Thinking of buying a beater

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With gas prices on the rise and my only vehicle being an 04 avalanche that gets 17 miles per gallon, I’m thinking of getting a beater 4 cyl economy car like and old Corolla or the like for daily driver, etc. They are cheap and easy to maintain. But would it be worth it in the long run? I think so as I drive 15-20k miles a year. Your guys thoughts?
 
If your cost of owning which includes insurance and everything else for upkeep of both vehicles including gas save you a good chunk of money then yes I say go for it.
 
Not only would it be better on gas, but it’ll keep the mileage off your truck. I love my truck for this and it’s also nice not worrying about it (as much) when I park at a Walmart.

Just beware. A $1500 “beater” adds up really fast. Tires, suspension, etc. especially if you’re like me and buy the best. 😶
 
03' Matrix (which is a Corolla hatchback) runs like new. A little rattle box, but cold AC, starts right up, and dependable. Of course it needs a sensor every now and then, but other than routine maintenance, it's great, and paid off. Corolla for the win!!
 
20k miles @ 17 mpg @ $3/gal = $3500/yr. 2005 Corolla 26 city/35 highway call it 30 mpg. 20k miles @ 30 mpg @ $3/gal = $2000/yr. Nice 2005 Corollas can be had here for $4000 so all in it would probably take you 3 years to go into the black. Socal gas probably higher. Insurance? Registration? Another car to deal with.

Up front cost to buy + yearly expense vs lower monthly gas bill. Only you can do the math for you.

And you won't park the truck 100% so the savings won't be the max possible.
 
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Corolla are like ants, you can find them everywhere.

40+ miles per gallon on highway is great..... especially with California gas prices. ZERO need for hybrid vehicle.
 
When gas was $1.49 I drove my 2004 5.3 Chevy Avalanche anywhere and everywhere. I told my wife, lets drive it as much as possible and save my newer 2017 Ford Fiesta for when gas prices are higher. Now, at $2.59, I drive the Fiesta for highway cruising longer trips (over 10 miles) but still do the short tripping in the old Avalanche to let it take the wear & tear. The Avalanche is 15 mpg, the Fiesta is 35+ mpg. It is already paying off.
 
I was shopping for a matrix/vibe for the same reasons you are when I stumbled on my Mazda 3. Leather auto a/c and heated seats for $2900 with 125k miles. Been great so far but I’m only putting 5-7k a year on it
 
I've tried this a few times. The economics never work out for me because I'm a perfectionist and can't let it just be what it is. Every "2nd" car I've ever owned leaked something, which I can't stand. Drips on the driveway kick my OCD into overdrive. I'd love to get an older bare-bones penalty box to bear the brunt of the daily commute, but a good A/C (it's Texas) and no leaks are a must. That's hard to find....in Dallas, anyway.
 
Hard to say until you tell us what is your insurance cost and whether you have a place to park. A beater like mine cost $350 a year to insure, $70 every other year to smog, $150 a year to register. A reliable beater will be at least $3-5k these days.
 
I've tried this a few times. The economics never work out for me because I'm a perfectionist and can't let it just be what it is. Every "2nd" car I've ever owned leaked something, which I can't stand. Drips on the driveway kick my OCD into overdrive. I'd love to get an older bare-bones penalty box to bear the brunt of the daily commute, but a good A/C (it's Texas) and no leaks are a must. That's hard to find....in Dallas, anyway.
A dodge neon would fit the bill, if any still exist. Mine was bone dry under the engine. And dodge makes really good AC.
 
Have to run the numbers, taking into account all the costs. Two vehicles to insure and register. Might be twice the upkeep too, if things don't wear out they can age out. And you might find they both decide to be in and out of the shop (yours or elsewhere) on a regular basis, due to the random nature of things breaking.

But then there is a convenience factor of having a second set of wheels for trips to the parts store, or while waiting for parts in the mail.

Gas a bit cheaper when I got my beater 4 years ago, but I calculated it to be break even. 19mpg truck vs 30mpg car, plus the reg&ins on second vehicle (ignoring depreciation and repairs). Break even or close enough. But having a spare means I can repair vehicles when I want to, or to have one sit at the shop if need be. It's also nice having a car that I don't care about (much), can park anywhere and not worry about dings.
 
I've tried this a few times. The economics never work out for me because I'm a perfectionist and can't let it just be what it is. Every "2nd" car I've ever owned leaked something, which I can't stand. Drips on the driveway kick my OCD into overdrive. I'd love to get an older bare-bones penalty box to bear the brunt of the daily commute, but a good A/C (it's Texas) and no leaks are a must. That's hard to find....in Dallas, anyway.
Serious OCD and a beater don't go together.. My Mazda doesn't leak, but thanks to the previous owner there isn't a panel on it that doesn't have some sort of dent or scratch.. At first I thought I'd fix one of the bigger ones on the door/fender, but the more I thought about it the more I realized there was absolutely no benefit to messing with it. Now it being beat up is my favorite part about it. I fearlessly park by the buggy drop off at the store every time if I want to.

I think the true financial break even from having a beater is pretty much a fantasy. Between insurance, maintenance and purchase cost it's going to be a break even proposition at best most times for gas savings. I like keeping the miles around town off my 'good car' and having something different to drive. Its also nice having a spare car (or three) to loan a friend if they need it.
 
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