Get a car or go to Disney ...That is the question!

[HersheyKisses]

I am overwhelmed with a choice I have to make .I really need some advice on what to do . My grandfather has offered to buy me a car next month . However I live in NYC with a great public transportation system and sky high auto insurance .

My budget currently allows me to be able to go to Disney atleast three times a year .Me and my kids Disney. We really look forward to our trips and enjoy every second of the time we are there .

If I get this car we will only be able to go to Disney maybe once a year .I really dont NEED a car. It would be nice to have one because there are times I sit and think man I wish I had a car it would be so much easier to get to this place or that place with a car. However just as easily if I took a cab everyplace I needed to go it would still be cheaper than maintaining a car.

We would primarily only use the car for road trips to fun places for the kids on the weekends. I would like to be able to drive to CocoKey resort , jersey shore etc. I would have to sacrifice Disney though and limit the trip to maybe five nights once a year.

I dont live in Manhattan where parking garages are hundreds a month. We have a parking lot that is $150 a year. Im mainly concerned with the auto insurance. I havent gotten a quote less than $400 a month


What do I do I am totally confused

 

[timmac]

Can you just rent a car for a few days when you want to go any places or any of those side trips?

In NYC, I can see having a car might be more trouble than it's worth!

 

[HM]

I've never lived in a city, but my guess would be that I would not want to have a car there. There are too many other ways to get around and renting would be the way to go when you need one. The cost to keep a car that you rarely use are just too high.

Thank your grandfather for the gesture, but let him know it's not something you want while living where you are. Maybe he'll offer you something else in its place that you could use.

 

[ceecee]

Maybe he offered to buy you a car so you could visit him more often. I couldn't live without a car but I don't live in a city.

 

[mrsklamc]

If you don't see the car as a need I would definitely skip it.

 

[PatriciaH]

I never used a car when I grew up/lived in NYC. Subways, the bus and cabs were all great. I would just rent one or use a Zip Car if you need one for a day trip!

 

[ilovemk76]

I am overwhelmed with a choice I have to make .I really need some advice on what to do . My grandfather has offered to buy me a car next month . However I live in NYC with a great public transportation system and sky high auto insurance .

My budget currently allows me to be able to go to Disney atleast three times a year .Me and my kids Disney. We really look forward to our trips and enjoy every second of the time we are there .

If I get this car we will only be able to go to Disney maybe once a year .I really dont NEED a car. It would be nice to have one because there are times I sit and think man I wish I had a car it would be so much easier to get to this place or that place with a car. However just as easily if I took a cab everyplace I needed to go it would still be cheaper than maintaining a car.

We would primarily only use the car for road trips to fun places for the kids on the weekends. I would like to be able to drive to CocoKey resort , jersey shore etc. I would have to sacrifice Disney though and limit the trip to maybe five nights once a year.

I dont live in Manhattan where parking garages are hundreds a month. We have a parking lot that is $150 a year. Im mainly concerned with the auto insurance. I havent gotten a quote less than $400 a month


What do I do I am totally confused

Why does your Grandfather want to buy you a car? Do you talk about not having a car when he is around? Does he worry about your safety?

 

[5stljayhawks]

NYC = Love Cabs
NYC =need car - call Joe rent a car

NYC + dude offers up car = No real need = converting car fund into 529 fund for kids? OR saving the money and buy the kids a car when they go to school? OR maybe buying Adlt 14 day no expirnation disney tickets for kids so when they have kids. It's pretty much a sure thing of 3-8% roi..

 

[disneyofcourse]

No way . Use zip car or another hourly car rental. No point in getting a car and paying all those expenses with such great public transportation.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i spend 14 hours per week in my car at least i hate it.

if i could save the money from the payment (which you wouldn't have), the maintenence, gas and insurance.... i sure would.

save your $$ and go to disney world

 

[momof3ds]

I grew up in NYC and you definitely don't need a car. I agree with others, rent one when you want to take a road trip and leave it at that.

 

[HersheyKisses]

Good advice ...I was leaning on not getting a car. My aunt called this afternoon and said if I dont take the offer for the car now I wont get another offer later. I have not asked my grandfather for a car nor do I talk about cars at all. He just thinks it's a good idea with me having the kids that I should have a car to drive. I think I'm going to decline and rent a car for our weekend getaways.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Before your decline, I would have a conversation with him as to why or what triggered him to make the offer. Then you can provide him with focused response why you don't want or need a car. Not that you don't want a car, but the praticallity(sp) of living in NYC and having a car.... Maybe he doesn't understand or know what is involved... a life choice that is easier and alot less costly, even with a free car....

 

[Cindyrellablue]

You'll find that the car is sitting in the parking lot more often than not. I had mine sit for 3 months one time without use...and a very dead battery because of it. Paying insurance premiums that high would not be worth it...along with the high gas prices in the City. I live 1 mile out in NJ and my husband hasn't driven into work in years...buses and subways get him everywhere he needs to be.

If you did have the car...you'd have to also buy those ugly rubber bumper flaps like everyone else has for when you park it on the street...that's a reason not to get it alone!

 

[collegejunkie]

if you're in the city and you get by just fine with cabs, i would really just not bother. you can rent cars for day trips and such and then you won't have to deal with the sky-high insurance.