How Many Cars are In Your Household and What do you Drive??????????

[Lanthiriel]

This entire thread blows my damn mind! I thought we were Mustachians? There is so much waste going on here... and so much not being creative about transportation... I'm shocked.

I thought minimizing car use and ownership and financing was one of the main pillars of Mustachetitude? Have you folks with the bazillion cars even read those posts? How in the world do you justify it?

Actually, to me the main pillar of mmm is to save money on things that aren't important to me (cell phones, satellite tv, manicures, expensive dinners) so that I can spend the money on things that are important to me, like keeping the candy apple red 1970 fastback mustang that I bought when I was 18.    Our retirement is secure, so I think I can justify it.

My take is that I'm 15 years out from retirement. If I uber-optimized, it's still at least 12 years. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE bicycles. I didn't learn to ride one until I was 10. I fell off one when I was 11 and broke my front tooth in half. I tried bike commuting for three weeks two summers ago and had to wipe myself out in an intersection because a car took a left turn movement without looking for me in the crosswalk. I had bruises up and down my legs so bad that I couldn't wear skirts to work for a month.

So when it comes to biking, I'm bad at it, it's dangerous, I sweat a lot, and sometimes it's -20 where I live. I just can't handle being miserable and feeling unsafe for 12 years of commuting to buy myself a year or two of retirement. Though I definitely could swap my cars out to optimize my fuel costs.

I like to think of MMM as less of a paint by numbers and more of a velvet coloring poster. I have the right outline and the right colors, but I get to choose how I apply them. Maybe my outcome isn't as "good," but it makes me happy :)

[Shrike]

1 Truck... 2000 Toyota Tundra with 170k miles.  Bought it new in 99.

[Fodder]

One:

2013 Toyota Tacoma.  Originally financed 25k on it (stupid I know) but was able to pay off the 60 month loan in 2 years due to discipline.  I use this truck for everything (daily driver, road trips, mountains etc), I love it.  Maybe not the most fuel efficient (to me that is the ONLY negative, and the positives outweigh it) but I know it will last me for years, and get me wherever I need to go.

You WILL have it for years.  My FIL drives a 2003 Tacoma and it still looks like brand new!  He actually gets a ton of comments on it because he got it in a very snazzy electric blue colour - it's such a pretty truck and I know he still completely loves it.

[clarkai]

Two adults; up until a couple months ago, it was a 2001 honda civic and two commuter bikes that didn't get used much. Now it's no honda, and two commuter bikes that get used a lot!

[GuitarStv]

This entire thread blows my damn mind! I thought we were Mustachians? There is so much waste going on here... and so much not being creative about transportation... I'm shocked.

I thought minimizing car use and ownership and financing was one of the main pillars of Mustachetitude? Have you folks with the bazillion cars even read those posts? How in the world do you justify it?

Actually, to me the main pillar of mmm is to save money on things that aren't important to me (cell phones, satellite tv, manicures, expensive dinners) so that I can spend the money on things that are important to me, like keeping the candy apple red 1970 fastback mustang that I bought when I was 18.    Our retirement is secure, so I think I can justify it.

My take is that I'm 15 years out from retirement. If I uber-optimized, it's still at least 12 years. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE bicycles. I didn't learn to ride one until I was 10. I fell off one when I was 11 and broke my front tooth in half. I tried bike commuting for three weeks two summers ago and had to wipe myself out in an intersection because a car took a left turn movement without looking for me in the crosswalk. I had bruises up and down my legs so bad that I couldn't wear skirts to work for a month.

Just in case it ever comes up again, you shouldn't be on your bike in a crosswalk.  Crosswalks are for pedestrians.  Riding your bicycle on the sidewalk is more dangerous than the road because cars crossing the sidewalk (side streets, driveways, plaza entrances, etc.) are not expecting someone to be moving as quickly as you move on a bike, and they'll often turn right into you.  You're more likely to be hit by a car on a sidewalk then when cycling on the road.

[Curbside Prophet]

I wish the one wheel was cheaper.  Most of the electric movers (Segway, hoverboard, etc.) look dumb but this looks like a lot of fun.  I could even charge it at work :D

[Jack]

My wife drives the 4 door pick up to work (2 miles) in an effort to save gas and mileage.

That does not make sense. You save gas and mileage by not driving when you're only going two miles.

I tried bike commuting for three weeks two summers ago and had to wipe myself out in an intersection because a car took a left turn movement without looking for me in the crosswalk.

If the car had hit you, you would have been the one at fault. Biking isn't particularly dangerous if you follow the laws.

[vitaminsea]

This entire thread blows my damn mind! I thought we were Mustachians? There is so much waste going on here... and so much not being creative about transportation... I'm shocked.

I thought minimizing car use and ownership and financing was one of the main pillars of Mustachetitude? Have you folks with the bazillion cars even read those posts? How in the world do you justify it?

Actually, to me the main pillar of mmm is to save money on things that aren't important to me (cell phones, satellite tv, manicures, expensive dinners) so that I can spend the money on things that are important to me, like keeping the candy apple red 1970 fastback mustang that I bought when I was 18.    Our retirement is secure, so I think I can justify it.

Please, oh please say that Mustang is a Mach 1!!!

[batbatmanne]

Well, here's maybe a chance to shine. A few months ago I posted a thread about how to get over being a car enthusiast. I was considering how to justify a cool RWD car for myself on a pretty tight budget, and in a place with a rough winter climate. I've been eyeing listings on the internet and I recently pulled the trigger on what I think was a great deal, but it means I'll be going with a different car strategy. I bought a 2009 Honda Fit, 5 speed, with 93k km, for $5500 CAD from somebody who was moving back to their home country in Europe. I'm hoping to total roughly $100 - $150 per month in cost of ownership, not including the initial cost. I also bought myself a new bicycle that I am using to commute.

RWD will have to wait until my stache grows a bit bigger and I have access to a garage.

[libertarian4321]

2002 Chevy Silverado (me)
2010 BMW 328i (my wife- cars are her only weakness when it comes to spending)

She has a pre-order on a Tesla Model 3, though it will probably 2020 before she gets it :)

By then, I'll probably ready to get rid of the Silverado and I'll just drive the BMW.

[southern granny]

This entire thread blows my damn mind! I thought we were Mustachians? There is so much waste going on here... and so much not being creative about transportation... I'm shocked.

I thought minimizing car use and ownership and financing was one of the main pillars of Mustachetitude? Have you folks with the bazillion cars even read those posts? How in the world do you justify it?

Actually, to me the main pillar of mmm is to save money on things that aren't important to me (cell phones, satellite tv, manicures, expensive dinners) so that I can spend the money on things that are important to me, like keeping the candy apple red 1970 fastback mustang that I bought when I was 18.    Our retirement is secure, so I think I can justify it.

Please, oh please say that Mustang is a Mach 1!!!

No.  Not the Mach. same body style but just the 302 engine.   

[SwordGuy]

2 drivers, 2 cars.

2009 car with 7000 miles on it.  (Just traded in a 2006 with 100,000 miles and major problems.)

2002 car with 100,000 miles on it.   Salvage title with hail pockmarks on it.

[calimom]

This entire thread blows my damn mind! I thought we were Mustachians? There is so much waste going on here... and so much not being creative about transportation... I'm shocked.

I thought minimizing car use and ownership and financing was one of the main pillars of Mustachetitude? Have you folks with the bazillion cars even read those posts? How in the world do you justify it?

We get that you're a super duper Mustachian and that is great. But I just read your post about lowering your grocery bill to "only" $1000 a month for a family of four. MMM would shake his head at that, as well as the extra kid you slipped in there. Shame. You broke the rules too, Buster Brown.

That said, my ride is a sweet un-Mustachian 2009 Volvo V70. ALL the bells and whistles.67,000 miles and just broken in. Bought used, paid for in cash and great for running my own un-Mustachian brood around town. I also have a 2010 Ford Transit Connect with 56,000 miles, for my business. Bought used with a 24 month loan (now paid off). It replaced the rickety mid-90s Mazda pickup that came with my company when I took it over.

One day in the future when my child rearing and entrepreneurial days are over, I'll own now no car, 2 bikes or a BMW convertible. Nothings off the table.
:P

[englishteacheralex]

2 commuters, 1 toddler, 1 baby on the way

2003 Toyota Matrix stick shift 100k miles
1999 Toyota Corolla automatic 115k miles

We were going to buy a used mini van this summer because of the baby on the way, but I discovered MMM's blog during the car researching process and realized a Matrix would do fine for us.

Funny story: when I was dating my now-husband, he drove a 2011 Ford Escape that he had financed. It was lots of fun to be driven around in and I didn't make a big deal out of the fact that it was financed, but at the time I had a strict paid in cash 15 year old Corolla policy (I was on my second such car). The week we got married we went to his bank and paid off the Escape. The next week he sold it. I took the bus for two months and then he bought a 1999 Corolla that matched mine.

And that's how I knew it was love. :)

[dreams_and_discoveries]

I have 100k miles Prius, can't remember how old, probably 10-15 years old now.

I don't really drive that much, I public transport it to work and socially, however having a car is handy for camping trips, garden supplies, ebay finds, supermarket stock ups etc. It's now not even worth much, and has such a low running cost I'm happy to pay for the convenience.

[Money Badger]

@englishteacheralex,  Cherish a frugal spouse!

Here are the indentureds' fleet - 4 total, all paid for:
- 2014 Ford Escape (me) 35K miles. "the nice car" I drive to/from clients.
- 2012 Prius V (wife) 105K miles.  Headed for 200K
- 2011 RAV4 (kid 2 - college soon) 55K.  Headed for 200K
- 2011 Camry (kid 1@college) 105K (Yep, you guessed it, headed for 200K)

Folks can judge if they like, but this works for our rural selves.   And I swear by Toyotas as "buy one and be done" for 10 years or so as long as fluids and filters are done religiously (bought in bulk w/super deals from Rockauto btw).

[goofiefoot]

2009 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
Bought with cash
110k miles
My pride and joy

2007 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4
Paid off in 2009
141k miles
My wife's pride and joy (plus camper-hauler)

No, they're not economic, but they're reliable and we love them.  My commute is currently 6 miles round trip, and is about to fall to about 6 blocks, so I could walk or bike with ease.  My wife has a longer commute (with our daughter), so she'll stick with burning dinosaurs for the foreseeable future.

[PFHC]

I think all cars should be used and paid in cash.

That's one way, and it's fine. 

Personally, I'd rather buy something high quality new, and keep it a long, long time.  I've had my cars almost 10 years, 5 years with like 5+ to go, and have a new car that was only purchased because the last one was totaled at 8 years old (with no plans to replace it) when my wife hit a deer.  I'm willing to pay more for a new car up front because I know I'll have the car a long time and any minor savings from buying nearly-new is pretty immaterial when amortized over 10-12 years.  I'm not interested in the "get a clunker and then drive it until it dies and get another clunker" model either.

I'm with you on this.  I just bought a new Hyundai Accent.  It is a nice car.  No public transportation here.  As to the prior poster "...all cars should be used....", no one builds used cars.  Someone has to buy them new in order for them to become used.  Happy to have helped.  You can buy my "used" car in about 15 years.

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

[Chris22]

I think all cars should be used and paid in cash.

That's one way, and it's fine. 

Personally, I'd rather buy something high quality new, and keep it a long, long time.  I've had my cars almost 10 years, 5 years with like 5+ to go, and have a new car that was only purchased because the last one was totaled at 8 years old (with no plans to replace it) when my wife hit a deer.  I'm willing to pay more for a new car up front because I know I'll have the car a long time and any minor savings from buying nearly-new is pretty immaterial when amortized over 10-12 years.  I'm not interested in the "get a clunker and then drive it until it dies and get another clunker" model either.

I'm with you on this.  I just bought a new Hyundai Accent.  It is a nice car.  No public transportation here.  As to the prior poster "...all cars should be used....", no one builds used cars.  Someone has to buy them new in order for them to become used.  Happy to have helped.  You can buy my "used" car in about 15 years.

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

Check your math, boss.  Most decent cars haven't depreciated 25% off the lot in years.  Last two new cars I bought, I considered used for both.  You had to get considerable mileage before they got appreciably cheaper.  And if you do see epic depreciation, it's compared to MSRP; most cars with bad depreciation can be bought new at considerable discount vs. MSRP as well, so the depreciation number isn't realistic.  ie, buy a $40k car new for $35k, a year later it's worth $32k.  Yeah, that looks like $8k of depreciation, but it's only $3k to the buyer.

[PurpleYogurt]

4 drivers - 2 parents, 2 kids

3 vehicles
2012 GMC truck - work vehicle no cost to us - company paid insurance and fuel
2011 KIA Optima - purchased used for 18K now has 72K miles
2008 Dodge Avenger - daughter's car, she purchased used for 8k has 140K miles

[RWD]

I think all cars should be used and paid in cash.

That's one way, and it's fine. 

Personally, I'd rather buy something high quality new, and keep it a long, long time.  I've had my cars almost 10 years, 5 years with like 5+ to go, and have a new car that was only purchased because the last one was totaled at 8 years old (with no plans to replace it) when my wife hit a deer.  I'm willing to pay more for a new car up front because I know I'll have the car a long time and any minor savings from buying nearly-new is pretty immaterial when amortized over 10-12 years.  I'm not interested in the "get a clunker and then drive it until it dies and get another clunker" model either.

I'm with you on this.  I just bought a new Hyundai Accent.  It is a nice car.  No public transportation here.  As to the prior poster "...all cars should be used....", no one builds used cars.  Someone has to buy them new in order for them to become used.  Happy to have helped.  You can buy my "used" car in about 15 years.

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

Check your math, boss.  Most decent cars haven't depreciated 25% off the lot in years.  Last two new cars I bought, I considered used for both.  You had to get considerable mileage before they got appreciably cheaper.  And if you do see epic depreciation, it's compared to MSRP; most cars with bad depreciation can be bought new at considerable discount vs. MSRP as well, so the depreciation number isn't realistic.  ie, buy a $40k car new for $35k, a year later it's worth $32k.  Yeah, that looks like $8k of depreciation, but it's only $3k to the buyer.

One of the reasons I bought my car new (Subaru BRZ) was because used ones (all 11 months old or less) were still going for 90-95% of MSRP. Now that my car is ~3.5 years old it has retained 63% of the original purchase price (including sales tax and fees), or about 71% of MSRP. Estimated using KBB's private party value.

[Jack]

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

Check your math, boss.  Most decent cars haven't depreciated 25% off the lot in years.  Last two new cars I bought, I considered used for both.  You had to get considerable mileage before they got appreciably cheaper.  And if you do see epic depreciation, it's compared to MSRP; most cars with bad depreciation can be bought new at considerable discount vs. MSRP as well, so the depreciation number isn't realistic.  ie, buy a $40k car new for $35k, a year later it's worth $32k.  Yeah, that looks like $8k of depreciation, but it's only $3k to the buyer.

One of the reasons I bought my car new (Subaru BRZ) was because used ones (all 11 months old or less) were still going for 90-95% of MSRP. Now that my car is ~3.5 years old it has retained 63% of the original purchase price (including sales tax and fees), or about 71% of MSRP. Estimated using KBB's private party value.

The rule doesn't apply to really popular cars because they're scarce enough new that people who would otherwise buy new bid up the price of slightly used ones (the same was true of the first new Beetles and Minis when they came out, as well as things like the second-gen Prius -- the first-gen was too ugly to be popular -- and first-model-year Leaf).

It also doesn't apply to really unpopular cars, because as Chris22 pointed out, they sell at a discount.

Where it comes closer to applying is the average stuff in the middle: normal mid-size sedans, SUVs, minivans and whatnot.

25% instantly is hyperbole, of course, except in the worst case (expensive luxury cars which aren't popular but which the manufacturer is loathe to discount for image/pride reasons). The VW Phaeton is the canonical example -- you can probably get a W12 Phaeton for the same price as a V6 Camry of the same age and mileage!

[coffeelover]

Two drivers.

Until very recently:
1999 Chevy Metro - 182,xxx (bought for $1000 in 2014 with 146k)
1992 Buick Roadmaster Wagon - 200,775 (bought for $700 in 2014 with 158k)

The Metro died in May, and then the Buick died last week.

Currently have zero cars and two drivers.  Luckily we can make this work short-term.

Replacement small car will probably be either an 04-07 Scion xA or 09-10 Hyundai Accent hatchback (maybe Fit or Yaris if we can score a deal).
Replacement big car will probably be a 2000 Chevy Express van from a friend.

Get a Yaris!

I bought mine used with only 5k miles on it from a dealer in 2008. Paid it off early and have been enjoying it ever since. Its a great commuter car, which is what my husband uses now for work. When I bought the car it was just me and my daughter plus 2 huge dogs. We all fit fine.

Well now we have 5 kids total between us, 1 dog, 1 cat and 2 adults. So the yaris is only used Mon to Fri or long trips we take with only a couple of the kids.
I've gotten 45 mpg out of this car going 60 down a 2 lane stretch of road for a few hours.

Can't say enough good things about this car, don't hesitate, find a deal!

[ketchup]

Two drivers.

Until very recently:
1999 Chevy Metro - 182,xxx (bought for $1000 in 2014 with 146k)
1992 Buick Roadmaster Wagon - 200,775 (bought for $700 in 2014 with 158k)

The Metro died in May, and then the Buick died last week.

Currently have zero cars and two drivers.  Luckily we can make this work short-term.

Replacement small car will probably be either an 04-07 Scion xA or 09-10 Hyundai Accent hatchback (maybe Fit or Yaris if we can score a deal).
Replacement big car will probably be a 2000 Chevy Express van from a friend.

Get a Yaris!

I bought mine used with only 5k miles on it from a dealer in 2008. Paid it off early and have been enjoying it ever since. Its a great commuter car, which is what my husband uses now for work. When I bought the car it was just me and my daughter plus 2 huge dogs. We all fit fine.

Well now we have 5 kids total between us, 1 dog, 1 cat and 2 adults. So the yaris is only used Mon to Fri or long trips we take with only a couple of the kids.
I've gotten 45 mpg out of this car going 60 down a 2 lane stretch of road for a few hours.

Can't say enough good things about this car, don't hesitate, find a deal!

I've kept my eyes open for sure (I have a bunch of craigslist auto-emails set up).  Resale value of a Yaris has definitely held up.  Around me, it seems like even ones with 150-200k on the clock often go for $3-4k.

[soccerluvof4]

4 cars- Toyota minivan 2015 and Toyota highlander 2012 for me and the Misses. Primarily use the highlander and expect the 2 to last us at least the next 10 years.  I bought each of my 2 oldest the same exact car and color etc...Ford Fiestas used fleet cars so no arguing. That's my one time gift to them and they pay there own gas and insurance (as well as cell phone bill) so each pays us 40$ a week we put back into there college fund for misc expenses in an account that they don't know about. Both have scholarships so if not needed will give to them or put into younger two's funds. Time will tell.

[Cranky]

Our cars don't depreciate in any meaningful way because we, or someone in our family, drives them until they are pretty much good only for parts.

[morehipsterthanu]

2010 Mercury Mariner - 97,000 miles.  Got it free as a hand me down recently when my 2008 Mazda3 was totaled by a deer.

Where I live, hitting deer is pretty much unavoidable.  I've hit 2 in 20 yrs. of driving.  A neighbor of mine has hit 5 in the same amount of time.

Wife drives a 2009 Toyota Highlander with 137,000 miles that's been paid off for 3 years now.

[RunningWithScissors]

Two adult drivers + two teenagers with learner's licenses.
One car:  a 2002 SAAB 9-3 hatchback, manual transmission.
And five bikes:  one tri-bike, one road bike, one touring bike and two mountain bikes.

And if anyone wants to help me survive teaching two teenagers how to drive stick, I'm accepting donations of alcohol over here. 

[Chris22]

2010 Mercury Mariner - 97,000 miles.  Got it free as a hand me down recently when my 2008 Mazda3 was totaled by a deer.

Where I live, hitting deer is pretty much unavoidable.  I've hit 2 in 20 yrs. of driving.  A neighbor of mine has hit 5 in the same amount of time.

Wife drives a 2009 Toyota Highlander with 137,000 miles that's been paid off for 3 years now.

My wife and I have spent years driving through deer-infested Northern Wisconsin, and (knock on wood) never hit a deer.  She totaled her car a year and a half ago creaming an 8-pt buck within half a mile of the expressway in Chicagoland. 

[Weedon]

Two vehicles:

Me - 2004 Honda Civic with 217K miles on her and hoping to push it way beyond 350K
Wife - 2008 Ford Edge with 70K miles

But my favorite vehicles are the two bikes powered by our own legs! Unfortunately I do have a 45 minute commute (good days) and so I put 400 miles per week on the civic. I know, I know...but there ARE reasons you end up doing something otherwise would be foolish, but in that particular case (not going into particulars) isn't.

[HenryDavid]

2 drivers, one high-mileage 2003 Dodge Caravan.
Sexy!

This thing will swallow 2 bikes with the wheels on (back row seat is removed, saves weight and improves mileage).
Fuel consumption is "average" but it's driven maybe 10k "miles" (as they're known in the US) per year.
Will hang on to it until it's a pile of rust,maybe 4-5 more years .  . .

[Freedomin5]

Three drivers, no cars.

I don't ever want to drive in China.

[Villanelle]

Two adult household, two cars.  2007 Nissan March (small 4 door) and 2004 Nissan Sentra.  Both purchased for less than $2500.  Used cars are dirt cheap in Japan!  Before we moved here in July, we had one car, a 2000 Toyota Echo, which still has less then 100k miles on it. I'm the second owner (my mom being the first).  It's currently stored in the States (on the Navy's dime) but I'll likely start hunting for a replacement when we return to the US, which we think happens in 2019.

Three bikes, which aren't used enough.  Mine is a Japanese bike, which is somewhat comparable to a US beach cruiser, if I had to make a comparison.  It is a tank and weighs roughly eleventy million pounds.  Thankfully, our 'hood is fairly flat at least.

[steviesterno]

2 adults, one baby
3 cars, 2 bikes, 1 bike trailer, 2 kayaks

2007 FJ cruiser. 65k miles and $4000 left on loan (pre mm). Currently my DD and adventure truck. Working on adding a mega front bumper and rhino lining the whole thing. Whole project will be for my Bday, and not cost a ton. My paint is starting to go and DIY rhino line will cover it, protect from hail we get here, and look sick! I feel bad spending money on it, but only commute 10 miles to work so MPG isn't a huge concern. Lots of room to take whole family, and feels like a tank with a good safety record. Good for our adventures, hauling random stuff for DIY, and I am a car guy. I plan to drive this until electric cars take over completely.

2008 Audi A6. Wife's DD, bought 3 days after some idiot T boned her in her 07 A4 convertible. She was 6 months pregnant at the time, and the audi saved her life and the baby's life. I am convinced fully of that fact. I asked her for anything in the world she wanted to drive, she picked this. $13,000 left on loan but also pre mm, super low rate.

1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 royale convertible. 60k on it, all original. gets something like 8mpg, but looks amazing doing it. It was my DD in high school, one of 2 cars in college. It's been paid off since 2000 (when I bought it). it has gone with me all over the US, driven the beaches in florida, and cruised highways now in Texas. I will get her fixed up a bit and continue driving, hopefully to give to my son when he can drive. he's 7 months old now.

we need 2 cars. Both wife and I work similar hours in opposite directions. We are in the worst areas for walkability or public transport, but these 20 minute commutes are allowing us to send our kid to a school that ranks better than private schools in the area. Also allowed us to buy a house in an appreciating area. my trip by bike would have me go through some of the worst areas in town, be surrounded by idiots in monster trucks, and add 2+ hours to my time away from home. I wish I didn't need to drive but what are you gonna do.

MMM isn't totally about being super all the way crazy all the time. it's small steps that add up to big changes. If I didn't drive I could save $700 a month (payments/gas/insurance) but together we get paid probably $60,000 more than we would working from home. but if I drive the toyota until the wheels fall off, and we bought a used A6 rather than my buddy's new A3 ($50k!) we'll win out in the long term.

[mtn]

2 drivers. 1 car.

But we're buying a house and moving out of the city into the suburbs, which complicates the situation as I now basically drive my MIL's car exclusively (they live 8 blocks away). She's disabled and I drive her into work and home. She needs a pretty specific car and it has to stay with her, as I'm not the ONLY driver for her, just the most often. That car might end up living with us, but I'm not sure. So we're now at 1.5 cars for 2 people.


Then I want to get a beater truck and a "beater" Miata. Which would bring us to 3.5 cars for 2 drivers. The Miata would be the daily in the summer; the truck the daily in the winter. EDIT: But my daily mileage for either would average less than 4 miles a day.

[Drifterrider]

I think all cars should be used and paid in cash.

That's one way, and it's fine. 

Personally, I'd rather buy something high quality new, and keep it a long, long time.  I've had my cars almost 10 years, 5 years with like 5+ to go, and have a new car that was only purchased because the last one was totaled at 8 years old (with no plans to replace it) when my wife hit a deer.  I'm willing to pay more for a new car up front because I know I'll have the car a long time and any minor savings from buying nearly-new is pretty immaterial when amortized over 10-12 years.  I'm not interested in the "get a clunker and then drive it until it dies and get another clunker" model either.

I'm with you on this.  I just bought a new Hyundai Accent.  It is a nice car.  No public transportation here.  As to the prior poster "...all cars should be used....", no one builds used cars.  Someone has to buy them new in order for them to become used.  Happy to have helped.  You can buy my "used" car in about 15 years.

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

Probably not.  I usually drive them until they cannot be repaired even by Gas Monkey Garage :)

I've been driving nearly 40 years.  I've purchased 4 new cars and I still have my last "new" one from 2004 (it is a truck).

[Fodder]

I think all cars should be used and paid in cash.

That's one way, and it's fine. 

Personally, I'd rather buy something high quality new, and keep it a long, long time.  I've had my cars almost 10 years, 5 years with like 5+ to go, and have a new car that was only purchased because the last one was totaled at 8 years old (with no plans to replace it) when my wife hit a deer.  I'm willing to pay more for a new car up front because I know I'll have the car a long time and any minor savings from buying nearly-new is pretty immaterial when amortized over 10-12 years.  I'm not interested in the "get a clunker and then drive it until it dies and get another clunker" model either.

I'm with you on this.  I just bought a new Hyundai Accent.  It is a nice car.  No public transportation here.  As to the prior poster "...all cars should be used....", no one builds used cars.  Someone has to buy them new in order for them to become used.  Happy to have helped.  You can buy my "used" car in about 15 years.

Us used car buyers sure are thankful to you folks for eating the bullet and taking that 25% loss the instant you drive it off the lot.

Check your math, boss.  Most decent cars haven't depreciated 25% off the lot in years.  Last two new cars I bought, I considered used for both.  You had to get considerable mileage before they got appreciably cheaper.  And if you do see epic depreciation, it's compared to MSRP; most cars with bad depreciation can be bought new at considerable discount vs. MSRP as well, so the depreciation number isn't realistic.  ie, buy a $40k car new for $35k, a year later it's worth $32k.  Yeah, that looks like $8k of depreciation, but it's only $3k to the buyer.

This is what I found as well.  I really did want to go used, but the cars I was considering weren't depreciating in a meaningful way (i.e., they weren't depreciating as much as the mileage was piling up), so there was no benefit in cost per year of ownership in getting the used car, with the added headache of having to go car shopping more often, because we drive our cars until they are basically toast, and a car with 60 000km is one that I'll likely own for two fewer years than one that is new (based on our yearly mileage of 30 000km).

[Curbside Prophet]

2 drivers, 2 cars.

2009 car with 7000 miles on it.  (Just traded in a 2006 with 100,000 miles and major problems.)

2002 car with 100,000 miles on it.   Salvage title with hail pockmarks on it.

Not hail pockmarks, aerodynamic dimples for better gas mileage.

[Drifterrider]

Our cars don't depreciate in any meaningful way because we, or someone in our family, drives them until they are pretty much good only for parts.

Are we related?  Hello cousin.

[mistershankly]

2 adults and 2 cars here.

My neighbor across the street has three members of the family (two of them in their mid-70's and the third member in his 50's) and they have a total of SEVEN cars, a boat, and two Seadoos.  Some people hoard newspapers, these folks hoard cars and other vehicles.

Another neighbor about a 1/2 mile away has a 1200sq ft home (with a rusted, corrugated metal car port roof) with two adults and six cars... one of which is a Ferrari 458, another a 911 Carrera 4s, and a smattering of Mercedes and BMWs to round out the six cars.  Some times I'm tempted to knock on their door and beg them to explain to me how they manage this when their collective of cars is more valuable than their property.

[Jack]

Another neighbor about a 1/2 mile away has a 1200sq ft home (with a rusted, corrugated metal car port roof) with two adults and six cars... one of which is a Ferrari 458, another a 911 Carrera 4s, and a smattering of Mercedes and BMWs to round out the six cars.  Some times I'm tempted to knock on their door and beg them to explain to me how they manage this when their collective of cars is more valuable than their property.

Priorities!

(Please tell me the Mercs and Bimmers are AMG and M models respectively.)

[mistershankly]

Another neighbor about a 1/2 mile away has a 1200sq ft home (with a rusted, corrugated metal car port roof) with two adults and six cars... one of which is a Ferrari 458, another a 911 Carrera 4s, and a smattering of Mercedes and BMWs to round out the six cars.  Some times I'm tempted to knock on their door and beg them to explain to me how they manage this when their collective of cars is more valuable than their property.

Priorities!

(Please tell me the Mercs and Bimmers are AMG and M models respectively.)

Ha!  Yes they are!  A 3-series and 5-series, both M and a c-class AMG.  Their neighbor across the street is a car broker (auction bought and refurb/resell) and he's got Aston Martin DB9s, BMW 6-series, and Bentleys on a weekly basis in his driveway.  The one block with these two homes is a car extravaganza.

Yes, I live in SoCal.  As a mustachian, I feel like a penguin in a swamp.

[SeaEhm]

Another neighbor about a 1/2 mile away has a 1200sq ft home (with a rusted, corrugated metal car port roof) with two adults and six cars... one of which is a Ferrari 458, another a 911 Carrera 4s, and a smattering of Mercedes and BMWs to round out the six cars.  Some times I'm tempted to knock on their door and beg them to explain to me how they manage this when their collective of cars is more valuable than their property.

Priorities!

(Please tell me the Mercs and Bimmers are AMG and M models respectively.)

Ha!  Yes they are!  A 3-series and 5-series, both M and a c-class AMG.  Their neighbor across the street is a car broker (auction bought and refurb/resell) and he's got Aston Martin DB9s, BMW 6-series, and Bentleys on a weekly basis in his driveway.  The one block with these two homes is a car extravaganza.

Yes, I live in SoCal.  As a mustachian, I feel like a penguin in a swamp.

Really curious about the city ...

Wonder what area has a 1,200 sq. ft house with a metal car port roof that sustains that type of car purchasing.   In the right neighborhood, 1,200 sq. ft could be a million dollar house and I'd assume the car port would be a nice one haha

Heck, I just saw a 1,300 sq ft house for sale listed nearly $650k and I don't even live in a highly desirable area, haha

[RethinkTheRatRace]

Two drivers. Two cars. A week ago I sold out third car for $17k (Exomotive Exocet). I had owned it for two months, and made $500 on the deal.  Although, this used to be much worse. Before my wife and I married, at one point I had 4 cars and a motorcycle.

Mine: 1997 Toyota Camry with 270k miles. My wife bought it when she was 16 (8 years ago) for more than she should've, but it's been reliable with zero issues.

Hers: 2011 VW Golf TDI with 63k miles. Bought for $9k cash 6 months ago, and we are supposed to get back $20k+ from the diesel-gate buyback.

I've convinced the wife that when we get the money from the buyback, we will start a 1 car trial period to see if we can make it without two cars. If we can't, we are getting a manual Scion xD.

[m8547]

I drive a late 2000s Toyota 4runner. I bought it used and financed it because I think my return in index funds will be higher than the interest on the loan (so far so good, but I'm not really keeping track). It gets 18mpg, but I fully load it with stuff and friends most weekends, and I bike to work most days. It's worth the money most of the time.

One weekend I went canyoneering with three other people and we literally filled all available space and the 12 cubic foot ski box with stuff. We drove 100 miles on dirt and 4x4 roads. No smaller vehicle would have worked.

The best mileage I've gotten on a tank is 21.5, and the worst I got with my old Honda Civic was 22 (bad gas, I think), so efficiency is almost the same.

[Papa Mustache]

We have five cars, two drivers, third driver any day now.

One is a former DD in free storage. $1K car tops. Needs to be sold. Is an economy car.

Other DD car is an domestic sedan. Comfortable, reliable, and respectable looking. I like it just fine. $1750 maybe?

Other car is another economy car. Nearing 300K miles. Bought it new. Will likely keep a long time. Still does it's job well and is cheap. $1500?

Two other vehicles are old project cars in the dry, unregistered, uninsured, etc. I'm working on one but it exists as the very last thing on my to-do list so progress is slow.

Scooter. Would like to add a motorcycle again to the mix someday.

Not very MMM but then I won't be retiring in my 30s (long gone) anyhow. Will still retire comfortably though earlier than my peers.

We want to add a new(er) vehicle to replace one of the DD cars for out of town travel. Not keen on long distances in a 16+ year old vehicle. Maybe rent for those occasions instead? Sure $700 a week to rent a people hauler is cheaper than a new(er) vehicle but its alot of money to blow on a week of driving.

[planR]

1.5 drivers here! My wife has her driver license but she doesn't like to drive.

1 car and 1 motorcycle.

The car is a 2013 VW Golf that we bought this here to replace the brand new Jeep that we had prior of me discovering FIRE.
The motorcycle is a 2006 Suzuki VStrom that I use for commuting.

The average is good, 4 wheels per driver :)

[mwulff]

2 drivers in our household. 1 car, a 2015 Tesla Model S.

These days we commute to work on electric bicycles. They work great and we arrive without sweating.

The Tesla was bought because we care about the environment and we truly want Tesla to succeed. We also use it for our side-gig that brings in good money.

And it doesn't hurt that we can power the Tesla from our solar panels, essentially giving us "free" km's. In 4 years the panels will have paid for themselves leaving almost 26 years of power-generation for us.

[Dividendmentor]

No car in this household.

I live central in the city and take the subway to work. It is very rare that I need a car.

Cars are very expensive in Denmark. If you want to buy a new car, it is taxed with 150 percent, which is added to the listing price from the car dealership. 

[Amanda]

Two adults and two young children in our household.

We own 1 car as a household. I drive it (2005 Scion XA).

My husband has two vehicles for his furniture and cabinetry company. An older Subaru with 300,000 on it and a 2003 GMC truck to pull the work trailer.