I mainly drive a 1968 Schwinn Continental (steel) which I converted to a single speed (42/16 gear ratio). For fun rides, I got a Trek 2100 ZR (aluminium with carbon stays), but I'm afraid to park it out of sight. Then I got a 1986 Diamondback MTB (steel) which I'm trying to get rid off, because I'm a little bit too tall. I also got a Murray MTB frame and some shimano wheels.
And now onto the shameful part: I also have half the share of a 2005 Ford Focus (and half the expenses). I never got my US driver's license and I keep putting it off, because I know I'll never drive it. Once a week, DW picks me up after sailing (I get a ride and/or take the bus to get to the boat).
What do you drive?? Car, Truck, Bike, Gocart?
@rachels: Texas? Bike friendly? I guess bicycle friendly is relative.
100+ degree heat is heat stroke weather, and this year we've had over 75 days (and counting) of it. I like biking, but my daily 20-mile round trip with loaded cargo trailer for work will have to wait until highs are below 90 again.
It's the gym for now (i know it's expensive, but for now it's a smoking cessation thing). And I guess the mileage reimbursement doesn't hurt.
*2004 Tacoma with 50k on it. Only thing other than routine maintenance so far has been a battery replacement.
100+ degree heat is heat stroke weather, and this year we've had over 75 days (and counting) of it. I like biking, but my daily 20-mile round trip with loaded cargo trailer for work will have to wait until highs are below 90 again.
It's the gym for now (i know it's expensive, but for now it's a smoking cessation thing). And I guess the mileage reimbursement doesn't hurt.
*2004 Tacoma with 50k on it. Only thing other than routine maintenance so far has been a battery replacement.
I have several vehicles (ahh!), some motorized, one not, in two states (was three states several weeks ago).
Current primary vehicle (in NY):
1997 Chevy Cavalier, 2 door. Looks basically like this: http://tinyurl.com/64gkr6x
It's in good, shape, and has 233K+ miles on it, and still going strong
I hyper-mile, and the car did damn well to begin with, so I have been getting pretty regularly 40+mpg, and almost never less than 35mpg. I own it outright, and insurance/registration costs are several hundred per year
Alternate (and preferred) vehicle: ZNen Scooter (in Virginia): http://www.scootersus.com/bmszenking150.html
Paid $1300 for it, including shipping. Has a few thousand miles on it, and gets 75-90mpg. For where I lived previously, I could get around for about $7/wk in gas. Insurance is more than on the Cavalier (oy!) It lives with friends in Virginia now while I'm doing this seasonal work.
Non-motorized: Redline Cyclocross bike, 2009, like this one (until recently, in NJ): http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cy ... onquest-24
I barely use it, and it had been in storage with family until they moved
I say all this to ask: what do I get rid of, if anything? I'm working in a very rural setting in upstate NY now, but leaving soon. I don't know where exactly I will move to, though I'm thinking about Austin, TX. Obviously where I land will impact what makes the most sense for me to own.
They all have pluses and minuses. The car is least efficient and most costly, but somewhat more versatile (can sleep and carry others in it!). The scooter is less fun in the rain, and more likely to be stolen in an urban setting. The bike is obviously least oil-dependent, and riding it offers exercise and an even slower pace, perhaps adding to quality of life. But it's least effective as a tool of non-person transport.
Another issue I'm starting to realize: if I hold on to any of these, I have to store them in a safe place if I don't have them all with me (or even if I do). Before recent changes in my life, that wasn't an issue. Now I'm more nomadic and it's become one.
This comments may be a little rambling, and I apologize. but any thoughts on rubrics to determine how to make those decisions would be valuable. Thanks!
Current primary vehicle (in NY):
1997 Chevy Cavalier, 2 door. Looks basically like this: http://tinyurl.com/64gkr6x
It's in good, shape, and has 233K+ miles on it, and still going strong
I hyper-mile, and the car did damn well to begin with, so I have been getting pretty regularly 40+mpg, and almost never less than 35mpg. I own it outright, and insurance/registration costs are several hundred per year
Alternate (and preferred) vehicle: ZNen Scooter (in Virginia): http://www.scootersus.com/bmszenking150.html
Paid $1300 for it, including shipping. Has a few thousand miles on it, and gets 75-90mpg. For where I lived previously, I could get around for about $7/wk in gas. Insurance is more than on the Cavalier (oy!) It lives with friends in Virginia now while I'm doing this seasonal work.
Non-motorized: Redline Cyclocross bike, 2009, like this one (until recently, in NJ): http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cy ... onquest-24
I barely use it, and it had been in storage with family until they moved
I say all this to ask: what do I get rid of, if anything? I'm working in a very rural setting in upstate NY now, but leaving soon. I don't know where exactly I will move to, though I'm thinking about Austin, TX. Obviously where I land will impact what makes the most sense for me to own.
They all have pluses and minuses. The car is least efficient and most costly, but somewhat more versatile (can sleep and carry others in it!). The scooter is less fun in the rain, and more likely to be stolen in an urban setting. The bike is obviously least oil-dependent, and riding it offers exercise and an even slower pace, perhaps adding to quality of life. But it's least effective as a tool of non-person transport.
Another issue I'm starting to realize: if I hold on to any of these, I have to store them in a safe place if I don't have them all with me (or even if I do). Before recent changes in my life, that wasn't an issue. Now I'm more nomadic and it's become one.
This comments may be a little rambling, and I apologize. but any thoughts on rubrics to determine how to make those decisions would be valuable. Thanks!
@Rob A, fightin' the power! I like it... I disagree with closing a thread... If someone is as into the site enough to dig that far back, fire away. Sometimes it's interesting to see the old threads pop up now and again with someone's new additions. Sometimes not I suppose.
Can't answer what to do without knowing where you're going. If you head to SoCal, keep the scooter and ditch everything else. Insurance must be for your own injury coverage, right? That sounds odd otherwise.
Can't answer what to do without knowing where you're going. If you head to SoCal, keep the scooter and ditch everything else. Insurance must be for your own injury coverage, right? That sounds odd otherwise.
@chilly- heck yeah!
the scooter is technically a motorcycle, as the engine is 150cc (over 49cc is the legal limit in VA). so it's required to have insurance just like any other motor vehicle. it functions as a scooter though- no clutch or shifting, just a throttle. it can do 55mpg though- whoo!
SoCal is an idea. a friend in LA is petitioning me to come live out there as it is. awesome weather. high cost of living though. scooter would be fun there.
the scooter is technically a motorcycle, as the engine is 150cc (over 49cc is the legal limit in VA). so it's required to have insurance just like any other motor vehicle. it functions as a scooter though- no clutch or shifting, just a throttle. it can do 55mpg though- whoo!
SoCal is an idea. a friend in LA is petitioning me to come live out there as it is. awesome weather. high cost of living though. scooter would be fun there.
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dot_com_vet
- Posts: 603
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:07 am
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mikenotspam
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:05 am
'96 4 door sedan, bought for $100 5 years ago. Put $1000 in repairs into it over 5 years.
Bikes--have 3. 1 primary and 2 backups (received all 3 for free).
SUV--got for a song--$350. My next automotive project. Needs tranny work. Backup to the sedan.
Still hammering out logistics of getting rid of automobiles--fuel is killin' my wallet. It's like printers for computers; you can get the printer for cheap, but you buy the printer every time you have to replace the ink...
Bikes--have 3. 1 primary and 2 backups (received all 3 for free).
SUV--got for a song--$350. My next automotive project. Needs tranny work. Backup to the sedan.
Still hammering out logistics of getting rid of automobiles--fuel is killin' my wallet. It's like printers for computers; you can get the printer for cheap, but you buy the printer every time you have to replace the ink...
Shoes: Red Wings. For walking to work 
My current pair have been a pretty big disappointment because the soles are wearing out much faster than I expected.
Car: 6 year old 4-door japanese economy car. I drive this to get groceries, to work occasionally, and when I feel the need to go to a nearby large city.
Bike 1: Road racing bike. Lots of carbon fiber. Expensive parts.
Bike 2: Another road racing bike. More carbon fiber. More expensive parts.
Bike 3: Single speed road bike. Handmade steel frame that I won from races in 2010. Used some fairly expensive parts in the build to make it look very nice. (and ride pretty well also)
Bike 3 is the only one I actually use for transportation. And recently that has not been much - just for trips to the park or by the river to go enjoy the weather while I read. Planning to sell one of the racing bikes.
My current pair have been a pretty big disappointment because the soles are wearing out much faster than I expected. Car: 6 year old 4-door japanese economy car. I drive this to get groceries, to work occasionally, and when I feel the need to go to a nearby large city.
Bike 1: Road racing bike. Lots of carbon fiber. Expensive parts.
Bike 2: Another road racing bike. More carbon fiber. More expensive parts.
Bike 3: Single speed road bike. Handmade steel frame that I won from races in 2010. Used some fairly expensive parts in the build to make it look very nice. (and ride pretty well also)
Bike 3 is the only one I actually use for transportation. And recently that has not been much - just for trips to the park or by the river to go enjoy the weather while I read. Planning to sell one of the racing bikes.
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DividendGuy
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:58 pm
Well if we're not closing threads...
2003 Honda Accord... it replaced my 1984 Honda Accord (hatchback!).
Most coworkers that started with me with drive new entry-level luxury sedans. The only downside to my Accord is that I sprung for the V6, which requires an expensive timing belt/water pump replacement every 7 years. The line is supposed to have transmission problems, but I haven't had any issues besides regular maint.
I'm pretty jealous of JohnnyH's ride. I've been looking into van living, but I don't think I'm quite there yet. I could get within a few blocks of work for a $400/mo parking space, but no garage will fit a van over about 6' 5". This would save me over an hour of commuting per day. One alternative is something like a Honda Element, but it would be hard to go total stealth in anything that wouldn't normally have a divided cargo area.
2003 Honda Accord... it replaced my 1984 Honda Accord (hatchback!).
Most coworkers that started with me with drive new entry-level luxury sedans. The only downside to my Accord is that I sprung for the V6, which requires an expensive timing belt/water pump replacement every 7 years. The line is supposed to have transmission problems, but I haven't had any issues besides regular maint.
I'm pretty jealous of JohnnyH's ride. I've been looking into van living, but I don't think I'm quite there yet. I could get within a few blocks of work for a $400/mo parking space, but no garage will fit a van over about 6' 5". This would save me over an hour of commuting per day. One alternative is something like a Honda Element, but it would be hard to go total stealth in anything that wouldn't normally have a divided cargo area.
98 Chevy Astro - I've had it for 8ish years, lived and traveled extensively in it for 4 years, put over 100k miles on it during that time. I love the good mpg on a truck chassis and sturdy safe frame. They don't make them anymore. When it dies I might go carless, but the towns I work in are 100 and 400 miles away.
2004 Volkswagen Lupo 3L. The 3L means 3L/100kms (diesel), which translates in reality to about 70 MPG.
The difference between the budget I get from my employer and what I spend on it including depreciation is about 500 euro/month. I bought it last year for ~12000 euro, so that's an investment yielding about 50% per year. I hope to drive it for about 10 years
The difference between the budget I get from my employer and what I spend on it including depreciation is about 500 euro/month. I bought it last year for ~12000 euro, so that's an investment yielding about 50% per year. I hope to drive it for about 10 years
Don't close threads. Maybe they weren't relevant initially. Maybe someone new has a brilliant insight. Data wants to be free...
Having said that. I just smogged the '95 Chevy C1500 pickup. Two years ago it almost failed. It needs break pads and new tires before the winter rains become a certainty, but I didn't want to shell out $500 or so unless it "survived" the test. It passed; so, Yeah!, wheels for at least two more years (potentially -- I go back and forth on divesting myself). I figure that at 154K miles, the intial purchase price is fully amortized. Certainly, the KBB is less than $1000. So I look at every repair or maintenance cost in comparison with the monthly nut for a newer used vehicle. If it pencils out to less than $100 (price of a monthly bus pass); then I pony up.
Having said that. I just smogged the '95 Chevy C1500 pickup. Two years ago it almost failed. It needs break pads and new tires before the winter rains become a certainty, but I didn't want to shell out $500 or so unless it "survived" the test. It passed; so, Yeah!, wheels for at least two more years (potentially -- I go back and forth on divesting myself). I figure that at 154K miles, the intial purchase price is fully amortized. Certainly, the KBB is less than $1000. So I look at every repair or maintenance cost in comparison with the monthly nut for a newer used vehicle. If it pencils out to less than $100 (price of a monthly bus pass); then I pony up.
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LiquidSapphire
- Posts: 510
- Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:40 pm
I drive a 40-year-old 6x6 ex Army truck that I've converted to a motorhome. I can't figure how to insert a pic so have a look here if you're interested.
www.robgray.com/graynomad/wothahellizat ... /index.php
How do you use the markup tags, I tried all ways used on other forums with no luck.
www.robgray.com/graynomad/wothahellizat ... /index.php
How do you use the markup tags, I tried all ways used on other forums with no luck.