Commuting - Commuting woes

After plowing mountains of cash into an older car that loved to break down suddenly with new problems,
we were told it needed a new transmission and motor mounts. I filed for divorce (from the car, that is.)

Does this mean I'll become a full-time bicycle commuter? No. It means my wife will not have to call me at work and have me help her with a broken down car. Today I was approved for a loan on a new 2005 Toyota Corolla, which I believe will be very dependable for my poor, abused wife. Her commuting woes are probably over (yay!)

It doesn't change my situation, though. I'll be riding my bike and taking mass-transit to work, as I have for years.

The only difference between her and me is that when I needed a new vehicle last summer, I paid $50 for a beautiful, sweet old Motobecane Grand Touring bike.

:D

Nice! I have a similar situation at my house. My wife asks why I don't buy a newer car. I tell her my bike is fine! She doesn't understand.

How hard does your wife drive the car?
I know a lot of people who have japanese cars from the 80's that have over 2-300k miles on em and they still run well. Very dependable.

Doesn't a new car lose like 20-30% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot?

Today I was approved for a loan on a new 2005 Toyota Corolla...
Pete, I'm glad my wife doesn't log onto BF. ;)

Good choice in cars, Pete. I have had a couple of Camry's and one Corolla and they are fine vehicles. We had a 1992 Camry with 200,000+ miles and it ran like a dream...until some lady broadsided my wife last year and totaled the car. Thanks to a nice insurance payout we now have a 1998 Camry with 100,000 miles.

Even though we are a two car family, I am proud to say that I have not filled the tank on my car since early in the summer. How do people manage the cost of filling a tank every week?

Doesn't a new car lose like 20-30% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot?

Yes, they do. However, provided the car is bought as a "keeper"
and the car chosen is a VERY dependable make/model then the
total cost will be spread of many years to be cheaper in the
end. So I say that it's a wash if you only buy cars as they
wear out.

Even though we are a two car family, I am proud to say that I have not filled the tank on my car since early in the summer. How do people manage the cost of filling a tank every week?

My wife also insists that we have two cars, because she wories that I might need to drive the boys to appointments or to the hospital, in emergencies. Of course, I end up driving more than I should, because I'm late for work, or it's too wet or cold. Still, I fill the tank no more than 4 times per year. When my car, the Suburu Legacy, quits this Earth 50 years from now, I will NOT buy a replacement. If anyone here, mentions the money that I'm wasting in insurance payments and anual maintenance, I'll cry, so I'm telling you ahead of time: SHUT UP!

I hear ya! The other day I paid 50 bucks for a pair of kevlar tires. Someone at work was in disbelief that I would pay "so much" for a pair of bike tires. I told him that $4 tubes and my yearly tire purchases are pretty much my only maintenance cost on my bike (okay, some lube, too). And I ride it pretty much every day. I told him he probably spends more on just gas alone in one month than I spend on my bike for the whole year. I knew he was fighting a losing battle when he pointed out I have to buy "those funny-looking clothes" to ride in. :D Those cagers, they'll never understand. :rolleyes:

yeahhh. its nice to land a sweet deal on a classic like that. i went for something more modern for myself though, a cannondale badboy. it is the perfect bike for me and my commute aspirations.

I hear ya! The other day I paid 50 bucks for a pair of kevlar tires. Someone at work was in disbelief that I would pay "so much" for a pair of bike tires. I told him that $4 tubes and my yearly tire purchases are pretty much my only maintenance cost on my bike (okay, some lube, too). And I ride it pretty much every day. I told him he probably spends more on just gas alone in one month than I spend on my bike for the whole year. I knew he was fighting a losing battle when he pointed out I have to buy "those funny-looking clothes" to ride in. :D Those cagers, they'll never understand. :rolleyes:

$50? Did you find some on sale?

You're forgetting the five and a half grand insurance (intangible, I can't eat it, feel it, touch it, screw it etc.) i'd have to pay if I drove right now.

$50? Did you find some on sale?

My LBS (Sun Bike Shop in Milpitas on Landess at 680) sells them for $30 each but the shop manager gave me a break in price since I was buying two. Cool shop; if you're ever in the area check it out. You'll be amazed by their stock!

Yeah, any time I bring up to my girlfriend (going on 2 years now) that I never want a car she says that "at some point you are going to need a car." I'm planning my life so that I won't, when I look at grad schools and jobs I'm going to look for nice places to ride and walk. I don't get why people just can't get that you don't need a car, and that you benifit from not having one. I say let them not get it, while we get in shape into ripe old age they will be dieing in their 50s and we'll still ride.

After plowing mountains of cash into an older car that loved to break down suddenly with new problems,
we were told it needed a new transmission and motor mounts. I filed for divorce (from the car, that is.)

Does this mean I'll become a full-time bicycle commuter? No. It means my wife will not have to call me at work and have me help her with a broken down car. Today I was approved for a loan on a new 2005 Toyota Corolla, which I believe will be very dependable for my poor, abused wife. Her commuting woes are probably over (yay!)

It doesn't change my situation, though. I'll be riding my bike and taking mass-transit to work, as I have for years. :D

I feel your pain and have the same exact story! Last week, I put $500 into my old 1987 Ford Aerostar for brakes, only to have the muffler fall off two days later (the one day I decided to give my body a break). The next day, I went to the Nissan dealer and put down $25K for a 2004 Nissan Quest -- for my wife to drive. Good thing I like my bike.

How hard does your wife drive the car?
I know a lot of people who have japanese cars from the 80's that have over 2-300k miles on em and they still run well. Very dependable.

Back in 1982 my parents bought a brand new Toyota Corolla. I drive it now and its only a few hundred miles away from 150k miles and still going strong! Granted it was in a wreck and didnt get driven for a few years I think its a great car. A friend of mine is currently driving a '76 Corolla (looks like a mini-station wagon). No clue how many miles. Know a few other Corolla drivers too.

I test drove a 2004 Corolla last year and didnt like the feel of it. I think the seat felt too high up. Im definately a Toyota fan based on my experiences with my car and friends toyotas. Gonna have to save my money in hopes the Supra's eventually get re-released as 400+ HP hybrids. :D