It can be hard to take care of a single vehicle, but should you still consider getting a second one to keep it company?
It’s an overwhelming question at a glance. A garage full of vehicles sounds expensive, and I won’t lie, it certainly can be. At the same time, there are plenty of benefits to owning multiple vehicles. Some may own multiple vehicles just for fun, while others own a second vehicle because it’s practical for their family. Does this mean you should splurge for a new vehicle if you aren’t looking to replace your current one?
Let’s break down the reasons why a second vehicle may (or may not) be a good idea.
- For starters, families can struggle if everyone is sharing only one vehicle. You might be getting by in your daily routine, but a second vehicle could save you a lot of time and hassle. Perhaps you and your spouse can run errands and be back home twice as fast. Or one of you can take a short trip while the other is at work. Most importantly, what if there’s an emergency but the vehicle isn’t immediately available? A second vehicle opens up tons of possibilities that you wouldn’t have even considered with just one vehicle.
- Multiple vehicles can also help you drive better in various situations. It’s no secret that every vehicle has its unique strengths, and owning multiple vehicles helps optimize what each one is good at. You might use a larger vehicle to carry a lot of luggage or safely navigate bad weather. Conversely, you could use a smaller vehicle to save money on gas and snag tricky parking spots in urban areas. It’s sort of like owning a steak knife and a butter knife. One can technically do everything the other can, but you’d still want both in your household.
- The obvious reason to not own multiple vehicles is, of course, money. Many families plan their budget around a single vehicle, and there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, if you’re actively trying to pay off old loans and other expenses, it might feel wrong to scan a lot for a shiny new vehicle. And if you do have the cash, you may not necessarily have the space for it at your home. Even Americans who have the luxury of owning a two-car garage don’t necessarily have the space to fit a second car.
It is worth noting that owning a second vehicle may be cheaper than you think. Many buyers imagine spending tens of thousands of dollars to buy a vehicle, but there are numerous options on the table for buying a second vehicle. For example, you could get years out of a used vehicle that you plan to use a couple of times a week. In a best-case scenario, you might find out you do have the budget for a second vehicle… and buy it just because you want it. There’s no wrong reason to own a vehicle, as long as it’s useful to you and/or it makes you happy to own it.
Owning multiple vehicles isn’t for everyone. But even if you’d like to stick with just one vehicle, you could still find a mid-sized vehicle that does well in all kinds of environments. No matter what your situation is, I’d love to help you out. Whether you want to check out what’s available or just ask more questions, send me a message or give me a call. Together, we can figure out if a second vehicle is right for you.
