Car question

[jIM_Ohio]

The 3k opportunity cost is not real- you are doing well without this money right now- correct?

The 1k annual maintance is a high estimate ($600 for insurance and $100 for two oil changes). If you have any time the other car is down, $700 will get you a rental for two weeks.

When I was single a semi rear-ended my Saturn and it took 5-7 weeks to get repaired. That rental car bill was close to $2000 I believe. Needed a car to get to work (I had been working at job for maybe 4 weeks). No way would I miss work, so I needed the rental most weeks.

Keep both cars- it could easily cost you more if you went down to one.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Sure we're doing fine without the $3k. I can't think of anything except guilt for being over indulgent! :P

The $600 insurance, $100 registration/safety check, and $300/year maintenance sounds about right. Nothing huge.

Ouch that car rentals is so expensive. I'll reconsider, because no way we could do it without a car.

[jIM_Ohio]

Sure we're doing fine without the $3k. I can't think of anything except guilt for being over indulgent! :P

The $600 insurance, $100 registration/safety check, and $300/year maintenance sounds about right. Nothing huge.

Ouch that car rentals is so expensive. I'll reconsider, because no way we could do it without a car.

I am sure you can frugally find a car rental- in my case I was rear ended late Saturday and had a co-worker drop me off at airport to pick up a rental on corporate agreement Sunday- so I paid around $250/week for the rental from Avis.

History suggests I could have done that for cheaper, but I was young, single and panicked- I needed to get to work the next day.

[DebbieL]

Doesn't your insurance cover a rental vehicle if your car cannot be driven? Our insurance here covers those things if you are involved in an accident.

As for the topic, my DH and I have almost always been a 1 vehicle household with no problems. We did have 2 vehicles for a short time and it was a pain (we only have 1 parking space at the condo we live in so had to park one vehicle at my parents' house a kilometer away). I sold my vehicle in April. I work full time and go to college at night. Part of my tuition fees includes a bus pass for the entire time I'm enrolled which is great (it breaks out to $17/month). There have maybe been a couple times since then when I might have thought it would be convenient to have a car (when DH was at work with his car), but really nothing major.

I live right on a bus route (literally 100 feet from my door), work downtown and catch the bus directly to my campus after work (and then directly home after school). If I lived way out in the middle of nowhere it would be different. Location is everything. I can walk to the grocery store, malls, etc.

[kork13]

Doesn't your insurance cover a rental vehicle if your car cannot be driven? Our insurance here covers those things if you are involved in an accident.

Depends on your insurance. I've got it for my car, but having that option costs me an additional $75/yr. My father always kept the absolute minimum insurance, and has never had rental coverage.

For the original topic, I'd personally say to have the second car. While certainly you probably could make things work with only one car, if you can afford having it, is the convenience of the second worth that extra cost to you? Personally, esp. given your activity and having a child, I'd say it is. But again, just me...

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Debbie Vancouver/Victoria has an excellent transportation system. You don't need a car period. But in most places in the US you do. I think if I lived in the city I wouldn't need a car at all. I have two parking spots to boot.

I don't have rental insurance coverage. I keep minimal coverage on the cars, and with my DH's driving record improving it should get lower ASAP! Three years since his last accident.

I am leaning maybe towards keeping it for the hoped kid.