How long will you continue driving?

I have a car. And it's very useful. I use it for work and for play. It liberates me. But the key to it is that I share it with a friend. She uses it for the same sort of things and her family benefit from it too. Car sharing is the only way I could justify the expense and the fuss these days.

Oh and I'll drive while I'm able. 65 being a bit pessimistic. Let's say 110?

I don't own a car and won't while I live in London, due more to the cost than any particular philosophy. I have owned and loved various cars at home in Australia where they are just an essential part of life unless you're an inner city dweller.
I do love driving though, and will do it until my rheumy eyes cause my to run over some poor, unfortunate cyclist in 2075...

Until I lose my license speeding

maybe next year Mike

oops, wrong thread

never. i love using my luxury german sedan to intimidate cyclists.

You are a (an american resident in London) taxi driver?

I love driving, i love my car, i can fit 2-3 bikes in it. costs £40 to full up and road tax is only £30

My car only has one gear.

I love driving, i love my car, i can fit 2-3 bikes in it. costs £40 to full up and road tax is only £30

How often do you fill it up?
30L tank sounds like your confused a car with a motorbike. ;)

£90 to fill mine up, bet I can get more bikes in though.

£90 to fill, 90min to empty.

How often do you fill it up?
30L tank sounds like your confused a car with a motorbike. ;)

I can do around 450 miles on a full tank (london to somerset drive around there for a week and then back to london)

I get just under 400.

You win that one.

In my car i have fit two forumengers, two complete bikes and an extra wheelset

I suspect you shall win this one

@whole thread: cool story bro.

I used to live outside the congestion zone, but our parking space was a few metres inside. Although we eventually got residents rates, because we didnt use it much I had to pay four quid everytime I used the car. Gimps.

I want to come in on this but I'll just lose up all over the place.

Anyway Jnnybtchr's extraordinary comments about not understanding the 'point' of a car in London reminded me of that scene in Shaun of the Dead where a total twat says the same thing. Your reasons for not having a car maybe valid, but please be aware of the differing nature of other people's lives to your's. Many people are better off with or straight up require a car for the lives they lead.

£40 for a fill up on a 1.2L sounds perfectly reasonable to me Hippy. 450miles out of that less so.

poo thread

poo thread

If you want to discuss defecation please start a new thread.

And put chevrons in your post.

I stopped driving about two years ago, although since I'm only 24 that means I was only driving for five years anyway. I don't need a car but having a licence is really useful - I've rented vans to move house and rented a car to go on holiday with friends. I would definitely use a car-share scheme, too.

I will probably get another classic car when I have the money/space. If you think working on vintage bikes is expensive...

I have owned cars but three years or so ago I decided not to bother - I don't actually need one and if I do they're cheap enough to hire.

I drove for a week a little while ago and it was the most stressful and annoying week ever. It took twice as long to get anywhere than if I cycled and I spent lots of money on petrol.

I do like the ability to drive for the occasional time when I might need to though.

They've put new speed bumps in on Lordship lane, which are just mental- proper sump crackers.

Really tempted to get an older Land Rover to tackel them

Why do I drive, it's not all about getting my bike to where I want to ride it, although it is damn convinient.

I grew up in Derby where the standard birthday present for a 17 year old is driving lessons. This is for good reason, outside of London, if you want to get about, get a car. Then after moving to London 11 years ago and going without a car for several years I spent two years using Streetcar. Quite convinient but trying to get one at short notice for more than a couple of hours made me realise how much I missed owning a car.

Having your own car is also a comfort thing, not as in a big chair with your own personal sweat patch but a psychological comfort. Hard to explain but I like knowing that if she phones, I can be at my mum's within two hours and still get back home for the ride to work in the morning. This was especially true when my dad was ill and I was heading up the M1 every few days.

The cost is a big factor in determining the size of car to buy/run, often it is not so important in the decision to own one. As I age, I will probably drive more and become less willing to stop, although I might get a smaller car.

450miles out of that less so.

But its proper light weight innit!