After being car-free for 2 years I finally bought a car, a 2004 Toyota Corolla Levin station wagon, 5 speed manual with 150K kms for about $3600 USD equivalent.
I had been borrowing my father's Toyota Landcruiser while he was off travelling the country with my mother. I parked it in front of my garage in my apartment complex but didn't use it much as I'm still biking to work (mine is the only garage on the side of the complex, so I wasn't blocking anyone's access) and I got a fairly angry note left on the windshield about how I couldn't park in the driveway. At the same time, the neighbour below me was regularly parking overnight in the driveway in front of my garage (all residents have the right to use it to drop off groceries or elderly visitors, for example), even though I was pretty sure she was the one who put the note on the Landcruiser. So I thought, f*** it, I'll buy a car, put it in MY garage (its a small garage so the 'cruiser wouldn't fit) then no one can park in the driveway.
Absent-mindedly browsing car sales websites I had my heart set on an NB Miata MX5 (i'm a car guy and have owned an MX5 before), but I happened upon this perfect-spec Corolla and knew it would be a more sensible choice - much easier to throw bikes into but still a little bit sporty.
I had the very satisfying conversation this week with my downstairs neighbour. I told her that I now had a car, and would sometimes be using it instead of my bike for commuting. She semi-apologised for using the driveway and said she totally understood and would keep it clear so I could come and go as I pleased.
I LOVE driving the Corolla. It's like a sports car compared to the Landcruiser and fits like a glove into my garage, protected from the UV and humidity of Sydney. I changed the oil and oil filter yesterday for like $40 in parts, very easy to do. I could have had the free use of the cruiser for the next two months then bought a car but I don't think I would find one in this spec in decent condition.
My plan is to keep bike commuting to work, but now I have the car to visit friends and family at short notice in different parts of my city or do the odd longer road trip, which I feel is worth the roughly US$1500-2000 yearly ownership costs.