Wish we could get rid of 2nd car!!!

Anoneemoose

As the title says, we have 2 cars, currently a Ford Galaxy 54 reg and an old X Reg Ford Ka which is on her last wheels!

We both work in the next town which means we need a car each. I need one as I need to do the school run and then go to work straight after and then straight back again to school once I finish. Public transport would not get me to work or back in time. Even if I changed my shifts, I would then need to pay for extra childcare due to not being back at school in time.

DH works for the same company as me but he often works unsociable hours and into the night when there is no public transport available and not convenient for me to pick him up as kids are in bed and I have Fibro which means I often can't drive late on due to feeling ill. We had thought about getting a scooter type thing for DH but don't know if that would work out cheaper for fuel/tax/insurance.

At the moment we spend £240 per month on petrol, and approx £75 per month is put away for tax and maintenence and then there is the £46.00 per month combined insurances (cheapest quotes).

I don't really know what I am asking for - maybe just to see if anyone has been in the same situation and what they did. Or if anyone could throw in some suggestions!!

TIA

VfM4meplse

Anoneemoose wrote: »

At the moment we spend £240 per month on petrol, and approx £75 per month is put away for tax and maintenence and then there is the £46.00 per month combined insurances (cheapest quotes).

Car ownership is expensive, but it is the convenience you pay for. You also pay dearly to fix things when they go wrong.

Very few cars are investments, but at least you can say that you own your own and have some independence. I don't think a scooter or a motorbike is the answer as you may worry about DH - if you don't, then maybe a pushbike is the answer! It may not be the MSE option, but in your position I would buy a newer, more reliable and fuel efficient car to replace the one that's on it's last legs. At least you know it will last for a while and will have some peace of mind.

Anoneemoose

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Car ownership is expensive, but it is the convenience you pay for. You also pay dearly to fix things when they go wrong.

Very few cars are investments, but at least you can say that you own your own and have some independence. I don't think a scooter or a motorbike is the answer as you may worry about DH - if you don't, then maybe a pushbike is the answer! It may not be the MSE option, but in your position I would buy a newer, more reliable and fuel efficient car to replace the one that's on it's last legs. At least you know it will last for a while and will have some peace of mind.

Thanks.

I think this may be the way to go. I only work part time and we have even thought of me trying for another job so I could use public transport but I have been with my company for 10 years and the pay/benefits/relative stability are worth more than extra travel, I think.

We have literally been wracking our brains but I think we can't really change much apart from, like you say, getting a more efficient car. The ford ka is due it's test tomorrow and i'll be blown down with a feather if it doesn't cost a fortune!!

Thanks again.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Move closer to work?

Peter999_2

Get a motorbike or scooter as you say and you'll save a fortune.

I bought a brand new 125 for £1950 in 2009 (only about £600 for one a few years old), £60 insurance, £14 to fill it up and it seems to go on forever. £16 a year for tax, really cheap servicing - you can't go wrong.

Yes, it does get cold and can be wet but wear the right protective clothes and there's no problem.

RichardD1970

Agree with Peter999.

I got a scooter for commuting earlier in the year, getting over 100mpg so costing me 6 pence a mile in fuel. Cheaper than the bus! Mine's only got a small tank, costs £6 - £7 to fill and lasts a couple of weeks.

I know there are other expenses but they are covered buy the savings on fuel for the car.

There are a couple of threads about scooters around for you to look at for more info.

Anoneemoose

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

Move closer to work?

Thank you. This wouldn't be possible at present. Our house is mortgaged and needing renovation but if we moved closer to work, the house prices are a lot more expensive.

Anoneemoose

Thanks Peter and Richard! OH was thinking this would be the way to go but we didn't really understand the savings to be made. Will look into this more!

VfM4meplse

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Agree with Peter999.

I got a scooter for commuting earlier in the year, getting over 100mpg so costing me 6 pence a mile in fuel. Cheaper than the bus! Mine's only got a small tank, costs £6 - £7 to fill and lasts a couple of weeks.

I know there are other expenses but they are covered buy the savings on fuel for the car.

There are a couple of threads about scooters around for you to look at for more info.

But are you not physically vulnerable on a scooter? (I would say the same of any bike, being a London driver myself).

RichardD1970

VfM4meplse wrote: »

But are you not physically vulnerable on a scooter? (I would say the same of any bike, being a London driver myself).

Yes, but then you are in lots of situations. Everything carries some risk, it's all about knowing the risks and weighting them up and mitigating them as much as possible.

Thousands of people ride bikes and scooters every day and survive, it's not for everyone I know but worth considering.

Moto2

Buy a bike and take turns cycling into work?