How legitimate is the excuse "I can't drive that far away because my car is a piece of crap"?

Question

I hear people say this all the time and it's gotta be my friend's favorite excuse for why she can't go anywhere.  We live 30 miles apart and she says she can't "risk" driving her car that far because if she does, it will break down.  Well what's the difference between driving 30 miles one way and driving 30 miles around town all week?

Just wondering if this is a myth that people believe about their cars or if there's some truth to it.

Š†ï†çhéŠ · Accepted Answer

Well actually it's not a myth. The thing is, if your car is that crappy, certain components might not be able to withstand long hours of operations (not like 30miles is "hours" but the point is long period of time). Also, I imagine for 30 miles she would have to take express way or highway = higher speed than driving around town, which can also put more strain on some parts. That's why if your car is not in good shape, its not advisable to take it out on long trips. All depends on which components are bad, how many miles is on the car, and the age of the car.

chevyraceman_383 · Answer

It can be true, but it's also used as an excuse.  

If the car is having probs then short 5 mile drives is less likly to have a break down, and if it does it's easier to get back home and get car back home than breaking down 30 miles away. 

The price for a tow truck to come get your car 5-10 miles away is like $65-85...  For 30 miles way it's $250-350 

A person could walk 5 miles with out too much trouble. Much harder and takes much longer to walk 30 miles. 

I had a junk car years ago that had a bad water pump. The pump was like $240 for the part, so at the time I couldnt repair it.  I could drive it 10 miles before it overheated. So I would drive it on short 5-10 mile trips to the store or what ever. Stay in the store an hour or two so it would cool back down and I could drive the 5-10 miles back home

kevusaborn · Answer

i've been in this position,   When you're feeling weary about driving a car that has some problems, it feels much safer to be local than to be far away.    Breaking down 30 miles from home compared to having a local breakdown makes quite a difference emotionally....

      Hopefully, your friends will get their cars repaired or better , newer models.

      But Breakdowns Happens !     Even with new cars....

Assahola · Answer

I  would say its a two way street once or twice maybe but if it is all the time she uses that excuse then i think shes just does not want to go or drive to your area so it could be a legitimate reason but sounds like a excuse from her a reason and a excuse have different meanings i think people forget that sometimes

jimanddottaylor · Answer

Tell her to carry her cell phone, and to quit being a chicken.  When it is the dead of winter and you are risking a 15 mile walk, it can be more intimidating that having to walk a block to the nearest 7-11

Anonymous · Answer

It means that she is not a good driver or she doesn't have money for the gas

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How legitimate is the excuse "I can't drive that far away because my car is a piece of crap"?

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