Carless in Canary Wharf

[major_clanger]

For the first time in twenty years, I don't have a car.

To be pedantic, that's not quite true. There have been times before when I've been without a car of my own, such as when my Astra was stolen and torched back in 1993. And I still legally own my PT Cruiser; it's just in the care of my brother whilst he tries to sell it for me. But I'm not expecting to drive it again, and nor will I be replacing it. My new flat doesn't have a parking space, and seeing as how I plan to be studying or working in London for the foreseeable future there's little call for me to drive regularly. If I do need a vehicle - to move something bulky, for instance - I can always hire one.

So, no more petrol bills. Also, no more MOT fees (or the repairs that usually go with them, even for a generally well-preserved eight-year-old car), no more parking permits, no more road tax and no more car insurance. The total cost of ownership of a car soon adds up.

But I'll still miss my last car. I did like the PT Cruiser: it was distinctive, roomy, comfortable and very reliable, even if it did have the turning circle of a supertanker. Oh well, I've still got my scale model.

Comments

[watervole.livejournal.com]

So, no more petrol bills. Also, no more MOT fees (or the repairs that usually go with them, even for a generally well-preserved eight-year-old car), no more parking permits, no more road tax and no more car insurance. The total cost of ownership of a car soon adds up.

And you can claim the environmental benefit too.

Enjoy the free Brownie point!

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the ranks of the happily car free!

I'm assuming you already have a bike...

[ladymoonray.livejournal.com]

That was a brave decision for someone who's always had access to a car.

I was forced to give up my company car when I was ill, and found it rather difficult to manage without at first. But I got used to it, and I haven't regretted it much.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Not really - my old bike is currently loitering with ms_cataclysm with the idea that it may go to her other half. It's a mountain bike I got off my brother years ago and it's not at all suited for London use. Depending on how transport goes I may look at getting something more like yours.

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

The particular bike I have (Dahon Cadenza) they've actually made less practical by adopting a different folding mechanism (it now needs an alan key which makes it less practical). They do others with the same easy fold as mine but in different models. Evans Cycles seems to have the whole range so have a look at their website. Of course if you don't want a full-size folder there's a wide variety of alternatives, folding and otherwise.

[brixtonbrood.livejournal.com]

Yay you! Think of all that lovely money.
There are definitely times when I look at our car moulding quietly in the road for weeks at a time and yearn to get rid of it, but it would be such a pain vising people out of London without it. It might be practicable once Tiny is old enough to use a booster cushion rather than a full blown child seat though.

[ms-cataclysm.livejournal.com]

Alan Parsons Project? you retro boy :-)

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

I know what a lonely furrow I plough. I was the only person in the whole cinema to laugh at the 'Alan Parsons Project' joke in Austin Powers 2.