Going from carfree experiment to totally carfree
Posted on 23. Jun, 2009 by Tony Arranaga in Featured
I’ve got a huge decision to make in the next few days.
The lease on my car is up and I’m facing a few difficult choices and, honestly, I’m really not sure what to do.
Since last November, I’ve blogged about the Phoenix light rail and how the new mass transit system has helped me to go voluntarily carfree. I knew I would enjoy the light rail, but I never realized it would change my life in such a positive way and on many different levels.
I love living so close to a light rail stop and being able to explore different restaurants, bars, and retail stores along the line. Letting someone else do the driving allows me to relax and have extra time to get caught up with email, Twitter and Facebook.
My car basically sits in my garage. I use it only once or twice a month at the most. I rarely buy gas which in some odd way is such a liberating feeling.
Phoenix is so spread out and I know I may need my car for those longer trips. However, when I go to the garage to pull out my bike instead of my car I’m reminded of how much money I’m wasting having a car just sit and collect dust.
What do you think? Should I keep my car for emergency purposes? Should I turn my car in next week?
12 Responses to “Going from carfree experiment to totally carfree”
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Karen Peissinger-Venhaus
23. Jun, 2009
I say go car-free completely and rent a car for when you know you’ll need one. Really, you have nothing to loose–you can experiment for a month or two. If you find you must have a car, then you can buy one. And, you will have saved one or two months’ worth of payments.
BTW, is ZipCar or something similar in Phoenix yet?
As a note, I had one rental company ask to see my personal vehicle’s insurance policy before they would rent to me (and I was not told this on the website when I reserved my rental), so check out rental companies ahead of time to eliminate those that have this requirement.
Chloe
23. Jun, 2009
Tony,
Ditch the car! If you need to get out of town and can’t carpool with a friend, you can rent a car. It would be cheaper for the once in a while rental than it would be to keep up payments and maintenance on a car.
My 2 cents,
Chloe
Matthew Petro
24. Jun, 2009
Wow, you’re *really* getting serious about being carfree! Have you heard of Zipcar (http://www.zipcar.com)? It’s a service where you can reserve a car for use for a few days down to a couple of hours. It’s perfect for people like you who rarely need a car, but who can’t live 100% carfree. There’s a Zipcar pickup place at ASU Downtown which would work well for a light rail rider.
jordre
25. Jun, 2009
it would be helpful to know what you mean by ‘emergency purposes’….you live close enough to a hospital and emergency room to hear each diagnosis as the patients arrive….i’m not sure a sale at fashion square constitutes an ‘emergency purpose’…..well, not usually…..i say, “turn in that car!”
Laura
25. Jun, 2009
I agree with the other posters…get rid of the car. I think Zipcar is a great idea.
Tony Felice
25. Jun, 2009
The more I think about it, you should ditch the car!
You have me to drive you to client meetings and any number of victims to drive you to the mall
Riding that bike in 105 degree weather though, that’s impressive.
Light Rail Blogger
26. Jun, 2009
Hi Karen! Thanks for your comment! I too have come across the insurance question and rental cars. I believe certain credit cards cover your insurance, so, I think I’ll be ok. Fortunately there’s a Enterprise Rental place no more than two blocks from my place in CenPho.
Light Rail Blogger
26. Jun, 2009
Chloe, thank you so much for keeping up with the blog! I know you’ve been a loyal reader for quite awhile
I think I am leaning toward not having a car anymore. Why is it so scary to make that jump??? I think it goes to show our addiction to cars and our desire to have things instantly.
Light Rail Blogger
26. Jun, 2009
@MP my other loyal reader!
Thanks for the research on the zipcar at ASU downtown. I knew there was one on campus in Tempe but did not know about the downtown location.
Light Rail Blogger
26. Jun, 2009
@Jordre HAHAHA yeah, I guess you’re right. A new pair of shoes at some store on the other side of town is not an emergency. Thanks for being the voice of reason. I have until Monday to decide…
@charliedowntown
28. Jun, 2009
Go big or go home. I know 3 people who tried this, but gave in and bought another car 3 months in. Phoenix is not well designed for urban life, and the increased fairs and terrible bus schedules, aren’t helping.
WesleyTech
30. Jun, 2009
When Tera and I lived downtown, she sold her car and we shared a car for about a year. And that was before the light rail. I work from home, so she normally stole my car to go to work. I bicycled all around downtown, even in 115 degrees. It wasn’t bad at all.
So what’s the verdict? What did you do?