NOTE: I wrote this on the 3rd, and waited to make it live until the 19th, when the Ranger would actually have been in my posession for exactly two years. Forgot about it until now; sorry. I know you've all been champing at the bit for more exciting DeadGuyMobile stats...
I bought my Ford Ranger (used) two years ago today. Here are some statistics, brought to you by MegaAnal, Inc
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Δ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles driven: | 16,427 | 10,579 | -5848 |
| Current odometer reading: | 123420.4 | 133999.0 | +10,578.6 |
| Gallons of gas used: | 831 | 549 | -282 |
| $$$ spent on gas: | $1,396.78 | $1082.22 | -$314.56 |
| $$$ spent on repairs and modifications: | $2,307.91 | $1,135.94 | -$1,171.97 |
| Average miles per gallon: | 20.12 | 19.27 | -0.85 |
| Median miles per gallon: | 20.39 | 19.17 | -1.22 |
| Standard deviation of miles per gallon: | 1.55 | 1.98 | +0.43 |
| Highest miles per gallon: | 23.35 | 23.49 | +0.14 |
| Lowest miles per gallon: | 17.13 | 15.31 | -1.82 |
| Average cost of a gallon of gas: | $1.68 | $1.97 | +$0.29 |
| Median cost of a gallon of gas: | $1.66 | $1.90 | +$0.24 |
| Standard deviation of cost of a gallon of gas: | $0.17 | $0.14 | -$0.03 |
| Highest cost of a gallon of gas: | $2.06 | $2.30 | +$0.24 |
| Lowest cost of a gallon of gas: | $1.40 | $1.70 | +$0.30 |
| Maximum miles driven between fillups: | 382 | 375 | -7 |
Some notes: The repairs/modifications budget is again rather high, but the vast bulk of this cost went to a single repair - replacing the clutch. The rest of it is just oil changes and a new battery.
In each of the past two years, there has been a single fillup where the measured volume of gasoline (18.060 and 18.005 gallons) was larger than the rated volume of my tank (18 gallons). Both instances took place during the winter, when the thermal expansion of the gasoline was at a minimum. Talk about running on fumes!
I only had to add a quart of oil to the truck 3 times this year, as opposed to 15 times last year. I attribute this to my discovery that the guys at the oil change place never tighten down the oil filter well enough.
The use pattern of the truck was dramatically different this year compared with last; mostly on account of my thesis work. During the early fall I went on several mountaineering trips to Colorado, but otherwise the long trip density was quite low. The bulk of the milage was accrued in town, which accounts for the lower MPG across the board.
Gas prices were substantially higher this year, and varied less. Thanks, OPEC, GW, et al.
My prediction from last year was: "In another year, I suspect I will have a much higher paying job and will either be saving up to buy a brand new truck or have alredy done so." ...and I was right. I now have a much higher paying job, and am saving up to buy a new vehicle. However, I suspect that I will buy another used pseudo-junker before moving on to a new or almost-new vehicle. In another year, I will be driving a different old vehicle and saving up for a nice newish one.
You dork.
Anyway, I seriously prefer used to new. And if you're looking to get a Taco, check out the Toyota Certified Used program--you get a (limited) warranty and the markup isn't nearly as bad as it is for a new car.
But if you're looking for another DeadGuyTruck, I'm sure we can certify something for you.