Which car would you use?

[iliketosavemoney]

I have an 2005 mid-size car (~75k miles) and my wife has a 2010 compact car (~45k miles).

Since she works at home most of the time, I drive her car to work because it gets much better gas mileage and takes regular instead of premium. She uses my car when she needs to go meet a client or run errands.

But I've been thinking, my car is almost 10 years old with really low miles. Should I start using my car more? I'm afraid the car itself might outlast the engine. Is that even possible?

[ua_guy]

I have an 2005 mid-size car (~75k miles) and my wife has a 2010 compact car (~45k miles).

Since she works at home most of the time, I drive her car to work because it gets much better gas mileage and takes regular instead of premium. She uses my car when she needs to go meet a client or run errands.

But I've been thinking, my car is almost 10 years old with really low miles. Should I start using my car more? I'm afraid the car itself might outlast the engine. Is that even possible?

Use whichever one turns out to be the cheapest in terms of the sum of operating expenses.

The longevity of an engine is mostly determined by good maintenance. It may or may not outlast the rest of the vehicle depending on how you maintain it and how you drive it.

[bjl584]

I'd keep driving the compact car. It sounds cheaper to operate.

Your cars' lifespans should be determined by how well you care for them.

[JoeP]

I have a similar situation, and occasionally drive a truck that has horrible mileage in order to keep the seals moist and to identify issues early on.

You think that's low miles? My 2001 has around 66k miles, and my 2003 truck has 68k miles!

[youngblud]

10 years! Time for a new car imo. Live a little in that area.

Says the guy w 0 in retirement.

[iliketosavemoney]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep using my wife's car until it falls apart. (Which could take awhile, I think Corollas last a really long time..)

JoeP: That's nuts! I'm guessing it might have some sentimental value since you don't drive it much?

youngblud: Don't even suggest that as a joke! I have gone out to look at cars at the dealership just for fun and traded/bought a new one spontaneously.

Fun facts about my car history:
In 2007 I bought a new Mazdaspeed6 after I got my first real job because I was young and stupid.
In 2010 I traded it in for new Honda Fit because I went through a "lets save gas and the world" phase.
In 2011 I traded it in for a used Honda S2000 because I went through a "you only live once" phase.
In 2013 I traded that in for the Acura TL I'm driving now.... which I vowed to drive into the ground.

[JoeP]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep using my wife's car until it falls apart. (Which could take awhile, I think Corollas last a really long time..)

JoeP: That's nuts! I'm guessing it might have some sentimental value since you don't drive it much?

No sentimental value. We got it with very low miles, and we put on maybe 150 miles per week, so about 8000 miles a year. I have a bad feeling that rust will kill it before the engine or drive train gives out.

FWIW, I went through the phase where I "had to" have flashy cars (i.e., Corvette), but now think of cars as tools to get me from point A to point B safely, efficiently, and reliably.

[jasonandrick]

Carina

I am not as rich as many in this forum but I have my good old toyoa carina but I am going to trade this car with a toyoto allion in couple of months