The Car-Free Lifestyle (Coming To An End)

Close your eyes. Now imagine a city that allows you to live relatively easily without a car. This city has a robust public transportation network of subways, trains, taxis and clearly marked bicycle lanes. The things you want and need – home, work, grocery stores, shopping, entertainment – are located close to one another which eases your ability to walk to and fro.

Where is this place? Was this city Chicago? New York City? Washington D.C.?

I’m quite sure you didn’t pick Sarasota, Florida.

But that’s exactly where I live, and where I’ve been living for over four years now. And I’ve spent more than half that time car-free.

Sarasota isn’t easy for those living without a car. There is no subway or train system. The buses do a fairly satisfactory job of getting me to and from work, but don’t cover a great part of the city. Downtown is well covered, and major landmarks like the airport, the beaches and the malls are easy to get to. However, many residential neighborhoods are not located anywhere near bus stops. So how have I done it?

I purposely designed my life around not having a car. I choose the apartment I live in because it’s located along the bus line that takes me to work, and also sits right next to a bus stop. I bought a 49cc scooter for days when the bus is running late or when I need to run errands that the bus doesn’t easily allow. There are sacrifices to be sure, but the savings have been immense.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average “consumer unit” spent almost $9,000 on transportation last year. That breaks down to $750 per month! Pretty insane. Take a look at my budget for August: I spent a total of $47 on transportation needs, which included bus passes and fuel for my little scooter. Immense savings, indeed.

Walking to the bus stop in the rain isn’t fun. Leaving home earlier in the morning because I can’t speed to work in a car isn’t fun, either. But you know what else isn’t fun? Spending a bunch of cash unnecessarily.

And while this post is designed to show you that living in a small city without a car is relatively easy, albeit not without sacrifices, if you really want it, I’m also writing to inform you readers that my car-free lifestyle (and many of the savings associated with it) is unfortunately coming to an end.

My employer has decided to purchase land in another part of the city and will soon be breaking ground on the new location. My entire department will be relocated when the new building is built. As luck would have it, this new location is not bus friendly. Furthermore, although I could probably move to an apartment that is close enough for a 2-3 mile walk to the new location, my girlfriend currently uses the bus as well as she is living a car-free lifestyle. The bus picks her up right outside of our apartment and whisks her away to her job with a fair amount of efficiency. Moving closer to my job would make it impossible for her to catch the bus to her job without having to leave home two hours early and complete a couple bus transfers. It just wouldn’t be realistic for her.

So, my car-free dream is ending. It’s been an incredible ride. I wanted to prove to myself (and the world) that you don’t need to live in some major metropolis to live successfully without a car in modern America. I’ve done it. And I could continue to do it if I really wanted to push the issue. But that’s not the point. The point is to sacrifice in a realistic manner so that you can live well below your means and save your money for a brighter future.

What will I be buying? Well, I can tell you it won’t be a brand new SUV that gets 10 miles per gallon and can traverse mountains with ease. Florida is flat and I don’t want to be broke.

I’ll likely be looking for a fuel efficient model that’s 5-10 years old where most of the depreciation (one of the biggest costs to car ownership) has already been accounted for. Something cheap to buy, maintain and operate. I’m thinking Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas and Chevrolet Cavaliers. I’ll let you in on a secret: I’d really love a Mini Cooper. They get around 30 mpg, they’re awesome looking and they’re a lot of fun to drive (my parents have one). Unfortunately, I think they’re out of my price range. I’d like to spend no more than 5% of my net worth on a car.

I’m looking to spend somewhere around $5,000 on a car, but preferably less. We’ll see what I can get. I’m willing to pay up for quality, but only to a degree.

What I’m going to do is “pre-pay” for this car by amortizing the expense on upcoming monthly budgets. You’ll see some funds allocated towards my “car fund” in my upcoming September budget report and you’ll see this money listed as an expense so that when I do purchase a car it isn’t listed as one giant expense that makes it look like I saved 0% for a month. I’ll amortize the expense out over a few months or so to limit the damage to my budget, much in the same way many people go out and finance a vehicle. I’ll be paying cash, obviously, but I don’t want my savings rate to be skewed by one off month. I don’t need to complete this transaction until mid-2014 because the new building isn’t expected to be up and running until later 2014.

So that’s it. I was hoping to be car-free for much longer and reap the rewards inherent in such a lifestyle. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see a work-related relocation in my future. But life happens and you have to roll with the punches. And to be honest, there are some things I’m looking forward to once I own a car again. It’ll be much easier to pack up some gear and head to the beach (getting to the beach by bus is a 1.5 hour nightmare). It’ll be nice to have more time, as I can leave home for work later and I’ll also get home earlier. Also, I might just have a little fun with it!

If you were ever thinking about living car-free I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s possible in all but the most remote locations. But you have to want it. And you have to be willing to make sacrifices. The savings are immense, but it’s up to you whether the lifestyle is worth it. For me, it’s been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned about how to deal with adversity all while increasing my savings rate tremendously.

How about you? Living car-free? If not, ever thought about it? 

Thanks for reading.

Photo Credit: ponsulak/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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53 Comments

  1. Sorry to hear your car-free dream is ending. However, as you noted, the pursuit of frugality involves sacrificing in a realistic manner. The issues associated with trying to stay car-free at your future workplace would likely outweigh the savings from not having a car.

    I’ve owned a car for several years now. It’s a 2008 Toyota Corolla that I bought brand-new in August 2007 with cash. A car was pretty much a necessity in the city where I was living at the time, but it wasn’t until that point that I was in a financial position to buy one. Prior to that, I had to rely on the generosity of a good friend to drive me around.

    Of course, it just so happened that a year later I ended up moving to a city where I didn’t really need a car! I lived right on a major bus line and had free public transit through my employer, so I didn’t need to drive to work. As a result, I just used the car on weekends (it did help for running errands around town) and for going on the occasional road trip.

    Now that I’ve moved again, it’s a bit of a mixed situation. On the one hand, a car is definitely needed for running errands because I don’t live within walking distance of any stores, and taking the bus to do something like grocery shopping would be very cumbersome and time-consuming. On the other hand, a bus line is very close to me and I get free public transit through my new employer, so I could potentially just take the bus to and from work. I tried that for a month after I moved, but the bus just wasn’t flexible enough — it doesn’t run frequently and I felt too constrained by its schedule. Moreover, I’ve been in the habit of going into work fairly early, and I don’t relish the thought of eventually standing outside in winter weather waiting for a bus at 7:15 am. (I did enough of that for years when I was a student.)

    Consequently, I ended up buying a parking pass (which was actually priced reasonably) and I’ve been driving to and from work since mid-August. I dislike putting a bit of wear and tear on my car by only driving a few miles each way, but at least I’m finally getting some value out of a car that hasn’t seen much use in the previous six years. Plus, the monetary costs of the parking pass and gas are outweighed by the convenience and schedule flexibility.

    I suppose one could view this as a bit of lifestyle inflation, but given that it arguably enhances my quality of life and has a minimal effect on my finances, I think it’s a reasonable tradeoff.

  2. Jason,

    I hear you on the car expenses!!

    What about car pooling? Have you looked into Zipcar or an equivalent service?

    Chuck in Ontario

  3. Jason,

    I have gone through the exercise of buying a car recently. Based on my experience used cars do not offer good value any more. Used car prices have been ridiculously high, like a 5 year old civic selling for 11,000 i saw on craigslist. However, if you can get one that is good for you.

  4. Definitely love the car-free lifestyle, it was one of the many reasons I moved to Chicago. We have an efficient, cheap (relatively) and reliable transportation system. I haven’t filled up in over a year, and I have no idea what a gallon of gas costs. The funniest thing to me is getting junk mail from Geico or whoever telling me they’re gonna save me so much money on my car insurance. Really?!?! Cheaper than $0?

  5. Jason,
    I totally understand the car dilemma. My wife and I hate the idea of having two cars…..honestly we hate the idea of having one car, and would like to simplify. However, without reasonable bus service….and the fact that she drives a ton for her job…..it’s just not an option. At least you went for it and lived the dream for a while. Plus working at a dealer you’ll get an awesome price that came in on trade in. My buddy that worked at a dealer in Tampa got all of his cars that way. He had a shot at anything that came in on trade at $500 more than the dealer paid.

    I’m sure you’ll find a great way to minimize your expense. You seem right smart and highly motivated.

    daddydomestic.blogspot.com

  6. You would have a ton of fun with a MINI Cooper! I got one last year after years of driving 3-series including my last 330i with a performance package… Thought I would miss it but MINI is as much fun (6 speed) but actually more practical being a hatchback. By the way, my average is 39 mpg combined city/highway and not 30. Anyway, if you can find one in your price range – go for it. Corolla or a Civic would be cheaper of course, but a bore in comparison (we had a Corolla too). I would love to go car free, but I would sure miss my Cooper! Are you sure you can’t ride your scooter to work still? Maybe a small 250cc motorcycle? I feel like in FL you could pull it off, with some rain gear of course.

  7. I take it the new location is not scooter-friendly either? If it could be, you could save a lot of money by just renting a car one weekend every other month or so for some of the other things you’re fantasizing about.

    I went car-free for four years after my first car died. Definitely a gigantic savings.

    I didn’t mind shopping on the bus–getting home with my groceries counted as my aerobic activity for the day and also was good for my arm muscles. Admittedly I also generally bought a candy bar to eat while waiting for the bus home.

    Doing laundry via the bus was odd at first, but I learned to cover the top with a towel or sheets so my underthings wouldn’t be showing.

    I did have a problem going to parties. Actually I could get to my friends’ houses, but the buses stopped running before I was ready to leave. Friends would drive me home, but they wouldn’t accept compensation, so I felt bad.

    I occasionally rented a car when I visited my parents 200 miles away. While I had the car I would make any bulk purchases. I did take a taxi after buying my first TV and VCR (I called the taxi from the store), but even one way it was still super expensive, so I never did that again.

    I seriously reconsidered going car free again about five years ago, but most of my friends are no longer on bus lines–they’ve moved out to the suburbs. Also, I do like some parts of town that are far away–I’m in a pretty big city. In the end, I decided I value locational freedom as much as financial freedom. Also, it’s nice to be able to lend out my car when my boyfriend’s is in the shop.

    I still take a bus to work and walk to close places–I generally fill my gas tank just less than once a month. Still, I budget $183/month for car expenses (gas, insurance, fees, inspections, maintenance, repairs), though I think this car is cheaper to maintain than my last car, so that might be a little high. I have $3000 saved for these expenses now, which is probably crazy.

    I also save $63/month toward my next car (I also like to buy ten-year-old cars in reliable models). I already have $2930 saved toward my next car. And since I failed to find a decent old car last time and had to settle for a high-mileage 2008 car (in 2010), I’m really hoping it will be a while. Note that Toyota Corollas from 2008 or early have better mileage than those from 2009 and later.

    My next step is to get my bike ready for trips to our new local grocery store. But there are restaurants, events, other grocery stores, friends, and the aforementioned parents who are not easily accessible without a motorized vehicle.

  8. Oh man, I’m sorry to see that you’ll have to make the big change. Not much you can do about it!

    I’m one of the dumbasses you refer to who bought a SUV (and drives in the mountains HAHA)! But it was used at least (and I actually do take it off paved roads btw). On the other hand I’ve spent 3 of the past 4 years outside the US and barely drove it. Last year in S. Korea + 2 years in the Middle East… can’t have cars their at my rank.

    My plan is to see how a Colorado winter goes and then reassess next summer as to whether I get something else or not. My buddy has an old Subaru and that thing is a champ! Decent gas mileage and all wheel drive for snow. Pretty ugly though. I have been saving $225 every month towards a future car and can pay cash for something else starting next summer when all the CDs mature. Big decision…

  9. Despite Florida having a couple of metropolitan cities in Miami and Orlando, the public transportation is abysmal to say the least. I live in Miami and you’d have to budget two hours of commute (one way) from the suburbs to the beaches and downtown Miami. Frustrating to say the least. A reliable car is a must, and in addition to insurance, fuel, car payments and maintenance, one has to budget for daily tolls on the road. Sucks, but I pay $50-$60 a month in tolls to get to work.

  10. I’ve always owned a car and have never wanted to be without one. I own a very inexpensive car. When I bought it, it was around 9 years old. I still have, some 7 years later and plan to drive it until it drops. When it finally does go to that great garage in the sky, I’ll buy another used car.

    There will be a bunch of expenses associated with a car such as gas, insurance, maintenance, tolls, etc. So your savings rate will take a hit. But there will also be a great deal of freedom and comfort. No more standing around waiting for the bus in sweltering heat or rain. And no more limits on when and where you can go anywhere.

  11. My husband and I own a 2001 Toyota Echo and recently purchased a 2005-ish Toyota Scion Xa in cash for $6,000. The Toyota Echo is a manual transmission and gets around 40 miles per gallon (even higher on the freeway). The Scion (basically a Toyota product) gets around 35 miles per gallon city driving. I would recommend either car if you are looking in the subcompact car category. Good luck!

  12. I didn’t even know how to drive until a year ago. While I was in college it was fine. I could get to school and back home within an hour. Once I started working at my current employer it became a 2.5 hour trip each way. When I was a part time employee I actually spent more time commuting than actually working! And a bus pass in Atlanta costs nearly half as much as my current car note. I got a Nissan Versa brand new (I know…but whatever It’s my first car and I bought it as a birthday present to myself.) and am working diligently to pay it off early.

  13. Well the good news is your Dividend mantra has unshackled soon to be half of your dependence on your employer (and all other employers). So if they relocated to the middle of the ocean and expected you to buy a yacht to get there; you can say no later on!

    And technically as a side note: your hard work and sacrificing have been moving you up from lower middle class to upper middle class, though the government thinks your lifestyle is well below the poverty line. (The meek shall inherit the Earth and her mineral rights, as the meek realize the Earth is self-sufficient already 😉

  14. One last thought, instead of buying a car… you could get a fully funded tax credited road worth (even solar paneled) Golf Cart with an electric motor inside for free. Because of the electric motor’s battery capacity size, Government tax credits give a full dollar to dollar refund for one road worthy electric motor golf cart every year to one household if they buy it initially. It’s little known but worth a look. A few people buy one for $3,500, then at tax time get a check back for $3,500, then they lease them or sell them to a golf course if they don’t use them to drive with.

  15. I would personally stray away from the Honda’s believe it or not. My wife has had a used Honda civic and accord, both of which have cost way more in maintenance over the past several years than if she had just leased new cars. We have since then sold both of our cars and gotten a new Prius C which has great gas milage and has been problem free.

    Cars are a terrible financial investment, what you’re really paying for is your own future frustration. You can afford to buy a new reliable car instead of a big used headache. That’s just my 2 cents.

  16. I living car-free since 2010 and will never come back excepted if my location/situation change.

    Here the public transportation is well stuffed, so in the city it is a bit of waste of money…and if I really need a car for a trip or whatever, short term rentals are really cheap, but that don’t happen often (1 time the previous year, 0 this current one). Taxi are cheap too.

    Compared to 2010 and before I can see the difference in cash flow.

    Greets.

  17. I’ll be one of the bad people and agree with My financial independance Journey above. I like my cars, I hate public transportation. People are pushy and rude during “go to work” hours. There are always delays. I like a warm seat in the winter too.
    I rarely go home after work so I need to be ready to go anywhere. I buy a cheap good older car, I have always been very lucky with my cars, but I also can fix most problems on my own with them. Not sure why the bad comment about Hondas… Ive owned just about every brand of car. Hondas are very reliable if you show them minimal care. Good value for cheap price.
    Transportation in modern times = freedom to a degree. I don’t want to be a robot and have a fixed schedual every day.

    It’s a choice one makes. I like the line above in one of the posts about sacrifice as well.

  18. DGM,

    Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

    I appreciate where you’re coming from and what you’re saying. It’s definitely about finding the right balance between frugality and quality of life. In all honesty, my quality of life probably took a small hit when I decided to live car-free but the savings side of the scale was so tilted that I was okay with it. Although I’m forced into buying a car now, I’m looking a little forward to the convenience of having a car again. Like you said, an argument could be made that it’s a bit of lifestyle inflation. But if you’re still saving gobs of money and building wealth at a prodigious rate then I think that’s okay.

    I guess what I’m saying is that I can sometimes find myself caught up in metrics, percentages and rates and forget that I’m doing all of this to increase my overall quality of life and happiness. I’m happy for the savings that car-free living has allowed me, and would love to say car-free for a few years. On the other hand, the convenience of having a car is probably okay now that I’ve come so far.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Take care.

  19. Chuck,

    I’m in a fairly small city. We don’t have a lot of services like that. I’m not aware of any type of car sharing service here at all. If that was an option I’d definitely consider it!

    Best wishes.

  20. Anonymous,

    Used car prices stayed elevated starting a few years back and are still probably above their historical average. That’s because when the economy tanked people decided to hold on to their cars longer instead of buying a new car. Supply and demand dictated that used car prices would rise, but I think you’re seeing softening there now. At least, that’s my perspective from working at a car dealership.

    We’ll see what I can find. I have a lot of time to browse. 🙂

    Best regards.

  21. Anonymous,

    That’s awesome! I’d love to live in a big city like that where public transportation was easy and cheap. There are drawbacks I’m sure, and waiting for the L when it’s freezing outside probably isn’t fun. But the savings are very nice, indeed!

    Keep up the good work. 🙂

    Cheers!

  22. Dadddydomestic,

    Car expenses suck. No way around that!

    The only thing we can do is minimize the expenses by buying cheap and reliable cars and limit our driving if we must own cars. I’ve treasured my time without a car, but am looking forward to the convenience of having one again. We’ll see how it goes.

    I also get a crack at some trade-ins, but it’s hit and miss. Not too many really cheap cars get traded in at my dealership because I work around high end cars. Never know though. I’ll keep my eyes peeled. 🙂

    Best wishes.

  23. Insourcelife,

    I’d love to have a Cooper! I just don’t think it’s in my price range. I’ve browsed around and it looks like ~$6k buys you a Cooper with 100k+ miles on it. It’s tough to pay that much money for a car with already high miles. I think they’re great to drive though and the gas mileage is just awesome.

    I’d love to ride my scooter to work but I just don’t think it’s realistic. If I worked at a job where I was in a cubicle or something where I didn’t see customers I’d take a stab at it. But if I show up to work wet even one morning we’d have a problem. I could try it, but even with rain gear I think I’d have a problem staying completely dry.

    Thanks for the support on the MINI!

    Take care.

  24. Debbie M,

    Great stuff there.

    As always, it’s a trade-off. There’s the savings from not having a car, but the lack of convenience and flexibility as well. Having a car is expensive but allows you to be freer and offers a lot more convenience. By the time I get a car I’ll be almost three years car-free. That’s not a bad run!

    Best wishes.

  25. Dtmheat,

    I hear you. It’s tough down here in Florida. Even the big cities are sorely lacking public transportation options, so a small city like Sarasota obviously makes things even more difficult to those trying to live car-free.

    We’ll see how it goes. Not looking forward to the bills that come along with car ownership, but air conditioning and a radio won’t be too bad. 🙂

    Cheers!

  26. CI,

    You’re no dumbass. You’re doing a hell of a job over there! 🙂

    I was being sarcastic there, but in the end if you’re going to have a car sometimes it makes sense to love what you drive. I’m a car guy at heart. I’ve had a lot of nice cars in my life. One of the first things I did when I received an inheritance at 21 was blow it on a Corvette. That probably tells you all you need to know! I hate driving around an econobox beater, so I’ve got the frugal side of me battling with the car enthusiast side. It’s tough.

    I hear you on how it’s a big decision. Save money and drive something you hate to drive, or drive something you enjoy driving but save less money. It’s tough. I wish you the best of luck with it!

    Take care.

  27. MFIJ,

    Nice job getting your value out of that car! That’s awesome stuff.

    You’re right. My savings rate will take a hit, but the convenience and freedom will be nice. I’ll probably be complaining the first time I have to fill it up or send in a check for the insurance though. 🙂

    Best regards.

  28. Anonymous,

    Nice job! I’ve heard good things about the Echo. Not the nicest looking cars (no offense), but the economics are incredible. I’ve pretty much just been looking for Corollas, Civics and Cavaliers as cheap rides but I’ll have to include Echos in my search. Thanks for the suggestion!

    Best wishes.

  29. Ashley,

    I think the Nissan Versa was at one point the cheapest new car in America. Nice choice. Tough to go wrong buying cheap because your depreciation costs are pretty limited.

    Great job paying it off early! Having a newish car that’s paid off will be awesome.

    Take care.

  30. FYC,

    I don’t think the golf cart idea will work down here. My work is going to be located a good drive away. Not a bad idea, though.

    The meek shall definitely inherit the Earth! 🙂

    Best wishes.

  31. Anonymous,

    Wow. Tough break on the cars. Sorry to hear that.

    Cars are a terrible investment. In fact, they’re not a financial investment at all. Rather, it’s simply a matter of quality of life and ability to get around. That’s pretty much it. You’re almost guaranteed to lose money on a car, and the operating costs are usually fairly high.

    I’m surprised to hear of the bad luck with Hondas. I’ve heard usually good things about them, though I’m strongly looking at Corollas if I decide to go the econobox route. They’re pretty bulletproof.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Cheers!

  32. JF Baconnet,

    Nice job! You’ve got me beat. I’ve only been car-free since mid-2011.

    You’re lucky to be living in a city that has readily available public transportation. I’ve made it work down here, but it hasn’t been easy. We’ve really had to design our life around riding the bus. It is what it is.

    Keep up the great work. That increased cash flow makes a big difference! I know it’s been incredible for me.

    Best wishes.

  33. paul,

    I hear you. Having a car comes with expenses to be sure, but certainly also comes with a lot of upside. The convenience, flexibility and freedom are hard to put a price on. I’ve really enjoyed the savings the savings that using the bus and my scooter has afforded me over the last couple of years, but I am looking forward to having a car again. I’m guilty. 🙂

    It’s all about sacrificing to a reasonable degree and balancing frugality and savings with one’s quality of life. If you’re suffering and unhappy it doesn’t matter how much money you’re saving. While money spent does not equal happiness, saving a ton of money while also living in misery isn’t where you want to be either.

    Sounds like you have found your balance and having a car is worth it to you. 🙂

    Take care.

  34. As mentioned above, I own a Toyota Corolla and I’ve been happy with it. It was subject to a recall a few years ago to replace an engine module, but the replacement service was quick and free, and I didn’t experience anything negative related to the recall. I think a new model is out now, so I don’t know how it differs from mine, but it has been a reliable car for me.

    I’ve also heard about generally positive experiences with Hondas; a good friend of mine owns a Civic. I have family members who own Mazdas and they seem to be happy with them. In general, it seems the foreign cars have better reputations, although there has been some improvement in domestic cars over the past few years.

  35. I’m sorry to hear that you have to get a car, but as you say you just have to roll with the punches and do what you have to do. There are a number of cars that get fantastic gas mileage in addition to the ones you mentioned, namely the Honda Fit.

    There are pockets in LA that feel a bit like the perfect city you described, but the vast majority is just a suburban sprawl with a transportation network that is woefully lacking. The last 8 years I’ve lived far away from a good transportation hub, and I’m tired of it. I’m hoping to move to a part of town with an excellent walk score (greater than 90).

    Best of luck finding a car!

  36. I like my 2008 Toyota Corolla better than my 1993 Honda Civic. Admittedly, that was the one year they had the annoying automatic seatbelts. That car had A LOT of annoyances.

    My favorite car was my 1984 Nissan Sentra wagon. Too bad Nissans have gone downhill in the reliability rankings.

    I’ve heard the Echo is much, much better than the Yaris.

    I also was tempted by the MINI last time I was looking, but they do not have the super reliability that I now look for. Neither do Fiat 500s, which my boyfriend says are even more fun to drive than MINI Coopers. Neither are Smart cars (that pesky weird transmission) which always make me laugh–especially when I saw one with a fake wind-up key unwinding as it drove along.

  37. I wouldn’t be afraid of a Mini with >100k miles on it. Find a 1 owner and hunt for one with good service records. Chances are many things have been done. !00k isn’t a death mark like it was in the 50s-80s. Good luck. I live in Fargo, ND. I can bike most places March thru November, but once the snow flies it is really hard to get around. Snow, ice, sidewalks unplowed. Slush, ice, meh. It is not Florida. Speaking of Fargo, ESPN Gameday live from Fargo on Saturday, Sept 21st. 3 hours of live coverage from Fargo. Should be a hoot for the little cold/snowy metropolis.

    Wade

  38. Looks like you are getting lots advice on cars.Here is my two cents You drive the car don’t let it drive you.If anyone self worth image is rated by what you drive you should spend that money on SHRINK and or get some new friends You are going to make with or with out the car because you yourself has drive Im a terrible writer but you know what I mean

  39. Spoonman,

    The Honda Fit? I didn’t have that one on my list either. It’s now been added! 🙂

    I’d also love to live in a place that had a really high walk score. I just checked my address and I got a 48. Not too bad, and probably the best you can find in this city. Downtown probably has a pretty decent walk score too, but the livability of downtown Sarasota can be deceiving.

    Good luck getting to an area that encourages walking!

    Best wishes.

  40. Anonymous,

    Great point there! I appreciate what you’re saying; yes I do understand what you’re trying to tell me. 🙂

    In the end, I’m probably going to find the cheapest and most reliable car I can find. I’m leaning towards getting a Corolla, but there has been some good suggestions above. Every $1,000 I don’t spend on a car is more money I can invest towards my future.

    Thanks for adding that.

    Cheers!

  41. DGM,

    I appreciate your opinion. Right from the beginning I’ve been leaning towards a Corolla. The reliability is undeniable, and they’re about as economical as you can get.

    You’re a very sharp guy, and I think you made a great decision. It’s a very prudent car to own.

    I agree with you in general terms regarding foreign cars vs. domestics. However, I once owned a Cavalier that was indestructible. That’s one reason it was a car I included in the post.

    Thanks again!

    Best wishes.

  42. Debbie M,

    Yet another check in the Corolla box. It looks like my decision is easy!

    I hear you on the Coopers. The reliability isn’t up there like Hondas and Toyotas. They’re manufactured by BMW, and BMW isn’t known for extreme reliability. Generally speaking, the German cars aren’t nearly as reliable as some of the Japanese and Korean models. And that’s coming from someone who has worked around German cars for the last 7+ years.

    Best wishes.

  43. Oh man all good things must come to an end. I’m sure you will find a reliable car to fit your need. It is not all that bad. I didn’t know you live in Sarasota. For some reason I was thinking the Orlando area. I lived in Sarasota before moving back to the Midwest. I would frequent the Broken Egg for some quality outdoor breakfast there. I increased my KMI position earlier this week. We’ll see how that pans out. Enjoy the car search.

    Cheers
    Rob

  44. RXSKI,

    I’m confident I’ll be able to find something reliable and affordable. I have plenty of time to look, so I think time’s on my side. 🙂

    I’ve never been to the Broken Egg. I’ve heard good things about it, though. I think Sarasota is a great city, but as you probably know it’s not the easiest to get around in if you don’t have a car.

    I also thought about adding to my KMI position, but I’m already heavily allocated and I believe wholeheartedly in diversification. Not a lot to like out there, which made it even tougher to not buy KMI. It’s one of the few attractively priced opportunities available on the market right now. I’m hopeful that Kinder Morgan will continue to serve us well for many years in the future!

    Best regards.

  45. Aspenhawk,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Yeah, if my scooter had a roof on it I’d be all set!

    I’ll definitely be taking a look at maintenance costs. I think, overall, that Corollas and Civics have some of the lowest ownership costs you can find. Of course, a really cheap and reliable domestic car would be really cheap as well because typically the parts and labor are less for repairs/maintenance.

    We’ll see how it goes. I’ll make sure to keep everyone updated. 🙂

    Take care.

  46. I wonder when there will ever exist a closed scooter where you won’t be wet ? I remeber times 55 years ago in Switzerland when 2 people could fit in a kind of tricycle (two front wheels one back wheel, One door in the front, Kind of egg-shaped, all this with a 50cc engine, maybe a bit more). I’ve never seen them again since a long long time. That would be a funny way to meet customers in your new parking-lot ? I dream of not having a costly car anymore, no more roads I dream of having a four rotor drone. As to the Hondas, or other cars you intend to buy, it might be a wise thing to see how much the maintenance costs you in percentage of the purchase price. Good to you.

  47. Sorry to hear that! Good luck finding the right vehicle.
    We have one vehicle and that’s perfect for our little family. We don’t drive much, but it’s very convenient when we need to. It’s hard to be carfree when you have a kid.

  48. rb40,

    I can imagine it’s tough to be car-free if you have a child. I think it’s possible, but difficult. It depends largely on the city you live in. Living in N.Y. city would be a lot different than Indianapolis, for example. I have found Sarasota to be difficult, but have persevered anyhow.

    Thanks for stopping by and the well wishes. I’m hoping I find a great car at a great price.

    Best wishes.

  49. Hi DM,

    I think your plan of “pre-paying” for the car is a fantastic idea! I wish more people did that, instead of taking on huge debt to buy the latest and greatest car.

    I’m sure you will enjoy the flexibility and extra time.

    cheers,
    Kanwal

  50. Kanwal,

    Thanks for stopping by.

    I agree with you. Setting aside a little money every month and put it towards a “car fund” would be a much better idea than borrowing the money instead. Not only will you not be paying interest on a depreciating asset, but you’re more likely to buy more than you need when you’re borrowing the money. Makes things more “real” when you’re paying cash and the money leaves your account in real-time.

    Best regards!

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