Living Car Free - Car Opportunity

Last May a drunk driver totaled my car (it was parked) and I decided not to replace it since gas was ridiculously high (I filled up my car the day of the accident too!). I wanted to try to go at least a year without one, plus I usually have access to a car on the weekends when my girlfriend comes down. I live in an urban setting and I already bike to work everyday, rain or shine (6 miles each way) so I figured why not. I also have a subway stop nearby.

So more than a year has passed and I still don’t have or need a car. Since that time my money was saved, body fat % dipped to single digit as I biked anywhere & everywhere. It’s been great not having to worry about parking tickets, monthly insurance costs, gas, oil changes, etc.

Well, I just got news my parents are looking to get a new car this fall and asked me if I wanted their ’02. It should be an easy decision, because really, how often does one get a free car but on the other hand, paying those bills again will suck. If I do go the car route, maybe I'll just put a limit on how often to drive.

First, there's no such thing as a free car. Especially in DC and other congested cities.

Second, what is it about your current lifestyle that you're happy with? How will having a "free" car change this?

How will you get the additional money you'll need for parking, insurance, repairs, etc.? Will you work longer hours? Or will you give up other things that you enjoy?

Remember, these are what economists call fixed costs. No matter how little you drive, these costs will still be present. You will need to pay for parking, insurance and repairs even if you only drive one mile a year.

i'm taking all of that into consideration as i owned one in DC for 9 years . i have the cash to cover the expense of owning a car but without one there's a bigger cushion. i'm just not sure if i want to pay those bills again...but if a time comes when i want a car, it will suck to put the money down to get one.

If a time comes when you need a car, you will rent one or call a taxi.

I can see how it would be tempting. But it sounds to me like you've done just fine without one. Good for you.

Why not pass and tell your folks to treat themselves with the proceeds from the sale?

We have the flex car car sharing here too. I'd take the car, sell it and bank the money. Win-win situation. Come down to the cop-shop at 1620 V st. NW this evening 6-7pm. and see what the city is up to with improving bike infrastructure on 18th between Florida and Columbia.

Well it depends on what type of car it is. If it's an 02 Malibu or a Hyundai, pass. But if is a 2002 Porsche or the last of the BMW M Coupe, well that's a different question all together. ;)

Another question for the OP. If you considered the fixed costs of the "free" vehicle, would it be less than using a cab or occasionally renting a car or truck? I'm not sure what the cut-off might be, but I figure if you use the car for less than 2,000 miles a year, you might be able to do those miles in a cab.

The offer is definitely tempting as eventually I will want a vehicle. The car btw is a Camry. In the last year I actually didn't spend a dime on cab fare or flex car. I either traveled by foot, metro, bike, gf's car or got a ride. All my transportation funds went to a new SS bike, metro (subway) and the Marc train (commuter rail).

As for the annual fixed costs, it will probably fall just under $2K. In regards to selling it, yes that's definitely a thought.

It's all up to you... Just don't be shamed out of it if you really want it. There's nothing wrong with having a car you can use on the weekend. It just depends on if you'd prefer to have your own car with associated costs or could get by with Zipcar or something like it (if Zipcar is in your area). Personally I own a car. I commute by bike all week but it's nice to have a car on the weekends to get me to the beach or to far-off bike paths/hiking trails that I ordinarily wouldn't be able to access.

It is up to you but if you have the funds to afford you the luxury of keeping a car than go for it. It is nice of your girlfriend to share her car with you when you are together but her car may cut out one day. If this is the case, what will you do then? I own one car, a minivan, a scooter and nine bikes. My car is a 2003 with 30k miles. I share the mini van with my father. If I drive it, it is usually on the weekends when I am picking up large items or going out of town with my bike. I mainly get around via bike and the scooter because it is cheaper and easier than being in the car. Sure, I can sell my car but I dare not do so because the moment the mini van blows and I need to get somewhere at night I will be left in the dark. I pay for insurance and registration because I want to, not because I have to.
My parents always made sure there was a back up plan. If one thing doesn't work, try something else. The same follows with my bikes. I can't remove the cassette off one bike so I ride another until I can get it off.

really its the behavior secondary to having a car
going out to eat
driving out of town for the weekend
the scenarios are endless

If I do go the car route, maybe I'll just put a limit on how often to drive.


;) Easier said than done.

;) Easier said than done.

I definitely have the willpower to do this. Even now I feel guilty if I take the subway when I know i can bike it. 10:30 pm bike rides from VA to DC after a softball game would be much easier with a car or even subway but it's still very doable by bike.

After further thought, I think I will take the car and sell it.

After further thought, I think I will take the car and sell it.

That's what I would do.

After further thought, I think I will take the car and sell it.

I don't know whether this is the best course of action. Might they be offering it to you with the understanding that you will use it as a replacement for your totaled car? If so, it would be rude to turn around and sell it.

They can easily sell it back themselves, if that is what will ultimately happen to the car. However, they perceive it as having more value to you (assuming you'll use it) than they could get monetarily from selling it, so they are gifting it to you.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. It's hard to describe. Just talk about it with your parents so that there are no misunderstandings. I could be all wrong. Meh

Maybe you can get the free car, and then rent it to your friends or via craigslist. turn it into a business.

Might they be offering it to you with the understanding that you will use it as a replacement for your totaled car? If so, it would be rude to turn around and sell it.

Yes, they may be OK with you selling it and pocketing the money but definitely talk to them about that first- if you don't really want the car, they may want to benefit from the cash themselves.

I don't know whether this is the best course of action. Might they be offering it to you with the understanding that you will use it as a replacement for your totaled car? If so, it would be rude to turn around and sell it.

They can easily sell it back themselves, if that is what will ultimately happen to the car. However, they perceive it as having more value to you (assuming you'll use it) than they could get monetarily from selling it, so they are gifting it to you.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. It's hard to describe. Just talk about it with your parents so that there are no misunderstandings. I could be all wrong. Meh

Yes, do you know what their reason for ofering the car is? Are they concerned about your safety? Do they think you just would like to have it available? here's a suggestion, if it's about the convenience, suggest they sell it, buy you a membership in ZipCar ( assuming they have a point near you ) and treat themselves with the remainder as someone else said?

Remember, these are what economists call fixed costs. No matter how little you drive, these costs will still be present. You will need to pay for parking, insurance and repairs even if you only drive one mile a year.

repair is not counted as fixed cost because one could, depending on how far they drive, never get a repair done. the same could be said of parking, if one doesn't drive much and finds free on-street parking.

repair is not counted as fixed cost because one could, depending on how far they drive, never get a repair done. the same could be said of parking, if one doesn't drive much and finds free on-street parking.

"Free" on-street parking almost doesn't exist in DC anymore, so unless he's got a garage or driveway, he'll pay just to park it on the street even at home. Kinda sucks for us residents, but the goal is to minimize out-of-towners from taking up what space we have left, which also gets them to carpool and take public transit.

And repairs are one thing, but regular maintenance is something you can't get away from paying for, at least unless you've got shop tools. With minimal driving, though, those maintenance costs can be spread out over a longer period of time, so all is not lost.

"Free" on-street parking almost doesn't exist in DC anymore, so unless he's got a garage or driveway, he'll pay just to park it on the street even at home. Kinda sucks for us residents, but the goal is to minimize out-of-towners from taking up what space we have left, which also gets them to carpool and take public transit.

And repairs are one thing, but regular maintenance is something you can't get away from paying for, at least unless you've got shop tools. With minimal driving, though, those maintenance costs can be spread out over a longer period of time, so all is not lost.

You said it so I don't have to. :)

Where I live it is mostly resident parking so i'll have to get a zone sticker. There are places where it's non zone parking but the parking enforcement squad usually pick up seeing your out of state vehicle after a few months and will hit you up with $100 tickets. What really sucks is if take the car, I will have to get my name on the title and then register it in DC...which at that point I'll have to pay sales tax (7% of the book value of the vehicle).

My parents are willing to give me the car because they know I don't have one and thought it might be a good opportunity for me to get a well maintained, solid gas mileage vehicle. If I don't take it, they will trade it in when they purchase a new one. I think the best solution would be to sell it private party and give them half the cash back. I'm sure they would be ok with this since they know I already sold one on CL before and you'll get more than trading it in.

Where I live it is mostly resident parking so i'll have to get a zone sticker. There are places where it's non zone parking but the parking enforcement squad usually pick up seeing your out of state vehicle after a few months and will hit you up with $100 tickets. What really sucks is if take the car, I will have to get my name on the title and then register it in DC...which at that point I'll have to pay sales tax (7% of the book value of the vehicle).

My parents are willing to give me the car because they know I don't have one and thought it might be a good opportunity for me to get a well maintained, solid gas mileage vehicle. If I don't take it, they will trade it in when they purchase a new one. I think the best solution would be to sell it private party and give them half the cash back. I'm sure they would be ok with this since they know I already sold one on CL before and you'll get more than trading it in.

Don't forget the habit that a few local young men have of "window shopping". I've seen them in the middle of the day smashing windows to get in the cars. It happens way too often. In the neighborhood where I work near the U street metro I see fresh broken window glass on the block about every other week. Keep an eye out in the neighborhood where you will be parking, if you consistently see the broken car window glass- usually on the sidewalk side, you'll want to factor in occasional glass replacement.

Don't forget the habit that a few local young men have of "window shopping". I've seen them in the middle of the day smashing windows to get in the cars. It happens way too often. In the neighborhood where I work near the U street metro I see fresh broken window glass on the block about every other week. Keep an eye out in the neighborhood where you will be parking, if you consistently see the broken car window glass- usually on the sidewalk side, you'll want to factor in occasional glass replacement.

I hear you on that stuff. I'm in NE and the area is definitely not as nice as U Street but i have never had an issue with break-ins at my spot. In my block once people know you, they'll keep an eye out for that.

You could ask them if you can sell the car, and then promise them you'll keep some of the money around so that if you really need a car in the future you'll be prepared.

Don't let depreciation/insurance/parking eat up your money now, when you could instead save that money and buy a car later.