There’s no denying that in most societies, owning a car has become an essential part of people’s lives.
The primary reason is that our cars give us the freedom and flexibility to go wherever and whenever we want. Whether for our daily chores, work, recreational purposes, or even emergencies, cars have got us covered.
However, the question often arises: should you own one car or two? While many households opt for a single car, there are significant advantages to buying a second one.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros of owning two cars and how it can be a game-changer when it comes to convenience, security, and quality of life.
Convenience and Practicality
Owning two cars will your daily commute more convenient, especially if you have a partner and children.
When both individuals work at different locations, each person must drive a vehicle that suits their transportation needs.
For instance, one of them can opt for a fuel-efficient 4-banger for commutes, while the other drives a spacious family hauler for outings with the kids. Perhaps a fast wagon or a 4-door JDM car.
The presence of a second car can significantly enhance your commuting experience, potentially saving time and reducing unnecessary stress.
In case of an unexpected event, having a backup car comes in handy. For instance, if one of your cars has a flat tire, a dead battery, or something broken, a second car enables you to carry on with your daily activities without interruption.
A second car may be helpful if you don’t live within walking distance of your usual destinations.
And if you have teenage kids, a second car offers the extra convenience of being able to drive themselves to their schools, jobs, after-school activities, etc.
Longevity
In our busy daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the impact our daily commutes and errands can have on our cars.
However, an effective solution to minimize the wear and tear on your cars is owning two and swapping between them as needed.
Balancing Mileage
When you own two cars, you can distribute your driving between them. This way, neither car bears the brunt of your commute and errands.
By reducing mileage on each car, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of both cars while minimizing wear and tear.
Seasonal Adaptability
Different vehicles may excel in varied seasons or road conditions. For instance, during winter, you can opt for a car with traction control and an AWD drivetrain.
Some all-wheel-drive cars even have a dedicated driving mode for snow. In summer, you can choose a fuel-efficient, air-conditioned vehicle.
Recreation
To most people, a “recreational vehicle” (RV) is a motorhome, a van, or a camper. But if you think about it, the term can apply to any car used for recreational purposes, e.g., an off-road or overland vehicle.
Suppose you have an SUV with 4×4 capabilities and use it for your daily driving as well as the occasional weekend getaway. In that case, you are compromising reliability, and here’s why.
Using one for work and weekend fun on rugged terrain will inevitably take a toll on the car’s dependability.
A busted CV axle, broken oil pan, or even a snapped timing belt for that matter, on one of your weekend adventures could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
And once you are towed home with a broken car, you’ll have no way to get to and from work or carry out your daily chores.
Even with proper maintenance, the more you use your car on the road, the less dependable it will be in extreme situations like off-roading and vice versa.
Driving often on rough terrain can also translate into mechanical problems that will affect or prevent its daily use.
Therefore, owning multiple cars dedicated to a specific use is the way to go. You can have a fuel-efficient family hauler for your daily commute and a second vehicle exclusively for recreational use.
Wanting a Project Car
For most car enthusiasts, the possibility of having a project car directly depends on whether or not they own a second car.
When you start modifying your car, you’re essentially gambling with its reliability. While the idea of modifying your daily driver might sound exciting, it’s generally not a wise or convenient decision for several reasons.
Reliability
This is perhaps the more obvious reason you wouldn’t want to turn your daily driver into a project car.
When you start modding your car, for instance, by installing a turbo or supercharger, you’re altering the factory design functionality, and you impact reliability, even if you buy high-quality parts.
If you’re mechanically inclined and you absolutely want a project car, it’s highly recommended that you purchase a separate car exclusively for that purpose.
Safety Concerns
Race cars are designed with safety features and equipment specific to high-speed racing. Modifying your daily driver for performance gains without the corresponding safety upgrades can be dangerous.
It can compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle and lead to accidents, putting your life and the lives of others at risk.
Legal Issues
Most countries and states have strict regulations regarding vehicle modifications, especially those that affect safety and emissions.
For instance, catalytic converter deletes and installing straight pipe exhaust systems is very illegal in most U.S. states.
Transforming your daily commuter into a race car may lead to legal issues, fines, or even the suspension of your driver’s license if you fail to comply with these regulations.
Reduced Comfort
Tuner cars prioritize performance over comfort. The modifications required to enhance speed, handling, and power can make your daily car uncomfortable for regular use.
Lowering springs or coilovers, aftermarket catback or axle back exhausts, and stripped-down interiors aren’t exactly going to make your daily commute comfortable.
Increased Maintenance Costs
Aftermarket mods often demand a higher degree of maintenance and TLC. High-performance parts wear out faster, and repairs can be more expensive.
This can lead to financial strain and inconvenience, especially if your modified daily driver becomes less reliable.
Resale Value
Modifying your car to make it faster at the track can reduce its resale value significantly, even if you do an informed, proper LS swap on your 4-banger, for instance.
Most potential buyers prefer stock cars because they are easier to evaluate and more reliable.
Limited Practicality
Different types of race cars are designed for specific purposes. They lack the versatility and practicality of daily drivers.
You will most certainly find commuting with friends and family extremely inconvenient once you install a roll cage or remove your rear seat.
If your car lacks adequate ground clearance or ride height, you won’t be able to carry passengers without constantly scraping your car against bumps and other irregular road surfaces.
Insurance Costs
Modified car insurance premiums can be significantly higher, and some modifications may not even be insurable. This added cost can make owning a modified daily car even less convenient.
In summary, while turning your daily driver into a project car may seem thrilling, it often leads to safety, legal, financial, and practical inconveniences.
Instead, consider keeping your daily driver stock and purchasing a separate car dedicated to racing if you have a genuine interest in motorsports.
This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds without compromising safety, comfort, or convenience.
Is Having 2 Cars Worth It?
The short answer is yes. However, it must check a few boxes first.
First, when choosing a fun daily driver, if you opt for a pre-owned car, we recommend purchasing something with fewer miles on it, preferably a reliable J-spec car.
There’s plenty of information on forums dedicated sites that discuss reliability and common problems of almost any car name you can think of.
Also, buying a car with all the maintenance records from the previous owners would be ideal to ensure the car was properly looked after.
What are your thoughts on owning two cars? Let us know by leaving a comment below!