How many of you keep a "backup vehicle"?

[Oaktree]

Just bought a 2001 Mercury Sable today with only 42k miles. Has a couple of door dings and a scuff on the rear bumper but overall it's fantastic.

Drove it home 180 miles and it drives nice.

Wife has an '02 and she really likes it. Has 125K or so on it. Only problems we've had (other than normal replacement items) was a bad coil pack and the bracket that holds the rear sway bar to the cross-member cracked. Coil pak was a PITA to get at, as are the rear bank of plugs, though I'd imagine any other make with a V6 would be just as bad.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Wife has an '02 and she really likes it. Has 125K or so on it. Only problems we've had (other than normal replacement items) was a bad coil pack and the bracket that holds the rear sway bar to the cross-member cracked. Coil pak was a PITA to get at, as are the rear bank of plugs, though I'd imagine any other make with a V6 would be just as bad.

Mini Vans are the worst. My aunt had a GMC AWD van with a 4.3 in the late 80's. One sides plugs took about 4 hours to replace.

Another friend had a Dodge Caravan. The rear plugs on it were next to impossible.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

Another friend had a Dodge Caravan. The rear plugs on it were next to impossible.

We had a Caravan with a V6. The plugs didn't get changed while we had it for that very reason.

Aaron Z

 

[dodge man]

I have to agree with DP, a backup vehicle probably doesn't pencil out. I suspect most people have them because they WANT one, but don't need it. An exception to this might be someone that has to get to work, like fire fighter, doctor, nurse etc.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We sometimes forget to rotate our back up vehicles. We did drive the F700 to town Sat and filled it up so we now have 50 more gas of generator gas if needed but Feb extended forecast down not look real bad but it is not real warm but above freezing going forward.

 

[JDgreen227]

I have to agree with DP, a backup vehicle probably doesn't pencil out. I suspect most people have them because they WANT one, but don't need it. An exception to this might be someone that has to get to work, like fire fighter, doctor, nurse etc.

I look at it this way...my oldest vehicle is a Y2K model and my newer one is a 2004...odds are both of them are going to require repairs some time in any given year and because I do as much as possible of it myself it's great to have a backup vehicle. For those who have a daily driver only a few years old, reliability is pretty much a given and in many cases the warranty will provide a loaner car. HOWEVER...a month ago my neighbors were stuck an hour away from home in severe weather when their BRAND NEW BUICK LEFT THEM STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE. I offered them one of my cars while theirs was being fixed. No, I don't have to get to work but since I live in a rural area I feel a lot more comfortable knowing if one of my vehicles does not start I have a backup. Yes, I WANT one, and I also might NEED one. And I don't have rental car insurance that would provide me with a loaner. Indeed, the closest rental agency is a long drive from me.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I look at it this way...my oldest vehicle is a Y2K model and my newer one is a 2004...odds are both of them are going to require repairs some time in any given year and because I do as much as possible of it myself it's great to have a backup vehicle. For those who have a daily driver only a few years old, reliability is pretty much a given and in many cases the warranty will provide a loaner car. HOWEVER...a month ago my neighbors were stuck an hour away from home in severe weather when their BRAND NEW BUICK LEFT THEM STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE. I offered them one of my cars while theirs was being fixed. No, I don't have to get to work but since I live in a rural area I feel a lot more comfortable knowing if one of my vehicles does not start I have a backup. Yes, I WANT one, and I also might NEED one. And I don't have rental car insurance that would provide me with a loaner. Indeed, the closest rental agency is a long drive from me.

They should have been given a loaner.

My nearest rental agency is 25 miles but they all deliver for free.

Chris

 

[radioman]

Well... Some of us detest the time to get a rental. Having a backup that is multipurpose is ideal

 

[Florida Cracker]

Primary 2014 RAM 2500 manual trans 4x4
Backup 1996 RAM 2500 auto trans 4x4 with only 183k!

Wife has a 2001 Honda Accord her dad bought for her when she started college. I can't convince her to get a new car!! She loves that old thing. So I just keep it running for her. Got 212k now and hasn't skipped a beat.

 

[JDgreen227]

They should have been given a loaner.

My nearest rental agency is 25 miles but they all deliver for free.

Chris

Their car was towed to the CLOSEST DEALERSHIP to the roadside breakdown site which was a 60 mile one way trip from their home...and how does one get a loaner car at midnight on a Saturday???? Or a Sunday???