My attempt for more fuel economy.

[jerryg79]

remember that more expenses come with a little car that can take the economy out of it.

Registration and Inspection every year
Insurance

Really depends on how much you drive I guess. Those expenses would be less significant the more you drove. Also, tires, oil, etc... is much cheaper for a little car too.

I didn't realize fords got that crappy of mileage? My brothers dodge quadcab, 8ft bed, dually, got 13-14 pulling my blazer at 70. He usually gets around 18-20 on the hi way.

he must drive like 65. At 80 i get about 17 and 85 is about 16, but around town I get 22ish (thats where most of my driving is done) but I also shift at 1250 and annoy the crap out of people behind me.

[uglyota]

honestly, if you buy a cheap used car for a couple grand and drive it 10 or 15,000 miles a year instead of a 15mpg truck, it'll pay off quick. Your insurance probably won't change, because you'll get a multiple vehicle discount as well as taking your expensive rig off DD duty, inspection is $15, reg $60?
tires for a little POS are $100/4 and $15/yr to change the oil...right Joseph?

[StevenAg03]

inspection is $15, reg

this is only true for emission exempt counties....

[BMFScout]

honestly, if you buy a cheap used car for a couple grand and drive it 10 or 15,000 miles a year instead of a 15mpg truck, it'll pay off quick. Your insurance probably won't change, because you'll get a multiple vehicle discount as well as taking your expensive rig off DD duty, inspection is $15, reg $60?
tires for a little POS are $100/4 and $15/yr to change the oil...right Joseph?

ditto, and I only change the oil every 5-6,000 miles. Mobil says it's good that long and I agree. It's $1500 a year in gas savings assuming 15K miles a year @ 30 mpg instead of 15 mpg @ $3 a gallon. I think keeping the miles off of the car you care about is worth more than the gas savings though. Let the import get the parking lot dings, sun damage, bird ****, "illegal immigrant" hit and runs, drunken j-turn collisions, etc...

[agjohn02]

...right Joseph?

katie's mom is a sharp cookie, no?

[Doug Krebs]

honestly, if you buy a cheap used car for a couple grand and drive it 10 or 15,000 miles a year instead of a 15mpg truck, it'll pay off quick. Your insurance probably won't change, because you'll get a multiple vehicle discount as well as taking your expensive rig off DD duty, inspection is $15, reg $60?
tires for a little POS are $100/4 and $15/yr to change the oil...right Joseph?

What insurance do you have?

Maybe I just have ****ty insurance (geico). For my ford one car, it used to be like $300 for 6 months, if I added the blazer it went up like $150.

[agjohn02]

i dont think my state farm full coverage on my truck is that much. the toyota is an additional $130/ 6mons.


edit: im wrong. my ins for three vehicles is about 125/month. so i think the truck is about $450/6mons.

[Chadnutz]

Obviously there are other issues at hand than only saving money. Here are the factors I weighed:

1. I already have 2 vehicles. I don't have room for a third, nor do I want to maintain 3 vehicles.

2. I like driving my truck. I used to borrow my moms car in College Station and I'd still drive my Mazda everywhere. It has good a/c, good power, good radio, I like getting up into in and I don't feel cramped, etc.

3. My truck was loud. 94 decibels at 65 in the cab. 104 db at 75. Those are hearing damage levels.

4. I HAVE to have a truck to move my Mazda and my dirtbike.

5. There is no risk involved with regearing a known good vehicle. If I buy this so called magicly cheap car most likely I am going to inherit someone else's problem. I just can't believe one can buy a reliable car with good tires and a good a/c for cheap.

6. I get 14-15 mpg in my truck.

7. The Mazda is my primary vehicle on insurance.

So now what have I figured out? I don't have time, space or money for a third vehicle. I don't like driving cars around anyway so when I buy one it's going to be a nice one, not a $1000 POS Civic. All this in mind, however, I want MY TRUCK to be quieter and more fuel efficient. I know it runs well, so I'll just regear it. Now I save a little on fuel, I have a quieter truck, yet I only have 2 vehicles to maintain and pay for. I am happy.

I never came on here to ask what the best way to save money on fuel was. I don't recall asking for anyone's opinions. I was making a statement about my approach, which of course isn't the traditional one. Thanks for your concern, however. I'm satisfied... Too bad I couldn't satisfy all of you as well.

[Seth]

Nutz - I Had Your Back Til You Said Something About Satisfying Everyone...

[BMFScout]

5. There is no risk involved with regearing a known good vehicle. If I buy this so called magicly cheap car most likely I am going to inherit someone else's problem. I just can't believe one can buy a reliable car with good tires and a good a/c for cheap.

2000 Civic for $2000, not saying they are easy to find but they are out there. Ever own a honda? They are more indestructable than Chevy trucks in my experience!! I understand the not wanting to drive it, I hate it, but it sure is cheap to operate, and my inner joo prevails!

[jerryg79]

I have to side with chadnutz on not wanting to drive a car, I've cruising sanmantha's acura for the past week and a half and not being able to see over my fellow motorists is quite annoying.

[Chadnutz]

Nutz - I Had Your Back Til You Said Something About Satisfying Everyone...

You mean you don't swing that way, baby?

[Doug Krebs]

I have to side with chadnutz on not wanting to drive a car, I've cruising sanmantha's acura for the past week and a half and not being able to see over my fellow motorists is quite annoying.

I didn't know your ass was in town?

I agree with not seeing over other cars... however, the inner joo takes me over and we drive blair's car everywhere we can.

My wifes car I would have to assume is worth less than $2000. It has very good AC and tires are cheap, $50 a piece. If they were 14" rims they'd be even cheaper for tires. Gas mileage is anywhere from 32-36. I loose a little part of my manhood every time i drive the cavalier. However, I wear my yamika (sp?) with pride!

[Chadnutz]

I'm not trying to light a fire here.... This is a video of me lugging from 50 to 70 in overdrive.

http://tamor.us/members-rigs/Movies/Lugging

[Sharpe]

If noise was such a problem why didnt you just invest in some dynamat or similar sound deadening material?