Me or Dh?.... Purchasing a car!

[Itsfineactually]

We are a 1 car family, have been for 12yrs. We’ve never really needed or justified a 2nd car as I was working freelance or a sahm, and my dh works away offshore 3 weeks on/3weeks off.

So I have sole use off the car when he’s away and then we share when he’s home. I used to get the train to work so never needed it for commute.

3 weeks ago I started a new job which I can’t get the train to. It’s only 9 miles away so I have been driving it when DH is away, or a mix of driving it, cycling and him dropping me off when he is home.

I want a 2nd car. My reasons being that when I take if for work he is left with no transport... we are in a tiny village arse end of nowhere. I love cycling and I’m physically fit enough to do it regularly but it will be getting icy soon and the lanes are narrow/dark/not salted. Lastly, when he drops me off we have to bring dc (10 & 5) with us at 7:30 each morn and then to collect at 4:30 each day. I think it’s unfair on them and gives me little flexibility to stay longer in work if needed (teacher).

His reason is that there will be a car sitting on the drive for 3 weeks at a time, extra expense (we’d need a loan) and he doesn’t mind dropping/picking me up.

What do you think? Who is being inreasonable?

Do the math, car tax, insurance, fuel, mot costs. Add those to the loan then see if the occasional rental is cheaper. Just calculated mine £600 per annum before the fuel costs. Add new tyres which seem to wear out even though I do a low mileage. And god help you if the car has a problem that cost me another £300 this summer.

Might work @AbsolCatly He’s hired them before when needed to go on a course or something but it’s stressful letting the kids in it or fear of scratching it

Thanks @AnotherEmma... We’re quite outdoorsy so the venues we go to are rarely accessible by public transport, especially within school times. We’re in the Lakes

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss if we spent all our income in a car we wouldn’t be able to pay for anything else, including mortgage. We could save for it I suppose. We have no savings atm as just used it on house and me being sahm

'I dont know how working couples with kids manage with only one' - some working couples manage with no car at all. Who'da thought!

Yes @GetUpAgain and @Teacakeandalatte I agree with that too 🤣
But seems daft my car sitting in work when he can use it

When we where a one car family DH used the motorbike for commuting to work, would that be something you could look at? We still have the motorbike with two cars now but we maybe going back to one and a motorbike. Cbt is £125. Motorbike under 125 or scooter will be under £1500 for something pretty new. Tax £15 per year fuel is like £7 per fill up that lasts ages mpg is great.

What about a motorcycle or scooter for you? Cheaper to run, insure etc and you'll only be using it to commute a few miles.

Forgot to add- we are in the south so only really get maybe two-three weeks of bad weather/ice so we just suck it up for them and share

We are a two car family and both cars have times when they are not used..parked at work, only one used on a weekend pretty much, however for those times when we do need both commuting and wanting to go different places I wouldn’t be without them. It’s all about convenience and affordability. That’s what I choose to spend my money on ...others might choose more expensive cars, holidays etc. We both drive fiestas now....did have one larger and one smaller when the kids were smaller.

Thanks everyone, I can see both sides. So will mull on it for a while. Saving up for one is sensible. Then if we decide not to atleast we have some savings 😀

LOL at the people with savings... in reality no one I know has savings!!!

Well people are definitely different - I don't know anyone who doesn't have money in savings and my God, I'd be stressed if we didn't have any money saved for emergencies!

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908020725487?radius=35&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ca117ya&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&price-to=2000&sort=relevance&page=1

You don't need to spend £4000 DM used to have one of these as a little run about this one's in Penrith

@GetUpAgain LOL....? Everyone I know does have at least a small amount saved for unexpected expenses and some. of those people work for NMW in the South east. If your household income is £54k you have no debt other than a mortgage and live in a not especially expensive part of the country, you'd expect someone to have at least a few thousand put away.

Just get a cheap run around if it breaks down u can cycle the rest of the way lol

When DBro worked offshore, he hired a car when he needed one when he was home. His wife and her son used the family car. However, they were in Surrey rather than the Lakes, is his public transport options were pretty extensive.

Alexa

Yes you're right, my suggestion was definitely overkill, moving house is more expensive than buying a relatively second car

It must be my personal bias I suppose, because I just can't imagine anyone with kids wanting to live somewhere with no access to public transport - surely you just end up being their taxi service all the bloody time.... so if I lived in a place like that and then went back to work I would be planning to move at some point, hence wondering if they could move now. But of course if they are otherwise happy where they are then it's a bit of a silly suggestion

From an environmental POV it doesn't make sense for people to be commuting frequently and/or long distances in private vehicles (as opposed to public transport) but we are a long way away from my eco utopia in which that no longer happens

a relatively cheap second car

If you're a teacher is there a colleague you could lift share with?

What impact would the 4K loan have on your monthly income? That would be the big decision for me; if I could easily manage it then fine but if it’s make things tight then I’d just manage.
It’s interesting how people are so judgemental but DH and I have a similar income but after all our costs we don’t have that much left and our savings are for a real rainy day emergency.

YANBU

If it is cost effective yes if there is really no other way of getting to work when he's home, I dont think there is another option unless you want to lose your job!

I wonder can one of you not drop the other off to work or the nearest public transport before/after work? Or as others have said and work out how many times a year you would need it and if it would be more cost effective to hire?

If he really is stubborn then ask what he suggests to solve the problem of getting to work.

@SavetheMinden6

"What happens if the sole family car breaks down/is damaged in an accident/stolen? Get a second one."
Oh no, I need a second house to house all the spare equipment I need in case it breaks down/is damaged in an accident/stolen.

I'd be impressed if someone managed to steal actual house.

OP, why were you looking for such an expensive second car?

I'm not convinced that you need a second car right now. If your husband is fine without having transportation when you at eat work then what is the problem? Why don't you just have your one car and if it doejst work then you re-thibk the situation and get another car.

What happens if the sole family car breaks down/is damaged in an accident/stolen? Get a second one.
I'm not convinced this is a good argument. Having a car just in case something might happens seems unnecessary.