Thinking about finally getting a 2nd car as a daily driver

I obviously like my truck and doubt I’ll ever sell it. But recently, I’ve been getting the new car itch. I rented a cheapo base Hyundai Accent a few weeks ago and was surprised how even that car scooted down the highway when compared to my truck.

Out of curiosity, if you bought a second car as a daily driver, what did you go with? Did you buy something that could eventually fulfill the role your truck could, or did you buy something small and economical? I have to admit, I like the looks of the latest Corolla, particularly the SE model. But...it’s no truck and if mine dies, I’ll kind of be up a creek..

 

I've been contemplating this for while as well. New vehicle features are hard to pass up, as well as power increases.

Myself I would really want and FRS/BRZ for spring/summer/fall and just leave the truck for the snow

 

I bought the Tacoma to be my daily. We bought a newer Rav4 for the wife, all the creature comforts are pretty damn nice but Im a cheapskate and have a hard time justifying a car payment though

 

I had 2 cars for a while and it was not all I hoped it would be. The extra insurance payment wiped out any gas savings. It was kind of a hassle to make sure I drove each one at least once per week (cars don't like to sit). But if it's in the budget, go for it.

That said if I had 2 cars one would be a truck for the utility, off road ability, and road trips, and the other would be an EV for around town.

 

get a 90's honda or corolla/camry. Simple fluids and timing belts, will last forever. Me personally ill stick with my slug as a dd no matter how dumb it gets in the future

 

I've done the two cars thing and well paying insurance on two vehicles sucks ass, plus i found my self spending money modding both instead of just one

 

I know I’ve posted this but I really like driving my first gen more. I DD a 72 beetle for a while even in AZ summer too. I just like the simplicity actually.

 

Ive got 4(wife has 1), the mod budget is quite large, but I like cars so that just how it goes.

 

I’ve got a 2012 Hyundai Accent that I got for cheap as a baby hauler. Infant in the front seat of a regular cab didn’t seem safe. I miss driving the truck but I pretty much go the same distance on half the gas. And I don’t have to worry as much about road salt eating my truck.

In sort buy a cheap daily, treat it like a low price “escort” and throw it out when you are done using it.

 

I've had a few 2nd daily driver scenarios that have all worked really well.

If you do it right owning a car plus a truck will have a net lower cost than just owning the truck by itself.

My car's cost of ownership is so low it will pay for itself in 5 years of ownership vs driving my truck as a daily. That includes the cost of the car itself, interest paid on the loan (I had enough money to pay cash when I bought the car but put that money into retirement because I got a really low interest rate on the car loan. The invested money will grow grow grow and I'm not touching it for a very long time), gap insurance for the loan, fuel for the car, maintenance, and so on.

And as another benefit it keeps miles off my truck and I can do things like park my truck for 5 months and build a camper on the back where the bed used to be.

Think of the car as an appliance. It goes from A - B inexpensively. Do not mod it. If you start modding it you've lost sight of why you have it.

 

I bought a 96 LS400. Love having the luxury highway cruiser at my disposal.

 

Yeah I've got a 2017 BRZ and the Tacoma. I also have a 99 XJ and motorcycles though.

The car is nice for sure, but bad at everything but scooting around and getting good mileage.

 

ive always wanted one of those, too bad every clean one around me gets turned into a molested drift car

 

Having a 2nd car is nice when you want something a bit more comfortable for long drives. Currently have a 2015 Accord, before that I had an 05 Accord. Between replacing the power steering lines and the gas tank/fuel pump, my Tacoma spent about 3 weeks in an undrivable state in 2020. When the Taco is on jack stands it's nice having backup transportation.

 

I still have my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I purchased many years ago. That's my daily.

 

I bought my Tacoma as a winter vehicle after I bought my Honda Fit. The fit is comfortable, fun to drive, good on fuel, and cheap to maintain. The Tacoma is tworse on fuel but it has a stronger heater and better traction for Alaska's winters.

 

I'm a Toyota loyalist, plus I want my second car to serve entirely different purposes, namely gas mileage, comfort and reliability. So I have a 2011 Prius that has been great. It's also handy having two cars when you have teenagers with their own cars that break down frequently :-D

 

I bought a DD a couple years ago when I was commuting to work. My truck just isn't comfortable, the mileage sucks, the tires are expensive, its dirty and the list goes on. It's an amazing first gen, prob nicer than a lot... haha but going into work with nice clothes it just bugged me.
Yes I could keep it cleaner, I could do x and x but it's now a dedicated FUN truck. I no longer care about the MPG. I use it on the weekend and on my vacations and I ENJOY it. It's like a treat.
On the other hand I got a cleannnnnnnnnnnn 6 speed 2011 golf TDI with 27k miles. Pretty much brand new. I get 40+mpg highway. Average 35-38 and I punch it everywhere. My insurance seems OK. I love driving this long distances, into the city and on any commute I have.
Its a clean, peppy, comfortable and no nonsense vehicle. It relaxes me. The only issue is I have yet to get a ticket in my truck... yet on this DD I can easily get them just cus its easier to cruise at higher speeds. Even if its costing me more $ it saves my truck from tons of miles and I feel way happier having two vehicles. Each has their own purpose. Yes moving one around all the time sucks.

I do not touch my DD. Its 100% stock for reliability / resale.

 

I bought a DD after my truck build got out of hand lol. Grant it my truck is paid off. I went the conservative route and got a gas getter. 2015 Corolla S 6 speed manual. Gets 26 city and 35 Hwy. I wanted something kind of sporty but also a manual. I think i checked all my boxes. Love this car so far.

 

Go big or go home. Range Rover Evoque, maybe a BMW X5.