[/quote]I work in Zone 1 (London) and commute in every day.
London is the only major city where commuting via public transit is faster than driving. However, tube and rail trains are still nasty, disgusting, and not air conditioned. That doesn't excuse the fact that the UK tries to make driving as miserable an experience as possible by closing off sections of streets and turning them into walking paths.
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I'm not sure that's totally accurate but you make some valid points. I think it depends which part of a city you are driving from and to, also at which time you are travelling.
The subway gets me into work in about 20 mins for a cost of £1.60 single or £3.00 return, I only have to go 4 stops, I can also walk in 20-25 mins weather permitting. It would take me a stressful 30 mins or so to drive, £14 for car parking, and I would run the risk of the car park being full and having to exit and find another. Leaving the car at home is a no brainer.
When I lived outwith the city driving was my preferred mode of transport, it was more expensive than public transport but more enjoyable and allows a level of freedom and flexibility that is denied by using unreliable and inefficient public services. Throw your gym gear in the boot and train before or after work, finish work and go wherever you like. Your circumstances generally dictate which is the better option.
Quote: (08-25-2016 12:10 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:
I love brand new cars. I always buy brand new.
I love their smell, their tightness, the cutting edge technology and being able to spec it exactly how I want.
My annual mileage is about 20k and most of that is rumbling in and out and through major cities; I spend a lot of time in my car and therefore it is important to me that it fits my needs.
I really don't care how much it costs as long as I can comfortably afford it.
I've never bought a new car, the newest was 3 years old and that was the best I've had by a long way.
My financial focus used to be on saving for a house, then it was paying off my mortgage, then it was buying a second property, now it's changing towards some sort of business venture.
I can see the attraction but if I was going to buy something like an Audi A5 brand new and spec'd up I would be mindful of the fact that the money could get me another property, a business, or a year or two out of work travelling the world if I was of a mind to do so. Plus I know I could get a pretty good car for around 10-12k and avoid being in debt.
I can bide my time.