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Most people include fuel when calculating the cost per mile of a vehicle… and I think that’s a mistake. In this video, I break down real numbers from owning our Ford Expedition and show how adding fuel costs can completely distort the true cost of owning a vehicle. When you include fuel, a $0.24 per mile vehicle suddenly jumps to $0.41… $0.51… even $0.68 per mile — all based on how it’s used. Same vehicle. Same miles. Completely different “cost.” So which number is actually real? This video walks through: You’re Calculating Car Costs WRONG (Fuel Is Misleading You) Your Cost Per Mile Is Probably Wrong — Here’s Why Real cost per mile calculations (purchase, maintenance, repairs) How fuel cost changes the numbers dramatically Why towing, driving habits, and terrain can skew fuel usage Why fuel is a usage cost — not a vehicle cost Why including fuel can mislead your decision making If you’re trying to decide whether to keep, replace, or buy a vehicle, understanding the difference between ownership cost and usage cost is critical. 💬 Let me know in the comments: Do you include fuel in your cost-per-mile calculations — or keep it separate? And if you do include it… which number do you think is the “real” one? 📊 Related video (this one went viral for a reason): Is it really cheaper to keep an old vehicle? Here are my real numbers 👉 https://youtu.be/-q3ojgKfNMo 🚗 Topics covered: cost per mile car, true cost of owning a car, vehicle ownership cost, fuel cost analysis, car maintenance cost, repair cost vs replacement, towing fuel economy, mpg differences, cheap vs expensive car ownership

Most cheap used cars seem like a great deal — until you own them. Is it really cheaper to buy a cheap car? I went through real-world examples and costs to find out. Buying a cheap used car sounds like the smartest way to save money — lower purchase price, no payment, and get back on the road. But after owning older vehicles for years and tracking what they actually cost, I’ve found that the cheapest cars are often the most expensive to own. In this video, I break down real-world scenarios and actual costs to show where people get this wrong — and when a “cheap car” decision can backfire. 💸 Real examples covered in this video: Buying a $1,500 car that turns into a $6,500 problem When a $3,000 repair is actually the smarter financial decision Why many “cheap” cars fail inspection (especially in states like Pennsylvania) The hidden costs that stack up fast (tires, brakes, rust, suspension) The truth about auction cars and “I know a guy” deals When extended warranties are worth it — and when they’re not What “as-is” really means when buying from a dealership If you’re thinking about buying a used car, truck, or SUV — or trying to decide whether to fix your current vehicle — this is something you need to consider before making that decision. 💬 I’m curious — what’s been your experience? Have you had a cheap car that actually saved you money… or one that got expensive fast?

Most used cars will never make it to 200,000 miles — and it’s usually because of what gets missed when buying them. In this video, I show exactly what to look for — and walk real used cars for sale to point out red flags. If you’re buying a used vehicle, this video could save you thousands of dollars. Buying the wrong used car can cost you thousands — and most people don’t realize it until it’s too late. Here’s how to avoid it — plus real examples from cars currently for sale. Most used cars will never make it to 200,000 miles — not because the engine fails or the transmission gives out — but because of mistakes made when buying them. In this video, I break down exactly what to look for when buying a used car, truck, or SUV if your goal is long-term reliability and low cost of ownership. But more importantly — this isn’t just theory. 👉 In the second half of this video, I walk around real used cars for sale and show you exactly what I look for… what I like… and what would make me walk away. This is the same process I use when I’m actually shopping for a vehicle. 🔍 What You’ll Learn: What mileage REALLY means (50k vs 100k vs 150k+) Why rust is one of the biggest reasons vehicles get scrapped How to check rocker panels, cab corners, wheel wells, and frames What maintenance history tells you (and what it doesn’t) How to spot red flags during a test drive Transmission warning signs to avoid expensive repairs What to look for underneath a vehicle (frame, supports, lines) Small details that reveal how a vehicle was treated How to evaluate a used car in real-world conditions 🚗 Real Used Car Walkthrough (In This Video) In the second half, I walk through actual vehicles currently for sale and break down: Pricing and whether it makes sense What stands out immediately (good and bad) Potential issues based on condition and mileage What I’d be concerned about long-term Which ones I would consider buying — and which I wouldn’t Whether you're buying your first used vehicle or trying to avoid a costly mistake, this video will help you make a smarter decision.

Rust repair can cost anywhere from $950 to $10,000+ — and it’s what finally kills most vehicles. In a previous video, we talked about when it makes sense to stop fixing an old vehicle — and one issue came up over and over again: Rust. Rust is what finally kills most vehicles — not the engine, not the transmission. And once it starts, the repair costs can get expensive fast. Rust Repair Costs THIS Much… (And It’s Why Vehicles Get Scrapped) Rust Is What Finally Kills Most Vehicles (Here’s What It Costs) In this video, I walk through real rust repair examples and actual costs, including: Rocker panel rust repair on our SUV — $950 for a small section Floor, rocker, and cab corner rust repair on our older truck — $2,400 total What body shops told me about typical rust repair pricing: Rocker panels — ~$1,500 per side (or more) Wheel wells / bed sides — $800–$2,000 per side Full paint jobs — often $10,000+ Paint materials alone — around $2,000 We also talk about the most common areas where rust causes serious problems: Rocker panels Cab corners Wheel wells and bed sides Frame supports and crossmembers Radiator supports Leaf spring shackle mounts In many states, rust damage can cause a vehicle to fail inspection, even if it runs perfectly. That’s why rust is often what sends otherwise good vehicles to the scrapyard. If you live in an area where roads are treated with salt in the winter, this is something every vehicle owner will eventually face. These are real-world examples and real costs, so you can decide: 👉 Is it worth fixing — or is it time to move on? 💬 I’d love to hear from you: What’s the worst rust repair quote you’ve gotten? Did you fix it — or walk away? If you’re new here, we’ve been breaking down real vehicle ownership topics like: When to stop fixing an old vehicle The real cost of keeping a vehicle on the road How some vehicles make it to 300,000 miles Subscribe if you want to save money, avoid costly mistakes, and keep your vehicles running longer.

Why do some vehicles easily reach 250,000 or even 300,000 miles, while others seem worn out at 120,000? After our last video about whether it's really cheaper to keep an older vehicle generated hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of comments, one question kept coming up again and again: How do some vehicles actually last this long? The truth is — it’s usually not luck, and you don’t have to be a professional mechanic to make it happen. In this video I’m sharing the real habits that help vehicles reach extremely high mileage, based on decades of ownership experience from my family. Neither my dad nor I are mechanics, but we've owned multiple vehicles that went well beyond 200,000 miles, including: • Chevy truck with the 4.3 liter V6 and 5-speed — over 280,000 miles • Several Chevy Astro vans (4.3 liter V6) — one over 230,000 miles • Ford Explorer (4.0 liter V6) — over 225,000 miles We can do basic maintenance and simple repairs ourselves, but for complicated work we rely on a trusted mechanic. Because keeping a vehicle for the long haul isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about consistent maintenance and good decisions over time. In this video we cover: • Why regular oil changes matter more than the computer’s oil life monitor • How oil analysis can help determine the right interval • Why transmission fluid changes are often ignored • The importance of annual inspections • Protecting your vehicle from rust with oil undercoating • Why regular washing and inspection can prevent bigger problems And I’m sure this will be controversial in some places — especially when it comes to oil change intervals and rust prevention. How Vehicles Actually Reach 300,000 Miles - Easier than you think! Leave a comment and tell us: How many miles are on your vehicle right now? Have you ever owned one that reached 250,000 miles or more? And what do you think is the single most important thing for making a vehicle last? --------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Published April 8, 2026 Current subscriber count at the time of upload: 101,590 Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/

After our recent video about when to stop fixing an old vehicle passed 50,000 views, a lot of people asked what it actually costs to keep an older vehicle running. So I went back through 10 years of receipts for our 2009 Expedition and calculated the real numbers. Over the past 10 years, we’ve put more than 100,000 miles on our Ford Expedition. After reading the comments on our recent video about when to stop fixing an old vehicle, I decided to dig through every receipt I could find and answer a simple question: How much does it REALLY cost to keep an old vehicle running? Watch the earlier video: At What Point Do You Stop Fixing an Old Vehicle? - https://youtu.be/u695Hk8QtJc This Expedition had 82,185 miles when we bought it used for $16,700. Today it has over 184,000 miles. I tracked down repair bills, maintenance records, tire purchases, and other expenses to figure out what this vehicle has actually cost us over the past decade. In this video, I break down the real numbers including: • Total repair costs • Total maintenance costs • Cost per mile • Monthly ownership cost • Major repairs like rocker panels, alternator, brake lines, and exhaust • Tire and brake expenses over 10 years Then I compare those numbers to the cost of owning our newer Ford F-150 Lightning, including monthly payments, insurance, and registration fees. The results honestly surprised me. If you drive an older vehicle, I’d love to hear from you in the comments: How many miles are on your vehicle, and what does it cost you per year to keep it running? Some viewers on our previous video reported vehicles with 300,000, 400,000, and even 500,000 miles, which is pretty amazing. If you enjoy practical content about trucks, tractors, equipment, and rural living, consider subscribing to Purple Collar Life. Thanks for watching. After 10 Years, I Finally Calculated the Cost of Keeping This Old SUV Running The Real Cost of Keeping an Old Vehicle Running (10 Years of Data)

For the past few days, I’ve been seriously thinking about whether I should sell my truck. This is our 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning — and honestly, it’s the best truck I’ve ever owned. It’s fast, comfortable, packed with technology, and charging at home is incredibly convenient. But there’s one problem… It’s costing us about $1,400–$1,500 per month when you factor in the payment and insurance. After making our recent video about keeping older vehicles on the road, I’ve been rethinking everything. Spending a couple thousand dollars per year maintaining an older vehicle like our Ford Expedition feels very different than committing to a large monthly payment. And when I look at our Chevrolet Volt with nearly 200,000 miles… it really makes me question the long-term financial decision here. Yes — the Lightning saves us money on fuel. Charging is cheaper than gas. But it doesn’t offset the full cost of ownership. So now I’m stuck with a tough decision: 👉 Keep an incredible truck… 👉 Or eliminate a $1,400/month payment I haven’t made up my mind yet. I’d really like to hear what you would do in this situation — drop a comment below.

$5,000 in Repairs on Our 183,000 Mile Expedition… Would You Keep It? At What Point Do You Stop Fixing an Old Vehicle? Over the past few years we’ve put about $5000 into repairs on our 2009 Ford Expedition. And a lot of people would probably say that’s crazy… because the vehicle might only be worth about $4000 or $5000. But here’s the strange thing… I still think fixing it is the right decision. And in this video I’ll explain why. Our 2009 Ford Expedition just passed 183,000 miles, and lately the repair bills have started adding up. Over the past few years we've spent more than $2600 in repairs, and with upcoming rust repair and new wheels, that number could easily reach $5000. At what point do you stop fixing an older high-mileage vehicle? In this video I walk through the real numbers behind keeping our Expedition on the road — including repairs like the alternator, steering shaft, tires, power steering line, and other maintenance costs. We'll also talk about upcoming repairs for state inspection and the decision of whether it still makes financial sense to keep fixing it. Vehicle reference: Ford Expedition For us, the answer isn’t always as simple as comparing repair costs to the vehicle’s resale value. When you compare repair costs to the monthly payment on a newer vehicle, the math starts to look very different. We’ve taken a long-term ownership approach with our vehicles for years. Our 2014 Chevy Volt, which we bought brand new, now has 194,000 miles and is still going strong. Vehicle reference: Chevrolet Volt In this video we’ll talk about: • When it makes sense to keep fixing an older vehicle • How repair costs compare to new vehicle payments • Real ownership costs of high mileage vehicles • The point where it might actually make sense to replace a vehicle Many people would say it’s crazy to put thousands of dollars into a vehicle that may only be worth a few thousand dollars on paper. But when you compare that to the cost of replacing it — especially with today’s vehicle prices — the decision isn’t always so obvious. Sometimes it really is better to spend the nickels and dimes instead of the big bills. If you’ve owned a vehicle with over 200,000 miles, let us know in the comments. How long do you usually keep your vehicles before replacing them? Thanks for watching Purple Collar Life. --------------------------------- Please subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/PurpleCollarLife?sub_confirmation=1 Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Purple-Collar-Life-107918060952197 Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purplecollarlife/?hl=en Our website: www.purplecollarlife.com Partners and Sponsors Toro: https://www.toro.com/en Artillian: https://www.artillian.com/ Curtis Industries: https://curtisindustries.net/ We live in Northwestern PA and have around 70 Acres of Land, in the middle of family homestead land from more than 4 generations back. We have one daughter, one rescued Great Dane, and one cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We enjoy tractors, chainsaws, splitting firewood, rural living, and all purple collar life projects. Our day jobs are primarily white collar job, but our rural life is full of blue collar and purple collar activity. #purplecollarlife YouTube Community guidelines: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks The content of this video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Clicking on the affiliate links does not cost you any more, but does give us credit for sending you to Amazon. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support. Email: purplecollarlife@gmail.com #purplecollarlife Purple Collar Life is a privately owned channel and part of Education Situation Specialists. Sponsors: Toro, Artillian, Curtis Industries, Earthway, Andersen, B&W Hitches Clovis lubricants: http://www.clovislubricants.shopamsoil.com/

2026 Nissan Frontier Review – Real World Driving After One Week After spending a full week driving the 2026 Nissan Frontier, I wanted to share an honest real-world review from the perspective of a pickup truck owner. I wasn't expecting this. This midsize truck surprised me with its strong V6 performance, comfortable crew cab seating, and rugged styling that reminds me a lot of the newer generation Toyota Tacoma. In this video I cover what it’s like to actually live with the Frontier for a week — including the ride quality, fuel economy, technology features, and whether it feels like a “real truck” compared my full-size pickups like the Ford F‑150 and Ford F‑350. If you're considering a midsize pickup truck, this real world review should help you decide if the Frontier deserves a spot on your research and test-drive list. Topics covered in this video: • V6 power and acceleration • Ride quality and handling • Crew cab seating comfort • Bed size and practicality • Backup camera and driver assist technology • Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control • Real world fuel economy (MPG) • 4x4 system and off-road capability • Headlights and bed lighting • Overall impressions after one week The 2026 Frontier has aggressive styling, solid performance, and plenty of modern technology. For someone looking for a midsize pickup that still feels tough and capable, it might be one of the best trucks in the segment. If you’ve driven a Frontier or are considering buying one, let me know your thoughts in the comments. Thanks for watching Purple Collar Life!