Also factor in a smaller car that gets better mpg cuts corners in other ways. Subtract the cost of a timing belt from the fuel saved. Then subtract the insurance, title, registration and if your in a state that does so taxes and inspection cost. Then subtract consumables, a second oil change, tires, etc. Even when I was commuting 20 miles I couldn't make the numbers work out to where it was profitable to have a small car to commute.
One rig to rule them all
- Thread starter ricoisme26
- Start date
p nut
butter
I’ve turned more into a soft roader myself. Years of slow rock crawling, it doesn’t interest me anymore. Backcountry desert travel is my current interest. I’d think either of your vehicles (F150 and Expedition) would fit that bill.
Personally, I’d just keep the stable as-is. I’ve done the “one vehicle” route. It’s nice in theory. But at least for my situation, cons outweighed the pros. Plus, after a week in the commuter, it’s really nice to get back into a truck. Makes me appreciate it more.
You commuter is 'approaching 300k', it may be around a while but it will leave the party eventually. Drive it until then
and keep mileage down on the other vehicles.
It will be nice to have the truck as a backup to drive when something happens to the commuter, even if it's only down for repairs for a few days. The Pontiac is probably more valuable to you in this role of preserving value than selling or trading, and inexpensive enough to run less insurance.
Keep a vehicle you like that is suited for your type of adventure and that you will be willing to drive where you want without worrying about it. You'll be happy every time you get in it, good memories as well as anticipation. ( My dogs are always excited to see me, but they go nuts when "the fun truck" cranks! They know the difference! )
The commuter will preserve your trucks lifespan for more years of enjoyment.
and keep mileage down on the other vehicles.
It will be nice to have the truck as a backup to drive when something happens to the commuter, even if it's only down for repairs for a few days. The Pontiac is probably more valuable to you in this role of preserving value than selling or trading, and inexpensive enough to run less insurance.
Keep a vehicle you like that is suited for your type of adventure and that you will be willing to drive where you want without worrying about it. You'll be happy every time you get in it, good memories as well as anticipation. ( My dogs are always excited to see me, but they go nuts when "the fun truck" cranks! They know the difference! )
The commuter will preserve your trucks lifespan for more years of enjoyment.
MikeWeaver
Member
It depends on your priorities, If you want something with good off-road capability, relatively reliable, comfortable, spacious and fuel efficient - It would some crossover.
The first choice comes to mind would probably be a Subaru Ascent (I took it for a test drive and kind of liked it).
I compared it to an F150 in using this program https://offroadium.com/compare-vehicles.html No surprise that it scores 49 points vs almost 74 for F150, but it's an ok trade off for what it is for me. Of course I'll keep my FJ80, but it needs some work now.
anyways my point is not that you need an Ascent - but that you need to consider some normal size crossovers in your price range.
The first choice comes to mind would probably be a Subaru Ascent (I took it for a test drive and kind of liked it).
I compared it to an F150 in using this program https://offroadium.com/compare-vehicles.html No surprise that it scores 49 points vs almost 74 for F150, but it's an ok trade off for what it is for me. Of course I'll keep my FJ80, but it needs some work now.
anyways my point is not that you need an Ascent - but that you need to consider some normal size crossovers in your price range.
bartheil
Active member
Here is a nice video of what you can do with a (2106 expedition)
https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/minimalist-overlander-2016-ford-expedition.223588/
Here is an other one.
https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2014-ford-expedition-el-build.242994/#post-3162037
1HaytchZed
Active member
My wife has been asking me that question for decades... I think she's now accepted that she will live the rest of her life in a parking lot.
ricoisme26
Active member
My wife always yells at me when I show her cars/trucks/motorcycles, always followed by telling me I can only drive one at a time
bartheil
Active member
Your wife can also only carry one purse at a time.
Feel free to use that as a response AT YOUR OWN RISK!
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I’m in the process of selling off 3 of my 5 vehicles and buying one new to me. We have a ‘25 Land Cruiser for the business, I just bought a ridiculously priced ‘05 Power Wagon for towing, dump runs, hunting, fishing, and I have a 1963 VW Manx clone for when I want to waste time spinning wrenches. I’m selling my Sequoia, Tacoma and Bronco. I have an acre of land to keep them on, but it’s ridiculous. Insurance, maintenance etc is just wasted on the 3 extras.
OP, unless one of your vehicles is dying, I don’t see much need for you to downsize. Although, the F150 and Expedition seem to have a lot of overlap in my eyes. Unless your wife needs a non beater for the weekends when you are not using the Viberator, you could morph both the Fords into a newer/nicer F150 if you don’t “need“ the suv part of the Expedition. An F150 with a canopy/topper/toneau etc would do everything except carry more than 5 people.
OP, unless one of your vehicles is dying, I don’t see much need for you to downsize. Although, the F150 and Expedition seem to have a lot of overlap in my eyes. Unless your wife needs a non beater for the weekends when you are not using the Viberator, you could morph both the Fords into a newer/nicer F150 if you don’t “need“ the suv part of the Expedition. An F150 with a canopy/topper/toneau etc would do everything except carry more than 5 people.
ricoisme26
Active member
new nickname for the Vibe found.
Agree a lot of overlap, partly intentional. We're ahead on maintenance/insurance/registration on the F150 and Expedition combined compared to where we'd be with one newer F150. My truck has a topper and has been the expedition/vacation rig but its over 160k miles now and I'm a bit behind on some maintenance items. Expedition fit the role of backing up the truck should it fail and easing our range worries with the impending electric company car. Range is only a valid concern as she frequently exceeds the EVs range during her daily travels for work leaving no range for personal use in the evening.
we currently use the truck for truck things and the wife's tesla for any commuting.i also have 6 boats for various water activities.2 fishing boats,a deck boat,a cruiser,a flat bottom with a hemi,a couple fishing kayaks,a car topper.i also have an atv and a side by side because one or the other just won't do.there's no such thing as a unicorn do it all,just like there's no unicorn do it all tire.
ricoisme26
Active member
this sounds like my dream, all the boats, the side by side and atv, coincidentally its my wife's nightmare
my wife had been surprisingly supportive.last fall a new snowmobile followed me home.this sounds like my dream, all the boats, the side by side and atv, coincidentally its my wife's nightmare
What motor is in the current F150? Depending on the climate you live in (read: no rust issues), the 10-14 trucks are pretty resilient. I have a 2022 F350 with 61k on it and a 2013 F150 Raptor with 143k on it and I'd be hard pressed to tell you the Raptor is worse for the wear. If it were me, I'd invest some dollars into the current truck and keep using it as the exploration truck. It already has the towing/hauling component built in. Since the work vehicle is a pretty nice, roomy Expedition, I bet you're not hurting for room on trips in it.
Only other way I'd go is a '14-16 steel body Super Duty with the 6.2 gasser. Gives you more truck capability, a bit more cargo room, and since its not a daily, the difference in economy would effect you minimally.
Only other way I'd go is a '14-16 steel body Super Duty with the 6.2 gasser. Gives you more truck capability, a bit more cargo room, and since its not a daily, the difference in economy would effect you minimally.
AbleGuy
Officious Intermeddler
Nailed it!
