Cars

I have a car, it's California, I need one.

I am not going to go on about public transport, that will be a different entry sometime. No, I will focus today on our cars and the difference I have faced when here, and I can assure you, it is different.

Over in Zurich, cars are, generally speaking, not an essential item. I know of many people who don't have cars, or even driver's licenses. The need for personal transport is not as great. 

Not seen in Zurich, ever.

Those who do have cars in Switzerland, generally take very good care of them. It is expensive to own and operate a vehicle. Fuel is around $5.90 a gallon (5 Feb 2019), insurance is in my case, 30% more expensive, and service costs are way over the top. Add parking, tolls, the two sets of tires (summer and winter), it becomes really pricey, fast.

And now to here in Sacramento. Cars are cheaper, by far. Either new or used, the price is lower. Also, contrary to what people seem to moan about, fuel is cheaper. I got gas for $2.99 a gallon the other day. Insurance is cheaper and you can get your oil changed for a fifth of the price in Zurich.

Now for the reasons that car ownership is cheaper here;

• There are A LOT of cars around, the market is a whole lot larger. More inventory, lower prices.
• Fuel is not taxed as much here, but that also makes the price more volatile.
• Insurance is not as good here. My liability tops out at $1 million and I had to ask for that as extra. In Zurich, it was 100 million (the franc and dollar are equal value). and no, that's not a typo.
• Oil changes are done only ever 30000km, (20000 miles), so it is a limited market again.

Broken down RV in the middle of the road.

But the most glaring difference is that here in California you can drive a "car" that is falling apart. I was following a minivan today with the bumper hanging off and being dragged along on the freeway. I have seen cars with no bumper or headlights driving around. Bald tires, no tail lights, no windows, cracked windscreens, missing fenders and space saving spares being run down to the rim.

Pretty sure a Zurich cop would have a heart attack here.