A year ago this week I ......

[albal]

Sold the car. It's been quite an easy year as I've no dependent 's and do what I like really. The thought of going through all the insurance, mot and general bollards, fills me with horror.

The £ saved goes on beer and bicycles.
I,m car free and will be for the foreseeable future.
A coincidence Honda and Nissan cease UK production in the UK. IF I got another vehicle it will be electric. Though that is a world away from where i,m at, planning next bicycle tour.

 

[Drago]

Good for you Sir (or Madam!)

 

[raleighnut]

 

[Drago]

Let's look at that from the opposite perspective...

Why should we like cars?

They're noisy, they pollute, they're a danger to more vulnerable keep road users. Even worse, the average UK car journey is under 10 miles, and often for the most specious of reason, making the noise, pollution, danger and mere presence unnecessary in most cases.

Then there's the cost. I have a Smart car which does less than 1800 miles annually. The road tax is free but it still sucks money for insurance, fuel, maintenance. I no more like spending money on a car than I do on a fridge or toaster. And why should I?

If you like cars, good for you, but in these environmentally enlightened times it is slowly, ever so slowly, becoming unacceptable to be a petrol head. I have no motoring ego, don't care what the neighbours think, get no pleasure from driving a car than I do sat in a bus, and managed to retire well before 50 in large part because I've never had a car loan or finance so had managed to accrue substantial savings. Sometimes they may be necessary for longer essential journeys, the disabled etc, but I can't think of a good reason why I should actually like them.

 

[alicat]

Good on you @albal.

 

[albal]

Interesting to note that VW, subaru and a few others are going to be due hefty fines in the not too distant future for failing co2 emissions targets. I drive for a living. Last thing I want to do is drive when not working. Not preaching just doing my bit.