Anyone Else NOT Want a Car?

[LLDG]

I understand not wanting a car - the expense is HIGH: insurance, car payments, maintenance, repairs and gas. Its enough to make a frugal budget go to....well you know.

We thought a long time about our last car purchase...we wanted it to be an investment. So in 2005 we bought a Toyota Prius Hybrid. Smartest thing we ever did.

We have only one car between the two of us and we make the most of it. He car pools so I get it during the week occasionally so I can make doctor appointment or to drive to places that are not nearby. That little car has hauled BIG things. At 50 mpg, its no guzzler.

I could go on and on about how wise that decision was but I wanted to say that our second mode of transportation is a bicycle. I can get to the library, bank, post office, small grocery store, and drug store. Since there is a lot of hills in our area we've even thought of putting a electric motor on it (petal power and electric power). As I get older that may be a smart decision.

In this city, an automobile is a must. We tried to make a smart choice so the burden would be gentle.

[rosey7415]

my husband is retiring in november. in anticipation of this we have paid off both of our cars and most all other debt. we have a newish honda crv which we hope will last for many years, and an old kia. we figure when the kia dies we will only have one car from then on. we thought of selling the kia, but wouldn't get anything for it. so dh still will work part time at his second job (bus driver....he loves it!!) so he drives the kia and we use that car for hauling wood, mulch, corn stalks, anything messy.

[PrairieRose]

We have no car payment and won't go back to worrying over them ever again. I have a '98 Lincoln Town Car that we bought 6 years ago. At that time it had 10,244 miles on it, had been garage kept and was in impeccable condition except for a 'little old lady ding' on the back bumper. I had that fixed and have loved this car every since. We paid cash for it and I can't tell you how wonderful that was for us (the first time ever). I plan on driving it now until the *perfect* deal comes along for a comparable replacement. If it takes me 6 more years that's ok, b/c my car only has 63K miles on it now. I'm good for a while....but my dh wants me to get something 'sporty-er' than my 'granny car'. I could personally care less.....I *lurve* my car.

[banana]

I would love to have no car, dh on the other hand probably will tell you I am nuts. Maybe when we retire I can talk him into it. We live in an area where a car isn't really needed. We can walk to the grocery store and CVS, drs appts we would have to take a cab but I bet it would be a lot cheaper to go this route, only time will tell.

[frugalwarrior2]

4 year old post?

[madhen]

Still a relevant question, though.