Ditch the cars altogether - anyone done it?

[272BHP]

Big changes are afoot in the household this year as I retire and my Wife gets a big promotion in her job in the centre of London.

We currently live in Surrey and my Wife has a total commute of about 2 hours. We are considering moving into London itself which will mean her commute time will shrink to about 40mins total a day - her new job will require her to be a bit more flexible than the regular 9-5 so we really need to cut the commute time down to something manageable.

the area is in Zone 2 and I am seriously considering binning the cars altogether, School is close, shops are close and great shopping and facilities are a short tube/bus ride away.

If we go on a family trip or visit family then surely it is no hassle to hire a car - has anyone attempted this before in London and how successful was it?

Alternatively I just buy a snotter and dump it along the street for when it is required.

[Fantuzzi]

So what will you drive for fun, or do you have a bike.

[crosseyedlion]

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

[Codswallop]

London has good public transport, so it would be fairly easy to live there with no car. However, outside of peak times, I find a car is quicker across London than public transport, so if your wife doesn't need to do the 9-5, a car may end up a more pleasant way to travel.

Personally, I enjoy having a car for the freedom, flexibility, and ability to just go for a drive when the fancy takes me (despite never having really needed to own a car). Depends on your priorities...

Alternatively, is a motorbike an option? They work well in the confines of London, while giving you the all important internal combustion engine fix.

[Pints]

I went without a car for a year when I moved to London. Was only too happy to be back behind the wheel after the hiatus.

I had a car for my remaining years in London, often used to get out into the countryside and for big shopping trips, etc.

[Matt UK]

Ditching the cars only sounds good if you join a Supercar club and have some uber-sexy to spend your points on the half dozen times a year you get out of the big smoke!

[Du1point8]

crosseyedlion said:

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

I dont have any more cars since moving to london.

I will get another one at some point but dont need it being in Zone 2, I ended up working so much that the only time to use one was at the weekend, yet the weekends I spent chilling out as I didnt want to do anything, let alone drive.

Now if I need a car I can get one from street cars (zip car now) as there are 5/6 near me, so can get shopping in that.

Something further away means I will hire a proper car.

Will get a toy car at some point but its not something I need at the moment.

[crosseyedlion]

Du1point8 said:

crosseyedlion said:

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

I dont have any more cars since moving to london.

I will get another one at some point but dont need it being in Zone 2, I ended up working so much that the only time to use one was at the weekend, yet the weekends I spent chilling out as I didnt want to do anything, let alone drive.

Now if I need a car I can get one from street cars (zip car now) as there are 5/6 near me, so can get shopping in that.

Something further away means I will hire a proper car.

Will get a toy car at some point but its not something I need at the moment.

I'm confused, I thought the essence of being a petrol head means not having a car wouldn't even be entertained as an idea.

But then, I don't live in London, nor will I ever. Partly for that reason...So I really don't get it. Sorry.

[Ug_lee]

Do you not go away for a day out to the coast or into the country to restore your faith in humanity every so often? Would be expensive and a hassle hiring every time I imagine?

I'd keep a car even if the cheapest of the cheap to keep you with options even if it's something like a 10 year old Yaris. Also after 2 years with no car your insurance history is wiped and it starts to look expensive to insure anything interesting should you need something like that in retirement.

[Fantuzzi]

Du1point8 said:

crosseyedlion said:

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

Will get a toy car at some point but its not something I need at the moment.

Surely thats the difference between someone who 'likes' cars, someone who would wouldnt mind a car for fun but isnt a necessity, and a real petrolhead/carnut who 'needs' to have a car for fun, becuase that is his/her passion.

Of course this forum ranges from the really nerdy to just the normal bloke who just likes a car chat now and then.

[Perd Hapley]

Could you not do without the car and join Zipcar or similar?

[sl350z]

Fantuzzi said:

Surely thats the difference between someone who 'likes' cars, someone who would wouldnt mind a car for fun but isnt a necessity, and a real petrolhead/carnut who 'needs' to have a car for fun, becuase that is his/her passion.

Of course this forum ranges from the really nerdy to just the normal bloke who just likes a car chat now and then.

Nail head IMO

[iphonedyou]

I have. Moved to London, so no need for a car. Family back home in Northern Ireland, so a plane is required for family visits anyway.

[Du1point8]

Fantuzzi said:

Du1point8 said:

crosseyedlion said:

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

Will get a toy car at some point but its not something I need at the moment.

Surely thats the difference between someone who 'likes' cars, someone who would wouldnt mind a car for fun but isnt a necessity, and a real petrolhead/carnut who 'needs' to have a car for fun, becuase that is his/her passion.

Of course this forum ranges from the really nerdy to just the normal bloke who just likes a car chat now and then.

Well let me put it this way.

I can afford a nice car, but work commitments as they are, I will end up paying for a nice car, a garage, insurance, upkeep, etc... But have no time to enjoy one. So instead of having a car, paying for the fun of looking at it in a garage far away from my property, I unfortunately have to choose not to have one.

I am a petrol head, always have been had the pleasure of been passenger or driven in many exotic, but just because I currently dont have one doesnt mean Im no longer a petrol head by some weird logic, that I must have a car and pay in excess of £5k a year (rough costs for all the above excluding fuel) for the privilege in London to stare at it.

[craigjm]

I lived in Mayfair for a while and to be honest a car was a hinderance so I did without for a while. Something I am actually considering doing again.

[sl350z]

Du1point8 said:

Well let me put it this way.

I can afford a nice car, but work commitments as they are, I will end up paying for a nice car, a garage, insurance, upkeep, etc... But have no time to enjoy one. So instead of having a car, paying for the fun of looking at it in a garage far away from my property, I unfortunately have to choose not to have one.

I am a petrol head, always have been had the pleasure of been passenger or driven in many exotic, but just because I currently dont have one doesnt mean Im no longer a petrol head by some weird logic, that I must have a car and pay in excess of £5k a year (rough costs for all the above excluding fuel) for the privilege in London to stare at it.

Sorry....

Mx5?

[z4chris99]

I live in central London and although I usually use the tube to commute the car does come in useful.

I drive it to work in the summer when its a nice day
I drive it home to my parents place 200 miles away
I drive it on weekends when its usually quicker and nicer than using the tube
I drive it to shops when I need to pick up st (b&q and the like)
I drive it to go places outside London, i.e. shooting etc
I drive it for fun.

I wouldn't give it up, no chance.

[Takeflight]

This is what I'd do: £60 on ZipCar for when you need something sensible and membership and the Old Street Classic Car club for special occations or when you just fancy a drive. Done. http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/home.asp

[crosseyedlion]

Du1point8 said:

Fantuzzi said:

Du1point8 said:

crosseyedlion said:

I don't suppose anyone who ditched motoring all together would be on pistonheads still, surely not?

Will get a toy car at some point but its not something I need at the moment.

Surely thats the difference between someone who 'likes' cars, someone who would wouldnt mind a car for fun but isnt a necessity, and a real petrolhead/carnut who 'needs' to have a car for fun, becuase that is his/her passion.

Of course this forum ranges from the really nerdy to just the normal bloke who just likes a car chat now and then.

Well let me put it this way.

I can afford a nice car, but work commitments as they are, I will end up paying for a nice car, a garage, insurance, upkeep, etc... But have no time to enjoy one. So instead of having a car, paying for the fun of looking at it in a garage far away from my property, I unfortunately have to choose not to have one.

I am a petrol head, always have been had the pleasure of been passenger or driven in many exotic, but just because I currently dont have one doesnt mean Im no longer a petrol head by some weird logic, that I must have a car and pay in excess of £5k a year (rough costs for all the above excluding fuel) for the privilege in London to stare at it.

This is the point...I couldn't choose to live in such a situation. The times when I've not had a vehicle (head winning over heart) have (although being financially better off) been bloody miserable. The instant lack of freedom was too much. And these situations have been rectified rapidly.

As sad as it may seem I've moved hell and high water to have a car when I really shouldn't, and never the cheapest to run. I get so much enjoyment from just owning a car, not just getting around.

[sparks_E39]

I'm going into the Royal Navy, so I'm likely selling my car soon. Don't need one, can't drive one. No point.