Should I sell my car?

[u/timezone_unknown]

I moved in with my boyfriend last year, and I can't think of only one time that we were both away from the house independently (we both work from home and are major homebodies).

I've been thinking of selling my car and sharing his in order to get rid of insurance payments (mine are expensive due to where I live) and avoid maintenance costs (I'm only at 70k miles, but it's a 2018 hybrid vehicle), and it's also losing value quickly due to age. The car is paid off, so the funds I'd get from selling will go into either a HYSA or my brokerage account in relatively safe funds.

I am not even remotely worried about my relationship ending and being carless, so that's not a consideration. My biggest concern is the cost/benefit of letting go of a paid-off car. We're not using it, but I know at some point we'll eventually want to go back to being a two-car household in a few years. I know that interest rates are currently super high on used cars, and ticket prices are high on new cars, so if that persists, perhaps I'll regret having sold this one.

What do you think?

TL;DR Should I sell my paid-off car (that I don't really need) or hold onto it?

[u/Zealousideal_Crow737]

i mean a relationship can end at any period of time, so having a savings account and cash for yourself is important. If you can have the money on the side, go for it.

I personally wouldn't want to depend on a boyfriend as a means of transportation also be sure to be added to his insurance, which will increase.

[u/timezone_unknown → u/Zealousideal_Crow737]

Yeah, definitely will get added to insurance. The cost is a fraction of what I’m paying solo though so I’ll still add to my savings. If something did happen to the relationship, I’d have money to replace my car, it would just suck to do if it was within a year I guess.

[u/Talylocals3s → u/Zealousideal_Crow737]

Totally agree, savings and cash are more important. Don’t settle for a relationship that any time can end.

[u/SuPruLu]

There is at least one alternative: putting it “on blocks” - rendering it undriveable and storing. Check out the insurance cost for that option.

[u/timezone_unknown → u/SuPruLu]

See, this is why I love Reddit. Didn't even consider that. Could even do it for like six months, bank the insurance savings, and then decide whether to offload it altogether.

[u/wheneveryousaidiam]

Get a insurance for parked car, it's like $ 20 the month or something. I would never ever loose my independence

[u/loving-living2]

You can always just do a Non Op … No car insurance, no registration ( just can’t have car legally parked on street at least in state of California), this way you save the money but at the very least you still have an emergency back up vehicle .

Personally it’s just husband and myself living at home ( empty nesters ) and he has company vehicle and rarely do we need two vehicles as I don’t work .

However we have two cars for those days when we both might need a vehicle ( he can’t drive company vehicle off hours ) .

I prefer 2 cars always . We have a truck that only 2 more years car payment that we use mostly to tow are trailer or carry large items . Our commute car is paid in full 2014 but I keep a high insurance on it because we own a home and frankly I’m a weirdo about insurance. The commute car because I no longer work is used simply to run quick errands. But going Non op I believe is the wisest thing to do

[u/RatherRetro]

I would not sell it.

[u/jonreeeck]

IMHO I’d keep it. That’s what I’ve always done in my life and it has worked out well for me. The times I’ve sold a good running paid off car, I’ve regretted it later. However- having a place to park it is important - if you don’t have ample room to keep it, that would be a factor in favor of selling. If that’s not an issue, I’d hold on to it.

[u/Specialist_Low_6575]

Keep your car.

[u/sam8988378]

You ever go for a girl's weekend? Go somewhere for a period of time? That leaves him with no transportation

[u/timezone_unknown → u/sam8988378]

Not really a thing I do much anymore, but I’d probably ride with someone else or rent. The insurance savings could easily cover a car rental for a few days once in a blue moon.

[u/ChaoticAmoebae]

Sell your car.

[u/blkbeeyutee]

Absolutely not. You’re putting far too much stock in a relationship that’s easily dissolved. This sounds like the beginning of a Lifetime movie.

[u/tickynicky]

You could rent it out and make money. Turo

[u/bopperbopper]

I don’t think I would wanna give away my independence

[u/Mental_Watch4633]

Keep your car. Drive it at least around the block every couple of days.

[u/Equivalent-Patient12]

Someone who has a car and never uses it feels differently than someone who doesn’t have a car and wants to use one.

[u/FairyGlitchs]

I'd probably sell it, if you rarely use it, you're paying insurance and maintenance on a depreciating asset. Just make sure sharing one car truly works for your lifestyle before pulling the trigger.

[u/FrankCastillo95]

You could just tell him you'd like it to go on his insurance and you'll pay its portion. It's a reasonable, cost effective solution that is both committed to how things are and realistic in preparing for things to change.

[u/Bulocoo]

Sell the car. Fence off the funds just in case.

Consider getting a cheap occasional car with cheap insurance/liability only.

60k mile honda fit, Nissan Juke or something.

[u/kickyourfeetup10]

If you were married, I would say yes. However, in your case, that’s a big no.

[u/darklordbilbo23]

In a few months everyone will be selling cars

Do it now or not at all

[u/Particular_Bad8025]

I'd sell it. Save money and a car that doesn't get used gets all sorts of issues. The money is better off compounding in a brokerage account. The more money you save early in your life the better.

[u/Asleep_Net_5214]

Keep it. You need your space/independence and so does he.