Beamer or Banger

michael1983l

sheraz2 wrote:

pssst...little secret...go Japanese and have care free motoring

absolutly spot on, I have now had 2 japaneese cars that have been 12 years + old and havnt had any problems with either of them. Most definatly the least likely cars to go wrong

yung

I must say I used to change my car every 9 month ~ 1yr when I was working but I was only paying around £1200 ~ £1400 a year for the car because I get 21% discount, since I took early retirement I have kept my present car it is now 3yrs old and hopefully it will last me another good 5yrs.

Wiggly_Worm

Hey, here's a novel idea - how about... no car at all! Yup, I know what you're thinking, oh no another greenie nut who likes cycling uphill in the rain... but no. You say you have reduced your car payments to £1230 a year, but how many taxis could you get for that much? Hmm?

We don't have a car. We also have two small children, and yes, people do think we're bonkers. We pay no road tax, no MOT, no insurance. We don't worry about our car going wrong, being stolen, being dented, or the price of fuel. For short trips we get a taxi, door to door (although obviously we use our bikes or public transport where we can.), and for longer trips we hire a car or get the train. When we hire a car it is always a spanking new one with all mod cons, we feel so swanky

We used to have a car and it nearly beggared us, now we're free of all that. And I mean free. It feels great. We got a tax return last year, and while our friends were biting nails about their car breaking down and needing all sorts of new bits, we bought a video projector

Come on, if you really want to moneysave, ditch your car habit. Do the sums, and save the planet into the bargain - how warm and fluffy do you want?! :T

idiot_3

Wiggly_Worm wrote:

£1230 a year, but how many taxis could you get for that much? Hmm?

Not nearly enough to cover a daily commute to work in my case. But everyone is different. Congrats if you can get by and save $$$ without having one.

Snaggles

I wish I didn't need a car - would have to give up either my job or my child though lol! I just can't get him to school and still get to work on time using public transport, even though the company I work for are fab and have a shuttle bus from the train station to the office (it's a big company). I hate driving, and would gladly give it up if I could.

funky-footprints

we both need a car, so we cant go car free here.

I do 150 miles on school run alone a week, then there are after school clubs.

Dh does about 200 miles a week, and leaves home at 6am, sometimes earlier if he is going to the gym, and nights depend on after work appointments or dinners etc. It realy would not be practicle in this house for me to be without, or to have to rely on lifts or car sharing. I car share for some after school clubs and i hate having to rely on other parents. it ties me down.

dh's car is lpg converted so it works out cheaper than using the train, which he did try for a week when he had a prang ! and his car parking in work is free. Hence his choice to have a more expensive model, with full bifta inside.

well done on being car free however !

Snich

Very impressed with car free.
I have an 02 nissan micra. I bought it when it was six months old, somebody's ex-HP, so sad for them but cheap for me. It has only broken down once for me (Just after the warranty expired, typically) and is a beauty. 37000 miles on the clock. Cheap to run. Cheap to insure. Service costs average.
I plan on keeping it, along with boyf's Yreg citroen saxo (min spec) until the debts are gone and we've saved. Then we both have an urge for a mazda mx5, bought with cash. (Not each!)
Snich

Wiggly_Worm

btw, I do understand some people need a car - I wasn't trying to be all self-righteous :rolleyes: I know some people can be quite militant about how nobody should ever own a car I just wanted to flag up the financial benefits people might not have thought of.

We're very lucky to live in a big city with excellent public transport networks, and very close to school and shops.

ICanDoIt_2

I gave up my passion for fast cars (Japenese, of course!) when I bought my house as I realised I couldn't afford to run them, and had to buy an old motorbike to make travelling to work affordable. Then I bought an old Escort for £350, no probs whatsoever, then a old Fiesta, again no probs (untill last week when a weel bearing went). The only risk I have currently have is that if the car doesn't work, I can't get to work as of poor transport links.

I'm currently planning my move (keep an eye out for posts!) and frankly can't wait for the chance to bike to work as I will be moving to within 2miles of work. I can also afford then to start owning the cars I love and have wanted to for years, rekindling my passion for fast cars, but as a weekend treat. I would never dream of buying a new car though.

A lot of my friends don't drive and they mange fine, so I'm looking forward to the lifestyle change / cost savings / environmental benefits

Smashing

I don't understand the logic of buying a brand new car.
May as well wipe your backside with £50 notes.