Questioning owning a car any longer

[veloman]

I never *need* it anymore. I love the ebike and it's very reliable when I don't do something stupid to it. My 15 yr old Honda Civic is fairly inexpensive to own compared to what most other people pay with their autos. But I can hear the midpipe rusting out, it's getting louder. I just replaced it 3 years ago and now it's due again for another $250 repair job on something I barely use anymore. It rusts out just sitting in the driveway. I replaced the battery last year for $110. Insurance is $1 a day, just to sit in my driveway, and if a tree falls on it, I don't have comprehensive coverage, I have the bare minimums on everything. I have no problems affording it, I am very good with money and save well.

I know numerous people who don't own cars around here in Austin TX, they use pedal bikes or the bus. Then there's me, I have a sweet ebike which makes bike commuting waaay easier, and I still have my car. My gf will always own a car, and I have no problem driving that with her. Really, the only time I use my car now is if we go out to eat from my place. Last month I hauled some concrete with the car, but it wouldn't be impossible with the trailer if I did more trail work again.

Sounds easy, right? Just sell it and be done with it. The problem is every time I get close to really putting it up for sale, I get really stressed out and have issues with my health. So basically, I'm keeping the car mostly because I can't handle being abnormal.

We have Car2Go here, could do that if I really needed a car (Smart Car at that.... not much more carrying capacity than my bike trailer :lol: )

I do work from home, so that helps a bit if the weather is really nasty (very rare here). Who knows, I could get laid off and have to take some job that is 20 miles away, but then I'd just invest in a nice new big battery. I can move from where I live right now too, I have an ad up actually, roommates don't pay the utility bills so I'm concerned about that.


My parents (I'm late 20s) tell me to definitely keep the car. But they prob think the ebike is a toy still.

I guess the real problem is that internally I have this fight between being a cyclist and a driver and it's very stressful. Keeping the car is a way to pretend to be both and not take one side too much.

If I didn't own a car, the ebike would be an insanely good investment. I don't think I'd consider being carfree with just a normal bike. No way. (And I'm a road cyclist who is quite fit).

http://www.austingasprices.com/Retail_Price_Chart.aspx

 

[wineboyrider]

I replaced the battery last year for $110.

What did you do buy lipo batteries? You can buy sla car batteries for under $40.00 if you look around.....I don't think the car owes you much, but it can be more expensive if you don't use it . What if you want to travel further distances like say drive to Kalifornia?

 

[dnmun]

maybe if you did the work on the car yourself it would not cost so much. they are easier to fix than the ebikes.

110 for a battery is kinda insane. my last honda battery was $30. you can use muffler bondo and tin can sheet metal around holes in the muffler. sure beats $250. but usually it is just a leak in the donut that joins the tail pipe to the end of the exhaust header. there is red rtv for high temps that will seal that.

i consider cars to be irreplaceable though. but i drive too, and haul stuff.

 

[biohazardman]

I did it like you for a few years. Thirty something for insurance on a 92 Accord with 230K miles a bit over $50 a year for tags and such but I ride the ebike most of the time. I gave the car to my brother last year as I did 3K with the bike and only 1.2K on the car. Still I have access to it if needed which is a good thing as it's difficult to haul some things on the bike trailer. Nothing wrong with having a cheap car just in case you need it though, and I would have had no problem keeping mine if things were different. The cost of car ownership/maintenance was very low for me making the convenience well worth it. It's nice just to go for a drive to the coast or mountains now and then as well. Taking a 200 mile trip on the bike is not an option for me these days.
Unlike some I don't think ice is evil but really hate to give much money to the oil barons.

 

[John in CR]

they are easier to fix than the ebikes.

Cars are easier to fix than ebikes??????????????? I'm sure glad I don't live on that planet.



I'm not far behind you Veloman. I've been toying with the idea myself, and my wife doesn't even drive, much less have a car.

 

[StudEbiker]

they are easier to fix than the ebikes.

Cars are easier to fix than ebikes??????????????? I'm sure glad I don't live on that planet.

No kidding! That sounds like someone that hasn't worked on cars too much. :wink:

Veloman. You sound like where I was about this time last year. I finally sold my car in April of last year and wish I had done it sooner.

 

[veloman]

I'll look into that muffler fix for sure.

The car battery was $100 at one of those Autozone places. I looked around, not much cheaper anywhere else, and I was afraid to buy the value-brand one for $10 less. Install was free at the store.


I've got a lot of good use out of the car, a bunch of road trips across the east half of the country, many miles to work/school in crappy New England weather. But now I'm in a very warm dry climate and live 3 miles from downtown, 4.5 miles to my gf's, work at home, never liked driving in traffic. It's only depreciated about $1200 off from what I paid 6 years ago. I sort of want to ditch it before it costs me big repair bills.

It's weird to think that I won't own a car as a real adult, but with all this talk - isn't that where I'm heading? Years ago I was planning when I would buy a new car and was totally into car ownership and believed it was 'the way', as 98% of people do living in suburbia. Then 2004 came and gas spiked. It came back down, but eventually went even higher as I was driving 300miles/week for school/work. Between gas prices and being a part of traffic, I started to question whether the car lifestyle was right. Of course I determined it wasn't, as I researched things and figured out how unsustainable and energy expensive the car life is. Since then it's always been a battle for me internally. I grew a road cyclist, knowing you don't need 3000lbs to get around. But of course the infrastructure doesn't support safe cycling nearly everywhere. More internal battles ensue. Now I'm in Austin doing everything I can to change the infrastructure so that a city of people can get around peacefully, sustainably, healthy, friendly, by maximizing cycling's potential. I am part of a group that meets and talks with city staff about cycling. They are die hard pedalers. They think we should all be pedaling to save the city. Well, not quite IMO. Yes, bikes could transform the city, but I'm not fooling anyone into thinking that pedaling in 95+ degree heat for 4 months a year is realistic. I've been thinking of starting an ebike business here, but haven't fully decided. Earlier tonight I realized that why would people choose a $1300 ebike when they can spend the same money on a gas scooter and go faster, safer, more comfortable and with no effort ever? The best reason I can think of is that you SOL on a scooter in traffic, it's no better than a car.

Okay, that went off topic. But yeah, I'll prob keep the car just so I don't go off the deep end.

 

[veloman]

Veloman. You sound like where I was about this time last year. I finally sold my car in April of last year and wish I had done it sooner.

What's your situation?

I know that if I get engaged to my gf and move in to her place, then it would be really sensible to sell the car. She has friends who are married and have only one car between the two of them.

I'm just a money-hoarder. I HATE wasting it. Especially on a car.

 

[neptronix]

Yeah, a 15 year old Civic is starting to get up there.. where it will need new suspension parts, clutch, gaskets, etc eventually.
But the engine and trans will run almost forever.. ^_^
Easy car to do the work on yourself, for sure.

I dunno, i lean towards you getting rid of it. I want to get rid of my cars too, $100/mo to insure both cars sucks, though i do split the bill with my lady.

 

[veloman]

It's needed new struts for years, but it's only bad in real cold weather on bumps. Moving south helped, lol.

I have 170k miles on it, engines always been perfect. Body is in good shape, practically no rust, looks good for 15 that's for sure.

 

[neptronix]

You know; if it's a Civic Hatch with a 5 speed, send me a PM ;]

 

[dingoEsride]

you have to ask yourself do you really need it and how often do I use this car and if didn't have it what will I do if I need a car? I could easily live without one but my job as a carpenter carries too many tools for a bike, if i were you i would probably loose it

 

[dogman dan]

Well just a coulple things to make your decision harder.

If you ever get your good crash, you will need a ride to the doctors a few times. Bussing it with broken anything will suck. Same goes for just getting sick in some way. So there is that.

You might take a job that's a tad far away for the bike.

If the car is a stick, it's a canditate for the lithium treatment someday. Even if it's an auto, it could be as cheap as it gets to have a backup vehicle.

But who am I to give advice, all my life I've had at least two vehicles around I didn't really need. Right now, two people one truck, one hatchback, one station wagon and one small suv. We keep the extras around since selling two vehicles might net $600. Breakdowns are frequent enough to always be parking one of em.

$110 for a battery sounds bad, but you guys may not have bought one this year.

 

[rojitor]

I really need my car because i carry heavy things sometimes, if i ever can live without a car i will sell it without hesitation. That's my case now you are the one to decide your life veloman.

 

[Ykick]

Cars/trucks are simple to repair since you can get parts and reliable service information for autos on practically any street corner.

If the exhaust pipe is rusting then you're not driving it far enough to expel the condensation moisture. Rule #1, If you start an ICE engine you should run it for at least 20-30 min to evaporate any condensation moisture.

I dunno about $30 batteries anymore? Interstate batteries used to go for around that but last time I looked $60-$100 seemed to be the average auto parts store pricing.

One thing you may be overlooking is that the car is still worth something to somebody. So, any costs associated with keeping it in driveable condition will help maintain it's sale value.

OTOH, if you don't need it except for a few times maybe a rental will suffice? That's a choice only you can make after looking into the available options.

 

[wineboyrider]

What Dogman says makes sense to me. I have a wife and 2 kids so getting around on bikes only isn't going to happen. I have a Kia mini van that is paid off and I have 3 ebikes and a Honda Elite scooter that I use to and fro when I have to go the distance.
My Kia's sensor went out on me the other day and I'll have to have the mechanic fix as it's inside where the timing belt thing is so that will cost me $500 smackers. Cars do cost money, but sometimes you need one.

 

[Drunkskunk]

You have a Girlfriend, and I assume you want to keep her, then you NEED a car.
You may never have to drive it again, and the cost may seem like wasted money, but consider it Girlfriend maintance money.

Part of keeping a woman happy is having the appearance of a good providor, and being able to take care of her in any contingency. Its also a status symbol for Her. She needs to be able to brag about you to her friends and family, or at least defend her choice in you.
"Yes mom, he has a car, he just chooses to ride his bike everywhere. He realy cares about the envirlomet!"

 

[StudEbiker]

I'm going to have a bit of a Philistine moment here, but I don't agree with that. When I sold my car I was single and a couple of friends asked me, "What will you do about dates?" I told them, "Well, I guess I'll just date a woman with a car." Guess what? I am. Been one of the best relationships I've ever had too. If the woman needs to defend you and the only thing she has is, "He has a car." You're really better off without her.

 

[Ykick]

The old LA rock & roll band joke goes something like: "How do you know the guitar player got a new girlfriend?" He's driving a new car...

 

[Kin]

I'm going to have a bit of a Philistine moment here, but I don't agree with that. When I sold my car I was single and a couple of friends asked me, "What will you do about dates?" I told them, "Well, I guess I'll just date a woman with a car." Guess what? I am. Been one of the best relationships I've ever had too. If the woman needs to defend you and the only thing she has is, "He has a car." You're really better off without her.

+1 on that response.


On another note, I want to ask how well the car-sharing program works in your area. How far away are you from the closest car? What do they charge? Right now I use a wecar. $8/hr for chevy malibu, or $9/hr to run a volt. Gas included. The car is very close by (<3mins walk), and I use it <3 hours a month (once or twice). Then again, I'm a student, and I have very few uses for a car. Mostly just bike, longboard*, or electric scooter.

*I've been longboarding for a total of 3 hours now, as of two days ago. But I think I'm liking it, though the concrete pathways have killer bumps sometimes.

 

[wineboyrider]

I'm going to have a bit of a Philistine moment here, but I don't agree with that. When I sold my car I was single and a couple of friends asked me, "What will you do about dates?" I told them, "Well, I guess I'll just date a woman with a car." Guess what? I am. Been one of the best relationships I've ever had too. If the woman needs to defend you and the only thing she has is, "He has a car." You're really better off without her.

+1 on that one too. Yep if she likes you she likes you and not your car......
Although if I had a bad ass Tesla car I would definitely looking to be laid eventually...

 

[StudEbiker]

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[deronmoped]

Cars can get you deals on things.

I wouldn't have a lot of the free stuff I had if I did not have a way to get it home. I been cruising the alleys lately and coming up with all kinds of cool free stuff I can use. If I can't strap it to my E-Bike or carry it by hand, I come back and pick it up with my car. Then I get the occasional thing from yard sailing and of course there are the family and friends that give stuff away.

I have though about whittling my fleet down, (1973 Hot Rod Vega, 1970 Hot Rod VW Bus, 1970 street legal VW fiberglass dune buggy and 1976 Winni RV), but they really do not cost me all that much to keep around. $300.00 registration and another $600.00 in insurance and I'm done. That equates out to 18 hours of work for me on my jobs. I spend another $500.00 to $600.00 in gas every year, which I keep to a minimum by riding my E-Bikes or one mopeds out of my fleet of 18. So when I do use gasoline, it's really needed, not just for running to get groceries. My work requires me to have transportation to haul tools and materials around, but the car I use makes me money doing it. I do keep my work very close to home, I turn down work that requires me to drive any distance. It's just not worth it as I can get enough work close by and I would have to charge quite a bit extra just to pay for sitting in a car, not producing any work.

A car is like any other tool, use it to it's best advantage and you will come out ahead.

 

[deardancer3]

I would go the middle ground; dont renew insurance or plates, dont fix expensive stuff, quit using that car at all, see how long you can go without it.


If you like the new "no car life", you are 2/3 done---If you change your mind and decide you need a car, just get plates and insurance and fix anthing important, dont have to go car shopping.

I have a car and dont like to use it. but I needed it for Dr visits and bad weather days.

once the gas prices go up another fifty cents, lots of people will understand not using a car even if you have access to one.


my two watts worth

d

 

[dnmun]

i still think you should just maintain the car yourself to save cash and learn something at the same time. you may live in an apartment building so it is difficult, but it just seems like you are stuck in relying on others to do simple stuff. so of course they will take your money, they have a family and habits to support too.

insurance is usually the most expensive part of ownership, plates are cheap. maintenance is cheap.

out of about 10 cars and trucks i own, i only keep insurance and plates on 2. my old 84 hondawagon and a 72 F100 ford truck. but insurance for both is only about $260/year but even that is equal to what i pay for gas.