Changing second car for moped/quad?

ShandyAndy_2

We run 2 cars at the moment and need to being as we both work, car sharing is not really an option as we work about 20 miles away from each other. Just recently we have had a few bills on the cars, wear and tear things really. I have been thinking of selling the small car and going for a moped/quad for cheaper running costs.

The main problem is when it snows. I only work 6 miles away, but a moped in snow sounds dangerous, therefore I am thinking a road legal quad might be better. Not really sure what to do, might be better just to keep running the 2 cars in the long run.

Just wanted some valid opinions from others to help me decide which way to go.

Thanks

Andy

SailorSam

It's over 40yrs since i rode a bike, i never thought about it ever being dangerous, but what do you know when you're 16. If you get some proper gear you'll probably find that there's not going to many days you need to worry especially if it's only a 6ml journey. Just start off in plenty of time. And the enjoyment of riding a bike on days like today more than repays for the days in the snow.

forgotmyname

A quad probably wont be much cheaper than a car.

Unless you buy a proper one that costs more than a decent car you maybe spending more time fixing it and waiting for parts than actually using it.

Get a moped/scooter and use alternative transport for the odd couple of days of snow.

Richard53

A moped will be cheap to run (way cheaper than a car) and fun. Mopeds are pretty good in snow, as long as you are sensible. As you only have one driven wheel and no diff, you will keep going through stuff that would stop a car dead. Negotiate for the car on really bad days.

I'm not convinced by road-going quads, though. All the vulnerability of a bike (weather, accidents) but as bad as a car in traffic, with the added excitement of serious instability. I used to work with a young lad who bought one to get to work on and frankly I thought it looked bloody dangerous. And that's a seasoned biker talking.

Norman_Castle

I would never consider a quad bike for road use. They are impractical and unstable. How many working days per year would snow prevent you using a small motorbike ?. Have you considered cycling?. Check a map for easy cycle routes to work. If you only cycle through the summer months you will save some motoring costs.

Weird_Nev

6 miles is the ideal distance to cycle. It'll take 30 mins, you can even do that distance without getting sweaty if you're careful, or get all sweaty and use it as a fitness builder and try and beat your times/take thelong way home.

Sell the car, buy a pedal bike, reap the financial rewards of not running a second car.

Moped would also be decent, but really, cycling would be my preference. Cheaper, health benefits, less aggro with maintenance/ theft etc.

Quad is a ludicrous idea. Dangerous on road, unstable, horrible in a crash, none of the benefits of a motorbike (can't filter in traffic) and the service "schedules" on them are silly if you use them a lot. Avoid if you value your life, sanity and wallet.

Strider590

Quads are great in sunny climates, on holiday, as cheap transportation. In the UK there is no advantage at all in having one. In fact with the attitudes of British drivers, a quad could be lethal.

I hired a huge quad on holiday in KOS, it was brilliant, the drivers over there are nutters, but they're not passive-aggressive like the knobheads over here, they wanna overtake = they just do it, you wanna overtake them = no problem.

Over here drivers act all sweetness and light until you get in the way or try to make progress and then they try to kill you.......

Wh05apk

Electric assisted cycle?

Weird_Nev

Wh05apk wrote: »

Electric assisted cycle?

Worst of all worlds: Heavy, horrible to cycle "properly", leaden handling, expensive. Unless you're physically unable to, just turn the cranks. It's the most efficient wheeled transport yet devised.

spacey2012

One of those sunny day ideas.

BlueC

You'd be crazy to use a quad for commuting, it is a dumb idea.

A moped, scooter, or small motorbike will be a lot cheaper to run than a car or quad, and you'd normally get to work faster too. They are also good fun, but they are obviously more dangerous than a car so that should be a consideration. A push bike is also worthy of consideration... 6 miles each way is an ideal distance.

On the days when the weather isn't suitable for riding a (motor)bike (wind, snow, ice) then what other options do you have?