To paraphrase Pete Townshend, I hope I drive before I get old.
One answer for overall economy is to buy an old dinosaur bone burner (big V-8 rig) and just use it for the heavier hauling and bad weather days. It doesn't have to be expensive. Used autos in excellent condition are dirt cheap around here because the Dallas area has lots of folks with the ability to buy new vehicles. I've seen a train of a half dozen Mexicans driving used autos back to Mexico, with each driven vehicle having another vehicle in tow. Unfortunately, used clean pickups still have higher pricing than cars around here.
You can get a little vehicle for the everyday local trips that require no hauling. I noticed that mopeds are making a comeback. One model at the local Suzuki dealer has a 600cc motor and a trunk for carrying a sack of groceries. That's one serious moped, and can cruise 70 without breaking a sweat. Even on the farm when I was growing up, the pickup truck rarely got used for anything but hauling loads, because it was a V-8 International and it rode and drove like a truck meant to carry a ton, which it could and more, like a 13' disc broke down into sections. I went most places on my motorcycle in the summer, at about 60 MPG on 33 cent gas in 1971-73. I filled up on 50 cents of gas. I can't believe I'm sounding like an old timer. Doesn't seem that far back. I'm seriously considering a moped myself. They're fairly safe on back streets and country highways. My dad was telling me about this old guy that came through Arkansas all the way from California on his moped recently. He was getting over 100 MPG. Even Pete Townshend might revert back to his old Mod days and get one. Wouldn't that make a cool ad for a moped maker? Pete at the old folks' home playing some windmill guitar beside his trusty Vespa. It's the New Age of Scooter Trash, and he's talking about his generation and hoping he drives before he's too old. If Vespa was smart, they would grab him and make a commercial. The two biggest makers of two-wheeled vehicles in Europe are Piaggio (Vespa) and Aprilia. A moped can be hauled in the pickup during a move or during a camping trip or vacation. I predict that mopeds will make a big comeback. Maybe they never fell out of fashion in Europe. I've heard there are people that are actually touring cross country on mopeds in groups these days. Maybe that's the end of the reign of Harley-Davidson as the king of two-wheelers on America's roads, the Cushman Eagle comeback. Ha!
Maybe Lloyd and Harry were ahead of their time in that "Dumb and Dumber" movie. Trade in that V-8 van, man!
For what that Suzuki 600cc moped cost, I could get a clean used van. Personally, I'm waiting for 600cc dirt 'peds to come on the scene. I always hated all that mud thrown up by the front wheel splashing on me. A proper country gent should be able to get across his estate without needing to don the Wellies and Mac on every trip.....eh, Pete?
John, a lot of mopeds have continuously variable transmissions, and hell, a short guy can just stand up on the floorboards and let 'er rip across town. I see bowlegs as a distinct advantage to the moped lifestyle. Large bags of everyday necessities can be carried and gripped between the legs. Even a respectable sized amp. Hope you drive before you get old.
Nothing against wagons at all. Actually I just tested a Toyota Matrix this evening. I liked *everything* about including the 