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Original poster

Car broken WWYD

18 replies

SheeshPawowa · 24/02/2023 09:27

Car in the garage, massive MOT fail, looks like it'll be easily over a grand to fix and it's pretty old now anyway. 2008

I do not want to drive DHs car. School around 15 mins walk away, my work is around 30 mins walk away and I'm only there 2 days.

I really don't want to take on any extra outgoings at the moment. Everything just feels so....expensive. Not to mention the cost of a new to me car. I thought I had another couple of years in this one but it's truly knackered.

I've always had a car, I'm used to just jumping in it whenever I like. Back and forth with the kids etc.

However, the weather is picking up, bus fares are £2 til June and I'm torn between going car free for a while and worrying that I'll lose confidence and independence by not driving.

I also don't want a "little run around". Im used to a big car, SUV height. I don't like being low to the ground 🤣.

Im torn. I think mine will be scrapped by the end of the day so WWYD?

OP posts:
RH1234 · 24/02/2023 09:31

Personally, for the distances you’ve described, I’d walk or cycle whether I had a car or not. On terrible weather days; even a bus, taxi or your DHs car could maybe work.

A decent coat etc. is far easier to maintain.

BeetleyCarapace · 24/02/2023 09:32

Well, if you can walk to work and to school it sounds reasonably practical for you to not have one — for a few weeks or months at least, to see how you get on. You can always try doing without for a bit, and buy one in a few months time if you realise you really need one. It doesn't sound like your current one would be worth much at trade-in anyway.

As to fixing your current one. A grand or so to fix — the question to look at would be whether you'd end up spending more than that amount on either a new/er car, or alternative transport.

Skiphopbump · 24/02/2023 09:33

It sounds like buying a new car isn’t urgent so just see how it goes being without one.

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Driving & parking
Exactfare · 24/02/2023 09:35

YABVVU for having a "big SUV" type car for those distances

If you need a car wise up and get something small and economical

GoodChat · 24/02/2023 09:37

I'd forego the car and walk or cycle.

Save the money you'd spend in petrol/insurance and the scrap value until the winter and buy a new car then.

Grumpybutfunny · 24/02/2023 09:51

What is actually wrong with it? Have you priced up parts? Is it 1k this year and next year will be fine or is if going to be year on year. Personally if it's just one of those years I would look at scrap parts and learn to fix it. We have a dream of buying a non-runner classic to do up as a hobby.

@Exactfare people can buy what they want, SUV are safer for passengers which is my priority with a DS.

GoodChat · 24/02/2023 09:53

people can buy what they want, SUV are safer for passengers which is my priority with a DS.

OP's been driving her children round in a car that needs hundred of pounds of work. That's not safer than a smaller, fully functioning car.

PurBal · 24/02/2023 10:42

@Grumpybutfunny I’ve said this on previous threads but if you genuinely believe you need an SUV (as opposed to it being a preference) then the marketers have done their job. As for perceived safety:
”SUVs are a paradox: while many people buy them to feel safer, they are statistically less safe than regular cars, both for those inside and those outside the vehicle. A person is 11% more likely to die in a crash inside an SUV than a regular saloon. Studies show they lull drivers into a false sense of security, encouraging them to take greater risks. Their height makes them twice as likely to roll in crashes and twice as likely to kill pedestrians by inflicting greater upper body and head injuries, as opposed to lower limb injuries people have a greater chance of surviving.” (www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/07/a-deadly-problem-should-we-ban-suvs-from-our-cities)
As you say, people can drive what they want.

OP I used to live those distances from work, I’d never have considered driving (or even catching the bus). Walk or cycle: cheaper and good for your health.

eurochick · 24/02/2023 12:29

For those distances I would go car free.

Why don't you want to drive your husband's car? Could you if you really needed to?

Tessasanderson · 24/02/2023 14:34

Exactfare · 24/02/2023 09:35

YABVVU for having a "big SUV" type car for those distances

If you need a car wise up and get something small and economical

Totally agree. YABU, walk/bus/cycle. If it gets too much the money you are saving will either pay for a small run around or you can treat yourself to the odd taxi

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 24/02/2023 14:40

I would pay for the repairs.

soboredoflooking · 24/02/2023 14:46

I'd never be without a car so it's a no brainer for me. Buses don't go all the places I need to go and take forever. It wld also add up quickly for bus fares. Think it's about £4-£5 return to go a few miles on ones round here.

You could always try it and see how u find it short term.

With a car that age I wouldn't repair it either. You'll likely be rebuilding it and every year will need work done. A replacement will be expensive even if an older one. I just sold my old car and got nearly £13k for it and it's 3 and a half years old, not fancy it's a Kia.

Original poster
SheeshPawowa · 24/02/2023 15:00

"YABVVU for having a "big SUV" type car for those distances

If you need a car wise up and get something small and economical"

I didn't say "type" I said "height" 🤣. Think van/people carrier style. I also didn't ask AIBU, I asked WWYD.

When I bought the car I needed 7 seats, big boot. I don't need as many seats now tbh.

We don't always drive to school, I do always drive to work though so that'll be different. The thing is, those are my usual routines but occasionally I'll need to go further.

Im going to give it a go for a while, I can't cycle and the reason I won't be driving DHs car is because he's so precious about it that I CBA with it. In an emergency obviously I could and would drive it.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
Original poster
SheeshPawowa · 24/02/2023 15:04

It's a grand at least for repairs and they aren't sure that it'll resolve the problem. I'm not repairing it, seems like it could turn into a bottomless pit

OP posts:
Original poster
SheeshPawowa · 24/02/2023 15:04

It's a grand at least for repairs and they aren't sure that it'll resolve the problem. I'm not repairing it, seems like it could turn into a bottomless pit

OP posts:
JennyDarlingRIP · 24/02/2023 15:04

This happened to us although we got it through its MOT and sold it, because the garage screwed us over and did the work before asking if we actually wanted it done.
The plan was to save up and get another car (it was DHs we have mine), he has a bike. It's now nearly two years later and one car has worked out fine. There is the rare odd occasion where it'd be a little more convenient to have two, but not worth the expense of running another car all of the time. You might be surprised.

MirabelMax · 24/02/2023 15:06

It's worth trying to manage without it surely? It's easier to change your mind from not having a car to having one than the other way round.

I know you say you don't want to drive your dhs car but surely the odd drive in it will keep up your confidence?

Original poster
SheeshPawowa · 24/02/2023 20:49

Yeah, suppose you're right. The other issue is he works away sometimes, every few months or so.

I'll give it a go! Thanks

OP posts:
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