davidmcowan

About two years ago, my carlight lifestyle was sidetracked by a new location and a newborn. We bought a second car to weather the storm by allowing my wife the freedom to drive to and from work (15 miles) and have a car for moving my baby girl to daycare and such in bad weather.

We just purchased a new house that is walkable/bikeable to my wife's work, the little one has been enjoying the back of my Big Dummy for most trips and for the most part, we are walkable to other amenities (grocery, library, rec center and parks all within about a mile). We are considering getting rid of one of the cars to save on those costs and hopefully use some of that money to beef up our cold weather kiddo gear. But here is the thing:

My junker car (the one we'd get rid of) combined with our Subaru has a lower insurance premium than just the Subaru alone. WTH? So, if we kept the junker in the garage "just-in-case" the only costs would be tabs and the (VERY) occasional gasoline/oil/upkeep.

Besides philosophically believing that we should only own one car is there any reason to get rid of the junker?

dcrowell

Don't sell a car for philosophical reasons. Do it if it makes sense.

I would pay a visit to your insurance agent. You're probably getting a multi-car discount. If you update your agent on how little a car is used, you may be able to get a lower rate on the car you want to keep, and be able to sell the other without paying more for insurance.

If that doesn't work out, keep in mind that there are always costs associated with owning a car, unless you let it slowly fall apart in the garage.

Artkansas 

An argument could be made that you are doing more for the environment by keeping the car basically sidelined, than selling it to someone who might actually use it.

But be sure to add gas preserver to it and start it up every so often to keep it in running shape.

davidmcowan

Sometimes it makes sense because of philosophical reasons, doesn't it? For example, I could easily afford the second car, so it could make sense to keep it, but philosophically I don't think we "need" it. Make sense?

davidmcowan

Upkeep?! Adding to my list of reasons to get rid of it.

Newspaperguy

The way I understand car-light living, it has more to do with the amount of driving than with the number of cars. Having two cars or more is not the issue here.

dcrowell

If you don't need it, sell it. You say you can easily afford a second car, but it sounds like it'll cost you more to get rid of it (insurance). <shrug>

Every circumstance is different. Do what you need (or want) to.

davidmcowan

I agree with that definition, though I think the benefit of car-light living is two fold: benefits of riding a bicycle and benefits of not owning, paying for gas, etc.. with a car. This is why I feel motivated to lose it.

Newspaperguy

Years ago, I bought a second car to reduce the amount of driving I was doing. I had one car at home and the other one at work. My wife used the car at home; I walked to work and used the car I had there.

Roody

You might want to get rid of one car in order to free up the storage space. If it's stored in a garage, for example, you might be able to set up a shop for fising bikes in that space.

gerv 

You should probably talk to another insurance agent... cause something is not adding up. Sounds like it would be even cheaper if you had 5 cars in the garage...

But regardless as to how many cars you have, and whether you git the designation of "car-light" or whatever, it is certainly a good idea to do all those walkable trips on foot or by bicycle. That should be your main focus.

zeppinger

Can you give us more information on the cars? Some peoples "junker" cars are low millage Cameries while others are barely road worthy. The first though I had after reading your post was, if you really want to be car-light, get rid of the "nice" car and just minimally insure your junker, assuming its reliable and the junker status is just because its old or something. How ofter would you be driving the vehicle that you decide to keep?

Roody

I was thinking the same thing. If I had a valuable car and a cheap car, I would keep the cheap one as long as it was not a lemon or a moneypit. Of course I'd rather have zero cars!

Your post reminds me of the time I ordered a burger and fries. The cashier asked me if I wanted to get a drink to make it a combo. "You'll save 35 cents if you get the combo," she said. I asked her if she meant the combo was 35 cents less than the burger and fries alone. She said, "No, I just mean that it's 35 cents less than all three items purchased separately. You still pay about a dollar for the pop." I passed on this "meal deal" and I have a feeling that the "two cars for less than one car" insurance policy is a similar deal.

Wiggles_dad

What kind of car is your junker car? If it is small, utilitarian, easy to work on, and reliable (i.e. an old Toyota or Datsun truck) then I would keep it.

JeanSeb

I agree, you can always sell the one that still has resale value and keep the older one.