Keep which car?

[stomachmonkey]

The wife has an 01' Tahoe with 125k on the clock. Bought new and was the dealer demo so it has every conceivable option. It's a really pretty truck and has served us well.

She drives 40 miles round trip for work and decided she needed something that got better fuel economy. Tahoe averages 13-15 MPG.

So two weekends ago we start shopping for a new but smaller SUV that gets in the 20-25 mpg range. Looked at pretty much every thing available.

We get home and she says she hates every one of them. One of the biggest issues is no Captains chairs, she's 5 ft nothing so without the Captains chairs she has no place to rest her arms.

She decided she wants what she has, just newer. We go out last weekend to see what's available in the used market and even though we did not plan on it ended up coming home with an 05' Yukon with 73k on the clock.

My driveway now looks like this.



My DD is an 06' Mazda 3 with 80k on the clock. I work from home and don't drive a lot during the week but we do use the Mazda exclusively on the weekends because it gets better mileage.

When she was looking for a more economical SUV the plan was to sell the Mazda and keep the Tahoe.

Now that the yukon is here the Tahoe will get sold and keep the Mazda. But I'm not sure. I really like the Tahoe and am considering keeping it for myself.

I guess it comes down to two things, mileage on the Tahoe and Mazda and fuel economy.

Mazda wins on that but I think the Tahoe has the leg up on longevity. That thing should be good for an easy 200k.

Right now they both bluebook around the same but I think private sale the Mazda would bring more right now but also not hold it's value over time like the Tahoe will.

Opinions?

[RANDY P]

no matter how you look at it two SUVs is redundant. It'll wear on you after awhile for all that gas.

Sell the 'Hoe- or sell both and upgrade Mazda.

[98cobra]

Keep the Mazda and get a new computer for the SUV, i got one from "Westers Garage" for my 05 Silverado 6.0 and went from 17mpg to 22-23mpg on the highway

[onewhippedpuppy]

I think your logic regarding value is totally backwards. Used SUVs depreciate down to nothing, there are hundreds of late '90s Tahoes and Suburbans on the market for well under $5k. But it is very hard to find a good condition high MPG car for cheap, mainly because there's so much demand for them. KBB is full of crap, just check your local Craigslist if you don't believe me. That Mazda is worth more than the Tahoe today, and will be worth more than the Tahoe for the foreseeable future. I also disagree on longevity, the Mazda will go at least as long. Having the Mazda and an SUV makes total sense, as you have one big vehicle and one excellent MPG vehicle. There is no rational justification for keeping the Tahoe, especially since it will be Tahoe #2 in your household.

Now if you WANT to keep it, go for it. Though I tend to agree with Randy, sell the Tahoe and Mazda and get something a bit nicer.

[Tobra]

Sell them both and buy a Club Sport or whatever the new sporty Miata is. If the Mazda is not a Speed 3, it will run a long time.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I think your logic regarding value is totally backwards. Used SUVs depreciate down to nothing, there are hundreds of late '90s Tahoes and Suburbans on the market for well under $5k. But it is very hard to find a good condition high MPG car for cheap, mainly because there's so much demand for them. KBB is full of crap, just check your local Craigslist if you don't believe me. That Mazda is worth more than the Tahoe today, and will be worth more than the Tahoe for the foreseeable future. I also disagree on longevity, the Mazda will go at least as long. Having the Mazda and an SUV makes total sense, as you have one big vehicle and one excellent MPG vehicle. There is no rational justification for keeping the Tahoe, especially since it will be Tahoe #2 in your household.

Now if you WANT to keep it, go for it. Though I tend to agree with Randy, sell the Tahoe and Mazda and get something a bit nicer.

Anywhere else I agree on the value of the two vehicles. But this is TX, SUV's are still in high demand. My neighbor sold her base Tahoe with 250k on it and a blown head gasket for $3k in a day.

I'm pretty sure it's state law that if you own more than one car that one of them has to be an SUV or pick em up. And the Mazda really has a pathetic spoon rack.

I do think the Mazda is worth more than the Tahoe and most likely a much easier sale. Other than an SUV I see more Mazda 3's around here than just about anything else.

My problem is I tend to like "uncomplicated" vehicles so not interested in anything newer or nicer.

I'm not a fan of gadgets in cars. To me cars are utility appliances, the DD's at least.

I still have the 911 and the 190SL so I don't really need anything better for daily.

Admittedly the Tahoe has a lot of sentimental value. If I were to be completely honest with myself I'd understand keeping it is the wrong thing to do for entirely the wrong reason.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by 98cobra

Keep the Mazda and get a new computer for the SUV, i got one from "Westers Garage" for my 05 Silverado 6.0 and went from 17mpg to 22-23mpg on the highway

Tell me more.

[98cobra]

Tell me more.

That's basically it, I called them and they asked about my trucks specifications and asked me what my goals were and they flashed a computer and sent it to me, then I installed it and sent mine back as a core. Pretty simple, this company is in Canada but they were very helpful, explaining how to ship the core back, and I think they will send you a free reflashed computer in the future if you make any upgrades, all you pay is shipping and the core charge until they receive your core. My experience was very positive, it paid for itself in no time at all.

[saxen]

you wanted to buy a better gas mileage car, went shopping and bought the same car you wanted to get rid of but 4 years newer (same body style, same engine, same everything....)

and now you want to get ride of teh car that gets good gas millege?

so you went to sell your current gas guzzler car and now you have two same gas guzzlers... that are exactly the same.

am i lost???? or...

[URY914]

You get the Friend of OPEC award.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

no matter how you look at it two SUVs is redundant. It'll wear on you after awhile for all that gas.

Sell the 'Hoe- or sell both and upgrade Mazda.

I'm with Randy on this one....you have 2 vehicles that essentially look the same maybe the older one more heavily optioned. I would keep whatever fits your needs. My kids are grown and have no need for the SUV, large sedan or wagon I once owned.

[LeeH]

Do the math...

Assuming 20,800 miles/year (80 miles X 5 days/week)and gas at $3.50/gallon, the annual fuel cost for the Tahoe is $5200. $2912 for the Mazda. Driving the Mazda saves $2288/year in gas money. 5 years at that rate and we're talking $11,400.

[VaSteve]

They make armrests you can attach to the window frame inside.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by saxen

you wanted to buy a better gas mileage car, went shopping and bought the same car you wanted to get rid of but 4 years newer (same body style, same engine, same everything....)

and now you want to get ride of teh car that gets good gas millege?

so you went to sell your current gas guzzler car and now you have two same gas guzzlers... that are exactly the same.

am i lost???? or...

....and same color. LOL, no you are not lost. Makes perfect sense when you explain it like that. LOL

Originally Posted by URY914

You get the Friend of OPEC award.

Does it come with cash or a free year of gas or just a handshake?

Originally Posted by LeeH

Do the math...

Assuming 20,800 miles/year (80 miles X 5 days/week)and gas at $3.50/gallon, the annual fuel cost for the Tahoe is $5200. $2912 for the Mazda. Driving the Mazda saves $2288/year in gas money. 5 years at that rate and we're talking $11,400.

It's 40 roundtrip and she's a teacher so it's not for the full year.

We did the math, her current fuel cost at $3.50 and 13 MPG is $2100.00

If she doubles her MPG she saves $1,000.00 Call it $120 a month. A car payment to get her to double her MPG is going to be $400 a month.

Mazda is a stick, she won't drive that every day.

At this point the Mazda gets driven maybe 4k a year.

If I drive the Tahoe the same number of miles it costs me $500.00 for the year.

Still, all in all I agree it's a generally bad idea all around and really makes no sense but hey, sometimes we do stupid odd stuff cause it makes us happy.

Pretty sure the Tahoe will be going.

Makes me sad. As much as I rave about the Mazdas and don't regret owning it for a second I kinda like the truck just a little better.

[Heel n Toe]

You shoulda bought her a Mazda6 and put captain's chairs in it.

Does Mazda still make vans? The MPV? Just add captain's chairs.

How does being 5 feet tall = a need for someplace to rest her arms? Am I missing something? Or is it just something she's gotten used to having? More relaxing while sitting in traffic, maybe?

One thing to consider for sure; she's safer in something bigger like the Yukon if she's in an accident.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

She drives 40 miles round trip for work and Tahoe averages 13-15 MPG.

Originally Posted by URY914

You get the Friend of OPEC award.

I was pissed when I found my DD Miata only got 24 MPG!

[kinein]

no matter what you are goin to need a vehicle to tow something down the line. I regret selling my truck.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

They make armrests you can attach to the window frame inside.

Who does? TIA

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Who does? TIA

A friend showed me one he had in his suburban. He said he got it at JC Whitney. I like to put my arm on the window edge and I test drove a big truck where I couldn't do that. I never bought the truck, but filed away that info.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

You shoulda bought her a Mazda6 and put captain's chairs in it.

Does Mazda still make vans? The MPV? Just add captain's chairs.

How does being 5 feet tall = a need for someplace to rest her arms? Am I missing something? Or is it just something she's gotten used to having? More relaxing while sitting in traffic, maybe?

One thing to consider for sure; she's safer in something bigger like the Yukon if she's in an accident.

She has to pull the seat so far forward that her right arm ends up in front of the center console. And yeah she has gotten used to it. She won't even look at a GMC product newer than 06' because they did away with the Captains chairs.

Ironically one of the features the Yukon has that the Tahoe does not is adjustable pedals.