Commute bad MPG vs. buying another car

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: The issue with outright getting rid of the Cherokee is winter. It was purchased so she'd have something she'd feel 100% comfortable driving in all conditions. Don't bother with the argument of "FWD + snow tires = fine," that ship sailed. The Cherokee will go nowhere unless it's for something like a Subaru, and it would have to be automatic. (Don't bother arguing. Yes, she can drive stick. No, she won't do it in winter) The mileage increase wouldn't be worth the bother, and i'd rather maintain the Cherokee in that instance anyways.

As I read this above I see that she want the impression of safety from 4x4 and height that she gets from the Jeep.
This is a common viewpoint and agreed, one that is hard to reverse.
With that said, I wonder if a Tracker/Vitara 4cyl 4dr could be the Jeep replacement. The jump in mpg is not huge but py percent it is pretty good.
www.fueleconomy.gov give the following:
Jeep: 14/16/19
Tracker: 20/21/23
When comparing the two on the website, the net result for the average 15k mile driver is only $750 per year. I am not sure how that compares to your own usage.
If the result is more then it could be a good deal to switch. If it is less then I would stay with the Jeep.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

Jaynen wrote:

njansenv wrote: I sold my first M3 and bought a TDI golf for my commute - on paper, I'm ahead over $5k. The TDI hasn't gone down in value at all since I bought it two years ago, and saves me $200/month in fuel. Don't forget to factor estimated resale after the two-three years as part of the decision. I LOVE the low monthly fuel bill, which feels even better than the $200/month would imply.

The other thing about a TDI is how nice it is only going to the gas station every 600+ miles. It makes you feel like you are saving even more money To the OP, the other reality is if your wife is used to a short commute to this job you may find she does not like it near as much once she starts spending an hour in the car everyday especially if she has to deal with traffic. Even more so if the income from this job is on the low side to begin with or easily replaceable she just likes the people/place

Well that would be fine. Fine by me if she wants to find another job. Are these TDIs reliable?

I bought mine with 124k miles 5speed roll up windows etc for 6k. It now has 165k miles on it and is still worth close to 6k at least 5500. I did brakes, suspension, and tires. Besides that I have really only had to change the oil. Timing belts are good for 100,000 miles, just make sure you know when it last had one or plan on getting one done. The other things the cars are known for are electrical stuff like window regulators but I got manual windows so never been an issue.

Check TDIclub.com forums out loads of info and find out if there is a good guru/shop in your area as you never want to take one to a dealer. Gurus usually also have pretty good rates on doing stuff like timing belts if you arent a do it yourselfer

And the nice thing about the car too is it drives really nice, very german on the highway quiet comfortable and does 80+ effortlessly considering its 90hp 1.9l diesel under the hood

If you can find a wagon they hold their value even better

So you get an SV650 and she drives whatever it is you're driving, right?

pres589 wrote: So you get an SV650 and she drives whatever it is you're driving, right?

Again... she can't drive the MX6, and i don't want her driving the MX6 anyways.

And it would be NT650.... NT650.

So you get her a SV650 and get yourself a NT650, win win.

There a reason I'm forgetting for why you aren't considering the msm for her to drive?

Just sell all of it and give her half the money to buy whatever and you get yourself that Honda Hawk (even though it is inferior to the SV650 and harder to find parts for and etc etc) and a Festiva for bad weather days. A Festiva with Nokians would probably whup up on that Cherokeeheehee in on-road snow, especially if a torsen style diff was swapped in.

From experience. Commuting on a motorcycle is much less enjoyable when you feel you have to due to saving money etc than when you want to.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

pres589 wrote: So you get an SV650 and she drives whatever it is you're driving, right?

Again... she can't drive the MX6, and i don't want her driving the MX6 anyways. And it would be NT650.... NT650.

Nice bikes, but the SV650 is better in every way, except for the SSA.

Girlfriend and I were in similar situation, though without a huge commute.

Her car got horrible mileage, but was comfortable.

My car good mileage, but is a tin-can.

We/she decided to buy a new, comfortable, fuel miser that is the Honda Fit.

This work well for me because now I can purchase whatever the hell I want and she'll always have the sensible vehicle.

I didnt realize that Jeeps get such bad economy! My daily driver is a crew cab F250 Powerstroke diesel and it turns similar if not better MPG!

I would downsize the fleet to one practical car for each of you and one fun car. If that practical car is a Cherokee, simply getting rid of the financial sinkhole that is multiple project car insurance/registration/mods/repair and putting time, energy, and money into fewer vehicles will always end better.

I used to have 4 different cars (1992 Galant VR4, 1995 Eclipse GSX, 1988 5.0 Mustang, 1995 F150), a few bikes (CB750, ZX-9, ZX11), and a dirt bike. All I ever did was spend my time wrenching, and I was broke. Now I have one nice car (C5) and one nice truck (F250 diesel), have way more money, and spend way less time working on junk just to get to work and back. Not to mention I have something respectable that anyone can drive, starts every time, and you or anyone else can hop in and drive cross country without worrying about where you will break down.

93gsxturbo wrote: I didnt realize that Jeeps get such bad economy! My daily driver is a crew cab F250 Powerstroke diesel and it turns similar if not better MPG! I would downsize the fleet to one practical car for each of you and one fun car. If that practical car is a Cherokee, simply getting rid of the financial sinkhole that is multiple project car insurance/registration/mods/repair and putting time, energy, and money into fewer vehicles will always end better. I used to have 4 different cars (1992 Galant VR4, 1995 Eclipse GSX, 1988 5.0 Mustang, 1995 F150), a few bikes (CB750, ZX-9, ZX11), and a dirt bike. All I ever did was spend my time wrenching, and I was broke. Now I have one nice car (C5) and one nice truck (F250 diesel), have way more money, and spend way less time working on junk just to get to work and back. Not to mention I have something respectable that anyone can drive, starts every time, and you or anyone else can hop in and drive cross country without worrying about where you will break.

I am with you bro. Often it makes more sense to have one or two good vehicles than a bunch of high mileage, money and time sucking ones. Good call.

Grizz wrote: There a reason I'm forgetting for why you aren't considering the msm for her to drive?

I don't trust the car, don't want her driving it in traffic if it won't idle at a stop light without stalling, don't want the miles on it, and it's stored October-April every year.

Feedyurhed wrote:

93gsxturbo wrote: I didnt realize that Jeeps get such bad economy! My daily driver is a crew cab F250 Powerstroke diesel and it turns similar if not better MPG! I would downsize the fleet to one practical car for each of you and one fun car. If that practical car is a Cherokee, simply getting rid of the financial sinkhole that is multiple project car insurance/registration/mods/repair and putting time, energy, and money into fewer vehicles will always end better. I used to have 4 different cars (1992 Galant VR4, 1995 Eclipse GSX, 1988 5.0 Mustang, 1995 F150), a few bikes (CB750, ZX-9, ZX11), and a dirt bike. All I ever did was spend my time wrenching, and I was broke. Now I have one nice car (C5) and one nice truck (F250 diesel), have way more money, and spend way less time working on junk just to get to work and back. Not to mention I have something respectable that anyone can drive, starts every time, and you or anyone else can hop in and drive cross country without worrying about where you will break.

I am with you bro. Often it makes more sense to have one or two good vehicles than a bunch of high mileage, money and time sucking ones. Good call.

None of them suck money or time besides the race cars. If i downsize the fleet to 3, then the cars i've spent years building will go away, and i won't be racing for years.

Sounds like the MSM sucks. Sell it. Replace it with something she can drive. Then you have your choice of 3 other cars.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: None of them suck money or time besides the race cars. If i downsize the fleet to 3, then the cars i've spent years building will go away, and i won't be racing for years.

Sounds like a hoarder, talks like a hoarder, sure looks like a hoarder......

I believe everyone is saying just go down to three cars, his and hers DD's and ONE playtoy/racecar. Grand illusions of having more then two "finished" projects is a pipe dream. Neither get done, as one will get a deal on parts and the other sits because you just spent the money you were saving for the other and the cycle will continue. BTDT and why I haven't bought another project in 10 years plus.

Ranger50 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: None of them suck money or time besides the race cars. If i downsize the fleet to 3, then the cars i've spent years building will go away, and i won't be racing for years.

Sounds like a hoarder, talks like a hoarder, sure looks like a hoarder...... I believe everyone is saying just go down to three cars, his and hers DD's and ONE playtoy/racecar. Grand illusions of having more then two "finished" projects is a pipe dream. Neither get done, as one will get a deal on parts and the other sits because you just spent the money you were saving for the other and the cycle will continue. BTDT and why I haven't bought another project in 10 years plus.

If it's a pipe dream, then i'm living it.

MX6 is done.

Stay tuned in the next 4-6 weeks for another announcement.

Getting down to 3 cars isn't going to happen, period.

I appreciate everyone's input in this thread, i think i got what i needed.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Getting down to 3 cars isn't going to happen, period.

Here either. Between the wife and myself, 5 seems to be the lower limit. DD's for each of us, tow vehicle that can serve as a DD when they break, one vehicle that goes straight really fast, and another that goes left, right, and stops fast. Our problem is deciding on what KIND of vehicle needs to be doing the go fast dance.... I prefer the oddball stuff, trucks, Miata, BMW 3-series, while she prefers a 5-series and Mustangs.

Ranger50 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Getting down to 3 cars isn't going to happen, period.

Here either. Between the wife and myself, 5 seems to be the lower limit. DD's for each of us, tow vehicle that can serve as a DD when they break, one vehicle that goes straight really fast, and another that goes left, right, and stops fast. Our problem is deciding on what KIND of vehicle needs to be doing the go fast dance.... I prefer the oddball stuff, trucks, Miata, BMW 3-series, while she prefers a 5-series and Mustangs.

We ended up with two DDs, his and hers race cars, and a fun car that can be enjoyed on the street. (in theory)

The race cars are/will not be very streetable.