The majority of Kenya’s working class owns or intend on owning a car. Though there are many benefits to owning one, there are some disadvantages as well. Here are the pros and cons of owning a car.
Pros
- Easy To Commute
Heavily relying on public transportation could seriously inconvenience you in Nairobi. It’s always advisable to have an alternative means of transport in case the public transport industry comes to a halt.
- Road Trips
One of the many joys of owning a car is going on road trips. Human beings love to be mobile. Therefore, having a way to conveniently move from one corner of the country to the next brings a lot of satisfaction. Check out these 5 Exciting Things To Do During A Road Trip
- Comfort
In your car, you’re the king/queen. Anything you say goes. You can create your own heaven, play your own music, drive at your own pace and use whichever route you please. I know people who sit in their car for an hour before going into the house.
- Independence
Owning a car means no longer relying on anyone else to take you where you need to go. You gain a lot of independence and it also teaches you a thing or two about responsibility.
- Emergencies
Emergencies could come at any time when public transportation might not be available. You have a reliable means of attending to emergencies when you have a car. Additionally, ambulances are expensive and might not serve certain areas.
Cons
- Crippling Expenses
A wise man once said, “Before you buy a car ask yourself if you can maintain it.” A car comes with its fair share of expenses and with fuel prices increasing every so often, it’s hard to estimate these expenses. At least with public transport you know you’re paying a certain amount.
- Time Consuming
Owning a car demands attention. From servicing to cleaning, you will spend a good amount of time on your car when you could be doing other things. If you’re ready to put in the time, you’d better not get a car.
- Congestion
Kenya, and in particular, Nairobi is known for a lot of things. One of them is traffic. As a fare-paying passenger, you have other options like walking or riding a boda-boda. However, if you have a private vehicle, you’re forced to sit in traffic until it clears up.
- Environmental pollution
If you own a car, congratulations, you’re one of the many people destroying the earth’s ozone layer. According to The American Lung Association reports that 30,000 people are killed by car emissions annually in the United States alone. if you’re thinking of owning a car, consider going for an electric or a non-guzzler.
- Depreciating Asset
Once you drive your car out of the dealership, it loses value. It only continues to lose value the more mileage you put on it. A car loses between 15% and 25% of its value each year for the first five years. Moreover, by the time you finish paying for it, your hot romance will have cooled to a dying love.
For more on cars, check out 5 Tips For Managing Your Car’s Fuel Consumption. Looking to buy a new car, here are tips!
