Private cars are parked about 95 percent of the time, which means most people are paying full-time for a vehicle they use only occasionally.
Track a typical month and count how many trips genuinely need a car, then add up the true cost of ownership for comparison.
If you drive rarely, car sharing or short rentals can cost far less than insurance, parking, and depreciation.
For regular commutes, combine transit or a bike with occasional rentals, and keep the car only if it earns its place every week.