My (Potential) Cost Savings of Going Car Free in Boston

DigitalCubano · permanently banned Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 439

My wife and I got into an accident last month that has left us car-free while the car undergos extensive repairs. While I had weaned myself off of the car earlier last year, it was simply the most convenient mode for my wife (work, medical appts., etc.). After some deadbeat stole my bike last Fall, I followed the path of least resistance and just got back to using the car. Of course, it didn't help that we lived in just the right location that driving, biking and mass commuting all took roughly the same amount of time: 45 minutes. In short, even with the higher fuel prices, driving was the easiest choice.

Lo and behold, after the initial shock of being without the car, I would say that we lost only about 10% utility, mostly related to recreation. In fact, I find myself a lot less stressed. The experience motivated me to put a price on the potential cost savings of going car-free in Boston while maintaining a comparable level of utility and convenience. Here are the results:

Monthly Car Expenses:
Auto Loan (2003 Honda Civic): $257.83
Insurance (Estimate...may be as high as $200 post-accident): $170
Fuel (12 gallons @ $2.75 gallon, 5 fillups per month): $165
Total: $592.83

Monthly Car-Free Expenses:
2 Combo passes (Bus+Subway, 1 full price, 1 subsidized via MIT): $106.50
4 Peapod Delivery Fees + Tip (1 major grocery delivery per week): $52
Discretionary Zip Car Use (avg. 5 hrs/month): $45
Total: $203.50

Net Savings: $389.33

Note: Auto expenses are a lower bound. Maintenance, Parking and Taxes were not included. I assumed the frequency we would want to rent a car to get away would be approximately equal to this amount.

I'm lobbying my wife to get rid of the car. She's on the fence and thinks I'm overreacting. She's the real bread-winner in this reverse-nuclear household and I don't think she's fazed by the cost savings.

Anyhow, I figured the anecdote was worth relaying.

Cynus · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 607

Boston is great for going car free as they have a nice public transportation system of bus, subway, and commuter rail. Plus there's ZipCar where you can rent a car for an hour or 2 at a time if you need one. Finally, the neighborhoods pretty much have whatever you need within walking distance anyway.
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SoothSayer

Does car insurance cost $170 a MONTH in the US ???

I pay about $600 a YEAR here in the UK.
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DigitalCubano · permanently banned Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 439

As I understand it, the commonwealth of Massachusetts has some of the worst car insurance rates due to state-imposed over-regulation. In short, shopping around for insurance is a fruitless task since every provider is required to charge the same amount. It's a sore point.

FWIW, we were paying $113 per month before the accident.

dub_scratch

Hey DC, haven't heard from you in a while. It's great that you would share your car free experience

NeoPeasant

frankthetank

OMG ... That is right out of nazi Germany.

Here in WI you are legally able to go without auto insurance(given you don't have an auto loan). Although then you run into problems (like i did) when someone backs into your car and your left with the bill (unless you fight it out in court).

Liability for a little 4cyl car for 6 months is right around $135 (discount because of house insurance too).

I've been VERY tempted to drop the car. I think i'll wait though, because no loan, decent gas mileage.

Grimnir

pea-jay

As late as 99 I was car free in chicago. My transportation expenses were ridiculously cheap. Since I worked downtown, my employer subsidized my CTA month pass. $35 out of pocket, unlimited in CTA and PACE service area. Then I'd rent a car on average 2-3 times a year @ 40/day incl. insurance. Once a month I'd ride Metra on the weekend for 5 bucks and 2-3 times a year I'd take the bus out to my visit my grandmother's and aunt&uncle in Southern Wisconsin, (30 round trip). Late night clubbing where night service was not available resulted in occasional cab fares as well. All other trips were made on foot or on bike, including grocery shopping.

Total average month expenditures: Less than $90 per month, averaging the out-of town excursions.

Not bad.

By the way, my car insurance here in OR is $78 a month.
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formandfile

Peapod eh? There isnt a grocery store you can walk to in your hood?

I would kill for those purple commuter rail trains in my neck of the woods. I was a regular on the fitchburgh line and took the red line to school every day. Very convenient and dependable, esp compared to what i have to deal with here.

Car-free in boston is easy...take the plunge. Take a hard line with the wife if necessary Razz