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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:
lovechoc · 05/06/2012 08:28

*has

Bonsoir · 05/06/2012 08:31

How far away is your DCs' school?

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 12:14

Its a fair walk...doesnt worry me or ds1 but ds2 will find it tough adter pre school but I can always buy a cheap buggy for the journey back...

Also both dc have bikes and scooters so in decent weather could use those.

I just feel dh thinks that if we sell the car somehow we have "failed" you know? His dad has also been v helpful Hmm in telling dh that at this stage in our lives (1 income, 2 young dc) we wont have any savings!

sigh...aibu?? Really? I think I am being sensible but am starting to doubt myself now...my parents also think its a mistake....

OP posts:
kilmuir · 05/06/2012 12:18

i would never give up my car.
like my independance. weather so dire in uk, would hate to trudge back from school with little ones in the cold and rain. i worry about emergencies, getting to hospitals etc, but we are quite rural.

MoreBeta · 05/06/2012 12:20

Sell it without a second thought and pay off your debt.

We dont have a car and just get everything delivered, walk or use public transport. It just takes a slight amount of rejigging of yoru life and if you really need a car you do still have the option of using DHs company car.

You really really dont need two cars. The idea of having two cars is something which has only happened in the last 10 - 20 years for most families.

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 12:22

kilmiur I dont relish walking to school in a gale either! Smile

We arent rural. Good transport links etc.

Its just seems....silly to keep a car when its not a neccessity you know? At our old house it was..needed it to get ds1 to school (in another town)

Now we are keeping it and paying out every month for a car that in 6 years has done 20,000 miles!

OP posts:
economymode · 05/06/2012 17:21

I'm trying to sell my car, but really having no luck. Am I going to have to bite the bullet and pay for an ad on AutoTrader?

DiscoDaisy · 05/06/2012 17:27

We have 2 cars and 5 children. The second car is a god send when they have things on at the same time but plenty of my friends only have 1 car and manage just fine.

Meglet · 05/06/2012 17:29

I think that as your DH has a company car then selling your car might not be a disaster.

You can treat yourself to the odd taxi without breaking the bank. And still have days out at weekends in his car.

RandomMess · 05/06/2012 17:41

I still remember my Mum learning to drive when I was about 8 or 9 - so we definately coped without a car when Dad was at work just fine!!!

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 17:45

Hi meg Yeah, I think it will be fine once I get used to it.

eco Perhaps get in touch with a garage/dealership?

We never had a car til I was 13 or so. (dad had a motorbike up to then) Cant remember feeling too deprived really..we went by bus to the swimming baths and cinema etc. Rode my bike a lot!

OP posts:
seachange · 05/06/2012 17:46

Do it! We didn't have a car for 2 1/2 years and didn't miss it at all. Quite liked the enforced slower pace of life and saved shed loads of money. The only thing to beware of (which I didn't know) is that with insurance no claims discounts expire after 2 years, so you'll have to start from scratch or go through a broker if you go without for that long :(

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 17:52

Thanks all.

At least you lot dont think I am mad!

OP posts:
doggiemumma · 05/06/2012 17:58

I am going to buck the trend here - don't sell the car!

The reason - unless you really don't use it, you WILL have to fork out for buses and trains if ever you go out for the day etc. School run is ok, good for you to walk. I say this as someone who doesn't drive and manages perfectly well without a car in the week but there are so many places we couldnt do if we had to rely on trains and buses.

I would advise sorting your CC debts out before you sell the car, if you are struggling to make repayments, contact one of the debt advice agencies. National Debt line and Credit consumer council. They will advise you, you may be in a position where you can get the interest frozen, but that means you don't use your cards again. This will save you far more than selling the car over time.

If you cannot manage financially with the car then things must be tight (i know, ive been there, pretty much still there) so a income and outgoings sheet sent with a letter to the credit card company with an offer of regular monthly payments may well get yoru interest frozen, we were in a situation where our minimum payments were just covering interest and we weren't shifting the debt. Our situation was quite bad and we are now in a debt management scheme which has helped alot.

I have held on like grim death to our car, we wont be able to afford another if we sell, it is better the devil you know in terms of car so buying an old banger could be a nightmare as you could be constantly paying out, so if your car is reliable and doesn't go wrong too much, keep it, if you can.

doggiemumma · 05/06/2012 17:59

oh - your dh has a company car, can you use that for family days etc? that being the case, ignore my previous post, sell it :) still get some help with those CC debts though x

Northernlurker · 05/06/2012 18:19

If you've only done 20,000 miles in 6 years then you're right. You don't need it.

Original poster
Badvoc · 05/06/2012 19:15

Thanks northern thats my view too!

OP posts:
economymode · 05/06/2012 21:13

Re dealers, I have no idea how it works. Do I just roll up and tell them I want them to buy the car off me? I've had a look at a few local dealers' websites and they don't say anything about buying cars, just selling them.

Original poster
Badvoc · 06/06/2012 10:20

hmm...not sure. I would phone them rather than just turning up...

Dh and I have come to a compromise...we will give it til dec (6 months) and if things are still tight we will sell it.

Am pleased we have come to an ageement we are both happy with.

OP posts:
Original poster
Badvoc · 06/06/2012 10:20

You could also try something like webuyanycar.com but you wont get the full value from them.

OP posts:
lovechoc · 06/06/2012 10:47

You are best going in person to these dealers and that way you will get a straight answer, and they can't pull a fast one on you.

You'll need to go to several dealers to get the best price for your car.

lovechoc · 06/06/2012 10:48

Badvoc glad you've both come to a compromise on this.

economymode · 06/06/2012 14:04

Thanks for the advice about dealers Smile.

sooperdooper · 15/06/2012 16:40

I got rid of my car in the new year, DP has a car which I can use and I've really not missed it that much tbh, I've realised that th epblic transport near me is really pretty good, doesn't cost the earth and if the worst comes to the worst I can get a taxi, it's not the end of the world having just one car

EssentialFattyAcid · 15/06/2012 16:46

We have one car and since I started cycling it now sits on the drive nearly all the time. We did have 2 at one point but it was totally unecessary.

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