New Or Used?: Analysis Paralysis Edition

Longtime TTAC Commentator Educatordan writes:

Okay Mr. Mehta and Lang: Currently my fleet consists of a 2004 F150 Heritage and a 2008 Roketa (Chinese) 150cc scooter. My current commute is about 8 miles one way each day and the miles are town and metro area where the speed limit never tops 50mph, I occasionally drive that with my scooter (top speed 60mph) but usually my girlfriend and we commute together in her 2005 Pontiac Vibe. My problem is this, I’m a teacher, soon to be administrator, and I anticipate a big change in my career next year with a new masters degree and new license. I currently work for the largest (geographically speaking) school district in the United States and my new administrative position will likely involve a commute of 40 to 90 miles round trip everyday. As an administrator I’ll be required to report to work as close to 7am as possible, come hell or high snow, teachers/students get canceled days, I will not. I’m in the mountain west (Northwest New Mexico) at an elevation of 6,500ft with parts of the county hitting 8,000ft.

So right now I’m of two minds on what sort vehicle to buy, I’m not getting rid of the truck (it’s paid for and I have truck jobs to give it), I’m torn between stripped down economy car, big smooth riding sedan, or something fun to reward myself. My budget will be $10,000 to $12,000 and here’s a few ideas from my short list, let me preface this by saying that whatever I get I’m gonna have two sets of tires, winter and summer. My prerequisites are approximately 30mpg highway, anything with 4cyl has to be manual transmission, I don’t care about the city fuel economy, cheap insurance would be nice (33 yr old divorced male), and reliability is good (but luxury is not necessary). I’m 5’11” and thin so I don’t have to sweat the cockpit size. I’ve never owned a new car BTW and my dad always bought used and American.

New Economy Cars:

Hyundai Accent (3-door)

Nissan Versa (hatch)

Clearance deal on a Vibe or Saturn Astra (are there any left?)

Used Sedans:

W-platform with a V6, and perhaps the Monte Carlo. I know the Monte is a shell of it’s former self but my dad had a 1975 model from about 1978 to 1985 and I have a soft nostalgic spot for them.

Ford Taurus/500/Mercury Sable/Montego

Ford Fusion

Chevrolet Malibu (previous gen)

Pontiac G6

Saturn Aura

Nissan Altima/Maxima (find one with the rare manual trans?)

Something from Hyundai or Kia?

Impreza stick? (base model, none of that factory hot rod stuff)

Used Fun Cars:

Mazda Miata manual trans

Mustang GT manual (doesn’t quite fit my MPG requirement)

Sajeev Answers:

Hey Dan: analysis paralysis much? A Mazda Miata or a Mercury Montego? Impreza or Impala? Monte or Maxima? I think my head’s gonna explode. Reading between the lines, you need to test drive more cars and decide what size or style you’d prefer. Your mandatory homework is several weekends at the nearest Dealership Row to get a grasp on what you desire from a car. And if you can’t narrow down the field? That’s actually a good thing. Quite honestly, you don’t need another vehicle.

I’d put a wicked aftermarket audio system with Navigation/iPod/XM/etc in your F-150. Then a set of slightly firmer Bilstein HD shocks (or comparable) and an ECU re-flash so mid-corner throttling is far more entertaining. Then call it a day. Oh, and don’t forget to scrap the Heritage’s dorky amber lenses for the clear ones from an older model, too. Wait, I’m turning this into a Piston Slap column. That’s my bad.

Steve Answers:

Sajeev is actually channeling my brain these days. He’s absolutely right. The gas savings on the commuter scooter will be dwarfed by the depreciation, insurance (as you mentioned), opportunity cost, taxes, first born… you get the idea. Plus most of what you’ve already mentioned strikes me as boring as hell. Sorry.

If you absolutely must do something just upgrade the stereo and seats. Perhaps a really nice suspension upgrade would smooth out your ride but… you live in New Mexico where most roads are made out of glass. If you must… another possibility is just buying a well depreciated five year old vehicle with a stick and 60k. But then again you’re already keeping the F150 and scooter so why bother?

I would just upgrade the ride and spend the rest of the dough on… well… nothing really. But you already knew that I’m a frugal fellow so if you must blow the money, blow it on the girlfriend. Or a nice pair of walking shoes. Hopefully both of them will last.