My spousal-unit had a job for a few years where 20,000 miles/year on the
car were normal. She now works here too, but in a different department.
We're a hair over 4 miles from the "office".
I like Ray's idea. I predict many more bikes of all flavors on the road
as fuel prices rise. They sprout up all over the place here on campus
when the weather is nice. There is an instructor here who rides an
interesting little Aprilia Scarabeo scooter.
Regarding auctions, good deals can be found if you know what you're
looking for. I got lucky and picked up a nice '95 Stratus for my parents
for $500 at auction knowing it only had 2nd gear. I took the trans out
for a bench rebuild/update for $1200 and they now have a reasonably nice
car for a smidge less than $2000. I basically traded my time for $$$ on
that deal. For $800 at auction, I found a red 2.5/413 '87 Daytona for
my sister when she was in school. She had it for about 5 reasonably
trouble-free years before she went to Basic.
I think you make a good point regarding the uncertainties of a used
beater. I've always thought "better the devil you know than the devil
you don't". Perhaps there is a more efficient vehicle for which you
already understand some of those "devils". If I had to unload any of my
daily drivers, I'd have to look for something with which I already had
some familiarity. In my case, FWD Mopar 2.2/2.5s. These are usually
plentiful at auctions around here. I sold my last "extra" one to Josh. I
miss it sometimes...>sniff<.
I understand that prices are extremely variable based on location, but
around these parts, the monthly fuel bill plus an initial lump sum of
$1500 would enable me to fund a modest lease and maybe have some cash
left for a little fuel. Of course, there are many downsides to a lease
so it may be totally inapplicable to your circumstance (for instance,
mileage restrictions). However it might achieve the primary objective of
reliability - at least in the short term of 2-3 years. This option would
be last on my list, but it would be there.
There's probably no "good" answer, only least worse answers.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of
> Jason Bleazard
> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:10 AM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: DML: Beater economics
>
>
> Well, I see gas prices are already up to $3.85 a gallon in Ontario.
> Looks like they're getting an early start on the summer price
> gouging spree.
>
> I've been debating the merits of trading my '95 Dakota for a
> smaller car. Unfortunately, my budget will only allow for a
> $1500-2000 beater (Canadian, so figure about $1300-1750 US).
> It's going to be at least two years before I'd be able to
> come up with more than that, probably more like four. I've
> already established I can't afford the insurance on three
> vehicles, so this would have to replace the Dakota.
>
> On the one hand, I've been spending about $270 a month just
> on fuel for the truck, which is just going to increase over
> the summer. My current financial situation is not good, and
> I'm not sure how I'm going to keep this up. I figure a small
> car could easily save me at least $100 a month.
>
> On the other hand, there's the guarantee that any $1500 car
> is going to need work, if not now then soon, and who knows
> what's been done to it over the years. Particularly here in
> the rust belt. My Dakota has its share of issues that I'd
> like to fix, but at least I know its history and I'm
> reasonably familiar with the design by now. Plus, Ontario is
> pretty strict about the inspections they make a car pass
> before it can be registered. No periodic inspections to make
> sure things don't deteriorate over time, until the new owner
> goes to register it and gets the unpleasant surprise.
>
> I know asking for opinions can be trouble :-), but I'd like
> to hear them anyway. What do you think? Just keep coughing
> up money to feed my Dakota until it falls apart, or downsize
> to someone else's lemon junk?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Jason Bleazard http://drazaelb.blogspot.com Burlington, Ontario
> his: '95 Dakota Sport 4x4, 3.9 V6, 5spd, Reg. Cab, white
> hers: '01 Dakota Sport 4x4, 4.7 V8, Auto, Quad Cab, black
>
>
>
>
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