I just bought a 2002 WRX with 13,500 miles on it. Pretty low, considering how long they've been out. Anyway, I have a 60 mile daily commute to work. I figure I'll put on between 18000-20000 miles per year. Thus, I have figured out that I will have an estimated 33,000 miles after 12 months of ownership, and about 51,000 after 24 months of ownership. Or, if I get a commuter car (for about $1500-$2500) I would have about 20,000 after 12 months and 25,000 miles after 24 months.

So, my question is: Would it be worth the difference in selling price after one or two years, to keep the mileage down and purchase a second commuter car? I realize the commuter car could cost thousands to keep up during that time, which would nearly negate the increased amount I would fetch on a lower mileage car. What would you all do?

Did you buy the car to sell it or to drive it? A long commute in a great car makes for a nicer day at work.
If you want to keep the WRX forever and just put quality miles on it, yes a junky commuter car makes sense. Really low miles on an older car only really count for much if it's considered a classic.

Okay, figure your 2002 WRX will now depreciate about $3000/year. Your commuter car will depreciate about $500/year, plus whatever maintenance you put into it (anywhere from $0 to $2000/year). Your commuter car insurance will add another few hundred dollars/year (investigate a multiple car discount), and your gas bill will be cheaper (calculate for 30mpg vs whatever you are getting with the WRX). If you are putting on significant mileage, it might just pay off. Plus there will be less temptation to drive at extralegal speeds->lower chance of an insurance penalty/ticket fine.

For my old accord:
Insurance - $700/year
Gas (20k miles, $1.80/gal) - $1161/year
Maintenance - $200/year
Depreciation - $500/year
Total - $2561/year

For my 2003 WRX (without multiple car discount)
Insurance - $1200/year
Gas (20k miles, $2.00/gal) - $1904/year
Maintenance - $150/year (oil change + tire rotation)
Depreciation - $3000/year
Total - $6254/year

For my 2003 WRX + my old accord:
Insurance - $1800/year
WRX gas (5k miles, $2.00/gal) - $476/year
Accord gas (15k miles, $1.80/gal) - $871/year
Maintenance - $351/year
Depreciation - $3300/year (WRX + Accord, given low WRX mileage)
Total - $6798

It looks like it was about $550 cheaper every year to just drive one car rather than two.

Hope this helps.

I just sold our '87 Accord winter beater-grocery getter-commuter car. I have a different situation than you though. Much shorter commute, only 5 miles. Also the Honda didn't get used as much as planned. Parked outside, often covered with snow, so the cars from the heated garage were used instead. It was also a bit of overhead and time to keep up with the maintenance on three vehicles.

Do you wan't to be going all those miles in a less safe car? Drive your WRX and enjoy it, that is why you have it.

Another thing to consider: Depends on where you are, but the rules for beater car acquisition have drastically changed in some areas. I just bought a well maintained 87 Ford pickup for a good price, but the emission test cost me over $500 to pass! In Ontario you are held hostage, you pretty well have to get corrective work done at the garage you had it tested at. Another thing to consider is high cost of parts and complexity of repairs on some vehicles - A friend of mine had to pay about $500 for a fuel pump for a late model S-10 pickup!
Beaters can be pricey - I 've had some that averaged about $150 per month for repairs/parts, etc. plus the inconvenience of having to fix them/get them fixed in the cold.

Originally posted by pinerider
A friend of mine had to pay about $500 for a fuel pump for a late model S-10 pickup!


HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i've been bulding S-10's for years and have never heard of a paying $500 bones for a fuel pump, that is absurd, next time you friend needs a part tell him to goto www.justtruckandvan.com

now if they installed it, thats a different story, because you have to remove the bed, but that should still cost a lot less than that:banana:

so drive it. It's beyond me how it makes sense to drive a 2000$ car that has to be much less reliable than your Suby. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Are you sure you'll be selling the car in 2 years?