Thinking about going without a car, input needed.

Now I know I am crazy, it is 15 degrees below zero today, and I am thinking about selling my car. I would do it this spring. Help me figure this out. Is this a smart move?

My reasoning for this is because I will be done with my degree next year, and I want to move away from here! I have been planning my move for several years, and am saving up for the move. However, I want to save more! Not only that, but it is very likely that I will be taking a job where I will be making less money. I don't want to have to worry about the car payments, gas, insurance, and all the headache that comes with car ownership. I will also be moving someplace warmer, so having a car will be less of a necessity.

My preferred method of transportation is bike. In fact, I am gearing up to begin commuting through the winter - studded tires, etc. I will need to add a rack to my bike if I am going to seriously commute, as I have been using a backpack up to this point. The main places I am driving back and forth between right now are work, school, grocery store, gym. I can bike to each of those places in about 15 minutes. I can easily take the bus on days where the weather is bad. For longer trips, like to the barn and out of town, I can use the community car:

http://www.communitycar.com/

I will probably get a scooter to get from one place to another a little quicker. Or maybe a motorcycle (that would be fun!), but those are a little more costly, and you have to pay for insurance.

Now that the logistics are out of the way, here comes the financial bit. I bought my car new over a year and a half ago. It will be 2 years this coming April. It will have about 30,000 miles on it, and is in good condition. If I am able to get the Kelly Blue book value for private parties on it, I will come out about even on my loan, which will be nice. However, I know not to expect that, so it may take me a few extra months to get out from under my loan. I have never sold a car privately before, so I am kind of anxious about that.

Is that it? Does this sound like a good decision? Have I thought of everything, or is there something I am missing?

it sounds like a very sound decision, cars are just not that essential. If you have an emergency, you can always call a cab! how important a car is also depends on where you live. it's a lot easier in urban areas.

depending on your car, unfortunately you will NOT get blue book for it. We bought a car (a mitsubishi diamonte) for just under blue book last january (10k) from my stepfather. He believed he was giving us a hot deal. we decided we'd sell it for a car that would be better to haul bikes with a few months later. The best offer we got for our car was $6000. that's 4k lower than blue book.

of course if you have a prius or something like that, you're going to do a lot better.
Good luck.

You might want to browse through all the older postings in this blog:
http://carfreedays.com/
This family gave up their car and does everything on their bikes now...and they have two small children!

You might want to look into getting an Xtracycle:
http://www.xtracycle.com/

Car sharing services are great, but do check the liability insurance if you are going to be insured through them. Zipcar only carries the state minimum; personally, I would want more. Just be sure you know what you're getting.

Good luck with your car free plan. I think it's a great idea.

Pam

I think if you can break even on the loan, you should do it. You can design your new life around cycling. Find a place to live close to your job, a grocery store, and restaurants, with a decent public transit program, and you won't need a car very often. One thing to consider is if you have pets, make sure it's easy to get to a vet.

Spend the $100 to 200 bucks to get your car detailed. Worth every penny. Have all your maintenance receipts in one place, and mention in the ad you have them.

do it! I have been trying to do the same thing and ride my bike most of the time. I am closer than you to most everything. The only reason I have not been able to yet is because I have a Honda fit and it is just basic with 5 speed and no cruise control. I think people prefer auto and want more bells and whistles. So someday maybe car light. Good luck and good for you doing this at a young age.

Oh, well, I'm not THAT young! I have been in college for 10 years off and on (long story), so I am 30 already. I can't wait until those student loans kick in...

One thing I am worried about - how do I sell a car privately when I have a loan on it? Can I have the title transferred over when the car sells, assuming the loan is paid off?

you can do that.

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Originally Posted by Lucky, Fabulous

One thing I am worried about - how do I sell a car privately when I have a loan on it? Can I have the title transferred over when the car sells, assuming the loan is paid off?

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You'd want to call the lien holder (bank or credit union) and find out the pay off amount. Have the seller pay the lien holder directly that amount and any extra goes to you.

That way the seller knows that she will get the title free and clear--without a loan. If the seller has a loan, she can arrange for her bank or credit union to pay off your loan directly.

You say that you want to move...are you sure that you are going somewhere that you can "go" car free? Where I live there are no cabs or buses available and if you want to buy anything other than groceries, or if you need a doctor or dentist, you have to travel out of town, at least 25 miles one way. Make sure about where you are headed! You may not realize that there are lots of rural areas without bus service, cab companies, etc.

I wish we could. We actually sold one car, a minivan, this year and are down to two and a farm truck. And frankly, there are times when it would be nice to have the van (like, taking all the dogs to the beach, or taking a passle of teenagers to a movie.) But we get along fine without it. The two cars we have left are a hybrid (which my husband must have for his 80 mile commute) and a pickup. The pickup we have to have for getting hay and for pulling the trailer. And on foul-weather days, I drive the pickup to the bus.

When my daughter gets through college, we will sell this farm and move to a small town where everything is close. That way, we can do much car-less.

Do it and trust it! You will be fine.

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Originally Posted by uforgot

You say that you want to move...are you sure that you are going somewhere that you can "go" car free? Where I live there are no cabs or buses available and if you want to buy anything other than groceries, or if you need a doctor or dentist, you have to travel out of town, at least 25 miles one way. Make sure about where you are headed! You may not realize that there are lots of rural areas without bus service, cab companies, etc.

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I have thought about that, and I figure that I should have enough saved up by that time that I should be able to buy a reasonable used car free and clear if I have to. Otherwise, I have excellent credit and could finance one again, but I don't want to get in that trap again if I can avoid it.

Think twice about a motorcycle. In many states, registration and insurance on a motorcycle is nearly as expensive as on a car and a motorcycle has all the limitations of a bicycle, with only the added advantage of speed. A cold, rainy day is just as wet but more chilling because you are going faster.

If you choose your new location carefully, it can be done. I would choose a town or city that has excellent mass transit, has a supportive and effective bicycling environment, and has Zipcar or another car-sharing program. I would choose my house or apt. based not only on the location of my job, but on the locations of potential future jobs, too. And of course, stores and such would have to be bikeable or walkable.

It can be done, but you have to plan it out carefully.

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Originally Posted by newfsmith

Think twice about a motorcycle. In many states, registration and insurance on a motorcycle is nearly as expensive as on a car and a motorcycle has all the limitations of a bicycle, with only the added advantage of speed. A cold, rainy day is just as wet but more chilling because you are going faster.

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Except that we can use heated gear on a motorcycle. ;)

I agree though, a motorcycle is no way to save money. A scooter is more practical.

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Originally Posted by tulip

If you choose your new location carefully, it can be done. I would choose a town or city that has excellent mass transit, has a supportive and effective bicycling environment, and has Zipcar or another car-sharing program. I would choose my house or apt. based not only on the location of my job, but on the locations of potential future jobs, too. And of course, stores and such would have to be bikeable or walkable.

It can be done, but you have to plan it out carefully.

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Have you tried to not use your car at this time, for ie. 1 solid month? Assuming that you have all alternative transportation options where you live right now.

Yes, of course it can be done. It is done..and for fear of sounding like a broken, boring LP record :D since other forum members here know my history already, I've been living in car-free households..for the past quarter century.

Of course, I have always lived in, gone to university (in 2 different cities) and worked all my jobs in cities, ranging from population 30,000 (which this lst city now mushroomed to 150,000) to 2 million people where there is public transit and my homes have been located near some walkable base services (grocery store, bank, pharmacy). I have been cycling in the past 17 years after a hiatus of forgetting about bikes.

For certain, your student loans can be drastically paid faster if you find alternative daily transportation options. We rent a car for a few days in total annually. Usually it's when we are vacationing an tourist area where for 1 day we want to zip around to see stuff and the weather is not conducive to cycling.

Does it bother me that it may have limited my job options? Well, no. I prefer for a variety of personal reasons to live in a city/town, not to live in rural areas. At this stage of my life and career (I'll be 50), I'm content with my choices and how life does work out really well, even without a car.

My partner also has zero interest in owning a car also. He gave up car ownership shortly before he met me. He also cycles, takes public transit, etc.

The most important changes you need to realize of course:
*certain things to do stuff don't happen instantly /as quickly at times. But really for non-emergency chores and especially if you don't have children, the world will not cave in.
*you will learn the value of not wanting to buy so much ...unnecessary stuff when you start cycling or using public transit. Because who wants to carry a load of unnecessary consumables/material goods? YOur purchasing life will become more streamlined and humble. :D