|
I've run the numbers, but my truck is paid for and with just passing 106k it should have more useful life in it. Since I figure I'll be taking on a monthly payment of up to $300 for a used car (my wife gets nervous when I talk about driving something she thinks is too old or unreliable, plus she's paranoid about passive crash safety ratings) gas prices would have to top $10/gal to break even in a 35mpg vehicle (immediate payoff). I have considered a commuter, but I already own 4 vehicles (all paid for). One of them I doubt I could sell, a 1988 Dodge Ramcharger that gets 14mpg almost no matter what and won't pass state inspection, and another that I just need to repair and I'll probably switch to driving it (1999 Subaru Legacy SUS with blown head gaskets). The fourth is a 2000 Honda Odyssey I inherited and the wife drives (and it still manages to get about as good gas mileage as my truck). We're not keen on the Odyssey and have been itching to replace it but haven't found anything late-model/low-mileage the wife likes that fits the bill, so we make do.
Also I'm beginning to work 4x10-hour days so that will cut 20% off my weekly commute, and my wife is going to only work part time now (2x12-hour shifts instead of 3x or 4x) so that helps cut back.
__________________
|