what should i do ?

[stageup]

so i'm possibly getting a job that's 140 miles round trip everyday now as opposed to my 10 mile commute right now. layoffs are coming and we were told to start looking now.

i don't want to put 140 miles per day on the ms3, especially since it's all highway, i can probably swing keeping it and buying a beater car, but the car depreciates, so right now i'm leaning towards selling her and buying a base civic (38mpg) or something similar gas mileage wise. and in a few years when i can find something close again, getting a car i REALLY want at that point.

thoughts? which way is better?
selling and buying a cheap car that gets good mileage is better financially
i'd rather not have the ms3 sit, i'd only drive it on weekends if that if i kept it.

- it's an 08, i owe 12k on her still.
i figure if i keep the ms3 i will be forking out approximately 350 dollars in gas a month

with the civic it would be close to 200 a month. (taking out driving enjoyment of course)

 

[UHATEIT]

i just went on craigslist and have been looking to buy a beater for the same situation. Something cheap for like 1000-2000 automatic for commuting and not worry about full cvg insurance or how good it looks. Give the speed3 a break.

You might want to try that, getting something dirt cheap to use for commutting that you wont care how it looks

 

[stageup]

haha i've been on craigslist for a week now trying to find something cheap (but still reliable for 140 a day)
i just dont want to put 36k miles on my ms3 every year

i've been looking @ miata's since they are so cheap, but they only get 30 mpg...

 

[Fenrir]

buy Ken's miata. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123735107

 

[johnnyB5646]

The Miata would let you still have fun durring your commute and you could still take the MS3 every once in a while. Plus if you get a job closer, you could easily make the miata a track car or shove a V8 in that sucker. It all boils down to your responsibilities are. Don't shoot yourself in the foot to keep the MS3. You could get a great deal on a new car right now.

 

[Moultese]

What's wrong exactly with putting 140 miles/day on the Mazdaspeed3? Do you feel that it isn't reliable enough to handle the daily commute? Yes, a high mileage MS3 is kind of sad, but as long as you keep up with regular maintenance on the car, there shouldn't be a problem.

I wouldn't get a beater car. If you're spending $2000 or less on a car, it will probably give you more trouble than it's worth. Have you considered a motorcycle? this would not only help you on gas prices, but save your car's mileage for when it's too cold to ride.

 

[stageup]

there's nothing wrong with putting 140 miles a day on the ms3, i know it would be reliable
i just dont want to put that many useless highway miles on the car as opposed to an enjoyable 140 miles "driving" it, if that makes sense.

no can do on the motorcycle, i'd end up killing myself, not because i'd take chances, but because i can't trust automobile drivers.

 

[NCZ13]

get a beater, youll regret trading the speed3 for a base civic.

the beater will make you appreciate your ms3 even more.

 

[dizzin9]

let's see:

beater car: $1000
gas: "$200"
insurance: (don't know your track record) $50?
title: $400
additional purchase (like tires, oil, coolant, wipers, paint, etc) & potential repairs: ??? = $$$

i don't know. either way you're not saving money. you will save mileage on the ms3 though, but now you're more likely to be stranded on the side of the road. besides, when you're running late what would you rather have?

just a thought

and oh, do you have a house or an apartment?

 

[stageup]

insurance on the ms3 is 670 a year full coverage for me
yea good point about being stranded, hence looking for a lower mileage car vs year that im looking for.

i have a house that is worth less than 50% of what i paid for it..... stupid economy (love owning more than something is worth)
i was actually thinking of a miata, they get ~30 mpg and i'd still be in the mazda family

 

[Moultese]

What about the CX-7 in your sig? If that's your S/O's, then perhaps you can trade? for the daily commutes.

 

[stageup]

What about the CX-7 in your sig? If that's your S/O's, then perhaps you can trade? for the daily commutes.

yea that's the wifes, and it gets worse mpg than the ms3 since it's hauling around more weight that sucker only gets 18-20mpg if we're lucky...

 

[SHaW]

I guess you should get the Miata to stay in the Mazda family and still save money.

 

[MS3-510]

Just drive the MS3 to work. I would understand if it was a luxury car, then yes, buy a beater. The problem you may run into is spending money on the beater to maintain it. There's no guarantee it will run well for the time you need it.

If you sell your MS3, don't expect to get top dollar for it due to the economy. Difficult decision. If you decide to get a beater, make sure you get something dependable and with low mileage.

 

[stageup]

yea i am leaning towards just driving it and selling it before it hits 100k miles or something, i will be paid off end of this year

 

[johnnyB5646]

I get 25-28 highway mpgs so don't take the hit on a new car. When you get up there in miles that will give you a legitimate excuse to get the car you REALLY want... which you never mentioned what it was. You will love this car on the highway, it really shines there.

 

[stageup]

im 1 of 2 left, that are getting a 3rd interview, hopefully this goes well.
right now i am probably going to just drive the ms3 for 2 more years, which will put me around 85k miles

if i was able to keep my job now which is 10 minutes away from my house by street, i was going to get a 370z haha

 

[stageup]

just got the offer yay !
what car to get hmm...

 

[Wurf]

I don't see getting another car making financial sense. I'd just drive the speed and enjoy the ride. Cars are horrible investments in general and buying another one when you really only need one car doesn't make sense to me. Just pound the MS3 and take the depreciate hit instead of throwing that money at a different car, and depreciating that investment at the same time.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Just drive it

Just drive the MS3 to work. I would understand if it was a luxury car, then yes, buy a beater. The problem you may run into is spending money on the beater to maintain it. There's no guarantee it will run well for the time you need it.

If you sell your MS3, don't expect to get top dollar for it due to the economy. Difficult decision. If you decide to get a beater, make sure you get something dependable and with low mileage.

Cars are meant to be driven. Just put the money you'd use buying the beater into proper maintenance. Change the oil more often and treat the car well and it will eat those 140 miles a day for lunch.