Just a couple thoughts, but what's your point in doing this? Are you wanting to save $/wear and tear by not driving your RL? Because you wont. Once you factor in the cost of the 2nd car, maintenance, license, taxes, and insurance, and not to mention unexpected repairs, you aren't saving anything. I did this for a while when be bought a new car for my wife, I thought I'd just keep her well-maintained CRV w/93k on the ODO as a daily driver. I did this for a couple months but came to realize that I was paying for three cars, but we were only driving two at any one time. Granted, I could see doing so if it was a specialty car/Motorcycle that are for enjoyment, but I think you'll find it's not as great as it seems, when you could be behind the wheel of your new RL.
Second, why a manual? Plenty of cheap automatics out there and you may find a larger selection out there. Just an FYI, we sold our 2003 CRV for $7500 (auto, and in excellent condition) the same night on FB, so the deals are out there.
Wow, just a little late, as he asked the question almost a year ago, and has owned it for almost a month. I won't disagree, it's an additional cost, but depends on what you want and value.
There've been several times in my life when I've owned multiple vehicles - usually a car and a truck.
Distance has more effect on maintenance costs than time. Tires, for example, don't wear out if they're not rolling (though they should be replaced after 6-10 years depending on who you ask).
Registration, taxes, and inspection costs are about $80 per year per vehicle (less than $7 per month) here in Texas. That's insignificant.
The Si costs me $70 per month to insure.
I don't normally keep vehicles beyond their factory warranties, so unexpected repair costs are a non-issue.
Both vehicles are paid for, so my ongoing cost to add the Si is about $77 per month.
My monthly fuel cost is about $100 for the Ridgeline alone and $70 per month for the Ridgeline and Si.
So, $77 - $30 = $47 per month (or less if fuel goes up)
Is the Si worth spending an extra $47 per month to me? Absolutely! It's so much more fun to drive than the Ridgeline. When I need room, utility, and comfort, I grab the keyfob for the Ridgeline. For daily driving, I grab the keyfob for the Si and enjoy the pull of the turbocharged engine as I row through the gears.
Don't get me wrong - I love my Ridgeline, but there are things it can't do and feelings it can't provide. It has a very gentle, boring, independent soul whereas the Si is fun, exciting, and interactive.
Although not a Si, the wife and I purchased the Del Sol, the same month we got married and it is paid for, so it doesn't get the 3k miles a month as it did when we first purchased it. Two years ago it had 1200 miles for the year. But at $34 a month to insure and a best friend who has spare space in their garage, we still enjoy it.
Take last weekend, our 21st anniversary as a couple, I parked my Ridgeline at my friends house and picked up the Del Sol, I drove it Friday at lunch & home after work, changed the oil Saturday, cleaned the air filter, rotated the tires, checked the brakes, did a few other things. Saturday night went out to dinner in it, Roof Off. Sunday I took it out, down Cajon Blvd (Old Route 66), early 6am, drove back up I-15, AC on & Roof Off. The interstate part is 4th/5th and stay at or above 3k rpm, but the surface streets, to Cajon Blvd was working the 5sp all the way
Monday she wanted to drive it to work, I was off for pre-op stuff, so I took the Fit, boring CVT, 1.5l Earth Dreams, only nice thing is USB radio, can run WAZE & stream 97.1 The Ticket from Detroit.
Monday night we took the Roof Off after dinner, and drove up to Lake Arrowhead, to watch their fireworks & ran the heater until we were about 1/2 way back. Wednesday morning I fueled it up, adding fuel preserver, and parked it in my friends garage and picked up the Ridgeline
YMMV.
