I thought you guys might the story I wrote today for Slate. It's about my strategy for finally buying the Porsche of my dreams -- by giving up E36 M3 box commuters and riding public transportation. And how that will be greener than a Prius. Anyone else out there doing the same thing? http://www.slate.com/id/2233834/ Joe
Canoeslate?
Nah, this guy's legit.
I enjoyed the story, and hope you find the 'right' Porsche, soon.
It is a good read indeed.
But sadly doesn't really work that well for my area. I live in Virginia Beach in the Hampton Roads area, and their really isn't any way to use public transportation effectively unless you work and live in just the right places.
So I just gave up working! Man it has saved so much money not driving anywhere except for supplies and fun. Seriously though, I used to drive an hour both ways to work, and spent a portion of every day crawling on I64. I work from home now and I can definitely agree that cutting out your commuting miles really does save a ton. And I don't know what to do with myself anymore, I'm used to changing the oil in my Vic every 2-3 months. I just recently changed it for the first time this year! And it wasn't even 3000 miles yet.
+1 for telecommuting, although I can't really do it. Well, maybe I could, but I'm worried about distractions at home and I really don't have a good work environment, there.
Otherwise, I've been bike commuting as much as possible since June 08 and my annual mileage on my car has dropped significantly. I still care about gas mileage on my next car, but I sure as hell don't feel guilty about wanting what I want, which isn't a Prius.
I'm in a similar boat wrt Public Transportation. Just not an option around here.
Places that use a HUB method of public transportation make it very difficult to commute by public transportation. For example to go to the mall just 4 miles south of my house by bus I have to first go north to the hub, get off that bus and wait for the proper bus heading back down to the mall. Travel time 1+ hours.
I can walk it faster than that but then I'd have to drag all those bags back with me.
While the Dallas area is getting better about mass transit. It is still not really a viable option unless you live in the first ring of burbs. Unlike the NE or other major metro areas TX has no real decent public transit. I once had to ride my bicycle to work as my car was in the shop getting the engine replaced. While on my way to work I had a beer can thrown at me and told "why don't you buy a car"? That is the TX mind-set.
I grew up in Chicago burbs and there was always public transit. I have friends up there that never got a DL because of it Their spouse had one and they just rent a car if they have to go somewhere or on vacation.
Good article though
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