Life changing decision (sort of).

[Eric_Methven]

Been having a long talk with the missus about getting a new car. I wanted one, she says we can't afford to run one. I pointed out that I need one to get to events and stuff, she pointed out that neither of us are working, I'll have my bus pass in a couple of years time (she already has hers) so a car would be a luxury item.

So, we've decided we don't need a car. The compromise is, that for events where I can sell my stuff, I can hire a van and I can hire a van for a couple of meets each year as well. For local travel I can use my mountain bike or use the bus. I can live with that I think.

The money we have managed to save would have bought a cheap car, but once the tax, insurance and fuel are added, we'd be strapped just keeping it on the road and to be honest it'd sit outside the house six days a week. So the money is going on a new cooker, some wallpaper and paint and enough kept back for van hire for the Crannog this month and Lanark next month. If I flog enough stuff the van hire costs will be ploughed back into the pot. Sounds doable but we'll have to see how it works in reality.

Interestin' times me thinks.

Now all I have to do is find a cheap van hire place in Durham.

Eric

 

[Barn Owl]

'Chavs R us'?

Any make or model you like.

Sounds a good idea to me actually Eric.

 

[JonnyP]

Cars are expensive to run.. I chopped in my mitsubishi shogun (which was costing me loads) to a smart car.. Its 600cc and I can get 60 mpg out of it. It costs £35 in tax and is a group 2 insurance. Much cheaper motoring...
I did have to cut my tool kit down a lot though... I did manage to fit my small ladders into it, they are 8'.. It was sticking out the back window by a foot...
My landrover (the limerover) failed its MOT. It needs a new chassis. I cannot afford a new one so my favourate ever motor has to go... Be very sad to see it go..
I think hiring is a good way to go Eric. Check this site for the best deals.. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/?gclid=CNrmkOqosZQCFQuJ1QodKymbtw

 

[Indoorsout]

Know what you mean Eric. I'm trying to get my licence back after a couple of years without for medical reasons but even if I do I don't think we'll be able to afford to get a car. Might end up doing something similar with the van hire if/when I get mine sorted.

 

[weaver]

I wish we could get by without automobiles Eric. My drive to work is 50 miles each way, with petrol going up every day it is getting to the point of selling the farm or quitting work. I really hate to do either. But it's the rock vs the hard place.

 

[Ogri the trog]

The "Essential" car is becoming more expensive day by day.
One idea that hasn't been floated so far is a car share, you use it on your days and someone else uses it on theirs - share the costs. Its not an idea that appeals massively to me at the moment, bu in a different situation I might change my mind.

Ogri the trog

 

[Tengu]

the car share idea is a good one

what you need is a car where the main costs are running costs.

No tax

No deprechiation

Cheap and readily availible parts.

Easy to maintain

Cheap to insure.

Does such a car exist? Well, no, but if you choose a classic carefully it will fill most of the above catagories. (join the owners club for cheaper insurance and ready access to cheap spares. a service kit for my Datsun 120Y(points, plugs, distributor cap, filter) cost me £20.)

Oh, and do be sure to get a limited milage on insurance.

 

[firecrest]

Ive always been able to live quite happily without a car, but now Ive moved to a remote location and Im very far from my work and college, it looks like its car time again

The sad thing is, I would be able to live comfortably on a bicicle, but there is no way Id ride one round the towns and cities unless everybody was, like these old photos we used to see of chinese cities. Think of how much easier it would be if we all rode bikes.

 

[Phil562]

I know quite a few people that have got rid of their cars and utilise public transport and hire cars when really needed.

I think this is the way forward, just takes a bit more forethought and planning.

I did a trip up to the North East recently, on my own, and where usually I'd drive. I went by train, booked in advance, cheaper, more comfortable, free internet access which whiled away the hours and got there feeling alot better then a 4-5 hour drive would have left me feeling

 

[Tadpole]

Ive always been able to live quite happily without a car, but now Ive moved to a remote location and Im very far from my work and college, it looks like its car time again

The sad thing is, I would be able to live comfortably on a bicicle, but there is no way Id ride one round the towns and cities unless everybody was, like these old photos we used to see of chinese cities. Think of how much easier it would be if we all rode bikes.

I’d love to live car less, unfortunately public transport is not an option as I start work before the busses start running, and would have to catch three busses just to get out to where I work. I used to bike to work, but the roads I use are so blooming dangerous now. I would not last a couple of weeks, before some numpty tried to kill me.
Going car less is ok if you don’t have to lug your trade tools about. Something from the sound of it Eric does have to do, so a converted mini may not be the best option. Not a lot of help so far Eric…. However
I’m sure you thought about having a chat with the other stall-holders to see if any of them are “doing” the shows you are likely to attend in the near future, they might agree to you sharing their transport for help with the fuel costs. I guess it is down to how much kit you need for your shows/meets, but it’s still going to be cheaper to share the hire of a larger van than two people hiring tow vans.

 

[John Fenna]

I wish I could bin my van - it costs a fortune to run - but I am not fit enough to rely on my bike (some of my committments are over 50miles away), we get one bus a week in our vilage - not counting school busses - and no way wil I get a 16' canoe and all the gear onto my bike....
Good luck though!

 

[Eric_Methven]

The trouble with my setup is the main events I want to do are in Scotland and I'm in England so sharing with another stall holder really isn't an option. I was thinking about an old motorbike and sidecar setup. Replace the sidecar with a coffin and I'd be able to get all my stuff in there. That would open a few eyes, especially if I rode it wearing my Viking gear. I expect I'd get stopped every time a cop car spotted me though.

Eric

 

[Tony]

Sorry to hear that Eric, we're looking at downsizing out motor but there's not much alternative to what we have, especially living rural.

So, I presume that you're not going to be able to make the Moot any chance of you doing a car share? Although you might have already mentioned it in the Moot car share thread? See, not all the events are in Scotland

I hope that something comes about that helps you out of this situation If I had a van i'd give it to you

 

[BorderReiver]

The trouble with my setup is the main events I want to do are in Scotland and I'm in England so sharing with another stall holder really isn't an option. I was thinking about an old motorbike and sidecar setup. Replace the sidecar with a coffin and I'd be able to get all my stuff in there. That would open a few eyes, especially if I rode it wearing my Viking gear. I expect I'd get stopped every time a cop car spotted me though.

Eric

Not a bad idea Eric.

The polis would only stop you out of curiosity. As long as the combination was legal and road worthy you would have no bother.

Don't forget that you can get trailers for motorbikes which would increase your carrying capacity.

The way that the Road Tax seems to be heading it will soon be impossible to afford to run a car unless you can buy new every couple of years.

 

[NatG]

It's a tricky thing, fopr me, i can't even drive and already it's a worry, i'l need a car to get about soon as i have varying commitments out to about a twenty mile radius from my house and public transport is fine at the moment but can be unreliable and uncomfortable.

It costs me £20 an hour just to learn to drive, and i reckon i still need to pour another £2-300 into the lessons even before i take a test, which will in all likeliohood cost at least another £150 before i pass.

then there's insurance for me, i nearly bought a 1.1 rover metro for £200, but the insurance would have been upwards of £2000, it's just an insane amount of money, then there's petrol, tax, MOT and running costs

good luck with your car free choice,

 

[h2o]

Ive had to give a job up recently due to the petrol costs and low hourly rate,so now i only have my full time job to get to im thinking of getting a bike and gettin rid of my car.Although my wife will still have and need her car i can use that on the occasions where i do need a car!!!

 

[firecrest]

the strange thing I find is that we bemoan the costs of running a car in this country, but people who use public transport all the time find its no meal ticket. I wouldnt be suprised if it costs more than running a car. I pay £1.80 to get into town on the bus - a journey of less than a mile. I get a weekly saver for £10 but that only does some buses in the local area. To go to sheffield, where I go once a week, costs costs £15.50 on the train, and a further £4 in buses because my first pass is a different company. If you want to travel to london or anywhere, its over £100, and in a car we regularly make the journey on a £40 tank.

 

[bothyman]

Eric
The Hire Van/Minibus will work out a lot cheaper especially if you get other folk to go with you.
I'm thinking much the same way as I cycle to most of the places I need to go.
But where I live I really need a car or some sort of motorised transport plus i have a canoe that needs transport.
Old Motorbike and sidecar sounds a good idea, Tax exempt, classic insurance.
But then perhaps you remember the long walk home when they broke down.

 

[spamel]

Public transport is crap because all the taxes are used to prop up the spongers of the country instead of sorting out public transport and the education system. If we stop the spongers from bleeding us dry and take the expensive luxuries out of the prisons so that they do their time as a punishment instead of a holiday, then we may be able to sort out the public transport system and maybe more people would be able to get rid of their cars. But, with the price of fuel and road tax going up, I think there is a reason there is little effort made to sort out a cheaper alternative, or is that me being cynical again?!

 

[fred gordon]

Sorry to hear about your problem Eric. I was talking to our friendly garage man recently and he was saying the the bottom is about to fall out of the larger car market and you will soon be able to pick up a big 4x4 for a song.

Just yesterday I saw a couple on a motor bike and they had a small trailer instead of a sidecar. They preferred that as they could take off the trailer easily and move aroun with just the bike. The trailer carried all ther camping gear as well as food etc. Just a thought.

Can someone tell me when the meet is at the Crannog this month? I seem to have missed that.