Comments on: Our One-Car Experiment and Car Decision

By: Our One-Car Household | Sometimes Parenting Sucks

Our One-Car Household | Sometimes Parenting Sucks — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:10:53 +0000

[...] online, we’re not the only ones downsizing to one car. In these economic times, I’m surprised more people aren’t doing [...]

By: Wojo

Wojo — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:13:14 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing your story! I have a good friend who is mechanically inclined and would do something similar, but he would buy his cars for ridiculous prices like $200 or even $50, then fix some simple things that needed to be fixed. I can’t even imagine how much money he saved in the long run doing this…

By: markkuss

markkuss — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:19:33 +0000

Interesting story and nice comments!
Living on a student budget, I’ve stuck only with used cars. Considering the amount of driving I do (and the careless way I used to drive), I considered it feel it fair to pay around $500 -$ 800 for about 2 years of use. Some older cars do really well, as their mechanics were simpler and the price tag considerably lower!
I bought only from owners saving on the middle man involvement, and always felt that older owners have better driving habits and take better care of their autos.
When examining a prospective buy, I’d usually do a lot of research on reliability of the vehicle, and then consider how many years would the car drive with minimal input for repairs. A car being older and mainstream guarantees that its parts would always be available in junk yards thus saving on costs of ownership
I’d get rid of a car and look for a new ride when I noticed the repair bills beginning to mount.
Different cars have different temperaments. And so far, I have changed 5 sets of wheels in 9 years (driving the fifth now, a Prizm). The good part about this is that one doesn’t get overly attached to one vehicle. I can’t imagine driving the same thing for 5 years in a row, I’d get bored. With kids, though, I can see how I’d want more stability from the vehicle and will own something safer, more reliable and comfortable that will last me for more than 5 years.

By: europeanlady

europeanlady — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:48:45 +0000

We live in an Urban area where public transport is mostly ok. We actually met at the bus stop on our way to work. Then I passed my driving test and started driving to work, but used to go past the same bus stop and one day offered my future husband a lift. It was then that he told me he had no interest in cars or driving, so I’ve always known. When we started dating it was quite fun being the only driver, it meant I had the final say where we went! Still do and after 18 years of driving my husband (but NOT his taxi), wouldn’t want to change now.

By: Wojciech Kulicki

Wojciech Kulicki — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:43:45 +0000

Interesting perspective! I am assuming from your story that your husband doesn’t have a license, which is not all that uncommon in urban areas and in Europe. My aunt just got her license and she’s 55! I didn’t get mine until I was almost 20.

By: europeanlady

europeanlady — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:46:51 +0000

We are a one car household as my husband doesn’t drive. It works out fine, having two cars would be very expensive and because he doesn’t drive we don’t argue over the use of the car. I make all the decisions when it comes to buying a new car, so no arguements there either. The main draw back is if my husband can’t get somewhere by bus/train or walk, I have to drive him there and on long trips we can’t share the driving. But overall being a one car/one driver household means we save money and we can afford a decent car, so I probably don’t really want him driving now, I would find it strange if my husband was the one driving.

By: Wojciech Kulicki

Wojciech Kulicki — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:44:27 +0000

Very true–most people might faint at the sight of your cab bills, but not even give a second thought to what they are paying to REALLY maintain their cars!

I’m very glad you were able to make it work!

By: ds

ds — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:50:50 +0000

One car family can work well depending on job situation public transportation and having a good set of pals that can pitch in.
We recently gave up the truck and became a one car family. It takes getting use to.
We also unfortunately live in a area with no public transportation. While i have come to use cabs more for doc appointments . I find it is still cheaper to be a one car family then having a note / + expenses maintenance + insurance on another vehicle.
It does take communication working together and trying to get more done at one time.
I am enjoying the extra in the account since letting go of the second vehicle

By: Penny Farthing

Penny Farthing — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:27:24 +0000

Thanks for an interesting article. I’m going through a similar decision-making process at the moment. I was involuntarily deprived of my car for a while, and we have been experimenting with life as a one-car family. Although there are times when it is inconvenient being without a car, I’m still debating whether having a vehicle is worth the trade-off in terms of cost and trouble…
.-= Penny Farthing´s last post: An interview with my brother-in-law, the abseiler and former mortgage adviser =-.

By: Wojciech Kulicki

Wojciech Kulicki — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:14:49 +0000

We loved Craigslist, too. I have a post going up tomorrow about our sale experience.

The car we ended up getting is a Mazda5. I’ll be writing more about it next week–stay tuned!