2nd Car- is it worth it?

swizzle_2

Hi

When I was a SAHM (stay at home mum) we ran two cars, however my car died before xmas and was not replaced.

At the Mo I walk the children to school 3/4 mile up hill- but they are used to it! Children aged 4 and 6 years.

I then get the bus to work, they have changed the times a month back so now have to wait 10-15 mins for a bus.

I work flexable hours, but change in bus times means that i can nolonger make up any extra time.

I have to leave work 10 mins before I used to to get the bus.

I then collect youngest from childcare and walk the 3/4 mile down hill home.
The older one comes home on the school bus, he can`t go on it as I have to walk little one up anyway.

Last night the boys went to a sports club, this is another 1 1/2 round trip. The buses do not fit in so we walk.
We get the bus if we can, like when we go swimming-as no set time to get there.

My hubbie has the car and works shifts, so would have to get the children up at 6am, take them out late at night-past bedtime extra if i was to drop him off.

Worked out that a car costs £350 a month to run-including everything. I don`t earn much more than this, plus I have £175 childcare to pay out.

I wanted to go back to work so we could have some extra money, a car would take most of that money!

On the upside-only another 12 mths to pay childcare, but should i wait until then to get a car or do it now?

We can walk now as it`s summer, but don`t think it will have the same apeal on a dark,wet,cold winter`s night!

Thanks- sorry i`ve gone on a bit- I am a woman!

chrisw

Only you can decide whether it's worth it! The walking will be doing you and the children a world of good, not to mention the environment but I can see the lack of appeal in the winter.

My wife does about 4000 miles a year in her car and it would probably work out cheaper for her to take taxis everywhere. However, the extra cost of a car is worth it to her for the added convenience.

£350 a month seems a bit steep - I'm sure I don't pay that much to run my car. Could you not get a cheap, oldish car and only use it when absolutely necessary?

sandieb

How far is your work? Is it feasible to cycle?

sandieb

Do you have a car share club or similar in your area? See http://www.carplus.org.uk/

Is it worth considering something like a Smartcar which would be cheaper to run and tax?

swizzle_2

I live in very hilley yorkshire- so a cycle is out of the question.

I only work part-time and term time only so car share is out.

I have been looking at a new Citreon C1, which are cheap to run, £45 a year road tax, 60 mpg and group 1 insurance.

Got the figure of £350 a month off `true cost of running a car` web site I would have to get a loan, and it includes depriation.

Sometimes i think am I mad? I know lots of familes with 2 cars- but they are in debt and i`m not.

But then i think that it would make life alot easier.

Gambler

You need to work out running costs plus finance costs i.e. actual costs

Don't worry about depreciation as you're not actually paying anything out.

chrisw

Instead of splashing out on a brand new car, I would have thought you would be better off getting something like a few years old Ford Ka, at least until you have finished paying out childcare.

Spendless

swizzle wrote:

I only work part-time and term time only so car share is out.

Since the summer school hols are coming up and you won't be at work. Personally I'd leave it till at least the Autumn, then make your decision. If your car is not the 'family' one, though and just for getting kids about and you to and from work would you not be better off with an old banger to see you thru? You can always review situation once you stop paying for childcare.

nej

What might be more sensible is if you get a 2nd hand car, but have your husband use it for commuting, and you use the family car for ferrying the kids around.

Gambler

can't your husband get a lift to work?

swizzle_2

My husband has the family car- which i do not drive as i find it too big- i`m only small and just can`t get the hang of it!

He can`t get a lift or a bus- already tried that.

Did think about getting a 2nd hand one, but thought if i bought new or nearly new, I would not have to worry about repair bills-plus want something that the kids will be safe in. The car would be kept until i ran it into the ground.

Suppose at the end of the day I have to work out if it`s worth the hanging around and inconveniance so we can pay extra mortgage each moth or make life easier and get a second car, and pay the mortgage off further down the line.

Just been on https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/calculators

If I got a 2nd hand car at say £4k, and changed it after 3 years it would cost more a month than buying a new car and keeping it for 5 years!