Would you pay for parking?
Discussion
A bit of a weird one, but I've got quite a unique parking issue, I'm lucky that I have a driveway however it's only big enough for a Ford Focus. Due to parking restrictions there is no space on the road (lot's of HMO's and permit zones etc).
Now the main issue is that I'm looking at buying a new car but want something refined (BMW 5 series/E class size ideally under £15k), there are a couple of solutions- Either a long stay car park or an Underground/multi storey car park- The main issue is that it will cost £1100-1300 a year.
Has anyone else had to pay for parking their car at home? Is it worth it or should I scrap the idea entirely and stick with small cars?
Now the main issue is that I'm looking at buying a new car but want something refined (BMW 5 series/E class size ideally under £15k), there are a couple of solutions- Either a long stay car park or an Underground/multi storey car park- The main issue is that it will cost £1100-1300 a year.
Has anyone else had to pay for parking their car at home? Is it worth it or should I scrap the idea entirely and stick with small cars?
simon_harris said:
clearly the only real solution is to move house, preferably to somewhere with sufficient underground parking for all of your fleet.
What about an "upmarket" smaller car? Audi S3 etc
I don't feel like they're very good value for money and I don't really want a hot hatch and whilst the NVH levels of hatchbacks have improved they're still not on a level of an executive saloon.What about an "upmarket" smaller car? Audi S3 etc
Moving house is out of the question for now, maybe in a couple of years I could look into it.
TREMAiNE said:
This might be a bit patronising but have you measured for a 5 series sized car?
The 5 series is 60cm longer than the focus and 28cm wider (comparing 2022 models for ease).
Is the driveway really that tight that you couldn't squeeze a 5 series on it?
4.3m for a hatchback vs 4.9m for a saloon so yeah 60cm which doesn't sound like a lot. However the hatchback just about fits, any overhang onto the pavement and the traffic warden issues tickets. The 5 series is 60cm longer than the focus and 28cm wider (comparing 2022 models for ease).
Is the driveway really that tight that you couldn't squeeze a 5 series on it?
QBee said:
errr no.
But car lengths can be deceptive.
I had Renault 25 back in the 1990s, and had a bet with another staffer that his Volvo 740 estate was longer.
I lost.
I suggest you measure the exact space you have properly, and then check car lengths on 't'internet against that.
I thought the same as well, got the tape measure out and yeah no way I can fit a 5 series/E class. But car lengths can be deceptive.
I had Renault 25 back in the 1990s, and had a bet with another staffer that his Volvo 740 estate was longer.
I lost.
I suggest you measure the exact space you have properly, and then check car lengths on 't'internet against that.
Even had a family friend try to park his old 5 series and it wouldn't fit
You don’t really want to ‘park your car round the corner’. You’ll constantly be worrying, having to get things out of the car, etc. How will you unload goods or shopping if you can’t park near your house (when you can already with a smaller car). If you rally can’t get a 5 series on your drive - and please don’t let it overhang onto the pavement - then settle for a shorter car.
I don’t think in your scenario, that you have any option, but to consider it the price of ownership, not unlike the people in flats who have to pay extra if they wish to have a space.
One, alternative would be to letter box anyone with a driveway locally that doesn’t seem to have a car of their own, with a very well worded and polite letter, and see if they will rent theirs to you for a cheaper price. Aim for 66% of the next cheapest alternative, as they will likely check.
One, alternative would be to letter box anyone with a driveway locally that doesn’t seem to have a car of their own, with a very well worded and polite letter, and see if they will rent theirs to you for a cheaper price. Aim for 66% of the next cheapest alternative, as they will likely check.
I've looked into renting a driveway and the prices are similar, guess I'd either have to stomach the cost or stick with small cars.
I still maintain that a small car will not match a larger car, very few small cars with a V6 or a V8. And whilst the SLK55 is a brilliant car it is not a suitable alternative to an E class
I still maintain that a small car will not match a larger car, very few small cars with a V6 or a V8. And whilst the SLK55 is a brilliant car it is not a suitable alternative to an E class
MrManual said:
I've looked into renting a driveway and the prices are similar, guess I'd either have to stomach the cost or stick with small cars.
Rent your drive out to offset the cost?If it's your own gaff, wap in a 40a supply and sub meter and it'd be great for someone with one of those trendy new fangled battery cars.
Due to having become a father recently, I now mostly drive around in a MINI Countryman S. I hate it for various reasons, however I struggle to imagine why the NVH levels could possibly be unacceptable to anyone. Its footprint is probably marginally smaller than a focus.
A smaller Lexus of some kind is probably what you are after. IS and RC range look nice to me and not that big. CT is older now but was marketed with quietness and comfort as its main selling point.
A smaller Lexus of some kind is probably what you are after. IS and RC range look nice to me and not that big. CT is older now but was marketed with quietness and comfort as its main selling point.
MrManual said:
Has anyone else had to pay for parking their car at home? Is it worth it or should I scrap the idea entirely and stick with small cars?
In the past, I've had to buy a permit for on-street parking and guaranteed that, even with that, you wouldn't find parking outside the house. That was a big pain, especially with luggage, shopping etc, so having it even further away would be a concern for me. You might also want to see if the "where my car is kept overnight" impacts your insurance significantly...Whether it's worth it for you, only you can answer
Chris
I could not stomach the cost of parking. The other day we were shopping and I parked in a convenient car park. On returning with the shopping, I noticed the car park was £8 up to 4 hours then £16 after that. We were intending to stay for less than 5 hours. So I rushed the family with the rest of the shopping to get out of the car park in time.
It's more the principle than the cost but my DNA just makes this grind too much for me. So I certainly could not stomach paying annually to park my car somewhere from the house. I would rather have a smaller car.
As it is, I did get the SLK55 because I couldn't fit an SL in the garage.
It's more the principle than the cost but my DNA just makes this grind too much for me. So I certainly could not stomach paying annually to park my car somewhere from the house. I would rather have a smaller car.
As it is, I did get the SLK55 because I couldn't fit an SL in the garage.
MrManual said:
TREMAiNE said:
This might be a bit patronising but have you measured for a 5 series sized car?
The 5 series is 60cm longer than the focus and 28cm wider (comparing 2022 models for ease).
Is the driveway really that tight that you couldn't squeeze a 5 series on it?
4.3m for a hatchback vs 4.9m for a saloon so yeah 60cm which doesn't sound like a lot. However the hatchback just about fits, any overhang onto the pavement and the traffic warden issues tickets. The 5 series is 60cm longer than the focus and 28cm wider (comparing 2022 models for ease).
Is the driveway really that tight that you couldn't squeeze a 5 series on it?
One thing to consider is how far away the parking is? I'd wager that whatever comfort you'll gain from a midsized exec will be taken away by the walk to and from the car, especially when raining, cold, hot, dark, in a rush, forgot something in the house/car or just nipping to get something!
I’d go for a small premium SUV and park in that space.
RR Evoque (4371mm) or Volvo XC40 (4425mm). Both under 4500mm and reputations for refinement.
The new Lexus LBX (4190mm) is smaller than those two and might be an option too, but a bit suspicious that it might be lacking on the motorway because it’s too small.
I’ve tried the XC40 and it is a very comfortable car with a superbly absorbent ride, great seats, very decent NVH. It’s a very noticeable step up from something like a Ford Focus. The Evoque is supposed to be another step up from the XC40 in terms of refinement. As its list price is commonly double that of a Ford Focus, you’d hope it would be a lot better. Very similar footprint however.
RR Evoque (4371mm) or Volvo XC40 (4425mm). Both under 4500mm and reputations for refinement.
The new Lexus LBX (4190mm) is smaller than those two and might be an option too, but a bit suspicious that it might be lacking on the motorway because it’s too small.
I’ve tried the XC40 and it is a very comfortable car with a superbly absorbent ride, great seats, very decent NVH. It’s a very noticeable step up from something like a Ford Focus. The Evoque is supposed to be another step up from the XC40 in terms of refinement. As its list price is commonly double that of a Ford Focus, you’d hope it would be a lot better. Very similar footprint however.
Edited by wyson on Saturday 10th February 09:17
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