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Is It Possible to Get by Without Owning a Car?
On a visit to my mechanic yesterday for the yearly car inspection I was expecting a bill, maybe around $45. I was in for a surprise when they showed me my bill - $481.98. The mechanic told me my back brakes had rust on them; my breaks were metal on metal and would not pass inspection.
There was no other option but to have the work done. I asked how that is possible as my mileage is low which shows the vehicle was not driven that far. Much to my surprise he answered, “It can happen if the car is not driven often. I should be aggressive with the breaks and slam them down to remove the rust.”
I had learned in my earlier years you don’t approach a stop sign with excessive speed then slam on the breaks. I lease a 2017 Toyota and the tires are rotated every six months. The mechanic should have seen the rust on the breaks — that are metal on metal — and taken care of it. And the rust didn’t just happen overnight.
That brings me back to my question, is it possible to get by without owning a car? Recently that thought kept swirling around in my head. Do I really need a car? Look at what not using my car cost me. I have a 3-year lease on my car with 8 months left before I turn it back to the company.
When you own a car there are car payments, insurance, and gas. This does not include inspection…
