Did you regret giving up your car?

[Sue]

Has anybody given up their car and not regretted it?

My ancient car (1998) is in mostly excellent condition for its age (a couple of dents) but won't pass the upcoming ULEZ requirements.

I live just within the ULEZ zone, but far enough from the boundary to not consider parking the car outside it (I'd have to get a bus to get to the car 🤣)

I just want something reliable to get me from A to B, but I hadn't realised used cars cost so much, even quite old ones, and I'm not sure whether to get another one. I've had mine around fifteen years.

Somebody I know who lives out of London is probably buying mine 😭😭😭

I haven't done the financial calculations lately, but there is also the convenience factor ....

[Nigello]

Think about signing up for Zipcar, which has a good presence here and can be taken to most, I think, London boroughs. Some are those that you can leave at your destination but a smaller number you have to bring back. There are electric cars within the fleets and all are usually reliable and clean, though some are a bit tatty and whiffy! (I don't use them personally but know others who do and who really like the service.) For longer trips you can hire from Avis, Hertz etc.

[SpringTime]

I gave up a car for a year and didn't really miss it at the time because where we live in London has excellent links. It quickly hit home how expensive trains can be though - huge fares for holidays and visiting friends and relatives. We planned UK holidays with not having a car in mind. When we got a car again a sense of freedom returned. This was several years ago and car-hire options have improved since. I'd switch back to no-car if public transport was dramatically more efficient and economic.

[DulwichFox]

I Gave up my car in Feb/March 2019..

My car was 26 years old. The correct tyres were virtually no longer available locally.

The washer bottle had split and the Washer pump finally packed up.

The hand brake was on it's last notch.

My optician said I could still legally drive with corrected Vision (glasses)

but as my cataracts were getting worse I was renewing my glasses very 6 months.. (expensive)

My Cataracts have now been sorted.. My Distance Vision is excellent..

I can now Legally drive without having to wear glasses. Not 20-20 but very close to.

I have no desire to buy another car..

Problems Parking at Home.. Charging points.. Car Parking Fees.. Roads Closed Off..

Cameras Fines if you stray into the wrong lane.. Congestion Charges.. ULEZ Charges..

It's a nightmare driving these days.. It was Fun when I was 18...

I have not regretted giving up my car..

I do not need a Car..

I used to drive to the coast... ?40.00 petrol.. ?8.00 + Parking.. Can't have a drink.

Train to Brighton with Freedom Pass (to East Croydon) ?20.00 Return

and I have a couple of beers with my Fish & Chips..

Foxy

[Jules-and-Boo]

we don't bother driving, much easier to get the train/ bus/ walk/ uber.

[BrandNewGuy]

... and to Foxy's calculations, you can add depreciation, insurance, wear and tear, servicing, road tax, MOT etc. I'm amazed at how many drivers simply calculate the cost of their car journeys by how much the petrol costs.

[womanofdulwich]

Im thinking about it, but it has been for last minute dashes that I have kept the car, rushing off to see ill parents, needing to take them to hospital etc. also collecting teenagers/ taking them to A and E. etc etc. I guess there is a time when you dont need to be around for these mercy dashes, but the cost of a quick train/ flight to somewhere more than an uber away is v expensive.

If you qualify for free public transport and dont have to factor in these emergency journeys then there is little reason to have the responsibility of a car.

[Sue]

Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> we don't bother driving, much easier to get the

> train/ bus/ walk/ uber.

It does depend where you are going,what the transport links are like, whether you have anything heavy/bulky to transport in either or both directions, how long you are staying etc..

Foxy, I'm amazed you used to drive to Brighton and back in a day.

I do it by train anyway. Far less hassle than driving!

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > we don't bother driving, much easier to get the

> > train/ bus/ walk/ uber.

>

> It does depend where you are going,what the

> transport links are like, whether you have

> anything heavy/bulky to transport in either or

> both directions, how long you are staying etc..

>

> Foxy, I'm amazed you used to drive to Brighton and

> back in a day.

>

> I do it by train anyway. Far less hassle than

> driving!

I never used to actually Drive to Brighton Parking there is virtually impossible.

I used to drive to Ramsgate where parking could be found. Even some FREE I seem to remember.

Also Broardstairs But that was when my mother was still alive and she had a disabled badge.

Just use the train now but have not been for a couple of years due to Covid..

Hope to have a day in Brighton before end of Sept.

Foxy

[natty01295]

Sorry for the loss of your Mother

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Jules-and-Boo Wrote:.

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > we don't bother driving, much easier to get

> the

> > > train/ bus/ walk/ uber.

> >

> > It does depend where you are going,what the

> > transport links are like, whether you have

> > anything heavy/bulky to transport in either or

> > both directions, how long you are staying etc..

> >

> > Foxy, I'm amazed you used to drive to Brighton

> and

> > back in a day.

> >

> > I do it by train anyway. Far less hassle than

> > driving!

>

> I never used to actually Drive to Brighton

> Parking there is virtually impossible.

>

> I used to drive to Ramsgate where parking could

> be found. Even some FREE I seem to remember.

> Also Broardstairs But that was when my mother was

> still alive and she had a disabled badge.

>

> Just use the train now but have not been for a

> couple of years due to Covid..

>

> Hope to have a day in Brighton before end of

> Sept.

>

> Foxy

[Seabag]

Get an electric bike or scooter Sue

I expect most of your trips out are fairly local

And join Zip too.

[Sue]

Seabag Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Get an electric bike or scooter Sue

>

> I expect most of your trips out are fairly local

>

> And join Zip too.

I had thought of getting an electric bike, but I'm not very steady on a bike and I'm scared of the traffic.

My push bike is too big for me and I do need to replace it, as it's been languishing in a hangar since I was too ill to ride it, however most of my local trips are to/from my allotment, and I couldn't carry bulky stuff on a bike.

Presently I often go to the allotment on the bus if I can fit what I need to carry into a backpack and/or shopping trolley :) Taking a car there is a faff anyway because there is only one parking space so we are only allowed twenty minutes to load or unload, then we have to go and park elsewhere.

I'm investigating Zip, and also peer to peer car hire, which is all new to me .....

[first mate]

It is when you are in this sort of situation that going without a car becomes untenable. For last minute A&E/ mercy dashes or similar when out of town ( we don't all live close to relatives), zip cars, trains, other PT are no use at all.

womanofdulwich Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Im thinking about it, but it has been for last

> minute dashes that I have kept the car, rushing

> off to see ill parents, needing to take them to

> hospital etc. also collecting teenagers/ taking

> them to A and E. etc etc. I guess there is a time

> when you dont need to be around for these mercy

> dashes, but the cost of a quick train/ flight to

> somewhere more than an uber away is v expensive.

> If you qualify for free public transport and dont

> have to factor in these emergency journeys then

> there is little reason to have the responsibility

> of a car.

[Seabag]

In all honesty, I can?t think of ever not having a car.

[Nigello]

What about a taxi? Have an account and they could offer you a discount. I know of some elderly people who did have cars who do this and found it much less expensive and almost as convenient.

[first mate]

Too variable in response time Nigello. Quite often it is necessary to set off to destination immediately. Plus taxi quite often does not want what could amount to one-way fare out of area.

The walking/cycling PT model works if your family live very close by/ your life and work is all local or you are young with few commitments.

[Sue]

I'm in the aged granny category, but I wouldn't expect my family to make a mercy dash across the country to me (unless I was dying)!

I have on a couple of occasions called 111 for advice and ended up being taken to A&E in an ambulance, however ....

[womanofdulwich]

Sue, sadly we never knew when we made dashes whether they are dying ones. That can often be the way. Slips and falls, and so it goes.

..

[Earl Aelfheah]

I?m getting rid of mine at the moment. Been using it less and less and it?s become safer to cycle locally with the kids since the LTNs were introduced. Hoping they won?t be reversed, but thinking they probably will. Either way, I can?t justify keeping a car when I use it so infrequently and of course there are the environmental considerations.

Understand it?s difficult if you have elderly parents or family who rely on you and aren?t nearby.

[Sue]

womanofdulwich Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue, sadly we never knew when we made dashes

> whether they are dying ones. That can often be the

> way. Slips and falls, and so it goes.

😢

Sorry to hear that.

> ..

[Pugwash]

i did consider a ZIP car a while ago but found that they did not do automatic - (have driven an automatic for 15 /20 years) Also as stated above - no good if you have an emergency.

We are emergency contacts for our youngest grandchildren in Sussex- if daughter is ill etc, need a car to collect them from school etc.

[first mate]

WOD, spot on. That is the problem.

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> womanofdulwich Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Sue, sadly we never knew when we made dashes

> > whether they are dying ones. That can often be

> the

> > way. Slips and falls, and so it goes.

>

> 😢

>

> Sorry to hear that.

> > ..

[Otto2]

Gave up the car 10+ years ago. Our family walks/cycles/uses public transport/occasional taxi. No regrets at all. Have an electric bike now - with two panniers and a back rack I can carry tons of groceries etc. Kind of game changing - might be worth having a test spin on one to see how you feel about one. Rides just like a regular bike, but, with little effort - esp. on hills. I also ride a "normal" bike on easy trips. I'm old with various health ailments that can make getting around difficult but the electric bike works well for me on those days when I need a boost - either due to health, or because I'm transporting stuff.

[hammerman]

Sorry to hear your ancient! was that 1998? car won't pass the absurd ULEZ controls Sue!

Elderly neighbours and friends of mine won't be able to drive from Lambeth to Southwark borough to visit family and friends because of this from October so I'm glad you've brought it up.

[Sue]

Well I fully support the extension of the ULEZ zone, however I'm very pissed off personally at having to give up a car which has been well maintained, has had very few problems over the 15 years I've had it, and is in excellent condition for its age.