Please help: seeking 2nd car.

[Johnson]

I have posted on this before but I am still back and fourth in what to do.

Right now, I drive a 2002 monte carlo. I live in South Dakota where the winters **** with salt/snow bad roads. It is capable of getting around in the winter, but with the low ground effects and everything I cry when I haft to get around town with it in bad weather.

Right now, I kinda have two homes if you will. I live and work in one, and go to the other one on the weekends when stuff is going on. So, I do alot of traveling back and fourth between the two.

So, I was toying with the options of seeking another car. I have found a car that would work perfectly for a daily driver. It only has 99,000 miles on it for a 2000. The 2.2 motor is pretty much bullet proof as far as maintenance goes. It would be much better on gas mileage I would think, I wouldn't need to be as picky as I am with the Monte Carlo. Insurance for the daily driver is less then 150 a year.

I find it hard to come up with "cons" when thinking about this. Maybe I can get some help with that? Extra Insurance, and a course extra keep-up on them

MORAL OF THE STORY, Is it worth having a daily driver to save the wear and tear on a car that has been considered your pride and joy and want to keep it nice.

Just need some feedback on what to do.

[cnfowler]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

If you have the funds, go for it. We recently purchased a new car. I kept my old Range Rover for winter use. I don't have to worry about keeping it looking new, and its a great winter vehicle with all wheel drive.

Can't fault a man for wanting to keep his pride-and-joy lookin' nice.

Colin

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

Yup, it's a way of life up here. Audi Quattro for winter, something else in the summer.

Proper snow tires are also part of the package, all-season doesn't cut it.

I have a 1986 VW Scirocco 16V, 100% stock that has never seen snow. People think I'm nuts for "saving" a car "like that".
Those people can kiss my hind quarters

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

If you have the funds, go for it.

That's the big thing to consider, since you'll have upkeep & maintenance on two cars now. If that's not a problem, then definitely go for it.

I have a 1986 VW Scirocco 16V, 100% stock that has never seen snow. People think I'm nuts for "saving" a car "like that".
Those people can kiss my hind quarters

Those people have no clue what a fantastic little car your keeping there. Not everything has to have the power of a Cobra like your avatar to be a total blast to drive. And to be worth keeping in pristine shape. Good for you!! By the way, did you catch Automobile Magazine's Collectible Classic article on the Scirocco 16V a couple months back?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

I remember when I lived up north. I always wanted a winter beater. If you can swing it. Go for it.

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

By the way, did you catch Automobile Magazine's Collectible Classic article on the Scirocco 16V a couple months back?

That's awesome!!!

When I take people for a spin they are surprised. 7,000 rpm, 2,200lbs or so = fun ride. People don't know what it means to have a light car anymore. Even the new Lotus is over 3,000lbs!!

The pic of the guy in the back seat is classic, we have our own stories of 3-4 people in ours.

Only mods are Euro headlights, the US spec units are about 10% better than a candle. Now I have four 100 watt bulbs with the highs on

Thanks for the link.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

I bought my 2008 Accord two years ago for the express purpose of being my daily driver. And I kept my 1993 Civic until just last month because it continued to serve important roles.

For the first year after I bought my Accord, I was at the mercy of street parking on a street heavily populated with college kids. This means parking spots are at a premium and many of the kids were driving beaters handed down to them from their parents. In this environment, tapping or nudging a bumper while parking is a common occurrence.

To protect my new car, I used the old one to reserve a parking space directly adjacent to my neighbor's driveway. I would park the old car back just far enough to create space that would ensure the car directly behind me would have at least 3-4 feet off my rear bumper for parallel parking maneuvering room. Every night I would move the old car and park the newer one in it's vacated place.

A year later I moved into the duplex unit next door to me and gained a driveway, but I held on to the Civic for another year for such duties as driving to the stadium or to bad neighborhoods or locations I knew would have tight parking.

Finally this was the year to say goodbye to the Civic. My plan was to sell it for $1000, but it failed smog just before it's renewal date. The state of California bought it from me for (coincidentally) $1000 to take it off the road. In the 30 days since I junked the Civic, I have saved $220 in insurance premiums and have made another $250 selling parts from it on ebay. Not to mention the $88 I saved not having to register it for another year.

As for the stadium? I will be taking public transportation this season and leave the Accord safely parked in my driveway.

[Johnson]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

That's the big thing to consider, since you'll have upkeep & maintenance on two cars now. If that's not a problem, then definitely go for it.

This is the biggest thing that has me scratching my head.....

Would I be putting myself ahead if I were to park the good car and save the value and wear and tear of it by driving a beater car to use for everyday driving?
Yes the funds are in the ball park.. not overflowing by any means.. but enough to live fairly comfortable while still paying for school loans.

Will it pay off in the long run.. Would I regret not putting that car away. Being at a young age that I am.. Its hard telling what, where I will be, Single, married, engaged. House payments and what ever else that goes along in the great thing called life.

With the miles that I put on, they sure add up in a hurry. I would think I should be able to cut my gas bill a little. I think last year, I spent over 30 buicks a month just keeping the good car clean during the winter months.

[cnfowler]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

This is the biggest thing that has me scratching my head.....

Would I be putting myself ahead if I were to park the good car and save the value and wear and tear of it by driving a beater car to use for everyday driving?...

Will it pay off in the long run.. Would I regret not putting that car away...

With the miles that I put on, they sure add up in a hurry. I would think I should be able to cut my gas bill a little. I think last year, I spent over 30 buicks a month just keeping the good car clean during the winter months.

If you're trying to get it down to dollars, I don't think its going to happen. Too much to figure in. If it puts you at ease not having to worry about your Monte Carlo during the winter months, then that should answer your question.

Colin

[Johnson]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

Not looking so much for dollar for dollar, just a ball park.

If a extra car is gonna cost me, say 500-900 bucks more a year, i would say it wouldn't be worth having the extra car sitting around.

one thing that it comes down too, How long do I expect to keep the Monte. Yeah, shes my pride and joy at the moment, but if I fall in love with a different car, who to say I might let her go and get a new ride.

Most defiantly it will ease the worry of not driving it in the winter, but I dont want to be tied down with extra car expenses if it can be helped!

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

Maintaining two cars isn't that bad. It keeps wear and tear off your baby and you just need to stay realistic with the "beater" when it comes to repairs.

[cnfowler]

Re: Please help: seeking 2nd car.

You're in a tough position - needs vs. wants.

If you buy a cheap car, you'll have to worry about previous maintenance (or lack thereof). You have to consider what normal wear and tear items will need to be addressed in the coming months given the mileage. Keep in mind the bigger maintenance services that may be approaching given the mileage - transmission service, differential service, tune up, etc. Think about insurance costs, oil changes, tires, etc. The list goes on. There's a lot to think about.

I like the idea of having a winter vehicle simply because those are nasty months. During the winter, I don't want to have to worry about cleaning the car, whether the pea gravel they put down is going to chip my paint/windshield, whether it stays outside in the weather or is in the heated garage, etc. Just the peace of mind is worth it to me.

Is it worth it? That is certainly up to you. What is worth it to you may be completely obsurd to someone else.

Colin