"Station" car - which to keep

[99Saturn]

I'm thinking about getting rid of 1 of our 3 cars (2 driver household).
In the fleet:
'13 Chevy Cruze ~32K miles
'06 Chevy Cobalt ~117K miles
'99 Saturn SL2 ~218K miles

In the past, we've driven 42K miles/year. I've felt like the buffer of a third/spare car was nice, given that I was driving something over 200K, and my intention was that at some point the Cobalt would replace the Saturn and we'd be back to 2 cars (and then cycle 1 new at a time as needed).

My commute (for now) is about to change from 300 miles/week to ~50 miles/week + train ride. That'll mean putting something like 2,500 to 4,000 miles a year on 1 car for now and 25,000 on the other... seems hard to justify keeping both the Cobalt and the Saturn and paying insurance on both. I wouldn't really have thought of keeping the Saturn, but at less - possibly much less - than 5,000 miles a year I'm debating it. Owned the Saturn for 7 years (since 120K) and keep up on the maintenance, plus I'm assuming I'd get peanuts if I sell it. Owned the Cobalt for 9 months, only about 6,000 miles so not much history - had a couple of issues, which seem to be solved but still feel like I'm getting to know the car.

What do you think?

 

[Donald]

Saturn is past due at the bone yard.

 

[NHGUY]

I'm surprised the Saturn hasn't had its underbody rotted out by now.

 

[CKN]

How is a car with almost double the miles going to be more reliable? Get rid of the Saturn.

 

[IndyIan]

Can you fix small problems on the Saturn yourself?
Is the amount of money you'd get for the Cobalt significant to you?
If the Saturn isn't going to rust away in the next two years, I'd be tempted to keep it and minimize your insurance on it, and save what you get for the Cobalt for a rainy day. Needing the car for only 10 miles a day also minimizes the PTIA factor if the Saturn does need some work.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Take the hint. GM dumped Saturn. You should consider doing the same.

The Cobalt might let you know when it's time by the repair bills.

The Cruze might just be a "keeper". For longer term ownership the Cruze may prove to be one of the better GM cars out there.

 

[Tdbo]

If the Saturn is dependable and you are only driving 50mi/wk, I'd keep the Saturn. I would then take the proceeds from the Cobalt and put it in a good Mutual fund and see how much of a downstroke you can earn for a replacement.

If there is any question about dependability of vehicle, keep the Cobalt.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

It may come down to where you have to park for the train. If it's a shady area, keep using the Saturn since it's practically disposable at this point.

 

[SF0059]

Since the Saturn isn't worth much and the Cobalt is newer with fewer miles, I would lean toward just keeping all 3. The Saturn will just be cheap insurance if one of your other cars has some downtime for repairs.

 

[Rolla07]

Doubt you would get much for cobalt either. I would dump the Saturn..

 

[supton]

Tough one. I'd keep the Saturn and use it for door ding fodder at the train station, or for door ding fodder at the local shopping plaza. Unless if reg/ins is stupid high. I presume it's just liability on the Saturn?

Seems like the '06 Cobalt wouldn't flip for much either, but I'd be curious if basic liability for both, plus reg, would be low. Ditch the Saturn at the first breakage of anything, of course, but keep as a beater.

Or just give away the Saturn if you think the Cobalt is essentially a beater now. No real need for two of those. Three vehicles is nice, one backup with two always in service. But if it's a short distance to the station, with possible rides, it may be more of a hassle to keep three on the road.

 

[The_Jeff]

I love saturns but say dump yours.

This is only because Cobalts are the next s-series and are due for a rapid depreciation due to their model's orphanage and totally generic personality. If something bad happened to your cobalt in a year or two you could probably replace it for $1-2k.

 

[mattwithcats]

Put the Saturn and the Cobalt on Liability only insurance, they pay for the other person, but not your car...

With an extra car, you can increase the deductible on the Cruze, perhaps $500...?

Make sure you keep track of mileage, my insurance has three levels, below 3500 miles a year, 3,500-7,500, and over 7,500...

 

[mattwithcats]

Put the Saturn and the Cobalt on Liability only insurance, they pay for the other person, but not your car...

With an extra car, you can increase the deductible on the Cruze, perhaps $500...?

Make sure you keep track of mileage, my insurance has three levels, below 3500 miles a year, 3,500-7,500, and over 7,500...

 

[glock19]

I would probably drop down to liability insurance on the Saturn and drive it until something major breaks, while only doing the most basic/cheap maintenance on it. Once it's dead just switch over to the Cobalt.

 

[dishdude]

If you have a place to park it and insurance is only a couple hundred a year, I'd keep it.

 

[MrQuackers]

Donald sure hates Saturns

 

[cjcride]

Saturn goes. Maybe username too?

 

[fdcg27]

The Saturn has served its purpose and owes you nothing.
Sell it as a running beater for a grand or so.
Somebody will want it.
The Cobalt could then be the station car with the Cruze serving as your good car.

 

[jmb3675]

I would keep the 2 you like the most. I love my Focus and will likely spend more than it is worth to keep it on the road as long as I can. I do have AAA to tow it home and another vehicle to drive if it does break down.

Another option if insurance cost is an issue, Take the insurance off of one of the cars and store it until one of the others break down.