Winter car, is it a good idea?

[runner2k]

Hello everyone,

I have a Mazdaspeed3 and I was thinking of buying a cheap car dedicated for winter seasons. Then I would sit my MS3 which I wouldn't pay for insurance... I would only pay insurance for the winter car. At least, that's how I think it would work.

I've heard that I can share my plate/license. Is it possible?

Please, help me out on this one!!

Thanks!

[Thrizzl3]

why would you switch plates..just get a new set.

i was thinking of getting a winter car but then i have no place to put my 3. :( the only insurance you would need on the speed is fire/theft. on the beater just get liabilty lol

[Unoriginalusername]

i had a winter car when i had my ms3, it was great. I still have an ms3 car cover if you're interested in storing your car for the winter.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/cndxrs/IMG_1126.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/cndxrs/IMG_1123.jpg

[runner2k]

I got it.

My parking is indoor/shared. So, theMS3 would be "safe" in terms of rain/snow... I would just fire it up at least once a week and maybe drive it on the garage.

@Phil
By having two plates/license I would have to pay for both. I wanted to combine it. Not sure if is possible though..

@Unoriginalusername
Awesome cover!

Would you guys take a piece of crap car (under $1500) or a good condition car (under $5000)?

Thanks!!

[laksman91]

You wouldn't be able to share plates - or by logic I wouldn't think so. The plate number is on the ownership of the vehicle. You'd pay for fire/theft insurance on the MS3.

I make use of a winter car and have no regrets. I originally was looking at cheap cars like 1k. Ended up spending 4k for the winter car. Didn't want the hassle of crap breaking on me. Found a mint car with less than 100k and the owner really took care of it. So I had to get it lol

[runner2k]

Pretty cool Laksman!! Which car did you get? $4K is something that I have in mind... any tips?

So, how much is the fire/theft insurance for you Summer car while stopped?

Thanks man!

[runner2k]

This is something that I'm looking for.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/2484635125.html

Small car. Would this chevrolet optra or aveo a good car? If less than 150k?

Any suggestions?

Should I call my insurance and get a quote?

[laksman91]

Pretty cool Laksman!! Which car did you get? $4K is something that I have in mind... any tips?

So, how much is the fire/theft insurance for you Summer car while stopped?

Thanks man!

Fire and theft, like ~30/month. Got myself a 99 Civic 4Dr. Keep in mind it was 4k after tax, but some friends still say I should've spent less on a beater.

Kinda wish I got an old Lexus ES300 or a truck - don't know why.

[runner2k]

Cool! thanks for the info!

Nah, It has to be smaller than the MS3. :)

Lexus ES300 looks really cool!

[runner2k]

Like this one?
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/cto/2466690802.html

[laksman91]

Yeah one of those. I've been told they run forever. Then again same thing is said about the civic lol

[runner2k]

Mazda Protege 5 ES looks ok. 2000-2004 under $4k... Would it be a good shot?

[laksman91]

Mazda Protege 5 ES looks ok. 2000-2004 under $4k... Would it be a good shot?

TOProtege.com if you want to see what the locals think about the car. I test drove a few, albeit they were pretty beat up so I didn't like them.

And not to mention, it's pretty early to jump into one. You can wait 4 months until you see a "steal"

[Unoriginalusername]

@Unoriginalusername
Awesome cover!


Not using it anymore since i sold our ms3, for sale if you want it. I also wouldn't start the car every week since you just end up putting a lot of condensation in the exhaust. I put stabil fuel stabilizer in a full tank right before i parked it, unplugged the battery and pumped up the tires and it was fine when spring came around.

[aris]

Not using it anymore since i sold our ms3, for sale if you want it. I also wouldn't start the car every week since you just end up putting a lot of condensation in the exhaust. I put stabil fuel stabilizer in a full tank right before i parked it, unplugged the battery and pumped up the tires and it was fine when spring came around.
+1 well said

[aris]

Yes you can switch plates as long as your beater is a car and not a truck (truck has black plates). You go to MTO with your plates off your car and ask them to switch it over or your winter car. The cost is $10 (not sure if it went up) so once in fall and once in spring total cost is $20... It's way cheaper then buy 2 stickers.

[runner2k]

Not using it anymore since i sold our ms3, for sale if you want it. I also wouldn't start the car every week since you just end up putting a lot of condensation in the exhaust. I put stabil fuel stabilizer in a full tank right before i parked it, unplugged the battery and pumped up the tires and it was fine when spring came around.

Cool! I sent you a PM.

Thanks for the heads up!

[runner2k]

Yes you can switch plates as long as your beater is a car and not a truck (truck has black plates). You go to MTO with your plates off your car and ask them to switch it over or your winter car. The cost is $10 (not sure if it went up) so once in fall and once in spring total cost is $20... It's way cheaper then buy 2 stickers.

Thanks is exactly what I've heard. Thanks!!!

[runner2k]

My friend is selling his Mazda Protege 5 hatchback. It is a black 2002 with 190.000km on it. It comes with 2 set of rims+tires. One is winter set and another should be summer or all season. I'm not sure. He is asking $4000 but I've seen better deals on kijiji, craigslist.

The only reason I would buy from him is because I know the car is in a good shape.

Suggestions?

[DualSoul]

Test your ties of friendship and lowball him like crazy! (i.e. $2000)
Hint at favours (sexual, if you lean that way)
Offer to pay in installments of beer. Make sure he offers 0% financing however.




^
Don't do any of this.

[runner2k]

Test your ties of friendship and lowball him like crazy! (i.e. $2000)
Hint at favours (sexual, if you lean that way)
Offer to pay in installments of beer. Make sure he offers 0% financing however.




^
Don't do any of this.

I just laughed so hard i peed a little, is that weird?


hahahaha!



KIDDING!!!!!

[runner2k]

Buddy who has Unoriginalusername advised me to look for a Ford Focus Zx5 or Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix...(year 2002 - 2005..)

What would you say?

Should I stick to the Mazda Protege 5 or seek for one of those?

[runner2k]

100 POST!! SUCCESS!!!!

[Donshaw]

I once had a 2003 Pontiac Vibe awesome car great on gas...good on insurance aswell! if your getting a winter car definatley one to look at!

[SKYMP3]

MS3 is a good performance DD, why would you want to store it? It is a Mazda after all and it is FWD...safe on snow if you put a good set of winter tires on it. I would hate myself to drive a cheap car for 5 months when paying hard for the MS3.

[runner2k]

MS3 is a good performance DD, why would you want to store it? It is a Mazda after all and it is FWD...safe on snow if you put a good set of winter tires on it. I would hate myself to drive a cheap car for 5 months when paying hard for the MS3.

Yeah, I know that... By buying a winter car I would not let my MS3 every single day exposed on the snow...

It makes no sense buying a car to use only 5 months.. I know. I haven't decided yet...

[Unoriginalusername]

Yeah, I know that... By buying a winter car I would not let my MS3 every single day exposed on the snow...

It makes no sense buying a car to use only 5 months.. I know. I haven't decided yet...

My winter beater was only $800 (1988 olds cutlas) so the insurance and gas savings paid for the car in the first winter, let along keeping the ms3 nice and pristine