2015 F150 Eco vs Chevy 2500 opinions gasser only

[EverythingAttachments]

My 2012 Civic saves me at least $60 per week in gas. I got it a little over a year ago with 23K miles and now it has 40K on it.
Based on current wear, the tires should last a lonooong time and are much cheaper than the 35x12.50s that are on my truck.
The maintenance reminder lets me know when the oil needs changing, which was around 10K miles for the last one....that's all the maintenance it's required.

I didn't want a nickel and dimer, so I forked out some extra and went with a newer low mileage Honda.

Tag/tax/insurance is an added expense, but those extra costs are worth it considering the miles aren't adding up on my big truck.
Driving the little car on the hwy and in traffic is more fun(for me) as well.
Travis

 

[KennyG]

To me a second vehicle Econo Car is a false economy.

Chris

I think for a lot of people this is true. My calculations indicate you need to drive the "economy" car 10,000 to 20,000 miles per year to make it cost effective but I drive cars new enough I keep full coverage insurance. Because I've been driving for work the last few years, I've got a 2010 Cobalt that I've driven about 60,000 miles in the last two years (most reimbursed at over $.50 per mile). As a result, I've only put about 6000 miles on my truck in the last two years. My situation is pretty unique, I would guess.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think for a lot of people this is true. My calculations indicate you need to drive the "economy" car 10,000 to 20,000 miles per year to make it cost effective but I drive cars new enough I keep full coverage insurance. Because I've been driving for work the last few years, I've got a 2010 Cobalt that I've driven about 60,000 miles in the last two years (most reimbursed at over $.50 per mile). As a result, I've only put about 6000 miles on my truck in the last two years. My situation is pretty unique, I would guess.

Yes, your situation is pretty sweet.

Around here $5000 and less only gets you a well worn Econo with 100,000 miles. The little stuff all adds up.

I thought about stepping upto 10K but then the economy really doesn't make sense. Depreciation is a killer.

On a 5K car or less Depreciation is really not a factor. My two tries were a $4250 car that I drove for 3 years and sold for $3750. My second attempt was a $5500 car that nickeled and dimmed me for two years and I sold for $5000. It got totaled within a week by the new owners daughter so that was a blessing because they didn't have it long enough have problems and blame me for it.

Chris

 

[toddbailey]

With the econo car route you have drive it enough to make the numbers work that's true! And you must pock the right car and realize what it is and not sink cash into needless repairs if doesn't affect safety or getting from points a&b then it doesn't get fixed period! Drive to til something major breaks. It's easier for us down south no rust!

 

[dodge man]

I tend to agree, a cheap ecno car is often a false sense of savings. If you drive enough every day, I can see it. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with it because you just want it. I've got a 2010 Challenger with 14,000 miles on it, that sure doesn't pencil out.

 

[sld]

I guess I haven't really sharpened my pencil on this econo car deal but I have no regrets.

Insurance is 50.00 per month for full coverage. Tags and taxes are about 8.00 per month. Car with 42k miles was 5k.

I am saving 10 gallons per week just to and from work not to mention all the errand running. I have taken the car on 3 road trips with plans this summer for 2-3 more. The more I drive the more I save.

Plus, it's been so long since i had a sedan I really enjoy driving it. Zipping in and out of traffic and parking are a breeze. Maintenance so far have been changing all fluids myself so it hasn't been too bad. Should be set up for another 30k trouble free miles.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Cars must be all wheel drive or you'll roll-over, get stuck, die of exposure trying to walk a half mile to a farm house, and wind up in the paper. Here is graph from the warm part of MN.

November in northern MN.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Cars must be all wheel drive or you'll roll-over, get stuck, die of exposure trying to walk a half mile to a farm house, and wind up in the paper. Here is graph from the warm part of MN.

After seeing your motorcycle vids, I think you could safely get by with an eco car Eric! :laughing:
Travis

 

[Turbys_1700]

I currently own 4 vehicles. My wife and I drive each separately to work so 2 stays in the car shed. My current Buick has 202K miles after purchasing 5 years ago with 102K miles. In 5 years I've spent around 2K in repairs. Not maintenance. At a 5K purchase price I am driving cheap. Wife's Ford Contour purchased couple years ago for 3K with 90K miles. So far $600 in repairs. Last year bought a 1 owner Buick Century for 3K with 80K 1 owner miles on it. Water pump replaced for $120. Sold my F350 and bought 07 2500 HD Silverado for wholesale. Repaired broken header bolt for $300. Right now owning older stuff makes sense to me. I've got a local mechanic that does all my repairs and I am money ahead. It cost $20 per month per vehicle for liability coverage. What ever works for you may be different. I bought the Century thinking my LeSabre would eventually die. It won't.

Back to the original discussion. To me the loads you are towing dictate the 3/4 ton. The Eco is a great truck though. Diamonpilot may have the ultimate answer in the Nissan.

 

[Copperhead]

With diesel being the same price as gas right now, it is hard to argue against diesel power, except maybe on the emissions junk. But that said, I got a 2015 2500HD 6.0L gasser around the first of March. I can't really speak to the Ecoboost thing, but the 6.0L has a stellar track record of durability and longevity. Cast iron block with 6 bolt main bearing caps and a well documented, proven over 200K mile life in commercial operations. I know several who have well over 300K on them. Easy to get parts for and easy to work on. Yeah, it is somewhat "old school" compared to the new crop of motors, but there is something to be said for sticking with something that works well. I wanted dependability. Now, I haul more than I tow, so I needed the carry capacity of a 2500 over a 1500, and I am not yanking around serious heavy trailers every day, so the 2500 with a gasser was a better choice and value for me. No regrets. I have averaged about 17-18 highway mpg using E15 fuel since I got it (E15 best value right now in my area). Overall mpg.... gravel roads, some in town, off road on property, highway, hauling, everything... averaging 14.5 mpg for the life of the vehicle at around 6500 miles. Diesel is going to beat that right now on a cost per mile basis, but it is anyone's guess how long that will last. But I got the 2500HD double cab pickup for $39K with LT, Z71, and snow plow prep packages and a free Line-X bedliner. So I am not complaining.