Benefits/costs of a car.

**Delphinus** · 30th July 2007, 21:09

I currently have a company car, but also have the liberty of getting nearly $13,000 taken out of my pay because of it. Now I've got a bike I thought its about time I thought about getting rid of it.

I'd still use the company car when I need to cruise round Otago fixing machines, but wouldn't take it home each night, and wouldn't be able to use it for personal trips.

What would I actually use a car for?
Shopping can be done in flatmates... trips/Holidays done on the bike, random trips into town done on the bike... Delivering fixing/pc's and stuff which I sometimes do out of hours can be done on bike if its small, or I can prob either steal my flatmates car, or just use a taxi for the extra $ I'm saving.
Is there anything I'm missing?

2nd part...
If I was to get an el cheapo for when I need to deliver it or something... What would I need to spend to get a semi-shitter, Toyota or something?? that'll do its thing, not break down and... Yeah thats about it.

PS I know this is a bike forum, but you lot are a knowledgeable bunch

**McJim** · 30th July 2007, 21:15

I just spent $2,000 on a 1990 Toyota Celica with 130,000km's on the clock.

Does me fine so I can afford to ride the Ducati

**98tls** · 30th July 2007, 21:17

You can get alot of car for $3000 these days,an older corolla is a pretty safe bet for sure,bulletproof motor and rust really isnt an issue..there just so damn good,boring but good,

**NotaGoth** · 30th July 2007, 21:21

Toyotas are fantastic.. Picked one up for $3,500 manual with low k's.. Full service history from the last and only other person who owned it before me.. You get awesome mileage out of them if you look after them eg, get them serviced regularly.. Cheap to run to... Oh and fun to crash..

By the sounds of it if you are unsure of what you would need your own car for exactly then I don't really see the point in wasting money on one.. Its just another expense.. Unless you have money to just throw around so to speak..

I know up here its not often that you find a decent manual car for under 4k.. They are usually thrashed and ready to die.. Not sure what the cars are like where you are..

**NotaGoth** · 30th July 2007, 21:24

Ok I guess the cars up north here are overpriced by alot

**Delphinus** · 30th July 2007, 21:24

Hrrm, good to know.

$180 for rego, 40 odd for a warrant. At the rate I'd use it I'd only have to replace tires about once every 5 years :P
Fuel is meh. Any other costs?

Corolla boring, I thought almost any car is boring.. Thats why I have a motorbike!

**The Pastor** · 30th July 2007, 21:27

my honda cost me $900 bux

**Delphinus** · 30th July 2007, 21:27

Originally Posted by XxKiTtiExX

By the sounds of it if you are unsure of what you would need your own car for exactly then I don't really see the point in wasting money on one.. Its just another expense.. Unless you have money to just throw around so to speak..

Thats exactly right. I'm just making sure that ditching the company car with all fuel/repairs/maint/rego/warrant paid is a good idea. What would I need a car for, and worst case scenario, if I had to buy one whats the cost?

**rudolph** · 30th July 2007, 21:37

I can buy a set of lots for my car compeard to the price of one rear tyer for the bike.

**rudolph** · 30th July 2007, 21:39

oh and being nice and warm driving at night in the rain and wind, heater on and the system up

**canarlee** · 30th July 2007, 21:41

give the car back and take the money! looking at the thread so far, thats what i would do.

**Virago** · 30th July 2007, 21:43

Where did I get the idea that you were self-employed? Oops...

$13K out of your salary is a major chunk. Are you sure you would get that back in your pocket if you gave up personal use? If you would, then it would be very tempting.

Okay, three options:

If you were a fair-weather rider who spends more time in a cage, like um, me, then I would recommend an ex-lease vehicle from Turners. You can get a late model, well serviced car, for about half its retail value.

A real bike enthusiast would go for the cheap but servicable old dunga, for emergency back-up. The down side - you may find yourself spending precious riding time under the said cheap car, trying to fix something for a WOF. Cheap old cars are great fun - until WOF time...

Lastly, the real hardcore bikers will have nothing but contempt for the suggestion that a car would be desirable...

Your choice, but a car around the $3-4,000 mark should be okay.