Re: Advise about downsizing and only having one ca... - Page 4

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

If you rarely use the second car, I would get rid of it and enjoy the savings.

muttmom · ‎11-28-2012

We are both retired but still maintain 2 cars. We do not spend all our time together. I socialize with my friends, he likes to golf. There are times we both have appointments at the same time in different areas of town. Car insurance is high but it is well worth it for us. Until the day one of us gives up his or her driver's license, we will be a 2 car family.

marmot24 · ‎03-12-2010

We are also retired and did just what you said. We traded in both cars for a new Subaru.

I think it also depends where you live. We are in the city and close to public transportation, so I never feel stranded. However if I lived out in the country, I may be tempted to keep 2 cars. It is a saving tho to downsize to one car.

PinkyPetunia · ‎03-09-2010

My husband and I are both retired and we keep 2 cars. I would not want to have one car only. We don't always go places together so I'd hate to sit home waiting for him to get back so I could use the car. Just this morning he went out to meet a buddy for coffee and give the dog a ride (dog loves the car). I went out and ran some errands.

For us it's not expensive to keep a second car. The insurance isn't high (we have clean driving records and we get multi-policy discount) and the car is paid off. Yes, we pay for maintenance but for me it's worth it.

I'd only go to one car if money was super tight and we couldn't afford to keep 2 cars.

ladyroxanne · ‎03-09-2010

it sounds like going down to one car may work for you, but once you do it, you are stuck with your decision.

i would never give up my car because i would feel that i'm giving up part of my independence. but, that's just me.

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

I doubt that we will consider going down to one vehicle, at least not for another 10 years. One reason we didn't marry until our early 40s and each of us always had our own vehicle, and when we met we both actually had two cars each.

While we do mostly travel together there are times when my husband may go visit his family members. He spends half a day there and I would be very uncomfortable not having access to a car. Or I may go shopping or to an event and also be gone hours. Added to that there is the issue of what do you do when the car needs repairs. We would have to rely on my brother, who works full time, to transport us/pick us up at the repair shop.

Where we live, public transportation hardly exists, no buses, a cab trip would be extremely unreliable and costly.

Now a days, it seems it may involve a lot of coordination to have one car with two drivers, but yes it can be done. I grew up in a family that only had one car. My mother didn't work outside the home. But I also recall many times she had to call her parents to bale her out when she absolutely needed to go somewhere.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@just bee wrote:
This is interesting because there was a time in which families had one car: The family car. I was raised by a mother who didn’t drive and we had no car. We walked, took a bus or L train. Today I live in a neighborhood where families have multiple cars and I have friends who are single and even they have multiple vehicles. I think it’s possible for you to live with one car. I would familiarize myself with your city’s transportation system and find out if you have services like Uber available. It can be done. It’s an interesting idea if your motivation is to save money. How many times do we jump into the car and go somewhere when we’re bored and end up spending money? To me, a car represents freedom. I can get into my car and go if I need to. I have options. I can escape. But it requires responsibility and money to keep a car. If you do downsize you may discover that you really don’t need a second car. You may end up saving more than you expected. You may find that you are capable of coming up with more creative solutions. Hold onto the money you save. If you discover you do need a second vehicle, you’ll have a down payment.

Well, that may be a solution to boredom for you, but I really can't relate to that. I only get in my car when I have to go somewhere.

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Here is the situation since most of you asked. We are 9 miles from the nearest grocery store. We do not have public transportation. Our neighbors are friendly but probably not willing to take me places when the car is not available. Our closest daughter is 4 hours away. Both of us drive, both of us are very active but retired. We dance every evening. We go everywhere together except Saturday morning when he takes the 2007 Camry. We also have a 2012 Prius which is our car of choice to travel together. Cannot argue with 50-53 miles per gallon. Both are great cars. We do not owe on the Camry but owe on the Prius. Our insurance is based on the older car so it is only about $400 dollars a year for insurance for the extra one. Maintenance is not the issue. Toyotas need check-ups not major overhauls... trust me I have been a Toyota owner for over 40 years. I do have to get tags, etc every so often.. renewal. So I would say the expense is not there, however THE CAMRY JUST SITS THERE. 50,000 miles since December 2007. I did get new tires for both cars recently.

marmot24 · ‎03-12-2010

Bonnie, given your situation I think I'd keep both cars. Doesn't seem to be a financial burden, and I wouldn't like the feeling of being stranded or relying on others for transport. We lived out in the country for many years and I was so happy to come home to the city with all of its resources. Good luck with whatever you decide.