Commuting

[aczlan]

It’s all about personal preference and individual situations. Nothing fits everyone’s situation the same.
[Snip]
I feel blessed that I have choices and options. I also feel blessed that I have a need for choices and options.

This.
We are blessed to have a Yukon XL (wife's vehicle), a Taurus X (my vehicle) and my inlaws farm truck (1997 Dodge 1500). All have over 150k miles, but are in good mechanical condition
Which one we drive depends on what we need to do that day.

Aaron Z

 

[Tractorable]

Moving to the country is expensive. When we first moved out to the country from the city we had two compact cars, a Honda Civic and a Nissan Versa. They save on gas but they suck everywhere else. It seems like I'm always having to move, tow, carry, put dogs in, and in the winter need 4wd. Then to maintain the property we needed tractor, mower, and about a hundred other power tools.

We got our first "half-truck" Honda Ridgeline for $3000 with a family discount. Even tho its kinda dorky it's way more practical for day to day use.

I bought a 2016 Toyota Avalon because I drive 100 miles a day and wanted to be comfortable. Nice car but I'm more comfortable in my beater Ridgeline since I'm 6ft tall and lanky, the upright seating is a lot more comfortable for me.

Gonna sell the Avalon cause I need a new tractor. Eventually moving towards all truck-like vehicles as money allows. Gas mileage is a small factor these days.

 

[CincyFlyer]

There's used vehicles for a lot less than 35 grand.

Yeah, when I had 140 miles [RT] a day to commute, I bought a cheap, high-mileage Civic (manual transmission) and went from 18 mpg (all highway mileage) to 44, and the car payment was peanuts. I put 55K miles on the first year. The savings made the payment and paid for insurance and left a couple hundred bucks in my pocket as well.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Ive done well with 3 accords, 1civic, now i drive a pilot to work (110 mi rt). I noticed my mpg has dropped to 17, used to get 24mpg. Course it has almost 350k miles.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Ive done well with 3 accords, 1civic, now i drive a pilot to work (110 mi rt). I noticed my mpg has dropped to 17, used to get 24mpg. Course it has almost 350k miles.

My mileage drops every fall like clockwork. I assume its a combination of winter blend gasoline and dense air making ecu feed more fuel. According to Bell Performance, summer gasoline blend contains 2% more energy by volume.

Kevin

 

[Deere Dude]

We retired and eventually moved to a place about 4 miles from town and no commute except to Walmart or Tractor Supply or restaurants. I make the trip about once a day. I generally take my D-max dually instead of an Impala. It is probably not the best taking diesels on short trips all the time but it is more comfortable to drive.

I am about 6'3" 260# and getting into a 4 door is a pain and then I have the door post right in the way to see. Going to a big town 35 miles away just for groceries or visiting somebody I generally take the car mostly for the fuel expense, but I don't like it.

 

[RickB]

Adding in maintaining on a second vehicle isn't exactly fair. Maintenance is mostly dependent on mileage and you'd spend less on your other vehicle. I've made several pro second vehicle post. With that said I drive a truck.

How many vehicles have you owned that didn稚 have maintenance costs?

 

[4570Man]

How many vehicles have you owned that didn稚 have maintenance costs?

None, but you half the mileage the vehicle is driven the maintenance cost will close to half.

 

[RickB]

None, but you half the mileage the vehicle is driven the maintenance cost will close to half.

Mine need insurance and tags even when parked. That’s a substantial fraction of my total annual costs. I have a pickup and small car.

 

[Old Red]

I've been wrestling around with all this here lately. I have a very nice 10 year old chevy duramax 2500 with 147,000 miles. I bought it 8 years ago to the day it had 33,000.....My commute is only 2 miles to work but I have 5 clinics in a 3 county areas and drive to Lexington (3 hrs away) about once a month......I have been wrestling with a decision. Do I drive this thing until the wheels fall off of it, then purchase another very expensive diesel pickup that cost a lot to own and drive (I have to have a truck). Or do I stop now, purchase a more reasonable vehicle....small mid size SUV like a honda CRV or a Honda Accord Sedan and make that my daily driver and keep my truck to use it for its intended purpose, towing heavy equipment occasionally and hauling stuff in the bed. This scenario would likely make my truck last me another 20 years and would allow me to not have to replace it with another expensive truck.... Like the OP says.....for me at least....it just doesn't seem reasonable for me to wear this expensive truck out and buy another one.....I only need a truck on occasion...and only the towing and power of a diesel even more infrequently.

And on the other hand.....as you can tell 110,000 miles in 8 years I don't drive a lot period. So my current truck is still probably going to last me another 8 years.

What is the most miles you all have ever put on a vehicle?