My Car - part 2

After 197.800 Km, the power (and glory) of my car is going down. My Renault Clio MAX Edition, 1.400 CC, 98 Horse Power, made in March 2000, has seen many things....

I had Clio in my first date with Brikela, my wife, got her to the hospital when she was pregnant, and I drove my Clio when I came back with my daughter Noemi .... (after that, I used my wife's Car, so my second daughter Melissa isn't too connect to Clio) Well, you know, in Italy we have a law that imposes a periodical control (every 2 year after the 4th) to check the status of a Car (engine, brake, wheels, stability, etc.): then, before march 2012, I have to "kill" my car, 'cause it never passes the check... After that, always in Italy, another law forces the payement of an annual tax (called "Bollo Auto"): 220 €... almost 300 CAN for nothing... I don't speak about the gas price: today is over 1,78 € (2,34 CAN). The insurance is over 600 € (792 CAD) per year... in Italy to have a little car cost a lot!!! If I consider that I have a lot of business travel (average 3 day per week) AND in the week end I use my wife's car, then I drive only 2 days per week. I live close to the train station, and after 20 minutes I can reach my office.

I really don't need a Car. This is the calculatios:

gas: 60Km per week, almost 12 Km per Liter, then 60*52(weeks)/12 * 1,78(gas) = 462 €

Insurance: 600 €

Bollo: 220 €

Maintenance: 200€ per year

total: 1.282 €

If I buy a Car (average price for as similar as my car but younger 3000 €) and its loan, the annual cost is more then 2.500 €!!!

With this money, I can:

- buy over 200 bus/train ticket (280 €)

- buy the "car sharing services" (120 € 2€ per car hour using)

- take 50 taxi (1.000 €)

- save up to 1.000 €

- gain time to read/study english/PMP (in the train, in the bus, etc.)

Without a car I'll surely be more rich, but also a more sad