Toyah the Toyota has served us very well since 2000 – 12 years of reliable motoring.
But I have just sold her to a new owner. We are a one car (one bike) family.
I bought my first car in the late 1980’s- A 1963 Volkswagen Beetle called Beatrix. (You never forget your first!)
I bought a second VDub Beetle called Lemon a few years later. (yes she was Yellow)
A few years later, I thought I was a bit more grown up with a Ford Orion (no name).
And then a Mazda 626 – great car! If a but ropey!
I think I had a few carless (and careless!) student years.
I then bought a Ford Escort, called Freddy.
And then in 2000 I bought Toyah the Toyota…
And then last February (2011) I started riding my bike to work and Toyah was a once a week affair, usually Emma taking her to work.
We’ve put it off for 6 months, but over the winter she was used less than once a week and we have finally said goodbye.
For the next year I will hopefully save:
Insurance £210, Tax £125, and MOT £40: that’s £375 over the year.
By cycling to work I will not buy £50+ worth of petrol a month: that’s >£600 over the year.
Of course there’s servicing and wear and tear which with a car can be considerable – but the ancillary costs for a bike are less.
But let’s just say I hope to save £900 over the coming 12 months.
And then there’s the exercise and perhaps immeasurable health benefits: a good aerobic activity twice a day.
The daily endorphin hits are invaluable. Read more here
Happy daze?
Jules P Richards 