daveleo
what?
If I was a lot younger, I'd live in Boston and would not own a car.
I'd rent one as necessary for travel and day trips.
I'd rent one as necessary for travel and day trips.
car or no car?
- Thread starter back alley
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zuiko85
Veteran
Wish I could do without a car. But although retired I do volunteer work and also manage apartments and do light maintenance so am often at home center and have to haul paint and other stuff. That would be hard and very time consuming on local bus. I don't like driving and if I can get someone else (like the missus) to do it I will.
jbielikowski
Jan Bielikowski
I kinda own a car, living in dead center of a capital city I daily use one of my three bicycles instead, but you know, sometimes I wanna go to places.
0.9L engine, 130km/h no problem on highway.
0.9L engine, 130km/h no problem on highway.
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
I think you made a good decision by buying a Toyota Rav4. That's the car I wanted to buy when my Dodge Grand Caravan died due to a blown head gasket. But a beautiful condition, with only 52,000 miles, Honda Accord was for sale at a very reasonable price so I decided to buy that instead of the Rav4. Now that the Accord is nearing 150,000 miles, I may end up having to buy another car if it stops working, and that car will be a Rav4 or some other small SUV.
I have to have a car as I have a dog, go to places in Oregon where there's no public transit, etc. Fortunately, my insurance cost for the vehicle is relatively low compared to others. The car gets good gas mileage and I always buy gas at Costco which keeps the cost of gas relatively low.
I have driven across country twice, including once from Portland, OR to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to take care of my parents' condominium in Florida after my father's death. The Grand Caravan was very useful for that trip as we slept in the back of the vehicle and hauled a rented trailer full of my parents' possessions on the way back from Florida.
I have to have a car as I have a dog, go to places in Oregon where there's no public transit, etc. Fortunately, my insurance cost for the vehicle is relatively low compared to others. The car gets good gas mileage and I always buy gas at Costco which keeps the cost of gas relatively low.
I have driven across country twice, including once from Portland, OR to Ft. Lauderdale, FL to take care of my parents' condominium in Florida after my father's death. The Grand Caravan was very useful for that trip as we slept in the back of the vehicle and hauled a rented trailer full of my parents' possessions on the way back from Florida.
back alley
IMAGES
it was a chrysler sebring that blew it's head gasket on me...hmmm
i have driven across the usa twice and once by motorcycle...
i have driven across the usa twice and once by motorcycle...
Dralowid
Michael
I have a bus pass in the UK. I think I can go anywhere for free. I remember using buses in the US, my US friends thought I was mad.
barnwulf
Well-known
Got to have a car in Iowa. Things are just too spread out to get around with no public transportation except in large cities. I drive a 9 year old Lexus RX suv and the AWD works well and is excellent in winter. - jim
robbeiflex
Well-known
In Luxembourg, as many places in Europe, if you live within the range of city bus lines or near to a train station then no car = no problem. This is especially so if you work regular hours. My situation unfortunately doesn't fit this model, with kids to take here and there, irregular working hours and occasional business trips, I need my car. Thankfully when I don't need it I have a 25km bike ride to work and a locker and shower there.
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
I went five years with only a moped and a bicycle. Now have a "vintage" car, which is nice when it's cold out or I have to haul stuff or friends around. I'd prefer not to have a car, but if you have one, it may as well be something you like.
Some years ago I stopped at a Toyota dealer and asked to see a pickup... The salesman showed me a RAV4. I think that model had just been introduced and he was stoked over it. It looked fine to me but it's not a pickup!
My wife and I both like to drive and live in a small city in the West with rudimentary public transport. She drives more than I, and for her I think the car is her key to personal freedom and adventure. She will drive (alone) from Washington down to Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno to visit family and old school friends... On one trip she told me that a friend asked her, "your husband lets you do this?" Answer, "Ha ha: 'let??'" I am happy that she enjoys her freedom like that.
I'd think the RAV4 with 4x4 quite useful in Edmonton, given the seasonal changes a good choice. That's an issue for us here too, though it's a matter of icy roads more often than deep snow. Tires with a talent for ice traction make a big difference too.
My wife and I both like to drive and live in a small city in the West with rudimentary public transport. She drives more than I, and for her I think the car is her key to personal freedom and adventure. She will drive (alone) from Washington down to Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno to visit family and old school friends... On one trip she told me that a friend asked her, "your husband lets you do this?" Answer, "Ha ha: 'let??'" I am happy that she enjoys her freedom like that.
I'd think the RAV4 with 4x4 quite useful in Edmonton, given the seasonal changes a good choice. That's an issue for us here too, though it's a matter of icy roads more often than deep snow. Tires with a talent for ice traction make a big difference too.
ktmrider
Well-known
RAV4 is a great choice. Wife drives a 97 with 198000 miles. I drive an F150 to tow the horse trailor. We live in Texas miles from nowhere. Cars are a necesity but I really cannot say the three motorcycles in the garage are.
Tim Murphy
Well-known
Dear Board,
I couldn't imagine living without a car. I live almost 5 miles east or west from a place to get a quart of milk or a loaf a bread, and about 6 miles up and over a hill that runs about 3 miles from bottom to top to bottom if I need anything more substantial like actual food.
Even if I didn't live where I live I'd need a vehicle of some sort because I'd last about two weeks without having the ability to just get up and leave the house to go somewhere.
My wife and I each have older high mileage 4 cylinder work cars as daily drivers, and we have a later model lower mileage Chevy Avalanche to tow the fishing boat and haul gear on road trips and vacations.
Sometimes I envy people who are happy living and recreating in a walking or cycling circle from home, or within the range of public transportation. Then I see something like what I saw Wednesday about ten miles from my house in a local State Park. I watched a half dozen coyote pups cavorting in a field in search of mice or snakes or whatever caught their fancy.
I pulled over to the shoulder of the road to watch them and people walked by and rode by on bicycles and never even noticed them? I'm too enamored of the natural world to miss something like that, and I need to be mobile to take advantage of the sights.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA 🙂
I couldn't imagine living without a car. I live almost 5 miles east or west from a place to get a quart of milk or a loaf a bread, and about 6 miles up and over a hill that runs about 3 miles from bottom to top to bottom if I need anything more substantial like actual food.
Even if I didn't live where I live I'd need a vehicle of some sort because I'd last about two weeks without having the ability to just get up and leave the house to go somewhere.
My wife and I each have older high mileage 4 cylinder work cars as daily drivers, and we have a later model lower mileage Chevy Avalanche to tow the fishing boat and haul gear on road trips and vacations.
Sometimes I envy people who are happy living and recreating in a walking or cycling circle from home, or within the range of public transportation. Then I see something like what I saw Wednesday about ten miles from my house in a local State Park. I watched a half dozen coyote pups cavorting in a field in search of mice or snakes or whatever caught their fancy.
I pulled over to the shoulder of the road to watch them and people walked by and rode by on bicycles and never even noticed them? I'm too enamored of the natural world to miss something like that, and I need to be mobile to take advantage of the sights.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA 🙂
rscheffler
Well-known
It goes both ways.
I see so much more when I am able to do it at a slow pace on foot. I'm talking about potential photos. Granted, my typical environment for this is urban, rather than out in the wild.
My problem when driving is once I'm driving, I like to keep driving. Inertia. Stopping for a potential photo becomes a big internal debate: will it be worth it? How much time will I lose (because I'm typically heading somewhere specific)...?
LOL, this is so true. I think a lot of it is upbringing, habit and perceived lack of options.
I was recently in LA for a long weekend gig... on my free time I got around from LAX to downtown to the beach and in-between all on buses or the subway. Meanwhile, everyone seems to advise you need a car in LA. I thought the transit system there was really good for a major US city. Yes, some of the passengers were 'colorful' and/or unwashed and/or poor and/or homeless... This is probably the greatest deterrent/excuse for many in the US living in places with good transit.
I mentioned making road trips to shoot football games. Sometimes I will fly instead. I really appreciate cities where I can take light rail, subway, express bus, etc., between the airport, downtown and/or the stadium, rather than having to rent a car. Places that come to mind include Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Charlotte, NY Jets/Giants, Baltimore... at least those are the ones I've been to over the years and there are probably more. It can make the overall experience a lot less stressful, not having to find a good parking spot early and close enough, let alone pay the ransom-level rates, now often closing in on $50 or more. Well, the client pays these anyway, but it's also the principle.
BTW, the engine replacement I mentioned earlier, also related to a blown head gasket. They machined the head but the problem recurred within 100km... so hence the engine replacement. I like the car (Audi A4 quattro) and decided to spend the money fixing it instead of downgrading to a tin-can compact.
I see so much more when I am able to do it at a slow pace on foot. I'm talking about potential photos. Granted, my typical environment for this is urban, rather than out in the wild.
My problem when driving is once I'm driving, I like to keep driving. Inertia. Stopping for a potential photo becomes a big internal debate: will it be worth it? How much time will I lose (because I'm typically heading somewhere specific)...?
LOL, this is so true. I think a lot of it is upbringing, habit and perceived lack of options.
I was recently in LA for a long weekend gig... on my free time I got around from LAX to downtown to the beach and in-between all on buses or the subway. Meanwhile, everyone seems to advise you need a car in LA. I thought the transit system there was really good for a major US city. Yes, some of the passengers were 'colorful' and/or unwashed and/or poor and/or homeless... This is probably the greatest deterrent/excuse for many in the US living in places with good transit.
I mentioned making road trips to shoot football games. Sometimes I will fly instead. I really appreciate cities where I can take light rail, subway, express bus, etc., between the airport, downtown and/or the stadium, rather than having to rent a car. Places that come to mind include Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Charlotte, NY Jets/Giants, Baltimore... at least those are the ones I've been to over the years and there are probably more. It can make the overall experience a lot less stressful, not having to find a good parking spot early and close enough, let alone pay the ransom-level rates, now often closing in on $50 or more. Well, the client pays these anyway, but it's also the principle.
BTW, the engine replacement I mentioned earlier, also related to a blown head gasket. They machined the head but the problem recurred within 100km... so hence the engine replacement. I like the car (Audi A4 quattro) and decided to spend the money fixing it instead of downgrading to a tin-can compact.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Nice choice Joe
The Rav4 is a great car.
I own an '89 toyota 2wheel drive pickup. It's reliable as can be and peppy.
After years of BMW sedans and Ford f150 , ... I'm smitten with my little truck.
Finally have a low tailgate to work off of (and great gas mileage).
It gets the bikes, kayaks, wheelbarrow where I want them to be.
Yesterday I did just order a new "city bike" from Brooklyn Bike Company. 😀
Much more excited about bikes these days.
The Rav4 is a great car.
I own an '89 toyota 2wheel drive pickup. It's reliable as can be and peppy.
After years of BMW sedans and Ford f150 , ... I'm smitten with my little truck.
Finally have a low tailgate to work off of (and great gas mileage).
It gets the bikes, kayaks, wheelbarrow where I want them to be.
Yesterday I did just order a new "city bike" from Brooklyn Bike Company. 😀
Much more excited about bikes these days.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
Lived without a car (in Chicago) for a decade. Bought one for my wife and kid (older model subaru), but I stayed without it. When we moved to Atlanta a couple weeks ago, I bought myself a car nearly immediately (beat up Honda accord with 300K on the ODO, but the price was right). ATL's public transit is terrible.
Still have my eye on a 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe.
Still have my eye on a 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV coupe.
We've got a pretty good train system here so I've no need for a car most of the time, and just hire one when I do need one.
Here's a map of the local train system:
Here's a map of the local train system:
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
If I had to choose between a car and my camera gear , I'd be walking.
Shoes are much less costly than cars and more cameras and travel can be had with the surplus cash. 😀
Shoes are much less costly than cars and more cameras and travel can be had with the surplus cash. 😀
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
I did without a car for a few months when I first went in the Navy. Horrible experience. I'd had one since I was 14.
LKeithR
Improving daily--I think.
Well Joe, in Edmonton you don't have too long to wait...😀
I couldn't live without a car. We are about 5 miles from the nearest bus stop and even there the service is pretty sporadic. If I lived in an area where transit was better and more accessible I'm sure I'd use it more but even then I'd have to have a vehicle. My wife and I like to travel out of the valley whenever we can to points east--everything is east of Vancouver. There's so much to see in this province and I couldn't bear to be cooped up in a small area...
back alley
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we have a fairly good transit system but waiting for a bus at -40c temp can be a frozen experience.
edmonton is actually one of the biggest cities, geographically, in the world...so there is much real estate to travel.
i have driven jeeps in the past and loved them...the rough ride, the high seating, running up hills of snow...the rav4 seems almost civilized in comparison.i'll add some good snow tires in the fall and then winter be damned!
edmonton is actually one of the biggest cities, geographically, in the world...so there is much real estate to travel.
i have driven jeeps in the past and loved them...the rough ride, the high seating, running up hills of snow...the rav4 seems almost civilized in comparison.i'll add some good snow tires in the fall and then winter be damned!
