Used car prices

[Myusername19]

Ive got 3 kids and managed so far without a car but one would definitely make things easier. However, i cant get over the anxiety of feeling like im about to be ripped off. The prices have really shot up the last few years. I cant find anything decent within my budget and i wont be in a position to save that up again if i buy one that doesn't last long. I dont want to do finance because that puts the price up even more after interest. I feel inferior for not driving. Obviously im restricted in what we can do and when but is it really worth it? We feel very financially flexible without having a car to pay for.

It’s tricky because they are so expensive at the moment. Insurance costs have risen too
because labour/parts etc have gone
up, petrol is high. What would you be using it for? I’m assuming not for work if you manage without.

Say insurance is £500 a year, road tax £200, MOT 100. That’s £800 you have to spend on taxis/rentals before you even factor in the cost of petrol and the initial outlay on a car. I only put it like that because my elderly mother is thinking about giving up her car but worried about the cost of taxis- we looked at the costs of running a car and actually it will be saving her money to give it up (insurance going up as she ages.)

Can you join Zipcar or a similar car club? You pay for the car by the hour and unlock it with your phone. Alternatively - cargo bike with child seats?

Don’t feel inferior for not driving - we only got a car a few years ago in our mid 30’s. Had so many jibes
from friends/family about us catching the train again
or using a man with a van to pick up furniture etc. They seemed to see getting a car as a rite of passage in becoming a grown up but we saved so much money not running a car, and we didn’t need it!