Never Owned A Car

[bigS]

I wonder how many people can honestly say they have never owned a car. I am 48 years old and have never owned a motorised vehicle. In fact neither of my parents have ever owned one. I do not even possess a drivers license. I have always biked my entire life and really don't know any other lifestyle. I am not here to condemn the automobile as I have to agree there are times one would be nice but I have never been in a position where I felt I absolutely needed one. There are women I am sure who rejected me because I have not "Grown Up" and still ride a bicycle. Granted dating sure would be easier if you could pick your date up and drop her off but I never wanted to be withsome one anyway if my self worth is judged by the type of car I drive. My present financial state would not allow me to own one anyway. It seems more and more like it is going become something for the rich to enjoy. In the meantime I will continue to cycle and remain healthy. Cycling is still a relatively cheap pursuit. Once you have your bike and are able to do your own maintenace there is relatively little cost involved. Believe it or not one of my hobbies is collecting diecast models of you guessed it. CARS!

[cerewa]

I've never owned a car, but for most of the time since i got my driver's license at age 16, I have lived with someone who has a car and will let me use it.

[ignominious]

I have never owned a car. I'm now 30 and got my license 10 years ago. In that time I have occasionally been employed as a driver. Even during those times I cycle commuted.

[CommuterRun]

You folks that have never owned/driven, etc., cars, honestly, my hat's off to you. Good job.

As much as I would like to be able to say, "Me too," it would simply be physically and logistically impossible for me. Although I do ride as much as I can, usually towing one of three trailers that allow me to carry much more and do more than I would be able to with just a bike.

[jamesdenver]

I wish I could say that roughly adding up all the money I've spent on gas and insurance in my early 20s.

[Dahon.Steve]

I have never purchased a car. I guess that counts for something. ;-)

The car was given to me by my father and it left him practically pennyless as it did me. The day the car was lifted on top of a flat bed truck for scrap metal, was the turning point in my life. The burden of having to afford that expensive sickly child nearly broke me. For six years I supported that child as if were a human being with hard earned cash.

Today, I'm earning more money than ever before and I can now buy the car of my dreams. Then I see how broke everyone in my family who owns cars and I choose to become a saver instead of debt.

[radius]

I'm 35 and have never owned a car... I've gone through long stretches where I wanted to though :)

[ignominious]

I'm 35 and have never owned a car... I've gone through long stretches where I wanted to though :)

What did you feel you wanted you wanted the car for and how did not having one affect you?

[BenyBen]

27 here, never owned a car either. I don't even have a drivers license. I don't feel it was because I couldn't afford it, but more like I've always chosen places to live where I could use public transit. Montreal's not a bad town to be carfree in.

I AM considering getting my license sometimes, just for the occasional rental.

[CagerTools]

Hey with the xtracycle, you can actually pick up your date.

I've done it twice now with my gf.

Its just easier if you live somewhere you can take a nice bike ride to a closer restaurant or whatever without going on major roads. She told me she thinks its fun. And I like having someone to talk to while riding.

Actually, its one of the funner things I've done in awhile, come to think about it.

[patc]

34, never owned a car, never had a license, never looked back.

[folder fanatic]

I am car-less completely now and will probably be so for the forseeable future. As far as dating goes, it is not what you are driving so much as what is your investment portfolio says about you. Women search for a man who offers some tangible proof of financial security for them. I guess the way the unpredicable economy is going, men are searching for the same thing, too. Cars are a socially acceptable means of advertisement of the ability to pay for services. Bikes are not. Hence, men/women who can produce (make money) have cars. Bikes are relegated to weekend sport. Everyone is looking for Mr. or Miss Right with a full wallet.

[ignominious]

I reckon if it was done with a little forethought then picking up a date in an extracycle could be fairly romantic.

You could pretend its a carriage. All you have to to is dress up as a pantomime horse and get a midget in a tux beat you with a whip all the way to the restaurant. Just have the decency to pay for the cab fare if you end up going home with the midget.

[Dahon.Steve]

I am car-less completely now and will probably be so for the forseeable future. As far as dating goes, it is not what you are driving so much as what is your investment portfolio says about you. Women search for a man who offers some tangible proof of financial security for them. I guess the way the unpredicable economy is going, men are searching for the same thing, too. Cars are a socially acceptable means of advertisement of the ability to pay for services. Bikes are not. Hence, men/women who can produce (make money) have cars. Bikes are relegated to weekend sport. Everyone is looking for Mr. or Miss Right with a full wallet.

I think this is partially true. In New York City, a carfree individual can get by very well so long as they live in the good neighborhood. Today, even a minimum wage earner can still drive a car they can't afford. All of those luxury cars on the road are leased so you really don't know if they are making good money or just spending every cent they have on motor transport.

[cerewa]

All of those luxury cars on the road are leased so you really don't know if they are making good money or just spending every cent they have on motor transport.

A great many of the cars that aren't leased are just bought with loans, of course.

[thelung]

I used a car that belonged to my parents but then I stopped, canceled insurance, and my drivers license has expired since then. Im only 20 though, but I definitely do not see a car in my future, especially since I'm moving to portland.

[attercoppe]

I reckon if it was done with a little forethought then picking up a date in an extracycle could be fairly romantic.

You could pretend its a carriage. All you have to to is dress up as a pantomime horse and get a midget in a tux beat you with a whip all the way to the restaurant. Just have the decency to pay for the cab fare if you end up going home with the midget.

Okay, that's funny.


I'm the flip side, I've owned 5 cars in the past 12 years. I wonder how much I would have now if I had saved all the money I spent on them? Purchase price, registration, property taxes, gas, maintenance, toys/accessories/equipment for them...man I'm glad I don't have all those expenses now, though.

[chephy]

Never owned a car. :) Of course, I'm only 23, but I do not envision having a car in the future, not if I remain in the city anyway.

[wxguywa]

I guess I'll join the topic since I fit the bill. At 31, I have never owned and don't drive. Seattle's public
transport has been sufficient since I live well within the city, plus my job pays for it!
I can't fathom how much my discretionary spending would decrease if I had to include
the cost of driving and parking these days. And then there would be the "priviledge" of stress acquired
from navigating the city traffic jams. Phew! I think I'll stick with car fee, as it's suited me my whole
life and I feel in no part a lesser person for not driving anywhere. :)

[Fillanzea]

I've never owned a car, nor do I have a driver's license, but I'm only 23.

And it looks as if it won't last much longer; I'm anxious to get a job in a tight professional field, and I don't really have a lot of options. One of the jobs I've interviewed for would require me to drive around between several different communities; another is a part-time job (I'm really desperate) a 30-minute drive from my parents' house, and the public transportation is really inadequate.

I like the car-free thing, but I'd rather be employed. ;)

[The Rob]

Age 47, owned/operated more automobiles than I care to admit. We've been car-free for six months and haven't missed it at all. We've hitched rides when absolutely necessary, but I can count those times on one hand. The bus is handy, although I'd always rather ride the bike or walk. When we have to purchase a large item and haul it ourselves, there's a U-Haul right down the street.

Can't speak for anyone living elsewhere, but in our situation it's absurdly easy to do without an automobile. Best decision we've ever made.

[TuckertonRR]

Although at the moment I'm car-lite (@less than 3,000mi/year) my g/f is in her early thirties and has never had a drivers license or a car....I'm so proud of her!

[radius]

What did you feel you wanted you wanted the car for and how did not having one affect you?

I'm not sure how its affected me since I've never owned one so can't really compare :), but I don't think I've ever necessarily wanted a car *for* something in particular, but more because the cars I want are ones I consider to be beautiful and for the enjoyment of driving a fine piece of machinery. I guess its kind of the same as wanting a great watch or piece of artwork. Actually, it's kind of like wanting a really sweet bike really.

[jamesdemien]

I went for a whole year without a car. I had a live in girlfriend who had a car and I had a motorcycle but I pretty much biked to work and around town. Unfortunately I live in st louis...we're a pretty car centric kind of town. I've considered moving to Seattle or Manhattan but I own a business with 2 friends and we haven't gotten big enough to require a satellite office...

Anyway, as soon as my bike comes in I am gonna park my car and start riding everywhere...

[brunop]

i am too poor to have a car. but i have 2 bikes--2 of which cost more than 3000 dollars.:)

[hoboonabike]

never had a car or lessons or want one have had bikes all my life now have 2 and the bus....:D

[fuchikoma]

I'm 24, and I've never owned a car - though I have a learner's permit and have been endorsed from having taken a defensive driving course. This last winter wasn't so bad, only about -20-30C outside, and not TOO much snow, so it was my first winter cycling year-round. It's actually really nice when I can find a smooth enough road surface, since I'm working a lot harder, it's a lot less chilly than walking or riding in a cold car.

Still, I've been looking for a job for months, and I've missed so many because they REQUIRE a car. Right now I really can't afford the car/registration/insurance/gas/random repairs, but I think as soon as I'm gainfully employed, I'll have to get a little hatchback or kei car or something just for out of town driving, hauling stuff, and more average Canadian winters where it gets to -25-35C! I'm not too thrilled with the idea, as every car I've seen is basically a money pit, but I guess I'd rather pour in money I have rather than sitting around without a car, starving because I'm broke. :/

If I can manage the cash before the roads ice up again though, I've been seriously looking at a Kawasaki ZZR-250 motorcycle. It's the entry-level sport/touring model, isn't a monster race bike, but apparently is lightweight and handles easily, and gets 55-75mpg. I figure it could come in handy when showing up to work at a physical labor job a half hour late, worn completely out isn't acceptable. There are many times when I think about how having a motor vehicle would make things easier, but there's something about a bulky 4-wheeled vehicle I'm just not comfortable with, especially if 3/4 seats are just going to be empty most of the time.

[oilfreeandhappy]

My bicycle helmet is off to all of you who have never owned a car. My daughter is 19, and as far as dating goes, I'd like her to meet one of you. Of course, she might have something to say about that.

[Guest]

I never owned a car. I do have a license, though. It's a handy form of identification, and if I ever do need a car, I can go to my carsharing program and rent one for however many hours I need the car.

Koffee

[Lamplight]

I'm 27 and have owned 4 cars. Interestingly, right now I own 4 bicycles. :D I've driven all kinds of motor vehicles, including tractor trailers. And now I hate driving. lol

[srowe]

I'm 44 never had a car, but I did get my license when I was 23.

[BAH]

you guys are hard core! I am proud of living simply and beneath my means, but you guys take the cake :)