Why Car Dependency Is Keeping You Poor

[oil&gas]

Some of the posts in this thread have convinced me Trudeau's
announcement that sales of new ICE cars and light trucks are to
be banned one decade from now will be flushed down the toilet
well before 2035. People can't live without a car and for the mere
mortals that car has to be gas-powered.

 

[bazokajoe]

Some of the posts in this thread have convinced me Trudeau's
announcement that sales of new ICE cars and light trucks are to
be banned one decade from now will be flushed down the toilet
well before 2035. People can't live without a car and for the mere
mortals that car has to be gas-powered.

Only a few ways ICE cars can be banned from new sales.
1) a very quick and radical redesign of the EV battery for quicker charging, longer lasting and greater distance.
2) Rapid investment of Billions of dollars to upgrade the energy grid from coast to coast.
3) Price of batteries and EV cars needs to come down big time.

P.S. windmills and solar panels isn't an upgrade or sufficient.

 

[bazokajoe]

Circular reasoning is not cool, sir.....

You just don't understand. Not my issue.

 

[bazokajoe]

...and I don't care...so here we are.....

if you don't care then why keep asking? Yes, here we are.

 

[dvous11]

Saving? What planet do you live on?????

On Planet Non-Loser you will be able to live within your means AND save money

 

[james t kirk]

plus insurance, plus gas, plus maintenance, plus parking, plus tickets because sometimes you run into an asshole cop. $$$$$

So don't buy a car.

No one fucking cares what you do.

So why do you give a fuck what anyone else chooses to do?

 

[Leimonis]

So don't buy a car.

No one fucking cares what you do.

So why do you give a fuck what anyone else chooses to do?

I think you just gave a fuck about what he does though

 

[glamphotographer]

The Liberals have been running the Federal government for the last 6+ years and Ontario has only been governed by the PC's for 6 and a brutal stretch of Liberals before that..
You are just too funny

The Mayors (12 years Conservative) and Premiers run the province and cities, not the Feds. The Feds have no jurisdiction over how Ford and Tory handle homelessness.

 

[glamphotographer]

So don't buy a car.

No one fucking cares what you do.

So why do you give a fuck what anyone else chooses to do?

Salty because you have to say bye-bye to the Gardiner. You should be happy I'm trying to convince people to ditch their cars so there are fewer cars on the road for you.

 

[Insidious Von]

As much as the more affluent want to bury their head in the quicksand, we can't deny the effects of car culture and urban sprawl.

It brings in a whole host of problems, air,water, soil and noise pollution. Ever higher property taxes to keep up with rapidly decaying infrastructure. Our water rates go up every year due to uncontrolled sewage and leaks. The cost to maintain the Gardiner is also skyrocketing, it's falling apart in some places. At the York/Lakeshore intersection the rebars are exposed and rusting - that the point of no return. Yes it's hot, the concrete and asphalt that make up suburbia retains heat, summer temperatures are now routinely 30+ C. I was alarmed when I read that the temperature of Timmins hit 34C on Monday. Monster homes subdivisions are going up in flames, recently went to inspect the damage at Pine Valley and Teston. The heat was so intense that scaffolding melted.

 

[silentkisser]

Homes are expensive to and also require maintenance, insurance, fuel to heat etc.
So why not just buy a tent and live in a park?
Your theory makes zero sense.

There is a big difference between shelter (a necessity) and a car (not a necessity). If you lived in an area where you could live, work, shop and play - all in walking distance, you would save a fortune. Now, imagine you live in Oshawa and drive into work at, say, Yonge & Eglinton. How long does that take? How much gas do you spend in a week, or insurance. Plus parking is a killer. Easily $20 per day (if not more). In those times when you need private transportation (i.e., not a bus/subway), there are cabs/ubers and rental cars. You would likely still come out well ahead.

As for home maintenance....I had a friend who only rented. He claimed the amount he saved from not having to do the maintenance on a home (like new roofs, appliances, plumbing issues) was a significant sum of cash that he could invest/save. Now, he also loses equity in the home which could be sold to help finance retirement, but c'est le vie.

 

[silentkisser]

I think this whole 15min city is designed for, and only ideal for....poor people.
You know, those who will never be able to afford a nice house on their own slice of property, who like and enjoy the freedom of driving their own vehicle.
People who will "own nothing and be happy" as the evil slogan goes.
Think about it.
Just earning enough money to get by.
No savings, no real ability to travel.
Just live in your tiny box and be able to work/eat all within a very small radius to remain compliant, and most importantly pay your taxes to keep feeding the system.
I would predict most of these types of people would be T4 employees or State supported who will never get financially ahead.
Did you all see the vids coming out of China during their tyrannical lockdowns of giant apartment buildings where they were all screaming for food.
Big element of control here and you're fooling yourself if you don't think the gov wants that.
15min cities are being promoted as convenient.
Just like other things have been promoted "for your safety".
As time moves on, and the population in Canada keeps expanding, there will be more people suited towards this 15min city concept.
It sounds depressing AF to me.

That is a pretty myopic way of viewing it. First, let's talk about the "freedom" of cars. Sure, you could drive all over hells half acre, but how often do you do that? Plus, traffic in the GTA is fucking horrible. It can take over an hour to get anywhere now a days, when 20 years ago it took like 15-20 minutes. And that's even outside Toronto! A car is a status symbol because Detroit spent decades and billions of dollars to convince you that a depreciating asset like a car has a lot of value, despite the fact they are money pits. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a car. I've owned multiple ones. I have lived in the city and in the burbs. I can speak from some experience.

I know a lot of people who live in Toronto where they basically have a 15 minute city. They own condos (no kids), have good jobs, take transit when they need to go far, or rent a car to go farther, and they can travel a LOT! This has nothing to do with being poor. They probably have the ability to save more because of this fact. They don't have monthly financing/lease payments, no insurance and no concerns for the price at the pump. One study says that a car in Canada costs on average nearly $1,100 a month (that's all in). Imagine what you could do with that cash in your pocket instead of Impark, Belair Direct or Petro Canada/Esso?

 

[dvous11]

That is a pretty myopic way of viewing it. First, let's talk about the "freedom" of cars. Sure, you could drive all over hells half acre, but how often do you do that? Plus, traffic in the GTA is fucking horrible. It can take over an hour to get anywhere now a days, when 20 years ago it took like 15-20 minutes. And that's even outside Toronto! A car is a status symbol because Detroit spent decades and billions of dollars to convince you that a depreciating asset like a car has a lot of value, despite the fact they are money pits. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a car. I've owned multiple ones. I have lived in the city and in the burbs. I can speak from some experience.

I know a lot of people who live in Toronto where they basically have a 15 minute city. They own condos (no kids), have good jobs, take transit when they need to go far, or rent a car to go farther, and they can travel a LOT! This has nothing to do with being poor. They probably have the ability to save more because of this fact. They don't have monthly financing/lease payments, no insurance and no concerns for the price at the pump. One study says that a car in Canada costs on average nearly $1,100 a month (that's all in). Imagine what you could do with that cash in your pocket instead of Impark, Belair Direct or Petro Canada/Esso?

I guess it boils down to the lifestyle you desire. BUT there will be many people who will not have the choice and will only be able to default to what I illustrated.
Not all vehicles are depreciating assets. I own one that's skyrocketed in value 4x what I paid....but that's another discussion. I could not be happy living in a tiny box in the sky, those who can be happy with that...power to them.

 

[bazokajoe]

There is a big difference between shelter (a necessity) and a car (not a necessity). If you lived in an area where you could live, work, shop and play - all in walking distance, you would save a fortune. Now, imagine you live in Oshawa and drive into work at, say, Yonge & Eglinton. How long does that take? How much gas do you spend in a week, or insurance. Plus parking is a killer. Easily $20 per day (if not more). In those times when you need private transportation (i.e., not a bus/subway), there are cabs/ubers and rental cars. You would likely still come out well ahead.

As for home maintenance....I had a friend who only rented. He claimed the amount he saved from not having to do the maintenance on a home (like new roofs, appliances, plumbing issues) was a significant sum of cash that he could invest/save. Now, he also loses equity in the home which could be sold to help finance retirement, but c'est le vie.

Actually I would say the vast majority of people would say a car is a necessity.

 

[JohnLarue]

Actually I would say the vast majority of people would say a car is a necessity.

yeah
As long as thieves are stealing cars i think we can safely say the ' you do not need a car ' is just another example of failed loonie left ideology / propaganda

car thefts in canada - Google Search

Vehicle theft was up by 50 per cent in Quebec year over year, by 48.3 per cent in Ontario, by 34.5 per cent in Atlantic Canada and by 18.3 per cent in Alberta. Vehicle theft has become a national crisis, said Équité Association president and CEO Terri O'Brien in a press release Tuesday.Jun 6, 2023

thieves do not steal stuff we do not need / want / desire

 

[oil&gas]

Actually I would say the vast majority of people would say a car is a necessity.

A necessity that could become prohibitively costly to common
folks some day.

 

[JohnLarue]

A necessity that could become prohibitively costly to common
folks some day.

that is the loonie left playbook,.... make it too expensive to afford to reduce demand
odd how the ones who are implementing this plan have limousines paid for by tax payers

 

[silentkisser]

I guess it boils down to the lifestyle you desire. BUT there will be many people who will not have the choice and will only be able to default to what I illustrated.
Not all vehicles are depreciating assets. I own one that's skyrocketed in value 4x what I paid....but that's another discussion. I could not be happy living in a tiny box in the sky, those who can be happy with that...power to them.

The 15 minute city concept doesn't necessarily mean you live in a condo. There are homes and what not as well. Look, I'm not saying it is for everybody, but being able to live, work and shop in your neighbourhood is awesome, especially if you don't have to drive. There are so many benefits: you save cash, get more exercise, have a better work-life balance and avoid stupid commutes. I feel like those opposed to it just see conspiracy theories in everything, and if its beneficial, they believe there must be some hidden negative agenda....

 

[silentkisser]

Actually I would say the vast majority of people would say a car is a necessity.

Why? I mean, if you live in the burbs, yes 100%. But again, the car companies spend billions a year to make you want a car. Doesn't mean you need one. Believe me, I understand the convenience and the freedom. Living in places that have poor transit options sucks when you don't have a car. A buddy of mine lived in LA for a few years without one and said it sucked majorly. But LA isn't a 15 minute city (and to be frank, most of Toronto isn't either).

 

[silentkisser]

yeah
As long as thieves are stealing cars i think we can safely say the ' you do not need a car ' is just another example of failed loonie left ideology / propaganda

car thefts in canada - Google Search


thieves do not steal stuff we do not need / want / desire

You think because cars are stolen somehow proves the point that we need cars? it's true. Cars get stolen. But that doesn't mean they are necessary. Would your life end or be put in jeopardy without a car? Unlike food, water and shelter, it is not essential. It might make your daily life a little harder, take longer to get to work or shop, but remember, our ancestors didn't have cars and for most of history, access to horses. Do cars make things more convenient? Of course. But again, you really do not need a car. It isn't lefty or righty propaganda to state a fact.

And let's face another fact: thieves will steal anything, even things that do not really have value. Cars do have value, obviously. Nobody is saying they don't. Bu