LogFAQs > #954553401

LinkPizza posted...

Though, just because some Uber and Lyfts use self-driving, it doesn't mean all of them do.

Both Uber and Lyft are intent on going completely self-driving once the technology becomes widespread. Their business-models depend on it.

Are they there now? No. But I never said they were.

LinkPizza posted...

In that case, ride sharing or car ownership might be cheaper.

Dude, "ride sharing" and "car subscription" are the exact same thing for self-driving cars.

LinkPizza posted...

Especially since after owning a car, you only pay for gas and upkeep.

And parking. And cleaning. And repairs. And...

LinkPizza posted...

Upkeep can be more expensive, but that's normally if something goes wrong.

This makes it sound like you don't actually own a car, because upkeep can be plenty expensive even if nothing goes wrong. The objective of upkeep is to catch problems *before* they turn into disasters.

AAA/CAA recommends that a regular car user should budget $1000 to $1500 per year for maintenance and upkeep costs. That's about 5% of the value of an average car per year.

LinkPizza posted...

Plus, a car payment will eventually end. But the subscription keeps going.

A car payment will eventually end, but maintenance and upkeep bills will not and those will progressively increase until you wind up replacing the car. At no point is car ownership "free".

LinkPizza posted...

So, it could be cheaper, but it might not be.

By saying it "could" be cheaper, you've acknowledge I was correct.

Yes, a greedy company can always make things more expensive, but that is true of car ownership and ride sharing as well.

Thank you once again for admitting I was right.

For the record, the original point here was that car subscriptions don't have the up-front costs of car ownership. Paying a subscription fee each month is cheaper than paying for a car loan, fuel, upkeep, and maintenance. Whether it is cost-effective in the long run depends on a number of variables, but widespread self-driving car subscriptions would remove a huge barrier to car access for portions of the population at or near the poverty line.

LinkPizza posted...

And I said they are having trouble affording them. I never said they couldn't, though. So, don't put words in my mouth.

Then I'll say it for you - some people don't make enough money to afford a car. That is simple fact.

Many of those people could manage if the up-front costs were lower, however, making a car subscription a far more tantalizing option.

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