Beater ish Toyota for daily driver

So I’m looking into a beater ish for a daily driver . My question is at what do you think it should cost me to be coat efficient to pay for it self with the better gas mileage ? If the truck gets 16mpg and the Toyota gets hopefully 28-32 ish what would be a good price range to look for for it to pay for itself ?

I know I’m not buying over a 2500-3000 dollar car probably ( maybe 1500-2000 depending on condition)

OR

OPINIONS on just driving the truck daily ( I am anticipating gas going up to 3.50-4.00 a gallon ) so that’s why I’m looking for cheaper transportation . I’m only looking to drive the truck on the weekends and maybe 1 day a week

maybe even go with a Honda Civic

 

like a late 90s corolla or camry

 

what kind of travel you doing? There are other expenses to add in, but in my opinion if I was looking for a fuel efficient Toyota, I may consider the Prius or a Camry.

 

Wel pretty much I drive rural roads about 40 miles a day for work and then take the wife out . I’m wondering if it’d pay to do this

 

Camry gets 28-32 avg mpg? Or more

 

I don’t think a Prius is in my budget lol they are prolly more that 2000

 

This is the Corolla for you -

https://www.craigslist.org/about/best/hou/6565526716.html

 

How many miles annually?

If you drive half your truck (6,000) and half in the new beater (6,000)

30mpg - 16mpg = a difference of 14 mpg.

6,000 miles / 14 mpg = 429 gallons

429 gallons x $3 = $1,287 a year.

You still have to license, insure, maintained, etc this second vehicle as well.

So if it saves you $1,000 - $1,500 a year depending on gas prices and maintenance then a $3,000 beater would take 2-3 years before it even hit net zero and made you a single dollar back.

I’d say just drive what you have. Good luck either way!

 

Lol yea and a great ad !

Awesome break down! Yea I prolly intend to keep it for 2-3 years prolly more I’m guessing .

I drive approx 20k per year

 

It'd pay off a lot sooner at 20k a year (and if gas goes well above $3) so you're looking at being closer to a good reason to get one!

Numbers aside, it's fun to buy a beater just because it's fun to have haha.

We always punch numbers first and weigh decisions heavily on them . . . but at the end of the day there are other factors as well. GL!

 

Thanks for giving me a different perspective by giving that example ! I’m anticipating gas to go way up again (not that I can’t afford to drive the truck , I just don’t want to put extra money in big oils pocket . Driving the truck less will also put less miles in general on the truck and increase the value because it will have lower than normal mileage also

 

Numbers over feelings every time

 

Run the numbers. Factor in insurance (which varies significantly depending on location and bundle discounts) and maintenance/repairs (say $1000 a year on a car this old if you do your own wrenching).

 

1000 a year on maint? You think that much ?

 

Yes, think wheel bearings, CV shafts, charcoal canister, smog pump, shocks, fusebox (they corrode on GM and Chrysler vehicles)... Many things can fail on a car over 10 years old. This is on top of regular maintenance items like timing belt / water pump / spark plugs.

 

Ok yea I see your point . I’m thinking Corolla , any year to watch out for ? Or avoid

 

Extra insurance, extra oil changes, extra brakes and tires. I would just drive the truck.