Sportsmobile Daily Driver - Page 3

larrie · 04-24-2014, 10:17 PM

2% too.

sdwindansea · 04-26-2014, 09:55 AM

I am part of the 98%. It is my only vehicle with four wheels. That being said, I ride my 125cc scooter as much as possible. 75 MPG vs 12 MPG is tough to pass up.

twogone · 04-26-2014, 10:19 AM

I can't afford to drive mine everyday... I make a new addition to the ongoing wishlist every time I get in it. Soooo fun, soooo expensive!

**daveb** · 04-27-2014, 12:07 AM

My batteries are on chargers or dead on my other vehicles. But I don't drive much any more, usually half mile to the stores at most, and out to the ranch about once a week.

REF · 04-27-2014, 12:48 AM

Interesting thread...even more interesting responses. I use ours for my handyman work and as a daily since we're down to having the SMB and a Golf TDI after selling my wife's daily driver. We also use the SMB for our numerous road (and off-road) trips. I didn't buy this thing for it's MPG's or to sit unused, for me, THAT would be something I couldn't afford.....

photographix · 04-27-2014, 01:16 AM

Semi-retired here, so I don't have a daily commute. I love to drive the SMB, so I take it when I know I can get it up to full temp, usually about 10-15 miles round trip because I have the 6.0. As to MPG, I get about 12.5 in city, 15+ on the highway if I keep it at 70 or less.

If I have a quick run to the store or mailbox which is a mile away, I'll take the gas powered car instead, though I don't like to do short trips in any vehicle. Generally, engines last longer if they are run regularly, IMO. Keeps the gaskets from dry rotting and bearings lubed.

carringb · 04-27-2014, 11:36 AM

I drive my van daily. Weekday commute is 14 miles each way, but I head cross-town most evenings for my evening conditioning, which adds another 60 miles round trip. When the weather gets nice I'll be on my bike (the pedal kind) a few days a week but since I don't have a shower at the jobsite, working all day covered in road grime is a little unpleasant.

Fuel savings from a smaller car would barely even cover the extra insurance (which would double, even as a 2nd vehicle) plus the vehicle's purchase costs and maintenance. My fuel costs are high, but my lifetime maintenance costs are super low (tires aside). I was tempted to get a Fiesta ST to use a both a commuter and my "fun" car, but once my current contract is up I don't know if the next job will even require commuting, and I wouldn't want to pay for a car to just sit most of the time. Plus I'd probably get is way too much trouble in a FiST.

flyfisher · 04-27-2014, 01:34 PM

I'm fortunate to have a 23 year old Isuzu Trooper for my daily driver, and equally fortunate to be retired so I don't have to drive very much on a daily basis. I don't think I would want to drive The Van every day in Seattle traffic. It's not very nimble and is a PITA to park. And just a guess, I think my sizable investment will last longer if it doesn't accumulate a lot of short distance miles.

Tom