Considering only one vehicle. What vehicle would you recommend.

[Ronstar]

I have to try a Ford Maverick some day. I keep eying that 42mpg. Our 2017 F150 gets 21, which isn't bad for a truck but it has 71,000 miles on it now. I start getting nervous approaching 100,000, just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

FYI - my 2017 F-150 with 121,000 miles has developed a slapping sound for a few seconds on cold start. Chatgpt diagnosed it as a timing chain issue. Could cost $4k or so to replace timing chain. Just driving it very little now through the winter and make a decision on what to do in the spring.

Ford Maverick (or Ranger) are definite options for me in the future.

 

[REWahoo]

Another recommendation to keep two vehicles as long as you both feel comfortable driving.

DW and I went to one vehicle (hybrid Toyota Highlander) for a few months and didn't like it. I was uncomfortable going anywhere without her knowing she was home alone without transportation. I didn't like doing the reverse knowing I had no way to get to her if she had a flat or a fender-bender. All this was amplified by the fact we live in a semi-rural area and have to travel 10+ miles for any shopping or medical appointments.

We ended up buying a small EV (Bolt) as a second car and it has worked out great for us.

 

[Fermion]

FYI - my 2017 F-150 with 121,000 miles has developed a slapping sound for a few seconds on cold start. Chatgpt diagnosed it as a timing chain issue. Could cost $4k or so to replace timing chain. Just driving it very little now through the winter and make a decision on what to do in the spring.

Ford Maverick (or Ranger) are definite options for me in the future.

Yeah, everyone says drive these things until the wheels fall off but I don't think enough value is put on the time spent sitting by the side of the road and in the repair shop waiting room while they put the wheels back on. There is some value in trading in a vehicle and getting a new model before said event becomes likely.

 

[TripleLindy]

Yeah, everyone says drive these things until the wheels fall off but I don't think enough value is put on the time spent sitting by the side of the road and in the repair shop waiting room while they put the wheels back on. There is some value in trading in a vehicle and getting a new model before said event becomes likely.

We’ve been quite lucky in that our 2 current vehicles (‘01 GMC Yukon XL and ‘11 Buick LaCrosse) haven’t had any real problems and are still in phenomenal shape. My reluctance to get something new is in part due to all of the tech built into cars today. While I appreciate some of that, the domino effect of failure is much more pronounced. Our 25yo and 15yo vehicles have far fewer issues than many brand new cars. I made the decision about a year ago to have significant preventative maintenance done on both cars: belts, hoses, plugs, plug wires, fluids, etc. They both have power trains with great reputations for long life, so we’ll probably have them for quite a few more years. And they’re very comfortable!

 

[Qs Laptop]

Whatever vehicle you decide to get make sure it's got memory seats. This feature allows the vehicle to memorize the positions of the seats and mirrors (and for some the tilt wheel) for at least two drivers.

You setup your seating, mirrors, and tilt wheel position, press a button to memorize it, then repeat the process for your wife. Once setup, no more fiddling with the seats and mirrors whenever a different driver wants to use the car, just press a button and the adjustments are made automatically.

 

[Sorcerer]

Yeah, everyone says drive these things until the wheels fall off but I don't think enough value is put on the time spent sitting by the side of the road and in the repair shop waiting room while they put the wheels back on. There is some value in trading in a vehicle and getting a new model before said event becomes likely.

I don't think people mean until the wheels literally fall off. We keep our vehicles until they go to the junk yard. Never had one sit us. Then again, if you're the type of person who isn't capable of doing basic maintenance on a vehicle, I would say to keep upgrading when the vehicle gets too dated or too many miles. I have no problem with people spending money on new wheels. Stimulates the economy.

As for the OP, only you and your spouse can come to that conclusion. Lot of different vehicles to choose from. There are two of us and we have 4 vehicles. One sedan, two suvs and one truck. We have the garage space and they are all paid for. Definitely overkill.

 

[brett]

We are careful to shop and buy a vehicle with exactly the options that we want. We typically keep our vehicles for 200,000 miles or so.

Our 2006 Accord winter car got rear ended earlier in the the year and went to scrap. It only had 175K and would have been good for another three years based on our low useage. Our summer car, a 2007 Solara rag top, is still on the road with only 90K miles on the clock.

For years I had a new company car every year. The new car business wore off after a time. Plus....I hate shopping.

 

[Fermion]

I don't think people mean until the wheels literally fall off. We keep our vehicles until they go to the junk yard. Never had one sit us. Then again, if you're the type of person who isn't capable of doing basic maintenance on a vehicle, I would say to keep upgrading when the vehicle gets too dated or too many miles. I have no problem with people spending money on new wheels. Stimulates the economy.

I could do maintenance but as you say in the other thread, time is valuable. If a timing chain goes and your engine grenades itself, this is a side of the road wait for tow, then $6,000+ at the repair shop while you arrange for a rental. Much worse if this happens on a road trip 2000 miles from your home.

 

[Texas Proud]

I am surprised how many people are going to one car... heck, we have two and go to the gym 'together' in both of them!! Yep, I do not want to stay after Zumba, she does...

Plus...I like having a car around IF I want to go someplace... why worry about scheduling etc... it is not that much more expensive and we have the money...

 

[Pointby2]

I am surprised how many people are going to one car... heck, we have two and go to the gym 'together' in both of them!! Yep, I do not want to stay after Zumba, she does...

Plus...I like having a car around IF I want to go someplace... why worry about scheduling etc... it is not that much more expensive and we have the money...

Half the forum is in "blow that dough" mode and the other half is still in full on savings mode. It's a little jarring going from one thread to the other.

 

[Jerry1]

I am surprised how many people are going to one car... heck, we have two and go to the gym 'together' in both of them!! Yep, I do not want to stay after Zumba, she does...

Plus...I like having a car around IF I want to go someplace... why worry about scheduling etc... it is not that much more expensive and we have the money...

I too have the money, but I can't say saving a few bucks isn't part of the consideration. The main consideration is the size of my garage. It's basically 20x20 and while people definitely do get two cars in there, there sure isn't room for much (anything) else. I've never parked my truck in a garage even when I had a garage that it fit into. I like the extra space for some storage shelves/cabinets and the extra freezer. Plus, the extra room is nice for a staging area for recycle and garbage in general. On top of that, if you pull into the garage a little more toward the center, there's no need to be as careful when pulling out to not clip your mirror. In other words, they can call it a two car garage, but to me, 20x20 is a one car garage.

The next issue is the condo. We're not allow to park on the street overnight, which I'm fine with. But, now that it has snowed, an additional issue has come up. They clear the snow with equipment. The first snow I didn't know what they did so I cleared it myself and watched how they did it. Come to see that the other residents that can't/don't park in their garage, wait until the street is cleared and then pull their cars out onto the street so that when the condo workers come around with a bobcat, they can clear the driveway. That works and is better than me clearing the snow, but I really don't want to deal with that. So, I either have to suck it up and fit two vehicles in my garage, as least during the winter, or go down to one vehicle. I'm leaning toward one vehicle, but have not made a decision yet. The other obvious solution is to get a smaller vehicle to make putting both vehicles in the garage more practical. I'm pretty much at the point that cleaning off a vehicle, especially the truck, and shoveling the snow are things I want to give up.

 

[TheWizard]

I am surprised how many people are going to one car...

Odd that you mention that.
I'm single for past few decades and have two vehicles, my F-150 and my Mustang.
I'm entirely too cranky to consider downsizing in this department...

 

[pb4uski]

I am surprised how many people are going to one car... heck, we have two and go to the gym 'together' in both of them!! Yep, I do not want to stay after Zumba, she does...

Plus...I like having a car around IF I want to go someplace... why worry about scheduling etc... it is not that much more expensive and we have the money...

Half the forum is in "blow that dough" mode and the other half is still in full on savings mode. It's a little jarring going from one thread to the other.

Not a money decision here.

The reason that we are one car when in Texas is that we can get by without a second car and there isn't enough garage space for 2 cars and a golf cart... so the 1 car and the golf cart inhabit the garage quite comfortably.

If we really needed another car we could get 2 cars and the golf cart in the garage, but it is only two bays so it would be a hassle moving the golf cart to get the second car out or vice versa.

I knew that I should have BTD for the house with a 2 car garage AND a golf cart garage!

 

[target2019]

I've ridden shotgun in my daughter's new Lincoln Navigator a few times. I'm not sure of the exact model, though. It's a big improvement over the Jeep SUVs she and husband have been leasing for the last 7 years or so.

I think you're gonna need something like her's in order to get over your truck.

After January we'll have one car, and will be looking for something newer to replace it. So I'll keep reading here, and ignore the off-topic stuff.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Same here, not a money decision to go to 1 car. We used to have 4 cars. We moved to our condo out of state in retirement but it had only 2 parking spaces. We went down to 2 cars. But we rejoined the country club and bought a golf cart, so 1 car had to go. We moved again and the house also only had a 2-car garage. But we both golf and not always together, so we had a room conversion to a golf cart garage in order to be able to park 2 golf carts. We have 1 car and 2 golf carts for that reason.

 

[ls99]

All three of us (me, myself and I) have a vehicle. Car, truck, suburban.

Resume the thread discussion

 

[Qs Laptop]

Jerry1, have you looked at (or researched) the Toyota Crown four door sedan? It's a luxury equipped Toyota sedan with an interior that is very Lexus-like. Great gas mileage and you sit up a lot higher than in a regular sedan. Lots of bells and whistles too.

 

[audreyh1]

Yes, it wasn’t a money decision for us either. After retiring we noticed we hadn’t driven the other car in several months as we tended to run errands together. So we sold the second car.

One car continues to work for us. Here DH spends a lot of time out at places nearby and he usually rides his bicycle. We still run many errands together, but occasionally I’ll drive alone to an appointment.

 

[pjigar]

I am a 5 cars guy so I can't give you a good advice. But if I had to pick just one then it would be an AWD SUV. Too many to choose from based on what you value, budget and repair cost.

PS: I value power, comfort and safety in that order, moderate budget. I would pick a Volvo SUV or Lincoln SUV. Each have many models based on the size you prefer.

 

[Slim11]

I am tall, so I need bigger cars. With that said the other driver on my home is short. I have a 2500 for the size and the camper. Always had a full size truck. But we always had a falilly car. For me we just bought a 2026 huyandi santa fe. It has the most convertible seats I have ever sat it for a tall person. The bells and whistles are a bit too much. But I guess some like the saftey stuff. Has 3 rows of seats if needed, and 2 normally up. With the 2 row seats it has a large storage capacity in the rear. If you need to do truck stuff, the second row folds down easily and gives you a ton of room. Its an suv, and a has a lot of room even though its a bit smaller then the biggest SUVs. I like it. Plenty of room for 4 adults and 4 sets of clubs. I fit fine in the second row. And I am 6'6". Snow wise , its new so only one 4 inch snowfall, it was fine. And I do not anticipate any problems with the way it handled. And I did drive an hour to work in snow storms regularly. Just something to look at.

 

[IncomeOriented]

Life changes as you get older, and richer. Going to one car is about acknowledging those changes and making your life simpler.

One car is new to us the last year. If needed, can always buy another one.

 

[Texas Proud]

Odd that you mention that.
I'm single for past few decades and have two vehicles, my F-150 and my Mustang.
I'm entirely too cranky to consider downsizing in this department..

LOL... when I was single I had two vehicles also... then got another when I got married... then another when first kid got old enough to drive... then another when 2nd kid got old enough...

Totaled out my favorite at the time... an Acura TL 6 speed manual... so did not replace it.. gave one car to oldest kid when he graduated and will be giving one to 2nd as she just graduated...

One time when my kid was playing soccer and they stopped practice early, the coach asked her what car did I drive... she said "I do not know, we own 4"... to be fair 2 were Elantras...

 

[Koolau]

And just think before foreign cars took a foothold in the USA, many families aspired to a Cadillac as a sign they made it.

I remember those days.

FIrst car I ever drove (at age 13) was a '53 Caddy.

My poor dad always wanted a Caddy. He almost bought a used '63 Caddy. He called the original owner and found out the dealership had rolled back the miles by many thousands of miles!

BFF had a Caddy because his wife wanted one. It cost a fortune to keep it on the road as maintenance and, especially repairs cost way more than "normal" cars.

I'm honestly surprised that the Mark is still in existence.

 

[Tetto]

My poor dad always wanted a Caddy. He almost bought a used '63 Caddy. He called the original owner and found out the dealership had rolled back the miles by many thousands of miles!

Unbelievable! I guess the good old days weren’t always good; thieving bastards! Your dad was very wise to find that out first!

 

[Stormy Kromer]

A lot of this decision depends on where you live (snow conditions) how many passengers you need to carry and public transportation availability.

As for saving money, of course one vehicle will be cheaper than two. Unless it causes a divorce........