alternatives to a car ?

dada44

hi there,

i was considering the cost of using a car in london. to get a london underground return ticket from the suburbs into london, is about 6 pounds, whilst to drive the same distance costs about 2 pounds in petrol. (no parking costs as usually off peak hours)

i thought having a car may then save money, but then if you add up costs such as mot a year (30 pounds) and a service (130-250 with parts), it does seem to add up, so maybe public transport and cars are more or less the same cost?

i was wondering if anyone has any experience with alternatives to cars. I was thinking, electric bicycle, or moped.

worried_jim

I run my car for pretty much exactly what a season ticket costs to some of the guys in the office but I can come and go anywhere anytime I please. I think a lot of it it simply what you are use to, I couldn't do with out a car after driving fro 22 years but there are guys at work who have never learnt to drive and they say that they get around just fine- they are all saddos though....

OddballJamie

dada44 if only the running costs of a car were fuel, MOT and a service.
You forgot about insurance (London will be alot), RFL, breakdown cover, repairs, wear and tear costs (tyres/brakes) and most importantly DEPRECIATION.

I've owned cars since my late teens (early thirties now) and although I could manage without I couldn't be without one. I love the benefits, convenience and freedom it has given me, downsides are sometimes feeling like a taxi service, the ever rising cost of motoring.

w211

You could consider joining a car club such as http://www.citycarclub.co.uk/ and http://www.zipcar.co.uk/ , where you pay an hourly rate to hire a car.

hartcjhart

pushbike, take your life in your hands
moped, take your life in your hands
tube, take your life in your hands
car, wins everytime

forgotmyname

Do you have secure parking for a moped or bike? Easily stolen.

dave_n

never had a £30 MOT yet always something needs doing seems to run about £200 per year less cost of mot

ShandyAndy_2

Skateboard with lawnmower engine on the back?

dada44

yeah, you are right. it's not just mot, servicing and fuel costs. insurance is a big factor.

mopeds just seem to make much more sense. in a lot of asian countries, they are everywhere. imagine being able to travel the same distance as a car, but for 5 pounds of petrol. the only thing i worry about is the cold, and if one can travel comfortably in it.

i just feel that ppl are not used to or even aware of these alternatives as much. it feels simply more a cultural thing than anything, regardless of the advantages or disadvantages

Mankysteve

hartcjhart wrote: »

tube, take your life in your hands
car, wins everytime

Tube is safer than car by a very very very long way.

Do math work our what's cheaper.
Then consider what else you can do with a car besides commuting for me I could get to work without and be much richer but I couldn't do the stuff I like to do without it.