I agree with all you guys have said about the costs and a benefits of keeping a carriage. I guess we can also wonder what the situtation of the Norland neighborhood was. Are the neighbors well set up already? In that case, they may have to go to London or elsewhere in order to sell a carriage, whereas horses, less expensive and more useful, may have a higher demand on them in the neighborhood.

My own interpretation was that the Dashwoods were likely to keep the carriage and hire horses, not only because of the costs involved, but because of Mrs. Dashwood's sentimental charater. They may have felt attached to the carriage as something that provided a connection with the late Mr. Dashwood. I can just imagine the scene between Marianne and Mrs. Dashwood when the subject of selling the carriage comes up, if the adieu to Norland is any indication!