What have I got myself into now!

[Drew99GT]

I'm about to take a job as an independent contractor courier with a 400 mile night route through the Colorado mountains. The pay is too much to pass up at this point. It's a route that a guy has done for the last decade and he's retiring, so I know it's legit. If I do this, I'll likely do 20,000 mile oil/filter drains and top off as needed, and my 94 Corolla will reach the end of it's useful life after a year (it'll be close to 300K by then), at which time hopefully BillinUtah will be selling his Corolla.

I'm to the point where if I have to deal with snotty co-workers and incompetent corporate bureaucracies again, I'll end up in jail and you'll know it's me on the news because I'll be wielding a bottle of Maxlife in my mugshot.

 

[webfors]

Get some good winter tires and go for it. Sounds like you found the right job to keep sane.

 

[daves87rs]

Wow...kinda sounds like fun!

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: webfors
Get some good winter tires and go for it.


Already have the Hankook Winter I-Pikes, studded. I'm a bit worried about the studs though with sustained 75 mph driving for half of this route. I'll get chains as well. There's really only one bad pass I'll have to do every day, La Veta pass west of Walsenburg, CO.

It took a lot of convincing for the owner to let someone with a 1994 vintage car do this, but I went over everything with him and showed him the brand new belts, newer alternator, perfect tires, tool kit, etc.

It's still not set in stone, but I'm hoping. I could go get a newer car, most likely a Corolla, but why do that when I can easily get 300K out of the old one I already drive. You can't make money doing this type of job buying brand new cars every 3 years.

 

[OneEyeJack]

I think it's more about how and where you drive your car and of course a good maintenance program that makes the difference. Even in winter you should make sure you cooling system is good, too. If you have a tool set, some work clothes, flash lights and some spares you will be at least prepared. One item that you won't be able to limp along with is a fuel pump. When I traveled on a long commute I carried a fuel pump, fuses, ignition parts and other stuff. I'm a little focused on the fuel pump because I got bit once. Now I install a fuse a little under the capacity called for and when it fails I put a higher one in and when I can test the pump with an eye toward replacing it. If the filter(s) are good and the pump starts drawing more current it's worth looking at in a high mileage car such as yours. This is a method to get the max life out of that pump and still not get stranded.

 

[Turk]

Geez Drew!

Have/Get good lights. If you don't have Driving Lights, get them!!

 

[Scienceman]

Sounds great!
Be carefull, and enjoy!

 

[addyguy]

300k on mostly highway driving?

Geeze, you're setting you're expectation low!

I'd expect a car in that scenario to go to 500k, easy, especially if well maintained!

To make good money at this, you have to wring every last ounce of use out of your car, and all it's parts.

What oil are you planning on using for your OCI's? I could see you being someone that could get 30k out of Amsoil SSO or HDD....

 

[TMoto]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I'm about to take a job as an independent contractor courier with a 400 mile night route through the Colorado mountains.

I know someone who does something similar delivering medical supplies. He has taken several Taurus' with the 3.0 beyond 300k miles.

I'm sure you know this already, but always be prepared with enough blankets, food, etc., to endure a cold night on the side of the road if you get stranded. I've heard that a lit candle can raise the temp inside a car 10°. Not sure if it's true or not, but if I were in your position, I'd keep some handy along with a means to light them.

Drive safe,
T

 

[brentalan]

I have a 1990 Prizm which is the same as a Corolla with 254,000 on it now and I drive it daily. I also use the Hankook iPikes. I wouldn't even sweat 300k it sounds like you take care of your car like I take care of mine. This car has been very good to me.

 

[cryption]

What are you going to be delivering?

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: webfors
Get some good winter tires and go for it.


Already have the Hankook Winter I-Pikes, studded. I'm a bit worried about the studs though with sustained 75 mph driving for half of this route.

Studeless winter tires could be a better option when you will need to replace them. They will be noisy and quite hazardous on dry roads. Do you have a way to remove them? Do you get a lot of ice over there or a lot of snow?

Studs at highway speed on dry tarmac don't last that long anyway.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Congrats on a job that excites you. You got to have something to look forward to.

 

[addyguy]

I know this is somewhat of a minor point, but if I were doing a driving job like this, I'd take advantage of benefits that kind of mileage offers me.

I'd get either a CC, or find a 'points program' at a gas station that will rack up fast, b/c you will be filling up every 1.5 days or so. Some cards give you free gas after a bit, some let you save up points you can buy merchandise with.

Personally, I'd find one that lets me save up for merchadise - more specifically, I'd collect 'Canadian Tire Money' at their stations, and use it to buy oil and filters for my OC's.

 

[sciphi]

Apparently your car takes 9006 low beams and 9005 high beams, at least according to Advance's website. Driving at night in the Colorado mountains, I'd look hard at HIR low beams and high beams. The HIR low beams in my Buick are fantastic in all sorts of weather. $100 well spent on your safety, IMO.

http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

 

[simple_gifts]

Make sure you notify your insurance company.

Sometimes I wish I could find a job like that.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Congrats! How often do you plan on eating at Taco Bell?

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: addyguy


Geeze, you're setting you're expectation low!

I'd expect a car in that scenario to go to 500k, easy, especially if well maintained!



Yea, the way we obsess!!

Get a Coleman Catalytic heater that runs on a 1 lb. propane cylinder - carry that with you as it's safe for indoors.

 

[Jim 5]

Sounds like most of the fun of being a trucker, without the white knuckles of being in a snow storm with a heavy load behind you....not to mention any other downsides.

Plus as a BITOG centric guy, you have the dream job in terms of piling up the miles fast and running the oil out to test theories.

I would also like the idea of minimal interaction with others as part of a job. I would stick with the older car, but I would have an alternative lined up in the event yours needs repairs. That could mean a good indie mechanic who will give you a free (and reliable) loaner while he fixes your car if that should happen. Even a $39/day unlimited mileage rental would do the trick for a few days if your car needs repairs. It still makes the older car economical.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: cryption
What are you going to be delivering?


Medical stuff, to include blood specimens. That's why it's a night route; it's picking up and delivering to some rural doctors offices. I guess it's cheaper for Quest and Labcorp to contract some of these rural locations out.