okie wrote:Cycloptichorn on other threads on this forum claims he or she owns no car, but rides a bicycle. I agree this is not a good option for most people, but think of the savings: no gas, no insurance, no license fees, no repairs, no oil changes. I still think if you do not get into a rush, but keep your eye open for an older car that is well maintained, perhaps from a private owner, that has lower value, but one that is very economical on gas, you might end up better off. That is if you could sell your car and end up with a more economical car without losing any money in the process. The savings in gas could fund any minor repairs for a while. Of course, you would not want any car that will need major repairs in the way of motor or transmission.
Buying a new car is not a good idea in my opinion, or even a car up to 3 or 4 years old, unless you have the money to waste. Most people just look at the payment they can afford, but after the salesman completes his sales job, then here come the higher license and tax fees, higher insurance, you name it. The minute you drive a new car off the lot, you are then upside down on what you owe vs. what the car is worth.
P.S. How about telephones? Do you have both cell and land line? If so, get rid of the land line.
Please give me credit for knowing how to cut costs. I have a large garden where I can and freeze my harvest, I pick enough wild blueberries in the summer to last me a year and I go to the U-pick fruit places to get my fruit when they are in season and since I'm picking them myself, I get them at a fraction of the price you pay in stores.
I only drive my car when I need to go to work, shopping (rare) and appointments (rare), so my car sits in my driveway or work parking lot most of the time.
I don't go to clubs and very rarely go to a restaurant, plus I buy groceries according to the sales and even cut coupons.
I completely disagree with you on buying used cars, as i've had enough experience in buying them to know what they're all about.
I put a lot of money into my car and at least I know I can depend on it and not be stuck without a car or a car that's breaking down.
For 2,000 I'm not gonna get anything but someone elses problems and with the high cost of Toyota parts and repair, I can't take that chance.
To me, that would be like diving head first into a shallow pool.
I'd love to not have to rely on a car because they're nothing but mortages that are never paid and I don't use my car enough for what it costs me or is worth to me, but I need it.
I work 14 hours a days, 6 days a week beginning May 1st and peddling a bike to work that is a half hour drive away just isn't on my list of things to do.
I need my land line because my high speed runs through it and I need my cell phone in case I break down on my way from work on one of those long dark woodsy stretches of road that takes me there.
Hey, this sure has me thinking though! The heat pump we have for the house truly sucks and we (my mother and I both own our home) have been talking about getting a new heating system and I'm thinking we could have a combination wood/oil furnace put in and we could use wood when the prices skyrocket, hmmmm....
Gotta go start a heating system thread.
I've also looked into the hybrid cars, but they have these issues about them that bug me a bit and I don't like being bugged
Anyway, I need a reliable car because I live in the country and I don't have a horse. I'd love to have a horse, but I don't think they would let me park her at work