Owning a car in Brooklyn

[XplusYplusZ]

Hi,

It looks like I may be moving to Brooklyn in the next few months, working at JFK airport.

I love cars and driving, currently I have an E92 workhorse and a 1968 Triumph GT6. Sadly, I think both will have to go when I move. But I really want to get something fun when I move over there.

I've been considering the Classic Car Club option, but at the same time, having a car i can rely on whenever i need it is very appealing to me.

So questions for some New Yorkers, is parking as bad as it seems? Are permits required, and if so, are they expensive? Are there any fun roads in the area? Anything you'd advise for or against owning a car over there.

Thanks in advance

[jeff m2]

I'm not in Brooklyn, but in the absence of those that are....

Yes you will need a car, whether you enjoy driving is another matter.
Probably a 30 minute commute to JFK, narrow lanes and potholes.

Many advantages to being around NY though, restaurants are far better and more varied than being in the sticks. (like me)

The Bratwurst are not good, bring your own

[Olivero]

I live in Brooklyn (Park Slope) but work in Chelsea. For the commute I use the subway and have never even considered driving. My wife had a car but we got rid of it as the parking was a real pain. It had to be moved twice a week so the street could be cleaned. There are no 'parking permits' for sale.

The biggest shock you will have is quite how bad the roads are. Ethiopia was better. The potholes are huge, signs are out of date and general design is horrible. Don't even think of getting anything classic or sporty. There is a good reason why so many people drive SUVs. You will also want more protection than in the UK. The standard of driving in the US is much, much lower than Europe, so keep that in mind when you first start. You will also want to get a TomTom (smart phone sat-nav is rubbish here)...

Gas/petrol is cheap, as is car insurance. The overall cost of owning a car is a little lower in the US. Jeep are ok, but most of the other US brands are pretty poor to downright dangerous. Once you get out of the city things improve. Try going north or over to Long Island.

[XplusYplusZ]

Thanks both. My plan would be to spend a couple of months figuring out life without a car and then either looking for a workhorse commuter, or stick to the subway and buy something interesting for the weekends.. What's a good used car website (equivalent to the PH classifieds?)

[jeff m2]

XplusYplusZ said:

Thanks both. My plan would be to spend a couple of months figuring out life without a car and then either looking for a workhorse commuter, or stick to the subway and buy something interesting for the weekends.. What's a good used car website (equivalent to the PH classifieds?)

Craigs list will give you an idea of local prices. You can select from dealer or private ads or view both.
There is also a search function but doesn't it work well with dealer ads.

Currently larger less gas efficient vehicles are cheaper.
By cheaper I mean less Dollars per ton

[Olivero]

Something to give you an idea -

http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/4305407382.h...


If you want to get your drivers licence over here it is very easy. Just make sure you are sober and half awake. You will pass.

[XplusYplusZ]

Thanks Mate! Skimming through the CraigsList ads is making me tempted to buy a cheap 4x4.