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Toomuchdebt

I wish I could afford to be without a car but unfortunately school is an hour's walk one way

portsmouthali

Wiggly_Worm wrote:

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

Us too. Neither me or my partner can drive,but we're within walking distance of school and city centre, and we cycle everywhere else. The only time I really want a car is to go on day trips/weekends away - we spent the weekend at a friends in Essex recently and the round trip from Portsmouth on the train was the best part of £100 for the 3 of us :eek: I'm planning to learn to drive next year (if funds allow;) ) but if we ever do get a car it'll be a banger, I'm sure!

I'm sure if public transport was cheaper/better more people would gladly do without a car.

slowlyfading

Its been really interesting reading this post. I'm currently saving up to buy a car when I finish my degree and was going to hopefully get a modern one with all the extras, but after reading this I think I may do a search on older cars first!

HeadInSand_2

I've got a 20 year old Toyota, never broken down or failed an MOT, it owes me absolutely nothing and yet never lets me down
Engine still sounds perfect even with near 200k on the clock, change the oil myself every 6k miles, clean the airfilter (re-usable one) and that's about it. Brilliant car.

Wiggly_Worm

Oh yes, and this may have changed since we owned one, but all Japanese cars are cheap on parts EXCEPT Subarus. Lol. A fab workhorse of a car, but parts were a nightmare. Nope, all in all we prefer to hire if we need one.

piggeh

And some of the more reliable cars (BMW for example) are fine whilst they work, and there's probably less chance of them breaking down, but if something goes wrong, the parts will cost a lot more!

Japanese cars are pretty good reliability-wise, though I love my Skoda personally, and it saves me a fortune in fuel! But I wouldnt have liked to borrow the cash off a finance house, so glad my family were willing to lend me a bit for it.

Would like to be car free but cant do it around here. My mates up London have driving licences though, and none of them own their own car as it's not worth it. The transport links are much better than in rural areas.

Snaggles

Wiggly_Worm wrote:

btw, I do understand some people need a car - I wasn't trying to be all self-righteous :rolleyes:

Lol, no it didn't come across in that way at all (well not to me anyway), don't worry! I really wish I didn't have to drive, the roads seem to be full of angry, impatient people - I feel like having a flashing sign in the back of my car saying 'It's 12 years old, if I could make it go any faster, I would do!!!'. :rotfl:

immoral_angeluk

I'd love to not have to rely on a car... but with a nearly 2 yr old, a new baby on the way and living in a rural area with rubbish public transport I won't be giving up my freedom just yet.. LOL

pudding06

I just couldnt do without my car - i wouldnt be able to work. I know someone who teaches supply and has no car but she pays out up to £15 per journey(£30 per day) for taxi's to get to and from work. She cant drive and you cant get there by bus etc in time, agency doenst ring to after 8am, so its taxi or refuse for her.

I would hate to be spending £150 per week on taxzi's - I'd rather just keep my car.

also with 3 week hols abroad we take my car = hiring for those 3 weeks would make the holiday just too expensive. We go camping so its cheap.

pudds

taxzi's - interesting typo!!!!

Snaggles

pudding06 wrote:

taxzi's - interesting typo!!!!

Bet it would get you a good Scrabble score!