Disadvantages and advantages of not owning a car

[greencat]

Re:

Never had a car, and don't drive either. Never really missed it either. I don't really like travelling in them either as I get car sick in most.

I've occasionally considered learning but not had the money at those times.

Like Alison I live in a rural location, 4 miles from the nearest town (with good rail connections to London) - but there is an off-road cycle path almost all of the way there and a twice an hour bus too. I mostly work from home but commute to London too.

Given where I live I don't feel the urge to travel lots - I'm about half an hour from all of the following; beach, woods, and mountains. Internet brings most of what else I need. This last thing makes a massive difference nowadays; we had friends come and stay and it took 10 mins on a supermarket website to order the necessary extra food which was picked and delivered for an extra fiver.

I also live in what's known as a village and people help each other out. If there was ever an emergency where a car was necessary, a neighbour would help us out. But tellingly, our neighbour who's had a couple of medical emergencies has always relied on the local ambulance.

Maybe there will come a day when I'll need/want a car - but I think an electric bike would come before that.

 

[NeilM]

Re:

I passed my motorcycle test a month after my 17 birthday and my car test a month after that.

For me, no licence means no job, as I have been 'on the road' since I left college at 19, first as a computer engineer and later as a salesman.

I have also held and RACMSA National competition racing licence and a motorcycle hillclimb competition licence.

I like driving and love motorcycling, but I don't enjoy the roads any more and unless I need to, I very rarely use the car at weekends, and sold my last motorbike a few years ago, as I was not using it.

 

[TGR]

My 2p -

here is Norn Iron (outside of Belfast) you need a car, to get to shops and to go to work. I know some people in their 50's who do not drive and are able to rely on lifts etc to get to work - but that really only works if you are in a large firm and can get a lift.

I have been driving since i was 17 (in a car), I drove tractors legally at 16 (and a bit before that) and i have my bike licence but i hate driving. Other drivers are mad, I get road rage with stupidity and recently jumped out of my car to accost another driver who tried to crash into me. Any fun in that - none.

If i could survive without a car i would be happier, my lottery win plan would be to employ a chauffeur and that is not a joke. Drive because you need to drive, not for the enjoyment - how things have changed.

On a very connected story - i sold my car yesterday!!! But i am buying another one. Here is my old car and i will be very sad to see it go.



Probably the only car (out of 6) that i really loved.

Richard

 

[highlandsflyer]

Re:

I can dig that. Nice motor.

I hope I haven't come over as a car advocate. I am not, I actually hate what they are doing to the planet. Practicalities intervene in the bubble though.

We can make them socially responsible though. They can use waste to run.

We don't have to see them as the enemy.

All of our vehicles get used to service as many needs as possible. Very few journeys are made alone.

My remarks about driving being a basic skill ring true with the people I have discussed it with.

Everyone wants to think they can live the ideal life.

I am a realist. Time made me that way.

Get out and drive while you still can.

If you don't have a car, steal one.

If you can't drive, you have no idea what bliss you are missing.

In which case, you are lucky. Like growing up without TV.

Seriously though, there are great schemes now to allow you the use of a car without the ownershit hassles.

All you need is your ticket, and a couple of years with it under your belt.

 

[xerxes]

Re:

Seriously though, there are great schemes now to allow you the use of a car without the ownershit hassles.

Freudian slip?

 

[technodup]

We should encourage/bribe/force children to walk to school. This would make my driving days easier and quicker. Can't get out my street some mornings for all the RRs and Cayennes delivering the precious wee nuggets to the local school.

The benefits of a car are obvious. Freedom, more than any public transport system can ever provide. Plus I've slept in mine.

 

[JeRkY]

After living in central London for the last 4-5 years last night was my first night in our new house in Cambridgeshire.

In London:
Disadvantages of owning a car:
Purchase cost, Maintenance cost, running cost, crazy high insurance costs, parking permit costs (in order to park on your own street), traffic.

Advantages of owning a car:
None. Everything you could possibly need is either walkable or accessible via one of the plethora of public transport options which are generally excellent. preferable to all that though is to bike it about, be it on a hipsterised fixie, a Borris bike or a 20 year old Pace, there is no better or quicker way of getting about locally in London. If you do need a car or even a van for example, to lug an item about, streetcar is never far away (unlucky if you have to walk further than 2 streets to find one). £7 per hour turn up wave your smartphone at it and drive off.


Cambridgeshire however....damn im glad I have a car!

 

[hamster]

More than two thirds (69%) of respondents put driving in the top three most important skills to have in an AA Populus Poll of 20,029. This was slightly ahead of those who chose using a computer (67%) and being able to write (52%).

http://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news-2012 ... kills.html

That only 52% considered being able to write an important life skill says a lot about the sample. :shock:
...and the AA is not exactly an unbiased organisation anyway.

 

[TGR]

Survey Result.

Today I conducted a survey in work. It proved that 2/3 of people prefer coffee and the remaining 1/3 prefer green tea. The sample group consisted of 3 males - all over 45 years old - so the information could be taken to mean that 20,686,000 men in the UK drink coffee.

Figures can be massaged to mean what you want them to me.

And, I got £450 for my old Audi - that figure is more interesting to me!! LOL

Richard

 

[highlandsflyer]

Re:

The poll involved over 20,000 respondents, and was undertaken by a highly rated polling organisation.

The point is salient though. Of course polls are not incontrovertible evidence.

My personal view is that cars are a necessary evil; but undoubtedly evil.

I have owned a Maserati and sleep with an ex model. So sue me.