Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Calculating cost savings of owning fuel efficient second car for commute?

ZachUA · 10-06-2021, 01:34 PM

Hi, I am currently daily driving a truck, and I have a long commute to work, all interstate. I was previously carpooling with several people, so the long commute was not an issue. Unfortunately, the carpool option is no longer available as my carpool friends have all switched to work-from-home, which isn't an option for me. That said, I really like my truck and don't want to sell it. It seems like a waste to keep racking miles up on it and causing it to depreciate in value so much faster than need be.

I am wondering if it would be a net positive to purchase an older fuel efficient car for the daily commute and keep my truck parked in the garage for weekend duty only. Something like a 98 civic or similar car for the commute.

The truck costs me roughly 300 dollars per month in fuel to drive to work. That is fuel alone. I know there are other costs involved such as tire wear, oil changes, and so forth. I also know that putting lots of miles on my truck hurts the resale value, so one day I'll be faced with that hidden cost if I continue racking up the miles on it.

Just a rudimentary estimate I calculated was if I went from driving the 20mpg truck to a 40mpg car, that I would save roughly 150.00 per month in fuel costs. But the car would also cost me an additional 50-60 per month in insurance, so now my savings are cut to about 90.00 per month or about 1k per year.

I estimate about 3 oil changes per year, total $150ish for DIY, and tires being replaced every 2ish years @ a cost of roughly $300 every other year. I also understand the car has an upfront costs to purchase, but I will get some of that back when I sell it, and it's already had the bulk of depreciation occur since it's older, so I'm sort of looking at that cost as a "1/2" cost. It seems like after all that is considered I'm still coming out ahead just on the fuel costs for the truck alone, not even factoring in the other wear and tear items or the accelerated depreciation on the truck.

Has anyone run similar calculations or been in similar situation w a long commute, and if so, what did you do or what would you do?

10-06-2021, 01:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZachUA Beefy Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Calculating cost savings of owning fuel efficient second car for commute? Hi, I am currently daily driving a truck, and I have a long commute to work, all interstate. I was previously carpooling with several people, so the long commute was not an issue. Unfortunately, the carpool option is no longer available as my carpool friends have all switched to work-from-home, which isn't an option for me. That said, I really like my truck and don't want to sell it. It seems like a waste to keep racking miles up on it and causing it to depreciate in value so much faster than need be. I am wondering if it would be a net positive to purchase an older fuel efficient car for the daily commute and keep my truck parked in the garage for weekend duty only. Something like a 98 civic or similar car for the commute. The truck costs me roughly 300 dollars per month in fuel to drive to work. That is fuel alone. I know there are other costs involved such as tire wear, oil changes, and so forth. I also know that putting lots of miles on my truck hurts the resale value, so one day I'll be faced with that hidden cost if I continue racking up the miles on it. Just a rudimentary estimate I calculated was if I went from driving the 20mpg truck to a 40mpg car, that I would save roughly 150.00 per month in fuel costs. But the car would also cost me an additional 50-60 per month in insurance, so now my savings are cut to about 90.00 per month or about 1k per year. I estimate about 3 oil changes per year, total $150ish for DIY, and tires being replaced every 2ish years @ a cost of roughly $300 every other year. I also understand the car has an upfront costs to purchase, but I will get some of that back when I sell it, and it's already had the bulk of depreciation occur since it's older, so I'm sort of looking at that cost as a "1/2" cost. It seems like after all that is considered I'm still coming out ahead just on the fuel costs for the truck alone, not even factoring in the other wear and tear items or the accelerated depreciation on the truck. Has anyone run similar calculations or been in similar situation w a long commute, and if so, what did you do or what would you do?