Should I Buy a Second Car for Fun 2022
Let’s talk about Should I Buy a Second Car for Fun? Do we really need a second automobile, like some type of useful runabout or an exciting weekend driver? It all depends on what a “need” is.
Maybe it’s only a “want,” and if so, that’s great. In this Autobytel article, we’ll be looking just at new cars that would make a wonderful second car,
Because used car selections would involve simply too many variables, especially vintage cars or projects in which the owner may be able to manage some but not all of the essential wrenching responsibilities. Without further ado,
Here are 10 good second vehicles, each a vehicle you could easily climb in and drive instantly.
10 Good Second Cars to Consider?
- Alfa Romeo 4C
- Audi R8
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Jeep Wrangler
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
- Porsche 718 Boxster
- Subaru BRZ
- Volkswagen e-Golf
- Ford Fiesta
So let’s start to learn about more it in detail…
Alfa Romeo 4C
There are going to be a few sports cars on this list for sure because frankly, life is too short to spend it being boring. The Alfa Romeo 4C, whether in its coupe or convertible (Spider) form, is an excellent choice for a second vehicle because to tell you the truth, it can be very taxing.
There is no power steering, the suspension is very stiff, and the cabin does not have a lot of sound insulation. All of these things come standard on this vehicle. However, when you’re on the perfect roads, all of these factors come together to create a thrilling driving experience.
The mid-mounted 237-horsepower turbocharged engine of the 4C is housed in a lightweight carbon-fiber tub, making this vehicle a true machine for enthusiasts. This is the most visceral experience that 21st-century driving has to offer. Oh, and it seems really incredible.
Audi R8
The most challenging aspect of owning an Audi R8 as a secondary vehicle is resisting the urge to use it as your primary mode of transportation. The idea that a supercar should be able to be used on a daily basis may sound like a cliche, but the Audi R8 is truly one of those machines.
It’s sophisticated, cozy, and secure all at the same time (all-wheel drive is standard). It even has Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition, the 5.2-liter V10 engine with 540 horsepower is extremely addicting (or 610 in the Plus variant).
But let’s make the assumption that someone who can buy an R8 also has other commitments, requirements, or wants that can only be met by something that has more doors and seats. Therefore, the R8 is an excellent choice for situations in which the driver has the opportunity to enjoy some much-needed alone.
<h2id=”Chevrolet-Suburban”>Chevrolet Suburban
Let’s envision a Toyota Prius-owning family. For the school run and supermarket shopping, their hybrid can handle it all while keeping their fuel consumption in check. However, this lucky family also has a lakeside vacation home, which necessitates a large SUV to transport people and their belongings, as well as to deal with poor weather and hard terrain.
The Chevy Suburban is here. Depending on where the family lives, it may be too large to use all the time, but it’s excellent for those semi-regular road trips and is a nice backup in case something goes wrong.
In addition to a big 121.1 cubic feet of cargo space, the Suburban sports a powerful 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower.
Jeep Wrangler
The idea of driving a Jeep Wrangler on the weekday commute is a waste of time. It’s too slow, too loud, and too awkward to use. The weekends are so enjoyable that it’s nearly ridiculous to not have one.
The Jeep Wrangler has spawned a thriving aftermarket and a thriving off-roading community. In addition, Jeep’s compact SUV is the gateway to another automotive universe, where names like Rubicon and Moab are both seductive and hard.
There’s no need to look elsewhere if you’re a fan of rock climbing. The Wrangler is a truly unique vehicle. As a result, it has always had great resale prices.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
What could be more enjoyable than driving along the coast road on a balmy summer evening just as the sun is setting into the water, turning the water a beautiful shade of blue? Obviously accomplished this while riding in a convertible.
In addition, it is not necessary for it to be a particularly expensive or imposingly potent one. Even though it only has 155 horsepower, the current model of the Mazda MX-5 Miata would be an excellent traveling companion because it is still relatively new.
The vehicle has rear-wheel drive, and the driver is positioned quite near to the back axle. This provides the driver with a good “seat of the pants” experience of the vehicle’s excellent handling qualities. This year, Mazda will add a new model to its MX-5 line-up—the RF—that has a folding hardtop.
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Take care of it, and dote on it. Even though it is fully competent in carrying out the responsibility, you shouldn’t drive it every single day. When you’re trapped in traffic, the SL’s level of comfort and the quality of its audio system are the two characteristics that matter the most.
In addition, the value of this Mercedes may increase at some point in the future due to the fact that an SL often appreciates in value. Therefore, save it for special occasions and holidays, as well as for those times when you really want to leave a lasting impression on someone.
Because of its high curb weight and luxurious interior, the SL cannot be considered a true sports car. It’s more of a grand tourer than anything else. The standard Mercedes-Benz SL550 may not have the same level of performance as the AMG models, but it is still an exquisite piece of machinery.
Porsche 718 Boxster
There are open-topped cars with a higher sticker price, but this Porsche is an excellent illustration of why it is prudent to have a luxury convertible as a second vehicle. In point of fact, some of those options with a bigger price tag won’t be as much fun as the others.
The Porsche 718 Boxster possesses a fantastic sense of balance in addition to a feel and responsiveness that are quintessential Porsche qualities. The base model of the Boxster now has 300 horsepower, which comes from a mid-mounted and turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-4 engine.
The Boxster S, on the other hand, has 350 horsepower, which comes from its 2.5-liter turbo flat-4 engine (no more naturally aspirated flat-6 engines). You don’t need to be concerned about the number 718 in the name; it’s only a reference to an older model of Porsche that was used in racing in the 1960s.
However, it does mark the beginning of an entirely new generation for Porsche’s model with the lowest starting price.
Subaru BRZ
This is very much like a tin-top version of the MX-5, even down to how affordable it is. Although it is possible that someone, such as a college student, may use it as their only automobile, the BRZ is not the most civilized mode of transportation for everyday use.
The cabin has very few amenities to speak about. However, despite its diminutive size, this rear-drive coupe boasts an exceptionally well-balanced chassis. This is the way to respond when the canyon roads are beckoning you to explore them.
The amount of power is not very high—205 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-4 engine—but getting the most out of a small amount of power is more fun than never having the chance to use all of a large amount of power.
Volkswagen e-Golf
Electric vehicles are still mostly considered to fall into the category of “useful for a second automobile.” The good news is that the range of this electric Golf has been increased to 124 miles for 2017, which is a significant improvement from the previous year when it was only 78 miles.
Which helps a little bit in the fight against the terrifying condition known as “range anxiety.” And in contrast to the traditional role of a second vehicle, this one could serve the opposite purpose. It is possible that, depending on the duration of the commute and the availability of charging facilities at both ends,
the e-Golf may serve as the weekday mode of transportation for errands and other normal tasks, while a conventional vehicle would be used for longer journeys. In either case, the Golf is a sensible, chic, and sophisticated choice.
Additionally, the power of this model has been increased, and in comparison to its predecessor, it can be recharged more rapidly.
Ford Fiesta
There is nothing wrong with a Ford Fiesta if you’re looking for a plain, easy, and economical runabout to accompany the primary car that your family uses. Even more impressive is the fact that it has a front-wheel-drive chassis.
This tiny car is available in both a sedan and a hatchback configuration, but the hatchback variant is more versatile and, some would argue, more attractive. The standard engine is a four-cylinder displacement of 1.6 liters and generates 120 horsepower.
An alternative is a three-cylinder displacement of 1.0 liters that is turbocharged and generates 123 horsepower. There is a 197-horsepower ST version of the Fiesta that is an amazing blast to drive for anyone who is interested in exploring the impressive driving capabilities of the Fiesta a little bit further.
One thing to keep in mind is that there will be a brand-new version of the Fiesta available beginning with the 2018 model year.
Pros of Having Two Cars
There are some good benefits of owning two cars as well as some compelling arguments in favor of owning only one vehicle. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of owning two vehicles, however, the answer to this question actually relies on your unique circumstances.
Pros and Cons of Having Two Cars
Owning two cars does come with a number of benefits, which cannot be denied.
Some of the major ones include the following:
Two Cars are Convenient
If you have two cars, there is never a question of whether or not you will be able to reach the destination you have set for yourself. If you have a family or a significant other, there is a good probability that you will both wish to travel in separate directions at the same time.
When you add kids into the mix, this becomes even more important.
There are carpools and other modes of transportation, but using them requires advanced planning, which is something that life does not always make possible for people to do.
You and your family pretty much enjoy the luxury of coming and departing at a whim, without having to give too much regard to what other activities are taking place at any particular time.
A Second Car is a Great Backup Plan
Unfortunately, it always seems like the most unexpected time for the automobile to break down.
Recently, I took both of my dogs to the groomer for a bath and haircut. I went to pick them up, but when I tried to start the car after putting them back in the vehicle, it wouldn’t turn over. I was not given any prior warning before my battery died.
It’s true that having a dead battery in your car isn’t the end of the world, but it is only one of the hundreds of things that can go wrong with a vehicle at any one time.
In the event of something a little bit more serious, in which your car will need to sit at the shop for the day or for a few days, not having an extra car can be a big concern.
Your Second Car Can Be Used for Utility
When you need to move heavy objects, having a second car that can haul a lot of things or that is truly a truck rather than a car might be incredibly helpful.
When you own a house, it feels as though you are continually required to make repairs or perform maintenance on your property and yard.
The majority of the time, this requires transporting heavy exterior materials such as bricks or pavers, as well as other items such as lumber and sheet walls.
It may be impossible to get what you need from home, and it may be difficult to maintain your car clean if the automobile you use on a daily basis is a fancier or smaller model in an effort to reduce gas costs.
You can Impress Your Friends and Family
If you’re like that sort of thing, having two great cars is a surefire way to make a good impression on your neighbors. Obviously, they will need to have a really attractive appearance, be in excellent condition, and be immaculately clean at all times.
You could also want to try to make a good impression on some members of your family. Particularly if some of them believed you would never amount to anything of significance. You are aware of the people I am referring to.
Those relatives always have something critical to say and have it written down and ready to go, regardless of what it is that you are doing to try to improve your life and the circumstances in which you find yourself.
There are several compelling arguments in favor of purchasing a second vehicle, yet having two cars does not solve all of life’s problems. On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks.
Cons of Having Two Cars
There are cons of owning two cars as well. Many of the downsides deal with money.
Your Car Will Depreciate in Value Every Day
They say that the moment you drive a brand new car off the dealer’s parking lot, the value of the vehicle drops by a couple of thousand dollars in comparison to what you just spent for it. Yikes!
The unfortunate reality is that cars lose value from the moment they are driven off the lot, and this decline continues either until you sell them or until they pass away and go to that beautiful parking lot in the heavens.
The worth of your car, in contrast to the value of other sorts of assets, such as real estate, for example, will decrease rather than increase as you spend your money on it.
Therefore, rather than spending money on a second vehicle, it could make more sense to preserve that money and invest it in an asset that will increase in value.
A Second Car Will Cost You More Money
When you have two cars, you can expect your monthly and annual auto expenses to increase by a factor of two, and that’s before you include the additional monthly car payments, which may be rather costly.
- Raise the premiums by a factor of two
- Increase the amount spent on upkeep by twofold
- Raise the cost of parking by a factor of two
- Increase the cost of repairs by a factor of two (maybe)
- Taxes, tags, and titles are to be increased by a factor of two
- If your state levies property tax on autos, the rate will be increased by a factor of two.
There is no way to get around the undeniable reality that if you own two vehicles, your expenses will be significantly higher than if you only own one.
If you are searching for methods to cut costs and save money, owning only one automobile can be a big help in accomplishing both of those goals. Is it financially viable to have two cars? It is dependent on whether ease of access or financial savings is a higher priority for you.
If the ease of having two cars makes your life less hectic and your family happier, and if you can afford to have both of them, then you should probably consider purchasing both of them.
If owning a second vehicle is putting a strain on your financial resources and you find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about how you will cover all of the costs associated with the vehicle, you should consider getting rid of the additional vehicle.
If you are able to strike the appropriate balance in your personal life and the life of your family, you will be able to determine which of the advantages and disadvantages of owning two cars are the most significant to you.