tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6619758432015327397.post5954682670663321866..comments2020-10-28T07:54:34.827+00:00Comments on Live Well on Less: How Do I Get A Better Car?Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00796452354395711526noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6619758432015327397.post-11585010893540930992012-12-24T22:58:20.168+00:002012-12-24T22:58:20.168+00:00Hi Victor, thanks for your interesting comment!
...Hi Victor, thanks for your interesting comment! <br /><br />Firstly, the post is more geared towards people being able to afford a better car rather than budget motoring. I'll cover that in the future, however, in answer to your question, most factors all seem to favour the car, as follows:<br /><br />In my own personal case, I have osteoarthritis in one of my hips and I live 8.8 miles from my office in the Peak District. Biking is out of the question as the route takes in a peak altitude of 1132ft and my work place is almost at sea level. The big hills are the main reason the GB cycling team use the area for their training. <br /><br />OK the car costs. Servicing: 4 x decent, branded tyres/brakepads and shoes/3 x oil changes and filters etc. £470. Insurance £800 (I've had a few accidents recently), tax £220, annual mileage 20,000 @50mpg is £2,500 in diesel at today's prices. Total cost per mile is £0.20/mile. This is a conservative figure as we normally see at least 53mpg, usually a bit more and my insurance rates will improve hopefully. I haven't included depreciation as it's negligible on a 10 yr old car and I'd still need it anyway for carting about my 2 yr old and all his associated paraphenalia.<br /><br />The bus costs £3.90 return, which works out at £0.22/mile. On other routes, like going to my local swimming baths, it's quite a bit more expensive, and the train costs £10 because there isn't a direct route there. Of course this all applies to just me. If my wife were travelling with me, then the cost doubles of course, where it doesn't in the car.<br /><br />I take your point about getting about in Europe. Public transport is often partly funded by tax payers, although it does depend on how remote your home is, and mine is definitely out of the way, although you can see I'm not paying anything like a huge premium for convenience. <br /><br />I also purposely took my job where it is for convenience too. The nearest big city centre is 10 miles away, but due to traffic it takes well over an hour to get to/from at rush hour. My work still only takes 20 mins if I get stuck behind a horsebox or tractor, which does happen from time to time!<br /><br />Addressing your last point, poor people often pay more for such things because they don't have the ready cash or facilities that others do. Paying out £3.90 a day maybe more expensive in the long run, but catching the bus doesn't generate sudden large bills like when the car needs taxing, or a new set of tyres for example.<br /><br />I suppose the main point is that the average peson drives a much newer car so purchase price and depreciation would often count more heavily, plus many people expect a car to be all things to them, such as being sporty or posh or both as well, but this makes little sense to me. <br />For everyday use I often purchase older cars because they are actually very good value. A car that has done 100,000 miles might well be only half way through it's useful life if cared for, and if it's the kind of car aimed at fleet managers, like your average saloon, it'll be cheap to service and run too. That's my workhorse, but for my treat, I do have an old classic with a V8 nestling under the bonnet. It's very, quick, looks good, and makes me feel good, but because of it's age it is tax exempt, and the insurance is ridiculously cheap. It barely does any mileage, but as it gets older, it actually appreciates too.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00796452354395711526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6619758432015327397.post-25549225593885669422012-12-24T11:16:06.603+00:002012-12-24T11:16:06.603+00:00I too work in an office, but I've chosen to go...I too work in an office, but I've chosen to go car-free for the last 4 years. I bike to work (11km) about 8 months a year and bus the rest. It is absolutely possible to get by without a car, especially in Europe.<br /><br />I'm curious about your argument that driving is cheaper than taking public transport. When driving a private vehicle, you are paying a huge premium for the convenience of driving where you want, when you want. <br /><br />If driving were cheaper, why do poor people take the bus?<br /><br />Victor<br />uforia@gmail.comVictornoreply@blogger.com