One car...is it possible?

[Nancy]

My car has been in the shop much of the last two weeks, and we have been surprised that it hasn't been that much of a hassle to have just one car. Of course, it takes a lot more thought and planning, but it has been manageable...which makes me wonder if we could share one car more. Likewise, it made me realize how much we take having two cars for granted. So could we do it? Not permanently, but could we a couple of days a week, could we take one car off the road. For example, if I don't have off site meetings, I could ride my bike to work or catch a ride with someone. And, once summer hits and there is alot less shuttling of kids to school, sports, etc., could my family stay home and live without a car for a day or two each week? It is worth a try.

[Sven]

I grew up in a house of one car, and my parents still only have one car. Of course my parents bought a house that was across the street from where my mother works. It was a pain when I was in highschool- but I got good a bumming rides and it probably has a lot to do with my comfort with commuting by bike as that's how I always got to work. It requires planning and having the tools to carry gear on bike if you find that your bike becomes a primary tool.

With that in mind anyone want to buy a 2006 Honda Ridgeline?

[Mike]

I haven't driven my Jeep in quite some time. Ever since the weather turned a bit nicer, I decided I was going to park the car and not use it at all. It has been god so far, only needing to drive it to take it to the garage to get inspected and also to the town hall to get it registered (ironic isn't it, only driving it to register it so I can drive it).

I think my little family unit (me, my fiance, and my little doggy) could do with only 1 car 95% of the time. The only time we would need a second car is when I travel. I do most of my flying out of Boston, so her taking me down and dropping us off at the airport wouldn't really be worth it.

[Different]

My wife and I take the other approach. Right now, we own 4 cars, 1 truck, 1 electric conversion - in process, 1 convertible sports car & 1 small sedan.

The truck only gets 24 mpg, but the convertible and sedan both get 40+. So, when we need a truck, to pull the boat, or get lumber, ect., we have a truck, but 90% of our driving is done w/ fuel efficient vehicles. If we had only one car, yes, we'd be biking or other stuff more, but we'd have to get a vehicle that was large enough to accommodate the 10% or less of our driving. So, the 90% of the time we could get away with a small car, we'd be burning the gas of a truck or SUV.

It'd be interesting to see the overall consumption of a one-car family vs a multi-car family w/ the same lifestyles.