What kind of car would you suggest to buy? What do you drive? Why

[Ethan S.]

I was wondering what kind of vehicles most investors drive. Considering that cars are typically the second most expensive things people own. Are you motivated by the fuel economy/MPG? The appearance/style? The brand/reputation? The price/cost? 

I'm currently driving a 2009 Chevy Silverado and debating on selling it for something more economical. Although, for a truck it gets a fair mileage (20-22mpg). The truck is completely paid off but I think it would make more sense to have something less. 

[Scott Trench]

I "drive" a trek road bike that I bought from a co-worker a few years ago. Gets great gas mileage. Puts dollars in my pockets, and takes fat out of my stomach.

If I need to go more than a few miles or the weather is horrible, I also drive a Toyota Corolla. They last forever, get great gas mileage, and the newer ones are indistinguishable from luxury vehicles as far as the driving experience goes. My 2014 model has a touch screen, great sound system, lots of legroom, and surprising storage. It can take the car from over 100 degrees to almost cold in just a few minutes (and I was an idiot and got a BLACK car that gets absurdly hot), but takes a bit longer to warm up and defrost in the winter.

I can easily fit three people and all the necessaries for skiing in mountains over an hour and a half away. With snow tires, the front-wheel drive corolla is capable of handling all but the most absurd terrain mountain. I don't see why anyone that works an office job and does modest real estate work on rental properties would need a bigger or fancier car in a flatter or less snowy part of the country than Colorado, and I feel that even my 2014 corolla is a lavish choice, when a 2007 or even earlier model would get the job done just as effectively. If I had lots of children to haul around, I might go for a minivan, also a honda or toyota. Of course, if I were needing to haul around lots of equipment on a weekly basis, I might then go for a pickup or van as well.

Regardless of the fact that I own a fairly efficient vehicle, biking is still the better option and the main reason why my auto transportation costs are low.