Keep the 4Runner or buy a beater car for commute?

[Ime]

As some of you may remember, I bought a 4Runner a little over two years ago.

The wife and I have been pleased as punch with the vehicle. It's very reliable, and we just put new Michelin LTX tires on it.

My wife still has her '96 Integra, which needs a tune-up but otherwise runs great.

Even though we love the 4Runner, we know keeping it as a primary vehicle is going to kill us at the pump (it makes 15.5 mpg around town on regular gas). So we are debating two choices:

1) Get a new primary vehicle that makes better mpg. Highlander, Camry, etc. and trade in the 4Runner (I'm in the black on payments, so I'd get money back for trading it in).

2) Keep the 4Runner, and use it for long-distance driving, and instead buy a cheap used car (around $5k). Civic, Corolla, etc.

Which option do you all think is best? I'll be happy to provide more details if asked.

 

[hevnsnt]

motorcycle

 

[Ipno]

Get a vespa. hahahahahaha

 

[Gibson486]

Cars still get tune ups?

 

[laurenlex]

I have a similar situation. I kept the gas guzzling suv and now use when I need it. Towing trailer, hauling 8 people, ect.. I bought a used 4 banger for cheap, and it's the daily driver.

The money I save not driving the suv makes the car payment on the 4 banger. This does not take into accout extra insurance, fees, etc. but I am happy.

 

[ballmode]

Keep the 4 runner for hauling needs, buy a civic beater. I would almost classify the Integra as a beater unless its the GSR model.

 

[thomsbrain]

what's wrong with just driving the integra?

 

[SVT Cobra]

beater?

 

[Ime]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
what's wrong with just driving the integra?

Wife drives 35 miles one way to work using the Integra. It's the 1996 Special Edition. Nice car, but too small for me to drive. Not enough headroom.

I also do plenty of driving, and the 4Runner makes alot less mpg than the Integra.

 

[VoBoy]

Corolla power time.

 

[habib89]

get a used civic or corolla

 

[Red]

I traded in (sold on my own) my '98 Infiniti QX4 (similar to 4runner in many aspects, including 15-17 mpg) and bought a new car ('02 Infiniti I35, 26 mpg).

I drive about 17000 miles per year.

 

[Malfeas]

Yup, buy a used honda 4-banger, they average 30 to 40 MPG. Over the next few years, gas prices will continue to increase. And they are so common they are cheap to fix. Or you could buy a 250cc motorcycle and get 70 to 80 MPG, but statistically you are more likely to die, but at least you will look cool until you do.

Edit: trade in the 4-runner, it will save you money -> trade in value, fewer vehicles to insure, maintenance costs, etc.

 

[Parrotheader]

If you're going to use the other car as your everday driver, if you get a 'beater' you might wear it out faster than you think. Or you might wish you'd gotten a slightly nicer car if you're going to spending most of your time in it.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat. I love my Frontier crew cab, but I no longer need the truck bed functionality quite as much as I used to and I only average about 16mpg in it. I'm about to sell it and probably start driving my wife's older '97 Accord (which is in perfect condition and averages 26mpg.) We just got her a new CR-V which gives us at least one vehicle with a decent amount of space. And it gets decent mileage to boot.

I've actually been so impressed with CR-V that it's got me thinking about getting a used one (or a used Rav-4.)