Opinions on maybe getting a car

[JonT]

Hey folks,
I'm currently commuting to uni 4 days a week on my sv650 with my big gay 50litre topbox :p

Monday: 10AM-3PM
Tuesday: 12-4PM
Thursday 10-11AM
Friday 10-11AM

The two great things about my bike is that when I start at 10 I only have to set out at 9:20 because I can slice up the traffic with my heroic filtering.

The second thing is on monday and tuesday it would cost a lot to park a car for that ammount of hours, whereas I can park my bike for free right outside my building all the time.

If I used a car for some of the days I could use it for thursday and friday since i'm only in for one hour, but it would mean setting out at 8:30 to guarantee I was in on time.

If I used a car for monday I would have the same problem + extra parking costs, tuesday wouldn't be so bad for commute time (out of rush hour) but I would still have to pay to park.

Thing is I don't mind the cold and the rain too much, its the sliding about on ice I don't like. I currently have a citroen AX (SORN with no insurance) which is in bad way (but I could fix for next to nothing) and also the option of getting a 1.3litre Mini in british racing green for next to nothing too.

Insurance would also be another factor since im only 21 and don't have any no claims on a car. I want to keep the bike insured all the time, yet I would like a car too.

Is it possible to insure a car for say 3months only?

Am I being a big fairy for wanting the option of taking a car in?

I dunno what to do...

[tomkapsalis]

I think it's possible to insure a car on a pay as you go scheme. Where you pay for insurance as and when you need it. I know you can insure a car for 3, 6, and 9 month periods. Why don't you ride your bike until it get's icy and then insure a car for a few months until February.

Your insurance isn't going to be very expensive at all because your 21 especially if it's a 1.0 or 1.3

Tom
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Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death...

[Gazdaman]

Coming from experience.

A car at uni is a bad idea. It's good for staying warm, and taking passengers.

But a bike will help you get to and from uni through traffic, cheaper on petrol, much easier to park (major factor for most unis). Tax is cheaper.

And lets face it, your two car options don't sound tip-top, an SV would probably be more reliable.

I suggest you buy some decent textile trousers, gloves, jacket, balaclava etc, and take the bike.

Insurance is a bastard on a car aswell.

Gaz

[Syx]

I agree - I used to take a car to uni but it was always such a pain to get up early, find a parking space, pay to park... and then friends were always blagging lifts to places.
The bike is quicker, cheaper and easier. Stick with it - I wish I'd discovered it sooner.

[irving]

>>

[BorderHooner]

there 'might' be days ahead when the conditions are just too bad for a bike. How will you get to Uni?

[Gazdaman]

Bus, and there are probably only 3/4 days a year when it's too bad for a bike.

Luckily my bike was stolen early Dec last year so I used my mum's car over the really shitty bits of winter.

I will be using my bike /all/ winter this year. And if the weather's too bad for the bike, I shall be calling in sick to work, sodding uni, and spending the day in bed.

Gaz

[Stiffler]

Hi Jonny,

To be honest while reading your post it sounded to me that you've already made your mind up on which option you think is the best (stick to the bike). If not you don't put up a very balanced argument

I think the important things to consider are cost, and alternative modes of transport for when it does snow or completely freeze... A car would be a lot of extra cash to tax, run, insure and possibly fix up or buy. But if you can afford it that shouldn't really matter and lets face it, the fairy option is more comfortable on the worst winter days!

Have you got any good bus or rail options to use instead, if you can reliably fall back on public transport than I wouldn't bother with the car at all imo. I commute to work by public transport every day as up until recently it was by far the easiest and cheapest option. I've only recently started this biking lark and soon I hope to be riding to work more often than getting the train!
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[thefallenange...]

When you bought your bike instead of a car ask yourself why? I bought my bike because i didn't feel like forking out £5 a week petrol and £1K+ insurance to get to work and back. So the same would be with you and uni.

[froggeh]

From my memories with a 1275 mini clubman(A long while back), I'd say yeah - The original mini is a car like no other! Utterly fantastic car


*edit - dont you have anyone who you can just be named driver on?
and I'm assuming you meant an 'old' mini - not a BMW?

[colin1]

i think a bike might be worth considering for the worst months of the year (feb and march) but otherwise i dont think a car woul be worth it

i believe you can get insurance for a short bit like that

also i have heard tesco will let you use your bike no claims bonus
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[hmmmnz]