Disadvantages and advantages of not owning a car

[Bats]

Cars as mass transport is the daftest thing...

Especially for going to work or coming home. Seats five, takes up 2m by 4m, can do 130mph... But there's only one person in it and it's only doing 15mph because everyone else in Warrington had the exact same idea.

Still, quite practical if you've got a disability or need to move something big and bulky. Most of the reasons people think they need them outside of that is really because of our public transport systems being basically rigged for failure - having someone else drive you to work is nice but that's assuming they're going anywhere near in the first place.

Cars are crap, our railways are crap, busses are expensive, taxis are just cars, houses cost too much, landlords are sods, pay is low, vat is bollox, i'm tired and my mattress is crap, vote bats 2015

 

[chrisv40]

Re:

I love cars I always have and could not stand to be without one, the joy of being able to pick up the keys and pop to the seaside etc on a nice day, just knowing thats its outside on the drive ready to take me where ever I want, much cheaper than public transport too with me living in the country.

 

[lumos2000]

http://www.life-hack.co.uk/2014/03/the- ... t.html?m=1

 

[cce]

My car moves pretty infrequently. It's got a bit of moss growing on it.

But I've tried being without it, and it's rubbish. I can afford the costs, and I enjoy the flexibility.

 

[lumos2000]

Re: Re:

I love cars I always have and could not stand to be without one, the joy of being able to pick up the keys and pop to the seaside etc on a nice day, just knowing thats its outside on the drive ready to take me where ever I want, much cheaper than public transport too with me living in the country.

I do the same but I get on coach that takes me to a plane and explore a new country, I can afford to as I don't have a car

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

I like my car. The only downside is the cost but I'm willing to pay what I do to keep the car.

 

[lumos2000]

though I cant be a postman

 

[marc two tone]

Re:

It is worth firstly considering whether or not a car is a benefit to your household or not.
If you live in the sticks, less than good health or simply need that boost for getting the kids sorted, shopping etc...
If the numbers add up and the car is affordable then, why not have one?
But, there is a fine line sometimes between having one as a bonus/flexibility and, the running costs taking control of your purse.

Was it always me, or did the M.O.T and tax seem to fall on within a month or less of each other? Maybe just coincidence on the terms i bought cars. Either way i was skint for at least two pay days because of that cost.
All of the running costs, i do NOT miss! Good riddance on trying to be 'normal'. I'm free of owning a private vehicle...

Why.....?....

Mainly as i can, i have five bikes, can buy day rider bus tickets for some things and any holiday destinations of choice are not realistically drivable to . Any heavy loads, shopping etc..I can grab on company time if need be.
So, that's my justification for Not owning a car, based on my circumstances. It's my 2's up to the economical organ grinders really.
Sick of the constant cash layout, prices increasing beyond my income, so bo**ocks to 'owning' a car, the bloody things were owning me!

Advantages....

Freedom
Emergency reaction
convenience
Can draw people together/cooperate
Car share/ helping others
sense of 'doing alright'/ dignity
time saving
load carrying


Disadvantages...

Less the.....

maintenance liability
cost
stress, yes, i typed that right.
Hinders resolve and forward planning(creates short cutting/laziness)
security concern.
Might just be me but, the car is usually used where you could do without, but a nagging thought tells you to get your money's worth out of it.

You see, now i'm without the luxury i am looking harder to resolve transportation and, solving those issues without any suffering or deprivation. I do not consider myself to be poor or under-achieved.

The maximum cost of circa £200 p.a on occasional public transport bolstered by cycling and walking suits my circumstances right down to the ground.
Where as the cost p.a for owning a private vehicle was a minimum of £1200 just to own it and legally so. That's the minimum by way, if i was to venture round the country doing stuff, that could be a few hundred more. All that excludes tyres, brakes, servicing etc....

Disadvantages...some convenience loss.
Advantages.....I will not be homeless.

That's why i sold the bloody car, i ain't subscribing to the scamming, greedy sods anymore! You know what i mean, the price fixing, fuel duty, knackered pot-holed roads, traffic jams....

 

[lumos2000]

you missed out parking

 

[Neil]

I think there's been some subtle points made here, that I nod my head in agreement, that were perhaps taken not how they were intended.

I see the benefit in being able to drive.

Not necessarily in owning a car and using one a lot - much of that will come down to circumstance, situation and location. For me, I see car usage as a necessary evil - or perhaps at best, a useful compromise. I can't help but think my life was better when I did all my getting around under my own steam.

But having said that, I still believe that being able to drive is a useful skill - even if personally, I was a late adopter. I guess the thing is, though, that without reasonably regular usage, it's a skill that can become compromised by lack of use - compounded by an aspect that many who've been driving a while feel they are proficient and have nothing more to learn, nor would ever consider the horror of horrors - more tuition / lessons.