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Bill
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 02:52 pm: | 
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I just got a new job which entails an 85 mile round trip drive 5 to 6 days a week (about 24K mi/yr). My 99 series 2 already has approx 56K mi on it now. I am looking at adding an '02 Toyota Echo to the stable for commuting only. According to my calcs (with insurance, monthly payment, etc) the monthly auto expenditures would go up an average of $200/month from what they would be just driving the Disco. And finally the question: Will the extra $200/mo end up costing less than the wear and tear/maintenance on the Disco? Thanks for any opinions or ideas. |
Greg P. (Gparrish)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 02:58 pm: |
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In my opinion, yes. The Toyota will probably end up way less than the Disco as you will be racking up lots of miles on the Disco otherwise. Commute in the Echo and keep the Disco in the stable for many years to come. |
niall forbes (Forbesn)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 04:07 pm: |
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Why get a brand new car? You could get a reliable commuter for under $2k. That would cut your costs big time. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 04:24 pm: |
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What's a new Echo go for these days? I couldn't see myself in an Echo. I would actually feel 200% safer in new Mini. |
Bill
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 02:42 pm: |
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Thanks for the input guys. A new Echo runs around 10 -12K. I like the used commuter idea...why didn't I think of that? |
JB
| | Posted on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 03:02 pm: |
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I suggest a Merecedes 240D or 300TD. Lots of space - lots of parts to be had and they run fast and forever ( ok not forever -Kyle- but you know what I mean) . Great BBS for them - www.mercedesshop.com and cheap and tough and safe and available everywhere - ebay included. And now you have a land rover and a mercedes and sound much cooler at cocktail parties! I recently picked-up a grey market 250T mercedes wagon and have had no regrets...
JB |
Chris S.
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 09:10 am: |
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Ditto to the www.mercedesshop.com board, it is really a great resource. I have had two benzes, one was a 1975 300D, which would make a wonderful commuter, good mileage, cheap, and classy as well. I would highly reccommend that over your other options.
Chris |
Todd Slater
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 12:12 pm: |
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Since 1984 I have owned and still own 3 toyotas (4X4 PU 260k, LC 160k, and Camry 70k). There collective O&M cost to date have been far less than my 99 D2 with 35k on it. If good cheap and reliable is what you seek...toyota is a good choice...however, I must admit the mini cooper would be extremely hard not to snap up for commuting duty and fun. Unfortunately my 80 mile RT commute finds me stuck in some ugly traffic and I no longer find joy in depressing the clutch pedal millions of times per mile. |
Jorge P. Gutierrez, Jr. (Jpg2esq)
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 12:28 pm: |
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Toyotas are definitely reliable. Along with my 95 Disco, I still have my 92 Toyota Paseo. Odometer broke at 167k miles abt 6 mths ago. Gas and oil changes, 2 tuneups, water pump, baterries, and ac compressor. Thats about it. That initial 12k new was quite a purchase over the LAST 10 YEARS!. |
Eric
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 09:41 pm: |
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Two wheel drive mini trucks with the big four cylinder engines 2.4L to 2.7L and five speed overdrive are unbelievably cheap to maintain. No timing belts, no goofy high tech front wheel drive mumbo jumbo, big radiators.
You know those flyers you get in the mail that say 4 tires for $99.99 these are the only vehicles that they fit on. And these trucks frequently go 250 - 300 thousand miles.
I had an old 70's chevy LUV (made by Isuzu) that rusted through. I could see the road beneath my feet. The speedo stopped working at 180k I drove it for three more years while in college. It never burned oil, it had the original clutch. Un freaking believable!! I wish I still had it.
Pick up a used 90 Toyota SR5 or Mazda B2000, or Isuzu. They get great milage, especially if you remove the tailgate. They are a little cramped. Make sure and get one with air conditioning too!
That's my two cents.
The 99 Disco will kill your budget with just one wheel bearing, or air conditioning compressor, or water pump.... yikes!! |
Eric
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 09:48 pm: |
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Oh yeah...
And to find out an estimated annual maintenance budget for the LR check and see what it costs for an extended warranty. Subtract about 18-20% from that figure (typical dealer mark-up for customer service products) and that should give you an idea of what it might cost on average.
I used to drive a fleet vehicle, thats how we set a budget. I know 4x4's score fairly high in comparison to most sedans. |
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