blyons808

Hey guys, I need your input! I currently have a 2011 f150 with the 5.0. Starting in February, I will be commuting 80 miles a day, 5 times a week. I average around 16 mpg with my truck (bigger tires). I love my truck too much to trade it in, so I found a commuter car for $2400. Do u guys think it's worth buying? Or would I be better off just paying the extra cost for gas? FYI: Gas is around $3.50 on average where I'm from. Thanks for any input

509-FORD

assuming your mileage increases to 26mpg highway which is low for a commuter you'll save $134.62 a month with your mileage criteria. $1,615.44 a year a $3.50 a gallon. Pretty simple to see how that will work in your favor. Buy a beater for the running around and keep your pickup nice and wallet full.

04 F150

Eh less miles put on the truck if u get it

KILOFINAL

I would probably keep the truck and try and drive slower to save gas. The car is $2400 but then you have to add gas, maintenance, insurance, etc.

UARandy3

I was in a similar situation 2 years ago. I had a lifted 4runner on 33s getting less than 17 mpg on the highway and started commuting 100 miles a day 5 days a week. After a month, I decided I had to get a fuel efficient car. I ended up with an 03 Civic with just over 104k miles. Plus this gave us 3 vehicles and having the extra vehicle has been nice. I traded the 4runner to get my truck and am very thankful to have the Civic for commuter duty. I'd say get the commuter car if your finances support it.

rich_earth

Exactly. Not only are you to factor in the gas you save but the miles that you will NOT put on the truck. Lower miles retains the value better and also less maintenance cost. I have a cheap car for commuting to work and use my truck for weekend fun, towing, vacations, etc...

UARandy3

That was a big part of my thinking as well. Not only for the fuel economy but also kept a ton of miles off my 4runner which already had a ton of miles, expensive tires, and was getting up there in age and wear. Plus all the maintenance, tires, insurance, etc are much cheaper on my little car than on my truck. The truck is the night/weekend vehicle.

blyons808

Thanks for all the input guys! I've already justified the cost of a commuter car to myself, just wanted to hear opinions from an outside source lol. However, I didn't take into consideration about the whole saving miles on my truck situation. That really would help in the long run when I decide to trade it in for a screw.

Mike Up

I was going to do that also. I chose not to, even with a monthly $500 gas bill.

The reason is insurance, maintanence, and repair. I would save from putting mileage on the truck so that's a big benefit but the reason I buy new is because used vehicles always break down with costly repairs. When you buy USED, you are buying someone elses problems.

A used car that's COMFORTABLE will likely cost $300 a month in gas at best. Add to that a $70 insurance bill and I'm at a $370. Now add the cost of the car. I figure at least $10000 for a decent car with 80,000 miles. I put 23,000 miles/year and I wouldn't want a car with over 160,000 which gives me a life of 80,000 miles. I'd still drive my truck about 10,000 miles/year. 23,000 miles - 10,000 miles mean 13,000 miles per year on that car. 80,000 divided by 13,000 miles = 6 years of service. So $10,000 divided by 6 years equals $1667 per year. That's $139/ month. That's assuming you pay cash and don't finance. So $70 in issurance, $300 in fuel, and a cost of $139 per month. That's $509/month in expense and that doesn't even include expensive repairs sure to come.

Definitely a lose lose situation. Driving an inferior car, that's USED and older, that will cost more in the long run. The repair cost will likely nix the mileage cost saving on the truck. Best to man up and just pay the higher fuel use charge.

BTW, I commute 70 miles a day. If you can't afford the fuel, it's best to just not buy a truck and all the toys you need to be pulled or hauled, and buy an Econobox. Nothing that's useful and enjoyable, is inexpensive.

blyons808

I did all the calculations for gas and insurance. Gas would be around $160 per month and insurance would be $45 per month. No need to worry about the car that I'm buying cuz I'm friends with the owner and I know he's taken really good care of it. Only reason why he's selling it is cuz he bought a new Scion tc and its just sitting in his driveway clearing dust lol. BTW, I CAN afford to pay the gas for my truck, I'd just rather spend that money elsewhere