How many cars do I need GRM? Driving 24k+ mi/yr

Hi all,

Wanted to ping what everybody thinks is the "right" amount of cars per person and introduce my situation and see if I'm just showing the first symptoms of a car hoarder.

I'm 24, have two cars and a two car garage. My commute is 100mi/day, so 24k mi/yr plus whatever mileage I put on going places outside of work. My commute consists of 10 miles on local highways (55mph w/ lights), 30 miles on highways (70-80mph) and 10 miles of city (25mph stop 'n go). My average speed is 45mph after 300 miles and it's been pretty consistent.

I have two cars currently:

1. 2009 Cobalt SS w/ 160k. It's my daily and I have no issue with it, besides putting so many miles on it and it getting high up in miles. I average 28mpg and get a 300mi range, so I fill up every 3 days. I like it because it can serve as my backup track car, so I want to keep it no matter what.
2. 1997 BMW 328i - it's my autocross car in STX prep. Bucket seats, poly bushings in the drivetrain, and 900lb springs do not make it suitable to commute in. I can use it when the Cobalt is down, but I don't want to drive it in the snow (only have summer tires), so I'm basically down to one car.

I'm thinking of getting a mid-size pickup (Colorado or Ranger) to split mileage with the Cobalt. I'm thinking 12k mi/yr on each vehicle, maybe more on the truck if it's more comfortable. It's also gonna help me throw out yard waste, transport rental tools from Home Depot, and even haul around my BMW when I need to. But does a $30k purchase make sense? Would you guys buy on a $2-3k beater with a HF trailer instead?

Let me know the hive's mentality!

I would do an older ranger if it was me. Im a fan of the 4.0 ohv engine, it does truck things better than the SOHC 4.0 and usually does much better mpg

If the main need here is a backup for the Cobalt then rental cars are a lot cheaper than even a $3K vehicle plus insurance, gas, consumables, repairs, etc.  Now if you need a truck to do truck things, then see below.

$30K or $3K is a big difference.  Why not something useful under $10K?  I'm not sure I'd want to spend the big end of that range on a vehicle I think I might need, kind-of, every once in a while.

Personally, two is a good number. One to be a somewhat expendable utility, and one more on the "fun" side.  Put most miles on the utility beast. When it starts breaking too often, replace it with something similar.  Drive the fun car on nice days and when the primary is in the shop for service.

edit: this doesn't count my other "fun" cars that get more sporadic use and often get stored for the winter. 

If your BMW is essentially a "track only" car then thinking of it like a regular car is a mistake. When I owned a race car, I didn't include it in my car count unless it was for fun internet humble-bragging. In my opinion, you have one car and one "race machine." Then again, I'm probably well on the hoarder end up the spectrum with 5 cars. Well, four cars and one old truck.

I do find that my 4x8 HF trailer does 99% of what I would want a pickup to do and then some other things a truck wouldn't do. There are many things I wouldn't want to do to the bed of a truck that I'm willing to do to a wooden utility trailer bed with wood sides. Beating it up does not stress me out at all. It tows easily and in some ways is easier to load and unload thanks to the low deck height. Registration is expensive around here - I pay almost as much to register the lowly little trailer as I do for a car.

Well, let's see, I drive about 10K miles a year and own 5 cars (not counting my wife's car), so by that math you need at least 12. :)

Just one more. 

I was happy when I had 7. I'll go with 7, and I drove less than 10k/yr due to zero commute.  

I think I shouldn't consider the BMW as a regular car, you guys are right. It doesn't cost me much to keep on the road, $15/mo, and doesn't move outside of autocross/HPDE season.

I'm looking to split mileage with the Cobalt, not just a backup. If I split, it'll be 12k miles commuting for each car, plus whatever weekend trips I do with the GF. I'll still be spending lots of time in any vehicle, so it won't be a once in a while vehicle.

Looking at the new pickups for longevity and gas mileage. Let's round up to 30k mi/yr overall. 15k mi/yr in an old ranger ~18mpg isn't too bad, but then keep in mind I'm doing another 15k mi in another vehicle. Fueleconomy.gov says I'll spend about $2000 more in a 2010 Ranger than 2018 Colorado gas over 15k miles.

Looks like people are siding with more anyway. Cause 'merica, more is better.

The BMW is not a street car (for this purpose) so don't include it in your counts.

The Cobalt doesn't sound like the worst commuter, although I'd want something more highway-oriented because I'm an old man at 28.

I like the idea of a new truck, or maybe one that's off-lease and past the heaviest part of depreciation. If you are going to get a truck, though, get one that can safely tow your BMW. An old Ranger/S10/Colorado/Tacoma ain't it. F150/Silverado (but ew, GM)/Ram/Tundra is what to go with. 

What's the problem with continuing to put miles on the Cobalt SS? 

It's already past 150k, so not really worth much. And it's been trouble free and you like to drive it. I'd say, start/keep saving your shekels and maintaining the Cobalt until you it reaches the point of not being worth to fix. I suspect that is at least 3 years down the road. 

Could save A LOT of money not insuring/maintaining/etc a third car. And if you need a truck for the day, go rent one.

*NOTE: This is probably the best idea financially, that does not mean that it is what I would do. And also why I don't like to think about how much money I've spent on cars the last 11 or so years. 

In reply to z31maniac :

I'm worried about the Cobalt once it gets higher in miles, since I also plan to track/autocross it (I'm sick in the head, I think every "car" daily I'll autox). Plus, like above, it's not the best highway car as it just feels like a rental car from '05 in the rattles, wind noise, squeaks side of things.

I drive my winter vehicle like 1k a year, and my wagon is a fair weather car. So 3 is my number. Although it was more fun when I had 11. Having a single car garage that the zephyr occupies 6 months a year limits my space

In reply to MINIzguy :

If you buy a second vehicle instead of a small pickup look at a full size one. The newer full size trucks get better fuel mileage than the small ones do.  Just don’t get the extended cab, crew cab, or long box.   

If you're looking for a group of people who can help you justify multiple vehicles you've come to the right place.  If you're looking for mature guidance based strictly on finances and need then not so much.

Personally, I have 1.5 race cars, a motorcycle and a nearly new RAM 3500 that I daily.  When time and funds alow I also rotate a fund street car through the fleet.  Several decades ago I settled on a full size late model truck as my daily.  I don't mind the size and I really like the ability of a truck to do pretty much anything.  Sure the fuel mileage is terrible but you can buy a lot of fuel for the cost of a second reliable, quiet comfortable vehicle. 

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a Miata with 800/500lb springs, a turbo, and no air conditioning. The daily is a 2007 Mazda 3 with 104k miles and I put about 100mi/day on it. I built the Miata to do track things, and but driving it to the track is a no-go because I'm afraid it will blow up. It's still insured because I like driving it around town and in the mountains. So I want a truck or SUV to tow it... but insurance is bloody expensive around here.

To the people that say "your race car doesn't count!" - is it insured? Then it's costing you money, and it counts. Is having a nice vehicle that gets good gas mileage worth the cost of depreciation to you? If yes -> sell the cobalt, buy a new truck/SUV. If no -> buy old beater truck, continue to commute in the Cobalt.

If new -> The 2018 F150 range beats everything right now, even the mid-size trucks, in my opinion. A 2wd STX ext cab with the 2.7 would be my choice. If you want something a little smaller but can tow your racecar, don't laugh, but the Honda Pilot can tow 5000lbs, gets fantastic gas mileage, and is smooth quiet and comfortable. Just isn't "cool."

Or do what I've been doing, and procrastinate by borrowing someone's truck when you need it.

morello159 said:

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a Miata with 800/500lb springs, a turbo, and no air conditioning. The daily is a 2007 Mazda 3 with 104k miles and I put about 100mi/day on it. I built the Miata to do track things, and but driving it to the track is a no-go because I'm afraid it will blow up. It's still insured because I like driving it around town and in the mountains. So I want a truck or SUV to tow it... but insurance is bloody expensive around here.

To the people that say "your race car doesn't count!" - is it insured? Then it's costing you money, and it counts. Is having a nice vehicle that gets good gas mileage worth the cost of depreciation to you? If yes -> sell the cobalt, buy a new truck/SUV. If no -> buy old beater truck, continue to commute in the Cobalt.

Or do what I've been doing, and procrastinate by borrowing someone's truck when you need it.

So you're looking at selling the Mazda 3 and purchasing a truck when you get around to it?

I want to do this, but I like having the Cobalt as the spare track/autox car. It won't even be $400/yr to keep the Cobalt registered and insured, and <$300/yr to keep the BMW registered and insured. Not the end of the world, I think. 

In reply to frenchyd :

So a regular cab short bed? 4x4, power seats and lumbar are things I'd want as at a minimum. Too bad these don't exist outside of work trucks unless I custom order, and then I also lose the bargaining power of something on the lot.

MINIzguy said:

morello159 said:

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a Miata with 800/500lb springs, a turbo, and no air conditioning. The daily is a 2007 Mazda 3 with 104k miles and I put about 100mi/day on it. I built the Miata to do track things, and but driving it to the track is a no-go because I'm afraid it will blow up. It's still insured because I like driving it around town and in the mountains. So I want a truck or SUV to tow it... but insurance is bloody expensive around here.

To the people that say "your race car doesn't count!" - is it insured? Then it's costing you money, and it counts. Is having a nice vehicle that gets good gas mileage worth the cost of depreciation to you? If yes -> sell the cobalt, buy a new truck/SUV. If no -> buy old beater truck, continue to commute in the Cobalt.

Or do what I've been doing, and procrastinate by borrowing someone's truck when you need it.

So you're looking at selling the Mazda 3 and purchasing a truck when you get around to it?

I want to do this, but I like having the Cobalt as the spare track/autox car. It won't even be $400/yr to keep the Cobalt registered and insured, and <$300/yr to keep the BMW registered and insured. Not the end of the world, I think. 

That's a little less than my two cars but a new truck would cost more than both put together, which is what has deterred me so far. I had 3 cars for about 6 months - a 2014 Acura MDX that I used for a DD until I took this job, when I bought the 3. I found myself driving the 3 everywhere, to save on gas and not put the mileage on the Acura. So when insurance and registration came up I sold it.

Also, check out the Ford inventory website. The F150 STX package is pretty well equipped and I've found some regular cab short bed versions of that. If not, the extended cab short bed is very common, and you can haul 4 people and have some interior space.

MINIzguy said:

In reply to z31maniac :

I'm worried about the Cobalt once it gets higher in miles, since I also plan to track/autocross it (I'm sick in the head, I think every "car" daily I'll autox). Plus, like above, it's not the best highway car as it just feels like a rental car from '05 in the rattles, wind noise, squeaks side of things.

 

Then I would ask:

1. How much is having a third car going to take away funds from the other two "track cars?"

I'm probably in the ditch Cobalt and find a nice used to truck to drive, they are much more comfortable than decades ago for daily work, then you have a comfy daily designed for lots of use/miles, and you can tow the race car or go back and pick it up if you have an incident. 

I didn't read anything but the title. 

The correct answer is: 5 more than can fit on the property. 

z31maniac said:

MINIzguy said:

In reply to z31maniac :

I'm worried about the Cobalt once it gets higher in miles, since I also plan to track/autocross it (I'm sick in the head, I think every "car" daily I'll autox). Plus, like above, it's not the best highway car as it just feels like a rental car from '05 in the rattles, wind noise, squeaks side of things.

 

 

Then I would ask:

1. How much is having a third car going to take away funds from the other two "track cars?"

I'm probably in the ditch Cobalt and find a nice used to truck to drive, they are much more comfortable than decades ago for daily work, then you have a comfy daily designed for lots of use/miles, and you can tow the race car or go back and pick it up if you have an incident. 

Good point with the funding. If I purchase a gas Colorado, I wouldn't be able to get the Cobalt ready for track duty but the BMW will be fine with current year stuff. If I get a diesel Colorado, I'd be focused on paying off the truck for the next year. Definitely something to consider in this aspect.

My 01 4cyl/5 spd Ranger got 30mpg hwy in the warmer months. It was cheap to buy, easy to work on, and parts were cheap. Plates and insurance were literally as low as they can be. As far as $/mile in a truck, it's tough to beat. They're plentiful in the 4-7k range. I only sold mine because it wasn't family friendly

You are not thinking you are going to ask this crowd if you have too many cars and expect to get a straight answer, are you?

Well, I'm leaning on the side of getting an additional pickup to my fleet now. I'll have to see how much truck I need after Solo Nationals. Spent the evening making new cushions and fitting my lumbar cushion for my bucket seat in the BMW.

A CCLB gas Colorado is $27k. I CCLB diesel Colorado is $35k. I want the diesel but that price premium...