Ever since I saw how bad the infestation of cars is in the streets all around me, I just don’t find the idea of buying my own car very appealing anymore, in my small and dense town, every new vehicle on the street is a problem when the streets are tight and people already double park in many spots.
However, I do drive around my parents cars when I need to cause public transit here isn’t the best but I try to utilize it as much as I could.
Nevertheless, long gone are the times when I used to watch YT chaneels like carwow and hoping that I get to own the cars that I see, I can maybe compare my resentment towards buying a vehicle to the idea of buying cigarettes or alcohol to someone who quit either, a silly comparison but I hope it gives you an idea.
I spent most of my adult life without a car and without a driver’s license. I got to acutely and intimately experience, for decades, just exactly how car-centric our culture is and how profoundly society can’t and won’t accommodate you if you don’t own or can’t operate a private vehicle. When I finally sorted this out and got my license and vehicle, I felt zero shame or regret. I was done being a martyr. Yeah the future is public transportation but the present is what it is. There is no shame in being that person who says “we should improve society somewhat” while participating in society.
I held off on a car for years and did ok. When we got an electric car a year and a half ago, it was almost offensive how much better our city was. Now I’m looking at getting an electric cargo bike as I don’t always love driving.
Even taking the horrible toll of cars on the environment out of the equation, now is a terrible time to buy any car. Infrastructure is changing, charging standards are changing, and technology both in and outside of cars is changing. The whole thing is just a turn off.
Must be hard in America when there aren’t many ways to get around.
My car was totaled so I had two options: 1) buy another car so I could get to work. 2) quit my job since there is no way to get there without a car.
If I worked at the supermarket near me in the Netherlands: just walk there.
Yep yep, good on ya. Getting an ebike? I’m up to almost 3k miles on mine over the past 15 months. I love it
what’s the model of your bike?
I want an e-bike, but they seem too big of a target for theft. There’s steps you can take, but lengthy lock setup and battery removal almost removes their convenience.
I suppose it really depends on where you live. I usually don’t lock up and leave my battery in.
I found myself feeling forced to move out of my closest city. Three years later, I finally caved and bought a car. I have been miserable ever since.
If you don’t absolutely have to, do not buy a car. See if using taxi services and electric bike would cost less for the same result. Look at how often you would use it and how much distance you do with it. I would also maybe direct your attention to mopeds if you live in an extremely car dependant area. They are loud and a bit obnoxious, but at least they’re cheap, don’t use as much fuel, can easily be maintained by yourself and don’t take up a whole street’s parking. My years of owning one were some of the best of my life.
Also consider the financial realities. Cars depreciate right off the lot, and sales people will sell you anything if they can charge enough interest.
You might want to get a rate from a credit union before you go anywhere near a lot.
And of course there is rampant car fraud on craigslist, including non disclosure of salvage title.
You can do the math. Just choose wisely, and good luck!
What about an electric sitting scooter, like a Vespa?
I DIDNT KNOW VESPA MADE AN EV hot damn I gotta look into that. I loved my sprint back when I lived in Montreal!!
Having a car means freedom and independance. How happy I was having my car during crazy lockdowns.
Just get in the car and drive out of the city. No need for public transport.
Thank god there are some smart fucking people here
That’s the case for me too, people scream to me I’m crazy when I tell them I don’t really want a car. I used to like the idea of having my own car to drive around with, but the sentiment died out pretty quickly considering how little I would use it anyway.
When the alternative method is better, more convenient and cheaper it’s hard to look back, I hope I can say the same in my situation eventually when I move to a less car dependant area.
Problem where I am is theft.
Public transit is too far away to comfortably use it, and my bike will 100% be stolen if I leave it anywhere.
I’m left with driving. Even if it’s a few kilometers down the road. My bike would be stolen while I’m in the grocery store, and walking to the bus and waiting 15+ minutes for the next one to arrive is crazy considering it’s a 10 minute drive to start.
if there’s no guard posted at the door I bring my bicycle inside the grocery store and park it with the carts. I’ve never had a complaint.
