I think I need to thin my vehicular herd

[malibuguy79]

I personally have 6 cars. I used to love having multiple redundant cars to always be able to get to work. However, I currently work for myself for the last 8 years and no longer have the 32k a year commute that demanded a good mileage, reliable car. My typical yearly commute is 5k. And general overall running around for life is currently maybe another 7k a year.

-2010 Yaris sedan with 193k is/was my main DD. Had since new. Many upgrades since I do occasionally race it and used to spend so much time in it. Currently has damage from accident with ice last winter to the right side rocker area and a mismatched door. I do adore this thing, its so proper good to drive.

-06 Highlander awd 3mz w/ 173k. Its my family hauler, big item hauler, and back up for my wifes car should anything happen to that (honda fit). Likely not going anywhere anytime soon.

-97 Tercel 2dr with a 1nzfe swap. I usually commute in this. This is my therapy car.

-96 Tercel 2dr turbo autocross car. When its not in full lick mode its a very reasonable commuter, just a bit...noticeable.

-96 Tercel 4dr, another 1nzfe swap project. Not complete yet, kinda on hold. Still up in the air what to do with this car ultimately, but its a good backup chassis that currently doesnt owe me a **** thing. To me its worth sitting on it atm.

-82 Malibu with a 1uzfe swap. This car...is the 2nd longest ive owned a car. Its also the 5th (out of 6) Malibus ive owned. I am currently back onto it after a bit of a hiatus to finish it and drive with my dad before hes gone. I have plans for the car and its fate (keep or sell) will be decided fall 2025. I need to complete it and achieve my goals with it before anything else. Yes its a bit ratty now but that doesnt bother me currently.


To make things fun, MD raised registration prices across the board so as 1 or 2 more projects come online I just cannot flat out to afford to tag them all.

I think my answer is to unload the Yaris, I have a buddy up in Canada potentially interested and his wife works at a body shop. Its about the only way I can see selling it outwright for a semi-respectful price considering all the proper parts it currently has. Otherwise Id rather part it out and at least keep the motor for myself as a spare.

97 Tercel I just cannot see unloading it, its has help bring in some business as well because of its swap. The AX car I use to advertise my shop and is hella invaluable to me currently plus its serves as a test bed. If anything I want to set the HL up to tow it and go to more events at a wider radius. The 4dr again can just sit as a backup chassis. The Malibu well, I can see potentially sticking around long term but atm not going anywhere...the custom driveshaft I just ordered for it costed me more then all 3 tercels did combined

I more or less needed more of a vent to better see things out. My one buddy days to get rid of them all and buy a Tacoma and a GR86...lol like I have 80k to spend

 

[Vegasguy]

I'm in the same boat. Have 5 cars for myself and wife has just her 1 car. My commute is 4 miles each way. No idea why I keep them. Insurance is brutal

 

[PandaBear]

If I were you, I would sell the non track Tercels and the Malibu for sure. Between the Yaris and the Highlander I would keep the highlander, and between the track Tercel and the Yaris, I don't know, just pick one.

 

[CharBaby]

For most of our married life, we always had 3 cars(her's, mine, ours). I've had as many as 5 cars at one time and have done this on a couple of occasions but I was younger then.
Today, I would find this an inconvenience of having to move cars all of the time at our humble home, in order to get to the one I wanted or needed for the day.
Now, we only have 2 vehicles although 3 are in my signature. The Civic in my sig is my daughter's car and I maintain it(wash it, care for it, talk to it nicely).
As I am retired and my wife is semi-retired, we have one vehicle(VENZA) that we share/mostly together and the Firebird For Fun(F-body).

 

[SaberOne]

At my age I’m down to one vehicle, but I do miss having both a road car and a city ‘slummer.
I really miss my 2013 TDI bug; that thing’ was like a little tank.

 

[joekingcorvette]

OP you have quite the corral of cars that's for sure. The 96 race car looks a lot newer and is really sharp looking. Cars and guns seem to be hard to part with for some reason. For some reason I like my cheap daily driver Civic about as well as any of my vehicles. Maybe it's because it cost very little when I bought it $11,000 and it was not even 3 years old.

 

[cptbarkey]

The only gap here is some kind of wheel barrow with 4 wheels.
Everything has a purpose.
No need to shame yourself.
Unless your guilty of something.
Then keep talking.

 

[atikovi]

-97 Tercel 2dr with a 1nzfe swap. I usually commute in this. This is my therapy car.
View attachment 230691

-96 Tercel 2dr turbo autocross car. When its not in full lick mode its a very reasonable commuter, just a bit...noticeable.
View attachment 230692

FYI, Historic tags aren't meant to be used for commuting. The police have been cracking down on this, and rightly so. It's unfair to those who spend the money on repairs to pass MD safety and emissions inspection and get regular tags.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

Before you sell any of them, call your local yard and see what they are worth as "pick up" vehicles. You might be surprisd as to their parts value.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Yeah, I just gave away our beloved 2006 TSX to a good home. At least I will still service it. I will go crazy if it is not clean, but that's outta my control now.

 

[jeepman3071]

It's tough, I own two cars, a few ATVs, a tractor with some attachments, and quite a few pieces of power equipment. I'm fanatical about maintaining them, and use a spreadsheet/mark the filters with a date for when I service things.

A good friend owns a Christmas tree farm, and has probably 3-4 times as much equipment as I do. Maintaining it is basically a second full-time job. Luckily both of us are young(er) and it's not a big deal. My grandfather is in his 80s and maintaining the equipment and cars he owns is not something he can do himself anymore.

I love late 90s to mid 2000's cars, and would like to own more vehicles, but I also don't want to be wrenching on stuff every moment of spare time I have, and all of this stuff requires a place to store it without looking like a salvage yard.

 

[John105]

For most of our married life, we always had 3 cars(her's, mine, ours). I've had as many as 5 cars at one time and have done this on a couple of occasions but I was younger then.
Today, I would find this an inconvenience of having to move cars all of the time at our humble home, in order to get to the one I wanted or needed for the day.
Now, we only have 2 vehicles although 3 are in my signature. The Civic in my sig is my daughter's car and I maintain it(wash it, care for it, talk to it nicely).
As I am retired and my wife is semi-retired, we have one vehicle(VENZA) that we share/mostly together and the Firebird For Fun(F-body).

I find these stories amusing as they hit home.

I actually got up to 3 cars when a junior in college. Very odd looking back and very hard to manage parking. 1975 Volvo 244 DL, 1978 264 GLE, 1986 Turbo 944. Somehow I managed to shed all 3 and had a 1970 LeMans Sport next, then a 1979 264 GLE.

In 1998 bought a 1998 Maxima SE. In 2006 got engaged so bought a 2007 335i coupe before marriage.

Had two cars now all is good. Added a 3rd 2011 Enclave which was good for the dog and one day baby (2013). Got a LS430 in 2016, first used car that cost over $2k. Also first car paid cash over $2k.

Junked the Maxima early 2023. It had a long life I guess and we have 3 cars today. Comes in handy like when today the 2011 is getting a state inspection and wife has to work when the shop opened. We dropped off together and I went back with the 2007.

I just listed every car I ever owned and it’s really not that many compared to others. I like to keep new cars about 20-25 years.

 

[IndyIan]

I personally have 6 cars. I used to love having multiple redundant cars to always be able to get to work. However, I currently work for myself for the last 8 years and no longer have the 32k a year commute that demanded a good mileage, reliable car. My typical yearly commute is 5k. And general overall running around for life is currently maybe another 7k a year.

-2010 Yaris sedan with 193k is/was my main DD. Had since new. Many upgrades since I do occasionally race it and used to spend so much time in it. Currently has damage from accident with ice last winter to the right side rocker area and a mismatched door. I do adore this thing, its so proper good to drive.
View attachment 230689

-06 Highlander awd 3mz w/ 173k. Its my family hauler, big item hauler, and back up for my wifes car should anything happen to that (honda fit). Likely not going anywhere anytime soon.
View attachment 230690

-97 Tercel 2dr with a 1nzfe swap. I usually commute in this. This is my therapy car.
View attachment 230691

-96 Tercel 2dr turbo autocross car. When its not in full lick mode its a very reasonable commuter, just a bit...noticeable.
View attachment 230692

-96 Tercel 4dr, another 1nzfe swap project. Not complete yet, kinda on hold. Still up in the air what to do with this car ultimately, but its a good backup chassis that currently doesnt owe me a **** thing. To me its worth sitting on it atm.
View attachment 230693

-82 Malibu with a 1uzfe swap. This car...is the 2nd longest ive owned a car. Its also the 5th (out of 6) Malibus ive owned. I am currently back onto it after a bit of a hiatus to finish it and drive with my dad before hes gone. I have plans for the car and its fate (keep or sell) will be decided fall 2025. I need to complete it and achieve my goals with it before anything else. Yes its a bit ratty now but that doesnt bother me currently.


To make things fun, MD raised registration prices across the board so as 1 or 2 more projects come online I just cannot flat out to afford to tag them all.

I think my answer is to unload the Yaris, I have a buddy up in Canada potentially interested and his wife works at a body shop. Its about the only way I can see selling it outwright for a semi-respectful price considering all the proper parts it currently has. Otherwise Id rather part it out and at least keep the motor for myself as a spare.

97 Tercel I just cannot see unloading it, its has help bring in some business as well because of its swap. The AX car I use to advertise my shop and is hella invaluable to me currently plus its serves as a test bed. If anything I want to set the HL up to tow it and go to more events at a wider radius. The 4dr again can just sit as a backup chassis. The Malibu well, I can see potentially sticking around long term but atm not going anywhere...the custom driveshaft I just ordered for it costed me more then all 3 tercels did combined

I more or less needed more of a vent to better see things out. My one buddy days to get rid of them all and buy a Tacoma and a GR86...lol like I have 80k to spend

View attachment 230694

Oh I like that Yaris! I shouldn't ask, but PM me how much you want for it as is?

 

[wings&wheels]

You and me both.....

 

[sloinker]

OP- It is strange what people love and use as vehicles. You don't have a vehicle in your fleet that I would have any interest in owning. Conversely I would assume that many people wouldn't like to own any of the vehicles that I have. God Bless America!

 

[malibuguy79]

FYI, Historic tags aren't meant to be used for commuting. The police have been cracking down on this, and rightly so. It's unfair to those who spend the money on repairs to pass MD safety and emissions inspection and get regular tags.

Cool story and I know there is people that abuse it, but usually its to use piles of crap that shouldn't be on the road to begin with. Fun part...once you go thru MD inspection after purchase, thats it. Only emissions get tested afterwards and that is easy to get around too TBH. ALOT of regularly tagged cars currently in MD will not pass inspection. I actually wish we had inspections say every 2 years like PA for example.

However, that is/was not my intent. The 97 was set up (from the get go) to get regular tags and go thru inspection and emissions (yes it has fully intact and functioning emissions equipment and a factory ECU) at a moments notice should anything happen to say my Yaris or Highlander. Maybe next time do not throw judgement without knowing the full story. Anything I put on the street is always fully serviced and ready to go, historic or not. Just so happens lately with the nicer weather I have been driving it more often then the Yaris. Simple as that. There are times it sits for weeks and I do not drive during the winter salt. I do not build sketchy cars and I do not try to skirt the law, for myself or customers. If the Yaris does leave, I actually will transfer the regular tags onto the 97 and put it thru inspection.

For my 96 AX car, the only reason I know its "commuting" ability was I had to break in a new clutch before my first race event this spring due to poor planning on my part. Now it just sits between events and working on it. It too has a catalytic converter and I tuned it to run very clean. However it does have an aftermarket ECU so no OBD2. It usually sees less then 2000miles a year, and that is primarily because all events are a minimum of 60miles and more away from me.

My commute is 20miles a day on mostly back country roads, and you should see the piles of absolute garbage I share the roads with up here. A lot of these trucks up here are going to end up killing people & that upsets me. Yet the owners are too busy chugging Mountain Dew and do not care about anyone beyond themselves.

 

[John105]

I think of all OPs cars I like the Highlander. There's something about having the original or 1st generation. It kind of speaks to where it started, and where it is today. So many vehicles for 2024, are far worse than the prior generations. As I've said imho 2001-2010, somewhere in there were the best cars mechanically speaking. How often do we hear today, this is the fastest, and worst, <Insert make model here> ever made.