Better Investment?

[jackfaire]

So hallaluah I finally have my own checking account again so I pay my share of the bills and don't have to worry about family members using my extra money for themselves. As such I can pay off some legal debts such as my tickets and free up my license.

However is it worth it to invest in driving?

I live 17 miles from where I work. On public transit that takes me 2 hours every day but only costs me 92 dollars a month for my all zone bus pass. (which is a 24 hr/7 days a wk/ however long the month is pass) meaning at anytime I can go anywhere public transit takes me and that is a lot of places it just takes me time to get there.

I have a laptop that in three more payments is mine free and clear. I own a kindle and a cell phone.

Altogether I spend less on keeping myself occupied to and from work than I do on driving.

Also I don't have to go straight home if I choose to go do something else after work.

So in your opinion which is the better investment buy a car and pay for gas or continue to invest in my public trans option?

[Nekojin]

Individual transportation is worth a great deal - mobility that isn't tied to a strict schedule can be hugely important. Even something small, like a personal scooter, opens up so many work and entertainment possibilities, not to mention the free time in which to take advantage of said opportunities.

If you have a driver's license, and you can afford a monthly payment for a car/motorcycle/scooter, I say go for it. Even a low-end scooter that goes 20 MPH will cut your travel time down a bit. Something that does freeway speeds - even better.

[jackfaire]

Something that does freeway speeds - even better.

Would have to do freeway speeds I have no options to that. I have to take the Freeway to get to work. Only the Freeways cross the river.

[AdminAssistant]

I couldn't live without my car. I love to drive, and I love the freedom of being able to go anywhere anytime I want. You don't have to spend a lot. We got my 98 Camry 5 years ago for $4K and I've had to put another $1K in it for repairs.

Once you've got your license in order, it's definitely something that should be considered.

[BlaqueKatt]

So in your opinion which is the better investment buy a car and pay for gas or continue to invest in my public trans option?

remember it isn't just gas, add in maintenance, and insurance as well. I can tell you personally, I've never owned a car, bus, bike, walk, or taxi gets me where I need to be.

[Andara Bledin]

I've done the public transit route, and, honestly, the cost of maintenance, gas, insurance, etc, is absolutely worth not having to rely on someone else's schedule.

If there's an emergency, I can just pick up and go. Neither public transit nor taxis are nearly as useful if, say, one of our cats needed to be taken to the vet. I know from experience that taxis take upwards of half an hour or so to show up, and that was actually in a slightly nicer area.

^-.-^

[AdminAssistant]

Comprehensive insurance for me is only $50/month. Granted, I'm bundled with Husband and get Renter's from the same company, so we get lots of discounts. There are other companies that do the state-mandated minimum for much cheaper.

Maintenance is something you have to consider, especially if you buy used. But if something happens to the car that you can't afford to take care of right away, at least you have a public transport back-up.

[Jetfire]

As a buser myself, I find there are times I wish I had my own car, but not enough to actually go out and get one.

If you are comfortable with the bus still, then take the time to finish off your debts and try and build up some savings for now. Once your finances are rock solid (as in you have enough saved up to live off of for a month or two if needed), then look at your car options. And remember what everyone else said; it's not just gas costs, it's registration, insurance and maintenance as well.

[jackfaire]

As a buser myself, I find there are times I wish I had my own car, but not enough to actually go out and get one.

My biggest issue is that some of my friends seem to think that you have to go two cities away to have any fun, "Oh hey we are all heading over to XXXXX meet us there"

That's when it's like damn wish I had a car but for the most part I can meet friends anywhere and the bus runs every 15 minutes so running out my door and boarding it doesn't take much too much time.

[Jetfire]

Yeah, in those cases, if they want to go somewhere and invite you, they should also offer to carpool with you (assuming you live in the same area, ie city).

My own city's transit sucks. The route I take only runs hourly (halfhourly at peak times) and at some points during the week day it only runs every other hour. (same for most of Saturday and it doesn't run at all on Sundays). But for my needs it works well; I can hitch a ride with friends after FNM and for our Monday night magic, a taxi to the movie theatre is only 12$ and usually I only need to pay one way (the other way is bused). And I live in walking distance of 2 grocery stores.

But yeah there are times I want a car; not often but enough. In a few years once my debts are paid off, I'll probably look into one. But for now, buses still work well enough for me.

[powerboy]

Where I used to live, the public transit sucks. Hell, I could ride my bicycle and get someplace faster than a bus would have. I love having a car. I can just go, when I need to and not have to worry if I miss the bus or not. I have done that once.

[HYHYBT]

If public transit works well for you with your schedule and where you are and so forth for the vast majority of what you want to do, and if most of the rest can be taken care of with a taxi or riding with a friend, by all means, stick with it.

The time differential... I don't know how long that two hours would take by car, but if you're spending that two hours doing something you would otherwise do with non-commute time, it's not wasted. If you're just killing time, it is.

[jackfaire]

The time differential... I don't know how long that two hours would take by car, but if you're spending that two hours doing something you would otherwise do with non-commute time, it's not wasted. If you're just killing time, it is.

20 minutes on a good day 40 minutes on a bad day if I was driving.

I don't tend to go out on the weekdays because generally I am tired and just want to get home after a stop at the gym. At home I would watch some TV, Listen to music, or read.

All three things I can do on my commute with my Kindle, MP3 player, and laptop. So yeah I have found ways to do what I would be doing anyway.