What really is a frugal car?

[Patman]

I like to buy Civics because they are so cheap to operate, they have served me well for many years. I first bought a new 2000 sedan and that became my ex wife's car when we split. In total that car went over 300,000km and lasted 14 years and cost next to nothing in repairs. I then bought a 2006 coupe in 2011 and drove it for ten years, it cost me $1442 in repairs (AC compressor and an oil pressure sending unit) Then in 2021 I bought my 2016 coupe, so far it has cost me ZERO in repairs. The only issue was the AC condenser needed replacing but Honda has an extended warranty on that, so they did that for free. I have no trouble averaging 48-50 MPG with this car so it gives me almost hybrid like fuel economy but I only paid $12,400 CDN for the car when I bought it so it was considerably less than a hybrid (unless I bought a really old one) I'm keeping this Civic for a very long time, it even still feels almost like a new car even with 150,000 miles on it. The suspension doesn't even feel tired, nor does it have any squeaks or rattles. If you were to drive this car and not see the odometer you would swear it has under 50,000 miles on it.

 

[fdcg27]

We all have a different idea of what is frugal in a vehicle and we've all had different experiences with the vehicles we've owned.
We also all have different needs and expectations in the vehicles we choose.
My idea of frugal vehicles is in my sig in that they were quite reasonable to buy new and have both been dirt cheap to own and run.
If I had an RV or a boat to tow, one of our choices would be something entirely different.

 

[macarose]

Can I trade in my Navigator, and use the federal tax credit at point of sale?

If you qualify and can make it to Georgia let me know.

 

[Dave Hess]

I like to buy Civics because they are so cheap to operate, they have served me well for many years. I first bought a new 2000 sedan and that became my ex wife's car when we split. In total that car went over 300,000km and lasted 14 years and cost next to nothing in repairs. I then bought a 2006 coupe in 2011 and drove it for ten years, it cost me $1442 in repairs (AC compressor and an oil pressure sending unit) Then in 2021 I bought my 2016 coupe, so far it has cost me ZERO in repairs. The only issue was the AC condenser needed replacing but Honda has an extended warranty on that, so they did that for free. I have no trouble averaging 48-50 MPG with this car so it gives me almost hybrid like fuel economy but I only paid $12,400 CDN for the car when I bought it so it was considerably less than a hybrid (unless I bought a really old one) I'm keeping this Civic for a very long time, it even still feels almost like a new car even with 150,000 miles on it. The suspension doesn't even feel tired, nor does it have any squeaks or rattles. If you were to drive this car and not see the odometer you would swear it has under 50,000 miles on it.

When are you getting a C8 ?

I agree on keeping the Civic for the next 30 years.

 

[Patman]

When are you getting a C8 ?

I agree on keeping the Civic for the next 30 years.

I’m never going to sell my C7 so it’s doubtful I’ll get a C8, although I do like them a lot!!

 

[ecotourist]

I like to buy Civics because they are so cheap to operate, they have served me well for many years. I first bought a new 2000 sedan and that became my ex wife's car when we split. In total that car went over 300,000km and lasted 14 years and cost next to nothing in repairs. I then bought a 2006 coupe in 2011 and drove it for ten years, it cost me $1442 in repairs (AC compressor and an oil pressure sending unit) Then in 2021 I bought my 2016 coupe, so far it has cost me ZERO in repairs. The only issue was the AC condenser needed replacing but Honda has an extended warranty on that, so they did that for free. I have no trouble averaging 48-50 MPG with this car so it gives me almost hybrid like fuel economy but I only paid $12,400 CDN for the car when I bought it so it was considerably less than a hybrid (unless I bought a really old one) I'm keeping this Civic for a very long time, it even still feels almost like a new car even with 150,000 miles on it. The suspension doesn't even feel tired, nor does it have any squeaks or rattles. If you were to drive this car and not see the odometer you would swear it has under 50,000 miles on it.

All that and they're made just down the road. I toured the factory a few years ago.

Way back when I worked in a hospital, one of the docs was asking for new car recommendations. I suggested a Civic CRX. He test drove one and liked it so well he bought one for himself and one for his wife.

 

[Patman]

All that and they're made just down the road. I toured the factory a few years ago.

Way back when I worked in a hospital, one of the docs was asking for new car recommendations. I suggested a Civic CRX. He test drove one and liked it so well he bought one for himself and one for his wife.

I’m a big fan of the CRX! I wish I had bought one back in the day! You don’t see them around much anymore I wish Honda would bring them back, it’s sad that they have completely forgotten how the Civic started and don’t even offer it as a lightweight two door hatchback

 

[Brons2]

If you qualify and can make it to Georgia let me know.

sent you a PM

 

[MCompact]

What really is a frugal car? A vehicle that I won't die of boredom while driving...

 

[facility1]

have owned two Saturn cars, manual shift, no frills ,,working man's car ,as they worked well and low cost to own. and reliable, too bad they (GM) does not make them anymore.

 

[supton]

These days I wonder if frugality requires moving to where a car isn’t needed. Or could be used lightly enough that it might last forever—this would require moving someplace that doesn’t have road salt.

 

[SC Maintenance]

These days I wonder if frugality requires moving to where a car isn’t needed. Or could be used lightly enough that it might last forever—this would require moving someplace that doesn’t have road salt.

No road salt definately means cars last longer and are easier to maintain - long term lower cost.

However the only place you don't need a car are the big cities with good public transit - which by definition are expensive places to live, so the car frugality is off-set.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

One reason that I would stay away from the Bolt is the bad habit GM has of discontinuing parts for vehicles while a large number of them are still on the road (the Volt for example). The Bolt is potentially on the the chopping block, they discontinued it and then changed their mind last year.
Stay away from anything manufactured in the Daewoo factory. Nothing good has ever been produced by them that I am aware of.

My daily driver is a 2006 Chevy Aveo with over 262K miles. Runs and drives as it should. Made by Daewoo AFAIK. Admittedly I have done a lot of work to it but much of that is due to salt in New England. Original clutch.

My wife drives a 2013 Kia Rio with around 140K miles. I had to replace the starter, the clutch master cylinder and some rotted brake lines. Otherwise it's been pretty good. Pinged bad enough we had to use premium fuel until recent $180 software update. That bothered me because it ups the fuel costs by about %25.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I drove two cars that easily represented the rolling spreadsheets of automotive ownership.

The Beater : A 2006 Toyota Corolla with 136k miles.

The EV : A 2017 Chevy Bolt with 45k miles.

The Corolla will likely sell for right around $5k once you include the tax, tag and title. The Bolt will be right around $12k all in.

So a $7000 difference between the two.

We have really low utility rates here (7.5 cents per kWh) and also a nearby CCS charging station that's almost never used and is free for two hours of charging. All told the Bolt only costs us a penny a mile.

The Corolla? It's about 11 cents a mile. But I get 10% off with my Shop Your Way credit card so the difference between the two is only 9 cents a mile.

That would mean the break-even point between the two for fuel consumption would be 700,000 / 9 which equals 77,777 miles. About 7 years of driving.

But how about depreciation? Well, in 8 years the Corolla would be worth maybe around $2800. Throw in the tax, tag, title, fees, and registration renewals and it would only cost about $1 a day in depreciation.

The Chevy Bolt would probably be worth around $6000 by the year 2032. Just a SWAG of a guess, but with just over 120,000 miles I think $6k is a reasonable estimate. So that amounts to about $2 a day in depreciation.

Now let's talk maintenance!

The Corolla will likely need two sets of tires. Two sets of front brakes. One set of rear brakes. An alternator. One complete AC replacement kit. Two wheel bearings. Twelve oil changes. Six air filters. Three cabin air filters. And about $50 in cleaning supplies. Total cost? Maybe $1000 to $2000 depending on how much you do yourself.

The Bolt? If the steering rack holds up you're a-ok. The tire costs will probably be twice as much. There are more coolant related changes. Probably twice as many wheel bearing replacements. If you avoid that rack going bad the costs may equal the Corolla.

My question. Would you buy a Honda Civic instead? How about a Daewoo Lanos?

Good analysis but maybe you’re being too tough on on the AC issue.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Frugal car reminds me of my '64 Bug. I put a rebuilt engine in for $135; cheapo FM radio tires, etc. Drove it for a few years all over the place. Never let me down. Sold it to the guy who sold me the engine. I think I put like 30K on it one year.

 

[andrew_j]

Bolt will be absolutely worthless far before 2032 if battery kicks out(likely). Between then and now normal depreciation.

 

[TimeFlies]

I drove two cars that easily represented the rolling spreadsheets of automotive ownership.

The Beater : A 2006 Toyota Corolla with 136k miles.

The EV : A 2017 Chevy Bolt with 45k miles.

The Corolla will likely sell for right around $5k once you include the tax, tag and title. The Bolt will be right around $12k all in.

So a $7000 difference between the two.

We have really low utility rates here (7.5 cents per kWh) and also a nearby CCS charging station that's almost never used and is free for two hours of charging. All told the Bolt only costs us a penny a mile.

The Corolla? It's about 11 cents a mile. But I get 10% off with my Shop Your Way credit card so the difference between the two is only 9 cents a mile.

That would mean the break-even point between the two for fuel consumption would be 700,000 / 9 which equals 77,777 miles. About 7 years of driving.

But how about depreciation? Well, in 8 years the Corolla would be worth maybe around $2800. Throw in the tax, tag, title, fees, and registration renewals and it would only cost about $1 a day in depreciation.

The Chevy Bolt would probably be worth around $6000 by the year 2032. Just a SWAG of a guess, but with just over 120,000 miles I think $6k is a reasonable estimate. So that amounts to about $2 a day in depreciation.

Now let's talk maintenance!

The Corolla will likely need two sets of tires. Two sets of front brakes. One set of rear brakes. An alternator. One complete AC replacement kit. Two wheel bearings. Twelve oil changes. Six air filters. Three cabin air filters. And about $50 in cleaning supplies. Total cost? Maybe $1000 to $2000 depending on how much you do yourself.

The Bolt? If the steering rack holds up you're a-ok. The tire costs will probably be twice as much. There are more coolant related changes. Probably twice as many wheel bearing replacements. If you avoid that rack going bad the costs may equal the Corolla.

My question. Would you buy a Honda Civic instead? How about a Daewoo Lanos?

I would get a manual transmission civic.

 

[Jerrysends]

You didn't get into insurance costs.

Which do you enjoy more?

 

[Creekside]

1994 Toyota Tercel 1.5l 4 speed. Bought in 2014 between high school and college to keep miles off my pickup during college. Couple sets of tires, timing belt, distributor, couple tune ups, 1 battery and I still drive it every day. Paid $1500 and in today’s market I bet it would sell for $2500-3000.

I’m taking some nighttime welding classes right now trying to refine my skills on a couple processes and positions and I’m driving it 80 miles round trip to those plus every day to work and any fire calls or medical events. It pains me to think about the day that something happens that takes it off the road.

 

[Patman]

I would get a manual transmission civic.

They aren’t that easy to find anymore. For the first few generations of the Civic it was rare to find them with automatic but things have really changed. Buyers just aren’t interested in manuals anymore