I miss the car!

[Roadhump]

This is an argument I have had with my wife many a time. I drive, she doesn't, I used to need a car for work as I had a 30 odd mile round trip and public transport couldn't always be relied on for my shifts, and I could be called out at short notice. The car was also vey useful when the kids were at university, but now they have left and my work now involves a couple of local part time jobs, the car could easily be dispensed with. However, we still have one due to Mrs. Hump's powers of persuasion. We have often been through the arguments on this thread; the supermarket shopping, the spur of the moment trip out, etc, but they are all surmountable. I also find driving quite frustrating and uncomfortable.

I have calculated the money we would save from not having a car loan, not spending on fuel, depreciation, maintenance, insurance etc, and it is quite staggering, even though we only have a modest, low powered Ford Focus which is cheap to maintain and run. We would still be in pocket using public transport, taxis, supermarket delivery fees, and hire cars for trips away, but try telling MLW that.

I hope that this car is the last I will own, we are well placed for public transport, and I prefer cycling, our local authority issues free travel passes for people when they reach 60, so in 3 years, transport within out LA area will be free, and for the occasional trip outside the boundary, we could easily afford the charges from what we would save, or hire a car for short periods. Here's to a car free future!!

 

[MacB]

Sandra as you don't drive then maybe the thread title should have been 'I miss my chauffeur'. Or perhaps my cheap/free chauffeur is ill and other chauffeurs(taxi/bus drivers) either want too much or won't meet my personal demands.

I don't know if the whistling smiley removes the sting or not, but I'm trying.

 

[TheDoctor]

I'm really missing the car.
Our Megane is being fixed after an unfortunate altercation, and we have a Toyota Aygo courtesy car.
It's awful. I hate it.

The altercation? I attempted to put the Megane into a boot of a Honda Civic while pulling onto a roundabout.
It makes a surprisingly loud 'Bang!' and no-one is pleased with you

 

[AndyRM]

Strong contender for Ultimate 1st World Problem Thread.

 

[shirokazan]

I got rid of my car in 2010, prompted by the insurance renewal, as I wasn't using it much. I thought I might miss it and so would rent a car when needed but, to date, have yet to do so.

A bit like @ColinJ, being single it's a lot easier: I walk to the supermarket and shop there a couple of times each week. Anything bigger, I've had a relative or a friend assist but that's only happened a couple of times in that period, and one time I had a delivery (washing machine). I mostly get around by walking, train or occasionally bus. I commute by train to work: I moved three years ago to be closer to the station so I'm now a three-minute walk (previously 25 minutes) - that said, I use a Brompton bike. When I next move, then I'd be in medium-sized town again as it's important to me to have the facilities I need in walking distance: villages have little appeal due to paucity of public transport, a shop, pub, etc. The OP is in Carlisle, I believe, which would be ideal car-less territory for me :-)

Overall, the effect has been far less than I thought it would - I just do things somewhat differently. Any spontaneous days out are made using the train network, bus or cycling - I don't feel compromised by not having a car. I ended up not liking driving much, and I've found it to be quite liberating.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

In recent years between 3 - 5 working age adults living in our household. 2 - 3 full driving licenses. 2 cars max, down to 1 car since I got shot of my ChuckyChicken a few years ago. (Currently three working adults, two full licenses, one breadvan-like car)

I quite like my occasional stints as designated driver of tlh's bread van but otherwise don't really miss owning a car. I walk to work. If it was further away I'd cycle, otherwise I'd get a job in that London and train it.

 

[raleighnut]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned trailers, I'd have been lost without mine.

 

[Dan B]

I think it easier for a single person who does not work to be car free than the average family person out of the house 9 or 10 hours a day working, regardless of where they live. None of the car less people I know and there are a few have a job.

Although your general point is well-made, I know several car-free families where one or both parents has a full-time job. I suggest that your sample may not include many people who live in London or other major urban centre.

 

[screenman]

Although your general point is well-made, I know several car-free families where one or both parents has a full-time job. I suggest that your sample may not include many people who live in London or other major urban centre.

I know of two couple in London without cars, neither work, all my friends and family down there who own cars do work though. Of course I may not certainly know the same people that you do, also I was not nor are my friends in central London.

 

[Sandra6]

Sandra as you don't drive then maybe the thread title should have been 'I miss my chauffeur'. Or perhaps my cheap/free chauffeur is ill and other chauffeurs(taxi/bus drivers) either want too much or won't meet my personal demands.

I don't know if the whistling smiley removes the sting or not, but I'm trying.

True dat.
Have you seen Big Bang Theory? I'm like Sheldon Cooper. I like to be driven places, it makes me feel special.

 

[screenman]

True dat.
Have you seen Big Bang Theory? I'm like Sheldon Cooper. I like to be driven places, it makes me feel special.

Do you wave?

 

[marinyork]

True dat.
Have you seen Big Bang Theory? I'm like Sheldon Cooper. I like to be driven places, it makes me feel special.

Get a virtual presence.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned trailers, I'd have been lost without mine.

Cargo bike for me.

 

[Sandra6]

Cargo bike for me.

I would quite like a workcycle of some sort, but I can't afford it just now and I'm not sure it would fit in the garage. I might have to, ((whispers)) sell a bike first.

 

[KneesUp]

We have two cars. One is 'the nice one' and one is 'the tatty one'. Even the nice one is nearly 10. During school term we need both quite often, but now it's school holidays I can cycle to work everyday (because, for example, I never have to collect a tired child with a large musical instrument). The tatty car is used by whoever is going to work and only has one key now, so it was with great pleasure I gave my OH the key knowing I wouldn't have to drive the heap until September.