What would GRM do? Too many cars?

I just picked up my new company car yesterday. I'm worried that I've sold my automotive soul for practicality and good financial sense. Since when should good financial sense have anything to do with an auto enthusiast anyway?

My new car checks almost every box that that I swore I'd never check. It's a FWD, auto, appliance- made by Chevy. That said, it's much better than expected. It wouldn't be my first choice, or even on my list if I were picking a new car- but it backs up my arguement that there really aren't any bad cars out there today. It's a 2015 Malibu. I'll post a review after I've put more miles on it, but so far it does what it's supposed to pretty well.

Previously, I got an allowance to use my car for work. The plus side of that was that I got to drive cars that I enjoy. The downside was that I put a lot of miles on my cars, and it was a bit of a financial loss (my cars don't get great gas mileage, and I don't buy cheap consumables.)

My current deal is very good. I pay the lease payment, $180 or so per month. The company pays for everything else. Maintenance, insurance, gas- everything. The gas is big, I drive a lot in one of the highest gas price areas of the country. Free refills is a huge perk.

Now for the dilemma- Do I really need all of these cars? Here is the current fleet-

2014 Toyota Sienna. Wife's' daily, it's not going anywhere.

2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon. Probably the only car worth selling. Finishing up an engine rebuild that fixed all of stock problems. The car has 140k+ miles, but look ls like new. I bought it new in '05 when I heard they were discontinuing the 5spd wagon. I don't want to sell it. It would be the families ski trip car, chaining up the van sucks.

2004 Nissan Titan. Bought new, this isn't going anywhere. Tow and hauling vehicle. I already got most of the value out of it. It was totaled a few years ago due to an ever so slight bend to the end of the frame where the rear bumper mounts. I got paid off, and bought it back for cheap. It is in terrific mechanical shape, with a dented bumper. Salvage title hurts the value.

1995 Mazda Miata. Bought in 2006 for $2500. The clear coat is bad, and the interior has some wear from the sun, but it's mechanically sound. I still drive it a fair amount, and my kids like it. I'd love to start autocrossing again.

1992 Mitsubishi Galant VR4. Owned for 15 years, it's in excellent shape for it's age. No plans to sell this car. Pretty close to Challenge money into it total.

1988 Chrysler Conquest- Lemons car, will never see the street again. Every panel is dented, but it's as fast as it is ugly.

Overall, most of my cars are cheap, insurance is cheap, I have plenty of parking. Registration as smog checks add up, but they don't break the bank. I guess I'm just looking for you guys to enable me.

You lost me at too many cars. There is no such thing.

Too many cars?

I don't have any cars, oh, to have such problems.

The Gt wagon will be the only one to be worth money, serious money, down the road. That's the one I couldn't part with.

Same boat here. I have six at the moment but I am getting the itch for somthing new and i am board with two of them.

In reply to dean1484:

That's part of the problem. I still want more cars, cheap, weird cars. I've always wanted a Porsche 928, and they keep tempting me on Craigslist. Althought I'm sure there aren't too many things that are more expensive than a cheap Porsche. I also have a glaring hole in my fleet that needs a beater 4x4 project to fill.

wife cant drive the subie?

-J0N

Add more pavement to the driveway.. . . yes I have considered thjs as a viable option in the past.

Appleseed wrote: The Gt wagon will be the only one to be worth money, serious money, down the road. That's the one I couldn't part with.

not to 99.999% of the public. it'll be a high mile subaru wagon with a transmission nobody wants to commute with.

Yeah, but enthusiasts will pay it.

Based on what you have said I'd probably start with getting rid of the gallant.yes its not worth anything but that is the best thing you had to say about it. Keeping it will only detract from time spent with the others you did have something good to say about.

dean1484 wrote: Add more pavement to the driveway.. . . yes I have considered thjs as a viable option in the past.

I'd do this myself except there's only about 1-2 feet of grass, then a small dropoff to the neighbor's yard.

Do you have one pair of shoes that do it all? Do you have one coat that works for every weather? Do you have one pan in the kitchen to cook everything in? You need to haul, tow, ski, autocross, commute, race, vacation...you need the right tools for the job!

Sell everything except the Miata. Isn't that obvious?

Well the issue is, the first two I'd sell are the two you say aren't going anywhere.

Get rid of the Toyota and the Titan. Use the money to put a perfect brand new engine in the Scoobie, plus a few $$'s for cosmetics to make it wife/family/DD friendly and play with the rest.

No one needs a Mini Van, especially something as soul sucking as a Sienna. So what if the Titan has a salvage title, it's already a 10-11 year old truck so the value isn't super high to start with. Home Depot rent trucks for $20 and hour, and the Scoobie can tow the toys to the track.

I see no dilemma, only a perfect opportunity.

I would personally sell the Legacy wagon first, then the Galant VR4 second, if need be. You have a large stash of vehicles.

I have like 17 cars. At least i got over having much in the way of parts cars sitting around.

I bought a house so i guess the next big goal is build a parking building for ~20. I can store 8 at my house. 28 should be plenty!

From your list and explanations, don't sell anything.

You will regret it later and none of them seem to be causing you any real issues.

In reply to NGTD:

That's pretty much where I'm at. I don't need to sell any, it just feels weird having all of these cars sit. Maybe driving an appliance car M-F will make me appreciate the fun cars more. The Subaru is almost done with the engine rebuild, maybe it will be time to do the V8 swap in the Miata.

Here is my take, If you dont either drive or work on a car in 2-3 weeks then you really don't need it hanging around. I mean you can only have 1-2 true projects that you actually work on.

Ha!

In reply to bmw88rider:

That's a pretty good assessment. Before the company car, I rotated through the others pretty regularly. I guess I'll see what wins in the battle of free gas Vs. driving enjoyment over the next few weeks. I did take the Miata on a short errand after work tonight. It was too short, so I passed my house on purpose. I guess that's a good sign, I have no urge to do that in the Chevy.

Ive missed my galantvr4 every single day its been gone. This is why I cant get rid of my starquest.

In reply to yupididit:

That reminds me, I'd also love to get another Starquest. My Lemon's car showed me how much fun they can be. I don't think I'd ever sell the GVR4. I've put way to much work into it.