Daily Driver

[crashz]

The wise folks here at TBN have enlightened me many times, so I'm asking for some opinions on what I should do for a daily driver. At this point, brand is of little concern, but best application is highest. Not quite ready for a replacement of my curerent DD yet, but I'm going to start planning and saving for it now.

My 2004 GMC 1/2 ton (4x4, auto, SC/LB) is getting a little long in the tooth at 150K miles. A pet peave of mine is that its a large truck, but being a 1/2 ton, I frequently see the limits of its capacity when plowing snow and towing. And being a regular cab, long bed, it seems like its always awkwardly large, yet too small and light at times. There is very little passenger space and more will be needed for my next vehicle. Since I have a few old trucks, but only keep one vehicle at home, that daily driver needs to do it all. The old trucks are purely fun, not much function.

My needs will be the following in order of importance:
- Reliable daily driver
- Good fuel economy (typical of 30K miles per year, 90% highway), the higher the better?
- 4x4 (due mostly to work, as I work as a field engineer)
- Large enough to tote around a few people and hand tools/field gear
- Simple, easy to work on if needed, minimal options but comfortable.

Highly desired options:
- Capable of commercial snowplowing (I plow 5 residentials now, but I'd like to expand to commercial)
- Capable of towing the other two trucks (3/4 ton and 1 ton dump, which I can't tow now) on a trailer. I do not expect to tow more than 10,000 lbs though.
- Bed mounted tool box (like my current truck)

I orginally decided to purchase a small SUV like my wife's CRV and keep my existing truck. The problem with that is that I have no room at my house to store three vehicles and also have an uncluttered driveway. If I store it at the land in NY, it will sit for long periods of time along with the other two and be useless for me when I need a truck. I'd register and insure yet one more vehicle. Also my capacity does not increase, and I'd likely just give up plowing completely. Which is a problem since I'm addicted.

The other option is get a nice new 3/4 ton, extended cab truck (and I really, really want one!) and do all the things on the list except drive anywhere. I can't afford a diesel and frankly won't pay for one. And I believe gas is going to go beyond $4 per gallon. The kicker is definately the mileage of the current gas engines. I can't live with 17 mpg on the highway anymore. Need to be a bit more efficient.

So I keep flip flopping on what to do. But eventually I need to make a move, as reliablity is key. I can't miss a client presentation or deadlines. And I'm also trying to be economically responsible and practical, since we are planning on starting a family soon.

Yes - I want the best of both worlds. Help me find the best compromise. Also keeping in mind that the purchase will likely be in 2012 or at the very earliest, late this year. Perhaps new technology will favor me???

Thanks,
Leo

 

[Diamondpilot]

If it were me I would buy a new year old Honda Civic 2 door to drive daily and then pick up a 2005 or later F-350 SRW with the V-10 in a Crew Cab 4x4 for the work end.

Chris

 

[WH401]

I too would have to suggest the fuel efficient car for a daily driver and a older capable truck for the working part. Even though I do it, driving around in a big truck at the price of fuel these days doesn't make much sense, unless it's paid off of course. Having the payment of a new 3/4-ton, plus fuel, insurance, and maintenance, your looking at about $1000+ a month, if your lucky.

 

[Egon]

Think maybe the requirements will have to be altered a bit to meet your needs.

 

[crashz]

See - this is why I called upon the TBN crowd!

True. There is no HD truck on the market now that will get 30 mpg unloaded as a commuter. It's a pipe dream.

A commuter car is the least expensive way to get around. No argument there. But I find myself falling into this line of thinking a lot:

1) A little car would be best on gas, but I generally need more room and 4x4 on job sites...
2) So a compact SUV or crossover would fit better and still get 25-30 mpg...
3) But if it only gets 25 mpg, and a new F150 will get that (with the infamous 3.5L Ecoboost), then why not the convenience and comfort of a full size truck...
4) And if the Ecoboost gets 25 mpg, for a mere 3 mpg penalty, I can get a new F250 and be able to plow snow, and do everything. Because I heard that the new gas 6.2L will get 22mpg on the highway...

Eventually I always talk myself into the bigger truck. It's a miracle I haven't reasoned myself into an F550. Obviously it's a slippery slope for me. Mostly because there is nothing in choices #1 and #2 that I really love, like the GMC 2500HD or F250/F350.

So do you guys have any recommendations for a decent commuter vehicle? So far the CRV is high on my list, and maybe a Focus wagon. I looked at the Escape, but even the stripped down model was nearly the cost of a stripped F250, and mileage was good but not great, unless stepping up to the hybrid. The GMC Terrain is overpriced as well. Haven't looked at the Chevy or RAV4. Anything else I should look at? Used Saturn SUV?

Thanks!
Leo

 

[Egon]

Hyundai Tuson.:thumbsup:

 

[Zork]

The mid/late 80's F350's diesels get great fuel mileage. My 86 F350 Quad cab 6.9 gets 18 highway and 13-14 combination; but its not 4wd.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Used Jetta TDI wagon, if you can find one.

 

[Zork]

Used Jetta TDI wagon, if you can find one.

Great choice. My 85 Jetta still gets upward of 50 mpg.

 

[deerefan]

Look at the ford ranger with a 4 cylinder. They get upper 20s maybe even 30 hwy

 

[WH401]

Not saying it can't be done, but your chances of getting 22 on the highway in a 6.2 F-250 are about the same as Smart putting a 5.9 Cummins in their next U.S. car offering. If 6.2's were getting that kind of mileage, the 6.7 Powerstrokes would never be selling. If your biggest thing is travel, a used or new TDI would be the ticket.

 

[bp fick]

You aren't alone in this conundrum.

My thinking is this, FWIW. I don't intend on buying anything car like unless it can meet the following criteria.

1. Get near 40 mpg. More would be better, but not realistic.
2. Be comfortable enough to actually drive 2 or 3 hours at a sitting.

If I want true comfort or utility, I already have those in my other vehicles, as most of us do. I see no point in buying yet another mediocre 28 mpg vehicle. That's slightly better than our C-RV, but slightly less than my Ranger, so there's no point. The savings on the fuel won't even pay the insurance cost.

The next puddle jumper MUST get great, not just good, mileage so my wife doesn't have to be concerned about shopping, running to church, go the senior center, visiting, etc. Period. Still looking.

 

[Haoleguy]

A newer VW Golf TDI will get you >40 mpg, comfort, and fun in front wheel drive. Use your 4x4 truck for heavy snow days. Second choice for the commuter would be a used VW Rabbit with the 2.5liter 5 cylinder gasser. Well engineered, 30mpg, comfort, and front wheel drive. Only downside to the VWs are lower number of dealers......Gary

 

[crashz]

Thanks for the opinions guys!

Without doing a detailed cost analysis, I was initially thinking that I wanted to keep costs down by keeping only one vehicle in the driveway, besides my wife's car. Less insurance, excise tax, maintenance ect.

The more I look at this issue and the advice given, the more I realize that there is no way to get around having a little commuter car for daily use and a truck for truck duties. Buying a new truck and putting tons of miles on it commuting is throwing money away in gas and maintenance costs as well as just plain wearing it out.

So an economical car is definately in.

For the trucks, I guess I'm leaning towards fixing up the two "toys" that I already own (see my avatar). The reasons I haven't considered it, is that I wanted to be able to tow them to my house and work on them at my leisure. I have the 87 1 ton dump pictured, and an 83 3/4 ton, both of which were going to be long term project vehicles. The 1 ton is roadworthy, but not reliable at all. The 83 needs a full restoration. I estimate that the 87 would need about $5000 worth of work to make it reliable, functional and trustworthy enough to drive across the state when I need it. Considering that would be less than a years's payments on a new truck, I'm having a change of heart. Especially with this truck, as its meant to work. So rather than work on it on my timeline, I'm thinking about sending it to a shop to have the laundry list of issues taken care of, then the body shop after that.

BTW - I'd love to a get a TDI for a commuter, but I think they aren't sold here in MA. Maybe thats changed in the last couple years, but for a while, you could not buy a new one here due to the TDI not meeting the MA emissions standards.

 

[Runner]

I drive this 2007 Toyota Yaris every day. It gets 40 mpg in summer and 37 mpg in winter in mixed driving and is very comfortable/roomy for 4 people. I have 56,000 miles on it with no problems whatsoever and it was $12,500 new, out the door.

I use the 2004 F350 for heavy-duty stuff or deep snow.

Works for me.

 

[Haoleguy]

Thanks for the opinions guys!
BTW - I'd love to a get a TDI for a commuter, but I think they aren't sold here in MA. Maybe thats changed in the last couple years, but for a while, you could not buy a new one here due to the TDI not meeting the MA emissions standards.

crashz - Look at New & Used Cars for Sale, Auto Dealers, Car Reviews and Car Finance Advice and you can see that VW Golf TDIs are sold in MA. I'm thinking I might be in the same boat as you are with a 150mi round trip/day gig in the near future so I started looking at options and the 2 I mentioned are what I came up with. Safety and headroom are a must for me especially in a smaller car...Gary

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I drive this 2007 Toyota Yaris every day. It gets 40 mpg in summer and 37 mpg in winter in mixed driving and is very comfortable/roomy for 4 people. I have 56,000 miles on it with no problems whatsoever and it was $12,500 new, out the door.

I use the 2004 F350 for heavy-duty stuff or deep snow.

Works for me.

We know somebody who has one, and I would not describe it as "roomy"...

 

[Egon]

describe it as "roomy".../QUOTE

Think the "Roomy Thing" was back in the late fifties and the sixties.

 

[Runner]

"We know somebody who has one, and I would not describe it as "roomy"..."

Yeah, I guess it depends on the size of the person. It's roomy for me....

You want 40 mpg, you're not going to be driving a Lincoln Town Car.

 

[mojoinco]

Used Forester. Manual trans. Can get over 30 mpg, especially at your elevation. AWD, high roof, lots of space. Fancy version has seat heaters. Ugly. Wait until summer, when prices are less. Easy maintenance (timing belts in front). 1/2 shafts easy to remove (only thing odd is they use roll pins to hold the inner cv to the diff). Always right at the top in ratings. Imprezza would be ok, smaller, lighter, better mpg. Underneath about the same vehicle (supposed to be based on the same design). Anyhow, about 3 hp engines to choose from (including a turbo).

The newer Forester is bigger, less mpg. Looks nicer -- oddly enough, just as the rest are getting uglier.

If you are going to bust snow banks, use something that you aren't in love with.