What car (if any)? Daily for my new life

I posted in the Off Topic section yesterday that I am retiring from auto insurance after 26+ years and building a retirement career out of motorsports.  The two centerpieces are working at Porsche and Xtreme Xperience (where you drive supercars on a racetrack for $400ish).  Need to configure my DD arrangement.  Here are the factors:

• Porsche is about 50 miles from home.  I will commute 2-5x per week, depending on what schedule I choose.  Average 3-4x/week. 
• XX requires travel, mostly flying.  The airport is right next to Porsche, so 50 miles each way.  I will fly on average 2x/month. 
• My wife works with me at XX, so we commute together to the airport. When we go we carry 2 large suitcases and a 75lb dog. She also is picking up a part time job local to home, less than 10 miles.  
• My daughter is 15, turning 16 in July.  She needs a car.  She wants small and fuel efficient, and I want reliable for her.

Therefore, 3 cars need to be in this mix.  Current DDs are a 2011 BMW 128i 6spd and 2014 Toyota Prius C.  The 128i has 150k miles and runs flawlessly...knock on wood.  If I drive it sanely, it gets 25-28mpg on premium.  The Prius C has 335k miles, however engine/trans have only 50k miles.  It also has new axles, entirely new cooling system.  It also runs flawlessly.  It gets 45-52mpg on regular unleaded.

My daughter wants the Prius.  I'd like her to have it.  However, my logical/economical side says "It's the perfect tool for my commuting needs".  Emotional side of me says "berkeley that, you deserve something fun as a DD", so not sure I really want to keep the Prius.

If I keep the Prius to beat the snot out of driving back and forth, I'd get my daughter something like a Fit, Soul, etc...under $7k

If I give her the Prius, I'd like to spend no more than $10k-$14k.  I could, but I'd rather not.  Should be at least enjoyable to drive, reliable, decently fuel efficient (think 30mpg...regular unleaded strongly preferred) and not 20 years old.  Maybe something like 6spd 4cyl Accord?  Yes, I can drive the 128i daily and get a minivan or something for my wife (3500lb towing capacity isn't needed, but would be a bonus).  However upper 20's mpg on premium isn't cheap.

WWGRMD?

I'd run what you have for a while and track the actual costs for a few months.  Then you'll know exactly what you're spending and can make a more informed decision.  Changing the fleet while changing jobs/careers seems to be a lot all at once, especially since the current fleet sounds like it'll work fine in the short-term.

Whenever I've run the numbers for fuel savings, unless I'm starting with gas mileage in the mid-teens (and especially with premium), it takes a while to pay the money back.  Once you're in the upper 20s (even on premium), it's tougher to justify the cost of a change just based on fuel savings alone.

That's a lot of miles. If you want something fun, maybe give the Prius away and then turn the BMW + cash into a modern Civic Si? Or, another idea: My Mk7 Golf GTI averages 31.5 mpg at 85 mph, and runs a 1:50.51 at CMP on 340tw tires. If you can stand the VW reputation it's a pretty great commuter. 

I'd give the daughter a Prius and find another Prius.  It doesn't sound like you need a performance car; it sounds like an appliance that is easy to deal with in all ways fits the bill here.

I don't know what things are like in your area but used car options around me still suck. I'd give her the Prius and run your bmw for now. 

dj06482 (Forum Supporter) said:

I'd run what you have for a while and track the actual costs for a few months.  Then you'll know exactly what you're spending and can make a more informed decision.  Changing the fleet while changing jobs/careers seems to be a lot all at once, especially since the current fleet sounds like it'll work fine in the short-term.

Whenever I've run the numbers for fuel savings, unless I'm starting with gas mileage in the mid-teens (and especially with premium), it takes a while to pay the money back.  Once you're in the upper 20s (even on premium), it's tougher to justify the cost of a change just based on fuel savings alone.

Yep, I know exactly what you're saying.  The one thing to keep in mind that a car needs to be added somewhere in here.  Right now it's 2 cars and 3 people.  The reason I'm starting to look now is because the used car market is still tough.  I want to have some time to find a good bargain instead of having to hurry up and buy something in late July.  

There is no question whatsoever that my Prius is the perfect "tool" for what I'm doing.  Between my daughter wanting it and the little devil on my left shoulder saying "You shouldn't drive a Prius daily", I'm not sure I want to keep it.  If I were to give my daughter the Prius C, I definitely would not buy another one for me...in that case I'd rather keep mine and buy her a Fit/Soul/etc...  My BMW is definitely a DD option, as I love the car.  It's already at 150k miles, so I guess it doesn't matter if I run it into the ground.  Just considering other options if I were to leave the BMW for my wife...she loves it too...and get something a bit more economical/reliable (generally speaking) but not as boring as a Prius C.

Appliances all the way since it sounds like you have fun cars more than covered with the retirement "jobs" (and crap can racing)  

I suspect the Prius and BMW both are worth more to keep than sell with that many miles. Put daughter in the Toyota and run em both until they're dead. 

Sounds like you are living the dream. 

Given the 2 large suit cases and large dog, maybe adding something like a Soul or Mazda 3 hatch or Prius V etc would be a practical option. 

50 miles EACH way? That's a lot of seat time. I'd be looking at a larger more comfortable sedan appliance like Camry or Avalon. It will handle your dog, suitcases, and gas mileage needs, while being ubiquitous and easy to shop for a good deal. The 6-speed Accord would be fun too if you can find the right deal. Even the coupe would be big enough for your needs.

Yup, 50 miles each way.  

Give your daughter the Prius, up your budget a bit, and buy a brand new Bolt for about $23K all-in. 
 

Enter the EV world, and enjoy commuting in a brand new vehicle. 

If your commuter is regularly left at the airport in long term parking do you want an appliance that you don't care if it gets lost,stolen, damaged, or vandalized?

Rons said:

If your commuter is regularly left at the airport in long term parking do you want an appliance that you don't care if it gets lost,stolen, damaged, or vandalized?

Yes, that's part of why I prefer to spend less money.  I'm going to drive the E36 M3 out of this thing, and leave it in parking lots of days on end so I want something that I won't worry too much about.  Don't get me wrong, I don't want a 1993 Ford Escort, but I also don't want something high value.  I'm leaning toward giving my daughter the Prius simply because I want to say "screw it" and drive something I really enjoy.  That would mean either I drive the BMW and get something for my wife, or she drives the BMW and I get something to pile miles on.

maschinenbau said:

50 miles EACH way? That's a lot of seat time. I'd be looking at a larger more comfortable sedan appliance like Camry or Avalon. It will handle your dog, suitcases, and gas mileage needs, while being ubiquitous and easy to shop for a good deal. The 6-speed Accord would be fun too if you can find the right deal. Even the coupe would be big enough for your needs.

This right here.  Daughter gets the current Prius.  Keep the 128i and 996 for the mrs and you to use when it works.  Slow down on the other toy car purchases a bit too.  

I'm 75 miles each way.  I thought about posting a 30k mile update too....  maybe.

Show me a DD that gets better mpg and is more fun to drive.

6 speed Civic or Accord coupe gets my vote.

This will be a very non-GRMer response...but...

If it were mine to do I would give your daughter the Prius and buy a Chevrolet Impala Classic LT.  That's the prior body style to the current car.

I had one as a company car and frankly enjoyed it far more than I expected to. 306hp V6, super comfortable for travel, and high-20s fuel economy.  Plenty of room for people, a dog, and all the suitcases you like.

A plus is that it's an Impala, so you're not going to fret over a door ding or scratch gained at the airport.

If I had the need that you have, I would absolutely buy one in a heartbeat.

AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:

I'm 75 miles each way.  I thought about posting a 30k mile update too....  maybe.

Show me a DD that gets better mpg and is more fun to drive.

What's your mpg?

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

39.5 since I bought it 22k miles ago and I get 41 on my commute.