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Original poster

I want to sell my car - its a luxury I dont think we can afford anymore...

52 replies

Badvoc · 04/06/2012 18:42

..but dh disagrees.

I know I will miss it. I know that. BUT we could get £3k to put into savings/pay off cc and I would sav over £100 per month in costs.

AIBU in thinking this is a good idea?

We have NO savings (long story but moved into a new house in Dec and everything broke!!!) and cc debt we have no chance of even denting unless things change.

I will need to walk to school/pre school with dc in all weathers but, hey, I've done it before.

I get my groceries delivered mostly anyway and would be quite happy to use buses/trains on my (very) rare (think 4 x per year) trips into town.

wwyd?

OP posts:
Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 18:45

...have had an offer of £2900 which I think is a fair price....

OP posts:
QueenBonkeyMollocks · 04/06/2012 18:46

Sell the car!

And we have done before, would do without thought again if need be. Most people can manage perfectly well without a car. Its just a matter of getting used to not having it.

Maybe you could get straight, get some savings up together and then get another once things are looking up. :)

maples · 04/06/2012 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 18:50

maples I looked on the autocar website and it quoted £3275 but that was private sale and my sis's BIL is selling it for me (he is a trader)

I think £2900 is pretty fair tbh.

Just help me convince dh!!???...

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Queenofcake · 04/06/2012 18:56

We are currently a 2 car family (live out in the sticks) but the recent oncrease in running costs have made me seriously consider us going down to one car between us. Its the recent stupid increase in car insurance that has been the final straw for me.

If you feel you can manage without a car do it, but be aware that you wont get much back from your insurance and remember to send off the tax disc for a refund or ask for the amount you would get added onto the sale price if you sell it with the tax.

Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 19:00

Tax needs renewing end of June so wont get much of a refund!!

Not sure wrt Insurance...mine has also gone up though and prob will again later this year.

We dont live in the sticks - in a village but everything within walking distance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 19:01

I can see fuel prices getting even higher tbh.

And Ins costs.

And its 5 years old so will prob start costing money soon (needed 2 new tyres last dec)

sigh....please help me convince dh!!

OP posts:
lovechoc · 04/06/2012 19:03

Not the same situation, but we went from two cars to one last August and we haven't looked back. I do not miss having two cars, because I don't need the car to do the nursery run (only a 5 min walk from house). DH uses the car for work (35 min commute from house). At weekends if DH is working then I just have to accept I'm staying local, or have relatives visit DC and myself.

I hardly drive the car these days! In these times, you have to be sensible and if it means you will be better off doing without a luxury then so be it.

QueenBonkeyMollocks · 04/06/2012 19:04

Just sell it and wave the cheque under his nose. Grin

Or write it all down on paper, what you would save, what you could pay off, how long it could be before you had some decent savings/paid of some debt etc.

Then do another which shows how much the car cost's per month.

He can't argue with facts!

lovechoc · 04/06/2012 19:06

We are much better off financially and it's been noticeable over the past 9 months.

If you are in a village you definitely don't need the car if everything (similar to my own situation) is within walking distance. You'll do fine!! :)

Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 19:11

Dh is being sensible in one way...it is a long walk to school BUT others walk further!!

Dh also thinks I am having - and I quote - "a knee jerk reaction" to our current situation.

(I am sure I will regret it when I am walking to school in a gale!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 19:12

Should also say I can use dh's (company) car at evenings and weekends and when he is away with work...

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TheHouseOnTheCorner · 04/06/2012 19:15

Get a bike! I love mine and my fitness has really improved...so has my DDs! She rides with me to school in the morning and back too! We do 2 miles there and 2 back.

reddaisy · 04/06/2012 19:18

I didn't have a car during my first ML as it broke down and we couldn't afford to fix it. I quickly got used to life without it and lost two stone of baby weight without trying thanks to all the walking. I really missed all the walking when I went back to work and had to sit on my bum in an office all day. I have a car again now and I walk far less just because it is there.

Get rid of it and save up to get a new one when you have cleared your debts.

Buntingbunny · 04/06/2012 19:36

I'm assuming this is your car, not the family's only car? I can't conceive a modern family could survive without a car in a village.

You need to spend the next three weeks writing down every time you use the car and how you would have done the trip without one and remember to factor in cost, convenience of bus or if DH or friend who gave you a lift this time may not be able to next time.

There have been lots of threads about peoples patience wearing thin giving lifts.

My car is part of me, I've had a car since I was 19. I can't imagine not having one. Owning a car is the one grown up thing that pre-dates DH and without one we would never have got together. I gave him a lift and ended up staying the night Blush

Buntingbunny · 04/06/2012 19:38

xposted because i'm Mn and cooking

RandomMess · 04/06/2012 19:42

Just do it and make it priority to save up for a new one - which could be something smaller and much more economical to run. £100 per month savings is not to be sniffed at.

Original poster
Badvoc · 04/06/2012 20:21

Losing weight is also something I would like to do tbh and am assuming all the exercise would help??

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RandomMess · 04/06/2012 20:24

Blimey it does yes and the fresh air does you the world of good too.

Buntingbunny · 05/06/2012 01:12

After school activities, swimming lessons, play dates???

Certainly here, these things happen in a 20 mile radius long before DH is back from work.

Buntingbunny · 05/06/2012 01:13

That was meant to say 10 mile radius ( although it's nearer 12)

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 06:05

His best friend lives round the corner Smile

Dh is worried about if I am ill or if the dc take ill and getting them to the docs etc...

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RandomMess · 05/06/2012 07:19

Err do you not have minicabs/taxis for in an emergency?

You would struggle to spend £1200 per year using them and you did say that you could always drop your dh off at work and borrow the car fairly easily. Funnily enough friends/associates do tend to help out in emergencies especially if you brandish a bottle of wine at them as a thank you so they don't feel taken advantage of.

MrsBucketxx · 05/06/2012 07:28

a word of advice try a local car dealer too have a price in your head add a grand and hagley like mad you may get a much better price. i did i knew my car was about 2500 and sold it for 3200.

lovechoc · 05/06/2012 08:28

In an emergency you'd just have to call a taxi to get to hospital with the DC or even for yourself through the night. Others do this who cannot drive or don't have a car.

RandomMess have covered it well.

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