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 you have to take out a loan? Would a runabout at about £500 with a years mot not do your husband. I'm a bit of a car snob, Iv got a good car that I use and I got my partner a wee cheap car when he started his new job. It gets him from A to B.

The thing is when you live in the countryside in areas which see bad bad weather there are no ubers, no public transport that travels at a) any level of frequency or reliability b) early or late enough. You have done well to cope on one car, Yanbu another car will help enormously.

For the environmentalists - if you want people in the countryside to cut down on cars then there needs to be reliable public transport.

Our village bus service was stopped nearly 30 years ago now. Ditto the local shop post office. Up in the hills when it snows you need a 4x4 or a tractor to get down to civilisation where buses run. It really does depend on location as to needing a vehicle.

If the issue is he needs to get around for 3 wks then why doesn't he get a motorbike, cheap, easier to store and more fun too.

What about an electric bike?

Personally I wouldn't go for the electric bike option because you have the same issue as with a normal bike - cycling in winter is not great and OP said the roads are bad. I would avoid a moped/motorbike for the same reason.

Would budget stretch to a small electric car (used obvs) since it's only a short commute?