Do I need a car?

I took my car in for an oil change and realized that the last time I had the oil changed was October 2013, 3,000 miles +/- 100. I don't drive much, the company pays for a bus pass which is convenient and fast. I drive only when I have Dr. appointment or something that requires me to pick up a kid. Work is 5.5 miles one way.

I want to get rid of the car, it's not fun or inspiring. It is convenient. But I dislike the 2007 2wd 4cylinder rav4.. It makes me angry to drive. It isn't fun and on the weekends we take the mini van.

Technically, I could get rid of my car and go with a cars2go pass. https://www.car2go.com/en/seattle/

Decisions.. Decisions..

Breakdown:

We owe some on the car, I haven't paid it off because of the recent move, but could later this year.

I don't want to pay insurance on it anymore. (checked metromile pay by the mile insurance and its more expensive than my USAA).

It is reliable and of known quality.

It does suit my life at this time, as much as a I hate it.

Being without a car would be weird, first time in 20 years(if I do it).

Anyone else going through the same math..

Dump it and buy something you want to drive.

Toyman01 wrote: Dump it and buy something you want to drive.

Gotta fit 3 kids in a pinch though.

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:

Why ask the question then? That makes no sense. If you can live without a car at all... then you can also live with any car, scooter, or bicycle. If you need a car of any particular type - you need a car.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to Fueled by Caffeine: Why ask the question then? That makes no sense. If you can live without a car at all... then you can also live with any car, scooter, or bicycle. If you need a car of any particular type - you need a car.

well it probably dosen't need to fit three kids..

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Dump it and buy something you want to drive.

Gotta fit 3 kids in a pinch though.

I don't think it does, because apparently it can fit no one in a pinch.

But in any case, buy a beater Civic (you like those, right?) for $2k. Or a P71, I know those are among your all time favorite vehicles. Something fully depreciated, or close to it, with low maintenance and liability only.

Of course, this all depends on unknown factors—what does your wife drive, what would she allow you to have, does your state tax vehicles, how much is registration, etc. FWIW, I just took a job where I take the train to work. I’ve driven my car about 20 miles in the past 3 weeks, and that was all on one trip. I’ll be selling it when I move to the city, and due to the fact that my fiancé can’t drive a stick, we’ll just be in her Corolla. Yippy. I’m looking at Subaru’s for “Still fun with an automatic”.

Wife has reliable as a stone Toyota sienna, it fits us all fine. I talked to her about buying a miata last night and said I'd never get sex again cause all she would do is laugh uncontrollably at the thought of me driving one..

One scenario has us getting rid of both cars, getting her a newer minivan and then giving me 2-3K to get something fun-ish.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Dump it and buy something you want to drive.

Gotta fit 3 kids in a pinch though.

My weekday ride is a E150 company truck (70K last year). I couldn't narrow my choice down to one play car, so I walk out of the house and get to choose on the weekends.

F350, seats 6 and will move the world. Drinks fuel like a battle ship. I've put about 8K miles on it in 3 years.

635 CSI, Seats 4, fairly fun on the twisties. Gets driven the least. 4K in the last two years.

Samurai, Seats 4, handles like the before mentioned battle ship. Gets driven the most. 10K in the last two years. As a plus it gets the best gas mileage.

Pick up a cheap, paid for, kid hauler and spend the real money on a fun car. Life's too short to be driving a prison sentence.

Toyman01 wrote: Life's too short to be driving a prison sentence.

Completely how I feel. The car was a cast off from my wife, We bought it in Charleston when we lived there and was our family vehicle until we stumbled upon a cheap mini van.

Wife says... no mustang, Camaro, miata, lowered trucks, or Suzuki X-90's. All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

Life is short. Have fun. Sell the RAV4. Get a Miata. Avoid celibacy by taking your wife on top down outings. You can thank me later.

Get the Miata. Have her ride in it once so she stops laughing. Enjoy every drive you take from now on.

Bonus: Miatas are the most fun when properly accessorized so you get to play in the garage for a few weekends.

Stolen from the Sporty Wagon Thread. This would fit most parameters.

Feedyurhed wrote: Life is short. Have fun. Sell the RAV4. Get a Miata. Avoid celibacy by taking your wife on top down outings. You can thank me later.

I have owned jeeps; She hates convertibles.

Toyman01 wrote: Stolen from the Sporty Wagon Thread. This would fit most parameters.

I saw a M5 wagon in France once.. Droooool

2-3k for something fun. That might haul kids. I'm thinking sleeper that isn't old. Turbo Saab? Boost always makes me giggle..

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Life's too short to be driving a prison sentence.

Completely how I feel. The car was a cast off from my wife, We bought it in Charleston when we lived there and was our family vehicle until we stumbled upon a cheap mini van. Wife says... no mustang, Camaro, miata, lowered trucks, or Suzuki X-90's. All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

I'd buy what I want and deal with the spousal humiliation. She'll get over and it berkeley what anyone else thinks.

I'd sell the car, grab my bicycle and start raking in the free money each month for a challenge project.

Seriously. I have a truck that sits in my driveway for many of the same reasons. I even love the truck, but I'll be selling this spring.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I talked to her about buying a miata last night and said *I'd never get sex again* cause all she would do is laugh uncontrollably at the thought of me driving one..

You might want to start reevaluating more than your just your transportation options.

You've been in Seattle for how long and you're already turning into a damn hippy?!

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Life's too short to be driving a prison sentence.

Completely how I feel. The car was a cast off from my wife, We bought it in Charleston when we lived there and was our family vehicle until we stumbled upon a cheap mini van. Wife says... no mustang, Camaro, miata, lowered trucks, or Suzuki X-90's. All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

If that's her no go list, it's fairly painless and there are much better options out there anyways.

Tell her you want one of these.

$17K locally.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

Start humiliating her for owning a rolling womb. Then take your balls back and buy what you like.

The_Jed wrote: You've been in Seattle for how long and you're already turning into a damn hippy?!

Ohhh god.. Don't get me started. My wife and I want out.

LuxInterior wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I talked to her about buying a miata last night and said *I'd never get sex again* cause all she would do is laugh uncontrollably at the thought of me driving one..

You might want to start reevaluating more than your just your transportation options.

Too bad I love her so much.

Chris_V wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

Start humiliating her for owning a rolling womb. Then take your balls back and buy what you like.

Engineer side of me can't do that. It's the right tool for the job.

Toyman01 wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Life's too short to be driving a prison sentence.

Completely how I feel. The car was a cast off from my wife, We bought it in Charleston when we lived there and was our family vehicle until we stumbled upon a cheap mini van. Wife says... no mustang, Camaro, miata, lowered trucks, or Suzuki X-90's. All will get me laughed at and she will humiliate me for owning one.

If that's her no go list, it's fairly painless and there are much better options out there anyways. Tell her you want one of these. $17K locally.

+60Million YES.