combining two clauses

[Musicgold]

Hi,

Is the following sentence correct? I am trying to give two main reasons, why I bought a car, in one sentence. My logic is even if I remove the first reason part, the sentence should sound correct.
Please suggest improvements, if any.

We decided to buy a car because (1) almost all our friends now have cars, and (2) of the hardships we suffered the last winter because of the severe weather.

Thanks,

MG.

[Mister Micawber]

.
No, it does not work because 'because' is a conjunction while 'because of' is a preposition.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

Mister Micawber,

Thanks. How about the following sentences?

2. We decided to buy a car as almost all our friends now have cars, and because of the hardships we suffered in the last winter's severe weather.

3. We decided to buy a car mainly for two reasons: first, almost all our friends now have cars, and second, because of the hardships we suffered in the last winter's severe weather.

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes, those are structurally OK, MG, but both seem rather formal for the subject. Why not something like:

We decided to buy a car because last winter was hard without one, and most of our friends have one.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Musicgold]

thanks.