i drive about 250 miles a week and my truck is getting 16.5 mpg. if i was to buy a cheap car for 800-1000 would it be worth it? it would get at least 30 mpg and only use regular. 87 is $1.55 a gallon and 93 is $1.90. what i figured up is it would cost around $750 gas a year for the beater which wouldn't even pay for itself yet..

 

I dont think so, BUT that is IMO. Gas for both car and truck, insurance, maint...... Get a bike that would be worth it, again IMO.

 

Or just get both, bike and beater. Thats what I did, bike for when its nice and beater for the other times. Its nice I dont have to worry about getting the truck together to go to work or worry about its crappy gas mileage.

 

right now no. gas over $3/gal, hell yes.

i tried the bike thing. only got 40mpg and it seemed like it was always too cold or too hot or might rain..... i guess i am to much of a wuss to use a bike for transportation.

 

My beater paid for itself when gas was $4... But like everyone else said, right now it won't pay for itself... However it is really nice to have a spare car, and one that you don't care about anything happening to it... Depending on your insurance it may to cost that much to add it... I added my beater as my Primary vehicle,liability only.. I put my truck as a "fun" vehicle with full coverage + some extra... I think it only cost me like $10 more a month...

 

Too hot????? Just go faster, come on Jim we know you can do that.

A little rain never hurt, although storms SUCK and rain hurts at high speed.

 

It all depends on your situation. I always have a spare car incase one is being worked on. I have a 98 Toyota Avalon I drive when ever my truck is being fixed or I need to go to downtown Chicago. Most lots and Valets won't take my Silverado SS since its "too big". Good thing I dont drive a F450.

 

When its 115, it doesnt matter how fast you go

 

I always like having extra cars, so I can take my time with projects. I don't have to rush and cut corners to get something running half-assed just to do it over again. I haven't driven my Camaro since August between brake work and prepping it for paint. Combine that with gas and you typically get a multi-car discount on insurance I always think beaters are a good idea.

Just be careful, I bought the truck in my sig to be a beater/DD only vehicle.

 

buy one so we can have "Battle of the Beater" night at the track!