Oh no this a good thing, but

[floatinghat]

There is a good chance I will be starting a new project for the company soon, it would put my commute in 650 to 800 miles weekly. This will last at least 6 months.

A) Should I sell my 80 and make money on my fuel expense?

B) Keep the 80 and suck it up?

andre

 

[Beowulf]

Andre,
If it were me, I would get an econo box driver for the commute. Careful buying and selling might net you some cash and the daily fuel costs would be much less at 30+ MPG.

FYI, my last "3 to 6 month" contract assignment lasted over 18 months.
-B-

 

[erics_bruisers]

get an older civic -- i have a '91 for sale if you'd like -- still gets 32 mpg --



e

 

[floatinghat]

Well if I go the econo box way I'm thinking jetta diesel, 50'ish MPG on the hwy. I know this will only last 6 months as I have been given the option of relocatating (at company expense). The issue is the company (public) has stated they are exploring "strategic alternatives" ie we are for sale. I have a comfort level relocating in this situation and will have the option again in 6 months. Company (management) and I value each other which makes a nice work environment.

The other question what's happening with gas prices? if they keep going through the roof, cruiser $$ will decline. I'll have a search on my hands to find another nice locked 80, but they do and will continue to surface and if I can sell at a premium.

 

[cruiserdan]

I don't know how much fuel prices will affect Cruiser values. Many owners could care less how crappy they are and didn't buy them 'cuz they got good fuel mileage. I know I didn't. Now if fuel were to hit 4 bucks a gallon soon, there may be some re-thinking.

 

[Shortbus]

Hey Andre,

Get the sh!tbox. Cause you don't know what's gonna happen with your company, and you'd be bummed to have sold off your cruiser in the event that you didn't need to. When I was driving 35-40k per year, I always had a small sh!tbox to drive for work. Mostly Hondas. The German rigs I had always ended up costing me a freaking fortune in maintenance. How bout a used Honda Insite... there's some mileage for ya!

 

[cruiserdan]

Corolla?

What if you need parts?

 

[Pitbull]

Rent a econo box

 

[Shortbus]

[quote author=cruiserdan link=board=2;threadid=12362;start=msg113362#msg113362 date=1078183165]



Corolla?

What if you need parts?
[/quote]

Prius would be the obvious answer in that case...

 

[Riley]

[quote author=cruiserdan link=board=2;threadid=12362;start=msg113362#msg113362 date=1078183165]
Corolla?

What if you need parts?
[/quote]

I know my Camry is really glad that

- it's sharing a garage with the 80,
- glad that I've discovered this website,
- and that I have access to smart shopper prices.

He's much happier now (the Camry that is).

Riley

 

[Beowulf]

>> 71' MBZ 280sl 59K <<

That little 2.8 liter should get good gas mileage and for certain in needs more use.

-B-

 

[floatinghat]

Well I guess we'll see what happens at this point. Wife said 80 is mine to do as I want, but the jeep has to go. Which I'm dealing with another tranny shifting issue, don't want to sell it to someone bugger'd.

Dan, I agree many owners don't care but some of the trending is suggesting 2.50 to 3.00 a gal this summer. It has to effect the market. I'd think about the Camry if I stay yota.

Bus, I know the German car thing are $$'s. I tell you the finest car I have owned was my A8. I could get mid 20mpg at 80mph, feels as safe as the 80... As you know used Audi's are worthless. But the repairs are $$ and they don't resell worth a dam. Even though I own the 80 out right i've considered loking into a lease back over the short term. If my accountant says its ok maybe I can get a major right off for driving the 80. now that would be cool.

thanks for the input

andre

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

To be a contrarian, - if I was driving that kind of distance (>100 miles a day), I would stick with the TLC for safety reasons alone, especially given that your employer is covering the real cost. If I'm doing longer highway drives I always try to take the 80. One of the main reasons I bought the 80 was safety and IMHO one of the most 'dangerous' places most people experience in everyday life is a highway. When I'm doing my short commute to work in the city (~7 miles), I take the Jetta. YMMV

PS, if you're worried about gas prices going to US$2.50 - $3.00 per gallon, welcome to the real world (this is at least the standard cost for gas in Canada and FAR cheaper than the ROW)

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Rookie2]

[quote author=floatinghat link=board=2;threadid=12362;start=msg113294#msg113294 date=1078178098]
I'll have a search on my hands to find another nice locked 80, but they do and will continue to surface and if I can sell at a premium.
[/quote]

IMHO, the good ones are already becoming hard to come by. The thing is, the prices have gotten to a point that they just aren't worth it to sale. You just can't buy comparable vehicles at the going prices, and the guys that have taken care of them, know what they've got. I could be wrong, but if you love your rig, it's a little to risky for a short term solution.

Good Luck either way.
R2

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'm with Hugh on this one. How stupid would you feel waking up in the hospital with major injuries from a crash in a little econobox when a 5300lb tank sits in your garage? In addition, the cost of finding, acquiring ($2000), and making a s***box safe with a few hundred bucks worth of brakes/plugs/belts/hoses/fluids/tires will easily outweigh the incremental expense of driving the Cruiser for a year. If your employer's also paying the added expense of the commute, then I can't understand why you'd even be going through this thought process.

DougM

 

[Shortbus]

[quote author=floatinghat

Bus, I know the German car thing are $$'s. I tell you the finest car I have owned was my A8. I could get mid 20mpg at 80mph, feels as safe as the 80... As you know used Audi's are worthless. But the repairs are $$ and they don't resell worth a dam. Even though I own the 80 out right i've considered loking into a lease back over the short term. If my accountant says its ok maybe I can get a major right off for driving the 80. now that would be cool.
andre

Tell me about it. I've got 53k in the TT. With 11k on the clock and 3 years old, I'll be lucky to get 28k total, WITH selling most of the mods seperate. Sux! Either drive the LC or get as safe a sh!tbox as you can. I'll give ya the Germans there, they do make a safer small car that pretty much everyone else.

 

[landtank]

I've been driving my LC for work and it recently jumped big time in the miles I drive. I do however get reimbursed the government standard of 36.5 cents a mile. Honestly the LC has been one of the cheapest vehicles I've driven for repair costs. Getting a second beater seems crazy as your expenses for the vehicle and repairs and insurance might not justify the purchase just for six months. The LC will handle that six month stint effortlessly.

 

[Gundy]

You can often pick up an old well maintained MB for a reasonable price.
I know our '78 240D is solid as a rock at 300K and counting. Great gas mileage
and they are very safe. I hit another car at 35mph full broadside and
lived to tell about it in a 300D. In a econbox I ain't so sure I'd be typing now.
MBs are great commuter cars. Most comfortable seats in the industry, IMHO.
You'll apptreciate those easy chair seats on long hauls.
My friend just bought a nice early 90s "E" class for $5k for her teen aged son
out of saftey concerns. The kid loves it!
Keep the 80. Get a "taxi" for the commutes. We call the 240D our Eurotaxi.

 

[Junk]

Hey Shortbus, Hitman or whatever your daily name is

How do you explain the below?

I had to partly modify the pic due to the sensitivity of the forum :whoops:

Seriously, for the original post, keep the frickin 80.

 

[Rookie2]

[quote author=Junk link=board=2;threadid=12362;start=msg115784#msg115784 date=1078514412]
How do you explain the below?
[/quote]

Yes.. how do you explain this??!!! $1.09 gas ??, that's terrific!!

R2