

Having two cars allows for zero down time and saves money if you do all of your own work. That is my rationalization.

This too. 

[Rupert]

My rationalization for having two cars is that I want two cars.

[Eye of the Tiger]

My rationalization for having two cars is that I want two cars.

If I used that kind of rationalization, I'd have ten cars.

[The Pirate]

If I used that kind of rationalization, I'd have ten cars.

There is a 1991 Audi V8 quattro for sale locally.  I'm so tempted...

[Rupert]

If I used that kind of rationalization, I'd have ten cars.

Well, I can't afford ten cars, or I would have ten cars.

[Rupert]

There is a 1991 Audi V8 quattro for sale locally.  I'm so tempted...

Ha! Do it!

[Eye of the Tiger]

There is a 1991 Audi V8 quattro for sale locally.  I'm so tempted...

I NEED IT SO BAD

[The Pirate]

I NEED IT SO BAD

http://shift518.com/showthread.php?t=23689

[Eye of the Tiger]

http://shift518.com/showthread.php?t=23689

[hotrodalex]

Well, I can't afford ten cars, or I would have ten cars.

Probably don't have enough space, either.

[omicron]

the more the merrier, however the answer is a function of available cash and space.

I concur, wise European.

[dazzleman]

There is a 1991 Audi V8 quattro for sale locally.  I'm so tempted...

3 cars?   

[MX793]

Having two cars allows for zero down time and saves money if you do all of your own work. That is my rationalization.

Definitely another benefit.  My Mazda has a flat tire right now.  Instead of limping it on the mini-spare either to a place where I can work on it or to a tire shop, I can leave the car in my garage on jack-stands, toss the flat tire in the trunk of my other car, and take it wherever to get it fixed at my leisure.

[Vinsanity]

Having two cars allows for zero down time and saves money if you do all of your own work. That is my rationalization.

LOL. having one car with under 100k miles should give you (almost) zero down time

[The Pirate]

3 cars?   

Tis a pipe dream.  I have no need for 3 cars, nor can I justify the expense.  The only reason I bit on the 80 is that I basically was able to clean out a closet of [valuable] stuff that I'll never use.  Insurance cost is minimal, a tank of fuel lasts a month or more with how often I generally drive it, and it's handy to have a second car if one of them experiences downtime (as mentioned previously).

I'd love to own that car, but it'd require giving up one of my current cars, and that makes little sense.  I love the 80, and it's certainly going to be more reliable than the V8 quattro, because there's comparatively so little to go wrong. 

I keep forgetting to get a SUNY parking pass for it though.  Finally got a parking ticket with it two weeks ago. 

[hounddog]

You know, I believe the X5 fits the description of a nearly perfect vehicle.

Big enough to take the family, powerful and fast enough to be thrilling, just enough handling prowess to be enjoyable in twisties (with a tad bit of common sense thrown in), quiet and comfortable ride at highway speeds, decent fuel economy, plenty of options and luxury to suit everyone in the vehicle, pretty good looking and honestly a good price for an almost complete package.

Our next one will be a diesel, however.

[Rupert]

"Perfect vehicle" is not how I would describe it!

[Rupert]

Probably don't have enough space, either.

One in the garage, three under the car port, two more in the driveway, four in front of the house on the street. Then again, if I could afford ten running cars, I could probably afford a place with even more room.

[mzziaz]

I concur, wise European.

thank you my good sir!

Speaking of which: anyone should have a work truck to haul around crap.

Me driving around a large pine branch and some summer tires yesterday:

[hotrodalex]

Don't think I'll do much hauling with my El Camino, though. The tie down anchors look pretty flimsy and weak.