How often do I need to take my baby out?

htn123 · 08-26-2005, 01:01 PM

Ok,
I am talking about my Titan

.
The fuel has been killing me but I don't have the heart to part with my baby Titan so I bought a used car to go to work.
Now my Titan is sitting in the drive way. I get to use it to tow my boat on the weekends. Once a week or once every other weeks.

Questions:

1. Do I need to do any special thing to my baby if it sit there for a while?
2. How often should I take it out for a drive just to get things moving?
3. Maybe truck cover? disconnect battery? jack it up while not driving?

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

steves · 08-26-2005, 01:23 PM

Since the weather's been nice, I drive my Motorcycle as much as possible, but I still try to drive the truck at least once a week. If it's sitting outside and uncovered you may want to look into getting a cover.
As long as you drive it once a week for 10-20 miles I wouldn't worry too much about the battery. I would however worry about insects (especially bees). If you see something starting to build a nest do something quickly!

travism · 08-26-2005, 01:31 PM

If you drive it once a week or so, then I don't think you need to do anything. Maybe once colder weather sets in you will since you might not use the boat so much. If it normally sits outside then the exterior isn't getting exposed to anything it normally isn't. Maybe a sunshade in the windshield or window vent visors so you can leave the windows cracked to let out some heat would be a good idea.

hoodrat1 · 08-26-2005, 01:38 PM

HTN:

IMHO you really should not have to do much. A cover, sure! Not necessary, but I park mine inside all the time. But if you live in an extreme climate it may warrant one. Battery, not so much. I would disconnect mine for 3-6 month jaunts when deployed, but 2 weeks, no problem. Just don't leave your auxiliaries plugged into the cigarette lighter, etc.

Other considerations may be oil changes once time is met vice mileage. I personally think the 3 month/3,500 mile is B.S. I would go 4-5 months if my mileage was well below 3,500.

I really am curious as to why you would buy a used car? I call it a beater in my neck of the woods. Now for me the tie breaker came when I said..........Hmmmm two car garage, three cars, but really it is a one TITAN garage, and my wife said no cars in the grass. The third car, insurance, price of car and any extra maintenance no where near offsets the gas prices, unless you consider wear and tear a major factor. I drive about 60 miles per day 3-4 times per week. Since you've already bought it, then run it till it croaks I say.....You probably have a better reason than my counter argument. Just wanted to try and help you out, not be critical though.

For example:

Say it was $2000, and insurance is an extra 50/month yielding about $2600 for the first year if you paid cash.

Now, if you drive 60 miles/5 day week X 49 weeks (3 weeks vacation) that is about 14,700 WORK miles per year

Now in the Titan let's say you average 15 mpg
and the "Beater" gets you 22mpg- FAIR?

@ 14,700/15 = 980 gallons per WORKING year for the TITAN
@ 14,700/22 = 668 gallons per ........ for the "Beater"

If gas is say $2.50/gallon then your operating GAS offset between the two PER WORKING YEAR is $~312

You paid 2600, and yearly save $312 in just GAS, which means that alone means a break even point of 8 working years. THAT is a long time to drive a beater to break even, but as I said this does not factor in some of the frilly offsets you may have. HEY, I agree, I wanted to get a beater too despite the monetary losses, but it just doesn't fit our life right now due to space. GOOD LUCK!

-later

BigBlackTruck · 08-26-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodrat1

HTN:

IMHO you really should not have to do much. A cover, sure! Not necessary, but I park mine inside all the time. But if you live in an extreme climate it may warrant one. Battery, not so much. I would disconnect mine for 3-6 month jaunts when deployed, but 2 weeks, no problem. Just don't leave your auxiliaries plugged into the cigarette lighter, etc.

Other considerations may be oil changes once time is met vice mileage. I personally think the 3 month/3,500 mile is B.S. I would go 4-5 months if my mileage was well below 3,500.

I really am curious as to why you would buy a used car? I call it a beater in my neck of the woods. Now for me the tie breaker came when I said..........Hmmmm two car garage, three cars, but really it is a one TITAN garage, and my wife said no cars in the grass. The third car, insurance, price of car and any extra maintenance no where near offsets the gas prices, unless you consider wear and tear a major factor. I drive about 60 miles per day 3-4 times per week. Since you've already bought it, then run it till it croaks I say.....You probably have a better reason than my counter argument. Just wanted to try and help you out, not be critical though.

For example:

Say it was $2000, and insurance is an extra 50/month yielding about $2600 for the first year if you paid cash.

Now, if you drive 60 miles/5 day week X 49 weeks (3 weeks vacation) that is about 14,700 WORK miles per year

Now in the Titan let's say you average 15 mpg
and the "Beater" gets you 22mpg- FAIR?

@ 14,700/15 = 980 gallons per WORKING year for the TITAN
@ 14,700/22 = 668 gallons per ........ for the "Beater"

If gas is say $2.50/gallon then your operating GAS offset between the two PER WORKING YEAR is $~312

You paid 2600, and yearly save $312 in just GAS, which means that alone means a break even point of 8 working years. THAT is a long time to drive a beater to break even, but as I said this does not factor in some of the frilly offsets you may have. HEY, I agree, I wanted to get a beater too despite the monetary losses, but it just doesn't fit our life right now due to space. GOOD LUCK!

-later

Sorry but I think the math is off, you didnt multiply by the cost of gas?? 312 is the difference in gallons the cost differential is $780 @ $2.50 and assuming the cost of gas levels at the current point without rising it may pay off as a good decision.

htn123 · 08-26-2005, 01:56 PM

Matt,
Appreciated all the points. Here is my deal, Lexus SC400 sunroof

, sporty, only 89K. I paid $8K so it's pretty decent deal.

I figured I will drive right now to work. My daughter is 12, coming up 16 !!!!

. So by then I will give it to her to drive. 15K/yr, 4yrs, that's about 60K more so she will get it around 150K miles.

Figured this thing will last for about 250K or so. So I am pretty sure I will get the money worth out of it. Had a Maxima and it went to 240K before it croaked so I am pretty sure I can get that much out of a Lexus.

Steve,
Good points about bees. Here at my house, I have boats load of wasps

So definitely will watch out for 'em insects.

hoodrat1 · 08-26-2005, 01:58 PM

MAN YOU GUYS ARE QUICK, i WAS ABOUT TO WALK OUT THE DOOR AND SAID i THINK I MESSED THAT MATH UP. AND SURE ENOUGH.......YOU GUYS ARE THE POOP. THANKS FOR THE BACKUP.

-MATT

Quad T · 08-26-2005, 02:00 PM

Well this time a year I too am a once or twice a week kind of guy. This summer has been so warm and dry the cars have been getting a good workout. In the summer I typically drive the truck on rainy days and on Sunday when I have a 150 mile trip to see my parents.

I do nothing to my truck other than park it and lock the doors.

usulsuspct · 08-26-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodrat1

HTN:
Say it was $2000, and insurance is an extra 50/month yielding about $2600 for the first year if you paid cash.

Now, if you drive 60 miles/5 day week X 49 weeks (3 weeks vacation) that is about 14,700 WORK miles per year

Now in the Titan let's say you average 15 mpg
and the "Beater" gets you 22mpg- FAIR?

@ 14,700/15 = 980 gallons per WORKING year for the TITAN
@ 14,700/22 = 668 gallons per ........ for the "Beater"

If gas is say $2.50/gallon then your operating GAS offset between the two PER WORKING YEAR is $~312

That sure does put the beater concept into perspective. So to make the above scenario work you would probally need to be more extreme.

@ 14,700/15 = 980 gallons per WORKING year for the TITAN
@ 14,700/35 = 420 gallons per WORKING year for the TITAN

If gas is say $2.50/gallon then your operating GAS offset between the two PER WORKING YEAR is $~1400

Now at that point it becomes a better deal. I think the only way to justify a "beater" is to get an ultra compact that gets crazy gas mileage.

hoodrat1 · 08-26-2005, 02:35 PM

Final post on this for me. Granted I did mess up the math earlier, but with an $8000 car it is even longer, but I figured you bought a "beater" for more than to protect the MIGHTY TITAN.

-keep a postin'

crash813 · 08-26-2005, 03:10 PM

Did you just say 'Beater' and 'Lexus SC400' in the same sentence?

If you worry the Titan isn't getting enough of a workout now, let me know. I'll swing down the road and give her a workout. My wife doesn't let me drive the Titan much anymore....

Vector · 08-26-2005, 03:38 PM

Try to drive it for 20 miles or more once a week (keeps moisture build up out of your exhaust). Put some fuel stabalizer in the gas tank too. All you want to do is make sure your engine, transmission and axle seals dont dry out and you also want to make sure a film of oil remains on all engine internal moving components. Your battery will also go dead over time from the ECU, BCM and any other computer or clock in the truck. They drain power 24/7.

KTMNealio · 08-26-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htn123

Ok,
I am talking about my Titan

.
The fuel has been killing me but I don't have the heart to part with my baby Titan so I bought a used car to go to work.
Now my Titan is sitting in the drive way.

How far do you have to drive to work??
I drive probably 20 miles each way and it only costs me $120-150/mo for gas..

- Nealio

mtbendo · 08-26-2005, 09:43 PM

We have the world's smallest parking spaces at work so my daily driver is my old Maxima. I pretty much only drive the Titan on the weekends and that may only be once at that. Before the Titan, the Maxima used to sit in the garage for the previous 15 years as a weekend only car. I've never did anything special and never had any problems specific to not driving it enough.

CJ3FLYR · 08-26-2005, 10:07 PM

Nobody has mentioned this aspect so I will. If you let the Titan drift into a semi, temporary-retirement condition watch the age of the gas. Regular unleaded seems to be good for 3 mos or so. Premium seems to last longer. Treated gas (Stabil or similar product) and either grade will last a long time (I've seen it go 1yr plus). Treat the gas or drive it enough that you have fresh gas at least every three months.