I don't drive my car

justo

I live in the north side of Dublin. I cycle to work so don't use my car Monday to Friday. I need it on Saturdays and could do without it on Sunday. However it costs me a fortune in insurance, tax and maintenance.

Any suggestions as to how I could reduce the cost? Is there any way of sharing/ leasing to someone who needs a car Monday to Friday but not the weekends, for example?

Compare the cost of the car to using taxis on Saturday.

Tallon

What do you need it for on Saturdays?

subway

buy something rwd and big engined so that you don't mind paying to use it only at the weekend.
no point having a dull car as your weekend car tbh

//edit
or rent/borrow a car when you need one. or gocar.ie might work for you

Anan1

RoverJames wrote: »

Compare the cost of the car to using taxis on Saturday.

Either this or rent for the times you need a car.

MetzgerMeister

justo wrote: »

it costs me a fortune in insurance, tax and maintenance.

Any suggestions as to how I could reduce the cost??

subway wrote: »

buy something rwd and big engined so that you don't mind paying to use it only at the weekend.

Anan & RJ, I know you are talking about the OP renting a car for himself but in regard to his comment about renting his car to someone - Would renting the car not bring its own problems like upkeep, insurance etc.? I mean, normal insurance is for Social, Domestic and pleasure without reward. I'd say that could cause the OP a few headaches whould something go wrong.

Anan1

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Anan & RJ, I know you are talking about the OP renting a car for himself but in regard to his comment about renting his car to someone - Would renting the car not bring its own problems like upkeep, insurance etc.? I mean, normal insurance is for Social, Domestic and pleasure without reward. I'd say that could cause the OP a few headaches whould something go wrong.

I think that idea was so crazy my brain refused to let it in!

subway

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

my point was mainly that, if its already costing a fortune, may as well enjoy it I tried to switch from my M5 to a colt for a half year to avoid the tax. I only drive a few times per week so was getting annoyed at all the costs. It was the least fun I have ever had and lasted only a few weeks.

OP is in the motors forum after all so opinions will differ

MetzgerMeister

subway wrote: »

my point was mainly that, if its already costing a fortune, may as well enjoy it I tried to switch from my M5 to a colt for a half year to avoid the tax. I only drive a few times per week so was getting annoyed at all the costs. It was the least fun I have ever had and lasted only a few weeks.

OP is in the motors forum after all so opinions will differ

I know what you're saying but the OP wants to reduce his tax bill, not replace it with something that he still will only use 1 day a week regardless of wether he enjoys it or not.

Anan1

Anan1 wrote: »

I think that idea was so crazy my brain refused to let it in!

Yep, same here

Outkast_IRE

Is there any of those quick rental car places in dublin, where you can register and then take a car when needed for a few hours or days and only pay for how much you use it ?

areyawell

Be a named driver on someone elses insurance is all I can think of. save a lot. If you genuinly only use it on Saturdays why not just use buses or trains?

subway

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I know what you're saying but the OP wants to reduce his tax bill, not replace it with something that he still will only use 1 day a week regardless of wether he enjoys it or not.

i know that too, just giving an alternate option / opinion.

antodeco

Get yourself a nice old classic/vintage. Over 30 years, and nice cheap tax and a reduction in insurance.

How much driving do you do at the weekends?

MadsL

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Is there any of those quick rental car places in dublin, where you can register and then take a car when needed for a few hours or days and only pay for how much you use it ?

Gocar.ie

BronsonTB

LIGHTNING wrote: »

As long as your aren't relying on it then that's OK. Just don't expect a classic car to be as reliable as a modern car.

And to add to that MOST classic policies require you to have an everyday car policy.

justo

thanks for the input. I should have clarified I have two kids so Saturday usually involves driving to the park/ sports/ visits etc when my wife works.

I will look into gocar.ie

MetzgerMeister

If you were to rent a car every saturday, sorting out insurance and everything like that might be a pain?

justo

justo wrote: »

thanks for the input. I should have clarified I have two kids so Saturday usually involves driving to the park/ sports/ visits etc when my wife works.

I will look into gocar.ie

You could change to a cheap to tax, insure and maintain car like a 1.0 micra perhaps.

MugMugs

OP as suggested, is a taxi not a better option?

Garvan

antodeco wrote: »

Get yourself a nice old classic/vintage. Over 30 years, and nice cheap tax and a reduction in insurance.

How much driving do you do at the weekends?

LIGHTNING wrote: »

As long as your aren't relying on it then that's OK. Just don't expect a classic car to be as reliable as a modern car.

As both guys above have said this is a good idea.

A classic will cost sod all in tax and insurance but don't cod urself that the running costs will be cheap. Old cars take alot of caring for and some parts can be a b*stard to come by or very expensive to get....

G

lolo62

I say get rid if it all together and try the buses for a while before you do to make sure its manageable...having a car for occasional use has just gotten too expensive in my opinion...price of petrol is only going to keep rising too
Buses on a sat would be grand and for big day trips you could rent a car
The only alternative I can think if is investing in a prius our something,a far as I know tax is cheaper and you get many miles per gallon
I'm in the process of getting rid of mine and I feel so liberated...might be saying something different in a few months and having rants on the commuting forum but I'm looking forward to having money in my pocket again!