I have a 2003 Nissan 350z and it is paid off. The only reason I'm considering this is because I'm thinking about going for a more fuel efficient vehicle. I've been looking at 4 cylinder cars for a while now but can't seem to make a decision. I love my car! No question about it but maybe it's time to look for a more fuel efficient vehicle.

I've been driving around 65 mph now and have pulled 22.7 mpg in my car (that's my best so far). I've been looking at getting a four cylinder like a 2008 coupe civic EX or anything fuel efficient. I'm set at paying around 14,000 and a car from 2005 and up. I could probably get around 10,000 for mine, so 4000 would be the difference in out of pocket.

Some info about me. I'm 21, male, full-time student, good paying job (for a student). Drive 3 long drives every week and I'm paying around $40 every week.

Some info about my Z. clean title, 85,000 miles, 2003 enthusiast, silverstone, no major damage, engine stock, no major mods, daily driver.

The reason I'm posting this is because I want your intellectual and professional opinion. Lets face it, gas prices aren't going down.

1)Should I keep a paid off vehicle instead of buying a fuel efficient one?

2)What kind of mpg do you pull in your Z?

3)Any recommendations on my situation?

4)Any personal review of how well our cars maintain over 100,000?

5)I do believe a 4,000 dollar expense for a four cylinder will make a noticeable difference in 5 years with regard to gas and insurance. However, is it worth it?

Saving vs difference in keeping my Z.

I'm aware of what kind of responses I'll be getting here on a car forum, but it's always good to read up on different people's opinions. Thanks.

First major forum posted

 

You're gonna love my nuts.

 

Why on earth would you sale a paid off Z for a civic? Is 8 mpg that more important to you?

 

I say keep your Z man.

Spend money on something you enjoy, such as driving your paid off Z.

Who knows....we could all die in 2012. I don't believe we will but just saying.

 

Answers to your questions -

1) Should I keep X or buy Y?
Do a cost comparison for yourself and think about:
- Values of the different vehicles & their estimated depreciation for the period you are considering
- Fuel efficiency values for each vehicle compared to your average distance driven for the period you are considering
- Debt/Interest cost of all loan costs (including any closing costs)
- Loss/Gain that you would take on the sale of your current vehicle compared to its value
- Driving/Owner Experience and Satisfaction (How much is it worth to have X car that you really want instead of Y car that you're just ok with?)

2) What mpg do u gett:
- 28mpg on the highway for long stretches of good roads
- 22-23mpg driving a mix of city and highway
- 19mpg if I'm driving a mix of city and highway in a spirited mood
- 12mpg if I'm all over the throttle doing mountain/canyon runs

3) Any recommendations:

What is it that you really want to accomplish?

Examples:
1) I want to not have a car payment.
2) I want to pay the least each week for gas.
3) I want to pay the least combined each month for gas and car payment.
4) I want to have a car that is fast and fun to drive.
5) I want a car that is safe and practical.
6) I want a car that says "hey, i'm frugal with my money" to people.
7) I want a car that says "hey, i'm successful" to people.
8) I want a car that makes the panties drop.

The question is not about gas, because $4k spent on a different car will buy a lot of gas for your paid off car.

 

Right this second I'd say sell the Z, but that's not what I'd say right after driving mine.

 

You pay $40 a week in gas? So that will drop to maybe $30, and you save $40 a month. Not worth it, maybe if you were spending $150 a week, would drop to $100 and save $200 a month i would start to consider it.

 

your going to save $150 a year, not worth it.


/ of stupid thread

 

Closer to $480 a year, and equal to 2 car payment on the new car.

 

Yeah don't think it'll be a HUGE savings, maybe insurance savings? I'm getting about 26mpg with 90% highway. I have a base too so no cruise control for me unfortunately. Try using cruise more often, and make sure your tires are inflated to the correct spec and not under inflated.

I know I've been thinking about this as well, but looking for a BMW z4 for a slight bump in mileage, a huge increase in comfort and luxury, and an awesome car! Not buying it for gas reasons really cause I'd be bored with the smaller car. Imho, I'd keep it. Its not that big of a difference imho.

 

Why does everyone go crazy about fuel costs? Fuel isn't the largest cost on your car! And the difference between $3 gas and $6 gas usually isn't enough to change your monetary situation much. Do you select tires that will never wear out? Tires are expensive to replace. Do you do your own oil changes? Use ceramic pads?

I really don't get the obsession. NO, it's not worth selling your Z for a more fuel efficient car because unless fuel triples, you're going to lose more than it's worth.

 

With my calculations, it seems like you're going to be driving your car around 200 miles a week, which makes for 10,400 miles a year. With 21 mixed coming from a Z which is typical, thats 495 gallons a year. Now, the civic would probably get 29 mpg mixed, because that's what my buddy gets in his. So thats 358 gallons a year with the civic. Factor in premium gas for your Z with the going rate of 4.27 a gallon for premium, and you get 2113 a year spent on gas on the Z. Assuming regular gas would be going for 4.07, you'd spend 1457 a year in gas for the civic assuming the mileage traveled doesn't change. That's $656 saved every year, or $54 saved each month in gasoline by going from the Z to a Civic. You'd have to own the Civic for 6 years in order to break even on your $4000 investment. All of this while downgrading from a 350z to a civic. I think the answer is obvious.

 

Wow i was pretty close for just pulling numbers off the top of my head, basically just guestimated it.

 

also, keep in mind, if you're under 25, insurance rates will not change as much as you think they would.

 

 

I commute over 100+ miles a day for work,I dont care about gas prices,I do about 26.5 on average if I keep a light foot on the highway.I am not giving up my Z,especially if its paid off and under 100K.

 

Nahh.

 

Cut something else out of your budget to make up for the money you spend on gas (eating out for lunch ect) and keep your Z...

 

Really?? come on man...from a Z to a Civic, please dont!! As the guy a few post up stated, is 650 bucks give or take worth the amount of pure embarrassment youre going to receive from driving a civic, i recently went from a 2.5 Altima coupe getting 28 mpg to the Z getting around 20 and cant really tell a difference. keep the Z and spend the 4k of mods lol

 

+1

Gas is just something you are going to live with no matter what you do.