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Boston Mangler said:
Well said Mo!
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Thanks. I was hoping to prove you irriputably (spelling?) wrong but I had to settle for wrong for me. :D


Boston Mangler said:
Another reason i prefer driving "The Beater" is that is keeps the miles down on the LC for resale value as well.
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I don't plan to ever sell mine. No use saving miles. :grinpimp:




Another thought I just had in regards to buying a 4Runner or Hilux. I picked a Camry becuase I couldn't lift or wheel it. I would find it impossible to just drive and not mod anything with 4 wheel drive. Would wind up in the same boat. :rolleyes:


Boston Mangler said:
Ahhh, good point i forgot to mention! My rates went DOWN when i ADDED the bike, go figure!
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I forgot about that too. Still want to drive my Cruiser everyday.
 
I did what this thread is all about last May. I purchased a two year old Miata. My analysis (similar to Mo's above) when gas was at $3.25, taking in to account 18,000 miles per year on the cruiser at 11 mpg vs 15,000 miles in the Miata at 25-27mpg, 3000 miles per year on the cruiser, and a car payment of about $260, plus insurance on the Miata and the drop in insurance on the cruiser and I was about $10 per month shy of break even at that point IIRC. IMHO I have the fun factor X2. I've got a fun little tops down 5spd stick for daily commuting and I've been averaging about 28mpg and, most importantly, I still have the cruiser for scouts and wheeling/camping! I am fortunate enough to have a 3 car garage and about 6 months away from being an empty nester!!! Cruiser doesn't fit in the garage, but with both kids and their cars gone, I can have my 3rd bay back for woodworking/scout/home projects. Living near the end of a single loaded cul-de-sac, I don't have parking issues with the cruiser on the street 24/7/365.

If I didn't have the $$ for the Miata, I'd get a nice little used Scion Xa or something similar. I say Xa because my daughter drives one and it's a hell of a nice little car for the $$.
 
Thanks for the useful feedback on my thought. This helps me see things through. Enough to know that one option is a no go. I love my cruiser too much to let it go. The other thing is that if I had a second car i would want a little 4 cyl 4x4 toyota, just dont want to drive a car car, stupid... but to each his own....
 
ZPDFJ said:
Thanks for the useful feedback on my thought. This helps me see things through. Enough to know that one option is a no go. I love my cruiser too much to let it go.
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Good Man! Being cruiserless is a hard thing to grasp for most of us with the sickness! :D

ZPDFJ said:
The other thing is that if I had a second car i would want a little 4 cyl 4x4 toyota, just dont want to drive a car car, stupid... but to each his own....
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Be careful, those wont get all that much better then the MPG on the cruiser
 
Slomo said:
At the current interest rate of 7.5% the monthly payment on a 3k loan would be $72 a month plus a reasonable
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Also, i must mention that in my logical and math calcs, i dont finance any of my vehicles, so interest and payments are a non issue!
 
You could always go the route this guy did

DriveEV.com: JeepEV - Jeep Cherokee EV conversion

But then you would have all kinds of new issues to deal with such as range and unknown mechanical issues in addition to a $10K conversion.

It would be pretty cool to drive through the desert with just the sound of your tires.
 
Bluetribal said:
No way, this is the route to go.... LINK

I saw that in my daily search on Craig's List for a BUDGET BEATER....
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Damn!!! Wood paneling contact paper for the rear cargo area! Its GENIUS!!

All the look of a fancy storage box, but its only paper! :D
 
Boston Mangler said:
Be careful, those wont get all that much better then the MPG on the cruiser
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FWIW - my '86 2wd toyota pickup w/pizza cutters...22mpg, with 2" lift and 31's...22mpg, w 31's and snug top...22mpg:D
 
619TOY said:
FWIW - my '86 2wd toyota pickup w/pizza cutters...22mpg, with 2" lift and 31's...22mpg, w 31's and snug top...22mpg:D
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Impressive! I remember my STOCK 99 taco getting around 16-18mpg driving conservatively!
 
I must thank you all for "keeping me strong" with your real world calculations. A little Honda Fit has been tempting or a Mini Clubman. My cruiser is my DD and just can't justify, car payments again, more CA taxes and higher registration and insurance rates or even pulling money out of savings. I love my crusier.

If prices get crazy, my vintage 1985 Schwinn DiamondBack mountain bike needs to come out of my garage, we have showers at work, and I would drop 15 pounds in a month for sure!!!!
 
Kinda late on this one. After wrecking my Nissan DD last year, my 80 has taken most of commuter miles (70 miles Round trip) to work. I really enjoy driving it and that makes me forget about a lot s*** going on in the world.

Gas prices suck everytime I fill up. But will I sell or get rid of it - Nope. Like one of the guys here I plan on keeping mine till its illegal to own one. Ill just get a cheap commuter car if the gas reaches $5.00 + a gallon.

I got lucky finding this good condition 80 when I was looking around - all of the ones I looked but one was unlocked but all of them had crappy interiors with rips and scratches. Years from now it might be more difficult to find one thats my liking. Ill just regret getting rid of it.

ZDPFJ - I have a feeling you just want something a little smaller to get thru The Squeeze - just admit it! :D
:hhmm: Ive been thinking of getting a late 1980s short bed Hilux 4wd to go thru Dusy...definitely $alternative to modding the 80. :grinpimp:
 
Zack, it was good meeting you today and I am glad we talked you out of selling your rig for now. We will see how strong you are when the summer hits and it $4.55 a gal. :flipoff2:

BTW, I pm'ed you the info on my new CB mount and my experiences with the Durabak. Have fun with your projects!
 
Boston Mangler said:
Also, i must mention that in my logical and math calcs, i dont finance any of my vehicles, so interest and payments are a non issue!
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Definitely part of the equation. I would need to finance and as such it is added into the mix for me. Being able to buy one outright woul make it more enticing.


I was thinking on the "compromise" vehicle of a Hilux or 4Runner. Yes one of those would be better mileage wise than an 80 but if you are going to go through all the trouble discussed thus far it would not make sense for such a small gain. If you are going to do it, do it right and get a truly fuel efficient vehicle not a just a "more" fuel efficient vehicle if keeping the Cruiser. Hence my stated choice of a 4 cylinder Camry, just wouldn't feel safe in a Corolla or similar sized vehicle.
 
Good feedback guys..

Was good meeting you too Mark. I called Durabak today and changed my order to the smooth coat instead of the rough finish, just a personal preference thing. Im glad you gave me the 411 on whats involved, better to be in the know before I tape up my whole damn rig:D

Bluto.... your right man, the only thing about the cruiser sometimes is the size. If I could have my wish it would be a 4runner with 80 axles and lockers and maybe a turbo diesel or even the 3.4L. But after owning a Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, and FJC...the cruiser is by FAR the greatest. I feel like a king in the drivers seat.:steer:
 
I am curious to see how the smooth Durabak looks. I ordered a sample of the DK Gray in smooth and they sent me a sample of green and it was glossy? And when I scratched it with my finger nail it left a scratch so I decided to just go with the bumpy stucco like everyone else. I figure now I can take the lead on the pin stripe trails and sand down all the bushes for everyone else! :D
 
Bluetribal said:
No way, this is the route to go.... LINK

I saw that in my daily search on Craig's List for a BUDGET BEATER....
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NICE! The toaster is still alive!

Dig the linoleum or shelf liner or whatever that is. I was thinking about that ...

I wouldn't mind finding a 4WD version of that van though.
 
I would look at getting a used Mercedes 300turbo diesel...convert it to biodiesel. You can pick one up for 7k. The engines are reliable and last forever.

I just filled up my 80 today. 35 gallons @ $4.02 = 140.70 Luckily this is not my daily driver...just for camping and on Thursdays when the street sweeper comes by. I used to have a 45 mile round trip commute...now it's 10 miles round trip. I have a different daily driver and ride my bike.

Keep the cruiser....find a new DD...and try the bike commute a couple of times. When I had my hellish commute I started biking 2 days a week to work it was about 50 miles round trip making use of bike lanes. I found it a great way to detox after a day at the office....great way to clear your head.

David...
 
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