Liviu Marcus
Which would be a better daily runner?
When it comes to a daily runner, it needs to be light on the pocket, fuel-efficient, and should be able to handle the routine nicks and bumps.
While deciding on a daily runner car, most of us are often puzzled with, whether to opt for a cheaper used car or an affordable newer model. Well, each of them comes with their pros and cons, and every individual could be inclined toward one of them depending on his use case and interests.
People are inclined towards buying a cheaper used car as they are lighter on the pocket initially. Having a cheaper Dinky as your daily driver puts your mind at ease regarding its care. You no longer have to worry about scratching your shiny new rims on the pavement. Or worry about getting your door scratched up at the supermarket’s parking. Or if a biker accidentally scratches up your paintwork, it won’t ache your heart at all.
You can literally load up anything you want in that pour soul as you don’t have to worry about scratching the interior trims. You can fold down its rear seats and Voila! There’s your DIY pickup truck ready to load up.
And if it ends up in a minor accident, you won’t be worried about paying huge bills. Your dinky does not need new replacement parts right from the manufacturer, as you will easily find its parts at your local car scrap yard at marginally lower prices.
An older car model, if bought without proper research, can also end up heavy on your pockets. You should always go for a robust and practical car while buying an old one. (Toyotas are known to be rugged daily drivers). Whereas if you opt for a sketchy car for its looks or rarity without any prior research about it, you can end up spending much more on its repairs in the long run. You should do proper research about the model before buying it and must check all aspects especially the mechanical condition of the car while making a deal with the buyer.
Owning an older, unreliable car, can easily turn into a nightmare anytime. As with the number of miles on its clock, most of its mechanical parts would be on the verge of failure. A failure in a single component of such a car, if left untreated, can very quickly multiply and affect other parts in a breeze, resulting in a complete breakdown. Such a problem at this point in time can then be a bit tricky to diagnose for everyone and dealing properly with sketchy car mechanics around town is not a piece of cake for everyone nor does anyone like spending most of their weekends in a garage.
A newer, more affordable car, with fewer bells and whistles at a relatively higher cost, would sound boring and idiotic to buy upfront. But it can end up being more cost-effective in the long term if chosen correctly.
A newer car would give you peace of mind due to its mechanical reliability for the next 3 to 4 years. And there would be fewer chances of it not starting in the morning when you are getting late for your work.
Newer cars with modern engines are much more efficient and can save up on gas expenditures. Modern engines output a lot less emissions, which can result in lower annual taxes. So in the long run, they start to make much more sense.
And the pleasure of sitting in a brand-new cabin and driving your new car is irreplaceable.
So, in a nutshell, an old reliable dinky can be a good option for you if you are comfortable handling mechanics and car parts yourself, and even occasionally DIY fixing them. Whereas if you can pay a bit extra upfront for a relatively simpler but brand-new car and you are satisfied with what you get in your basic trim, it isn’t that bad of an option in the long run, if taken care of properly.
