Using Zipcar instead of buying a car

[Golden Monkey]

I just found out that where I'm moving, there's a zipcar program, and the fee is only $35 a year, with rates at $8 an hour and $66 a day. There are only 6 cars for the area, though, and I'm wondering if they're just constantly booked, since it's a campus of thousands. I'm wondering if anyone has used zipcar in such a situation? It would be really nice to use it for entire weekends, but I have to wonder if the demand even makes that possible.

[timuralp]

I just found out that where I'm moving, there's a zipcar program, and the fee is only $35 a year, with rates at $8 an hour and $66 a day. There are only 6 cars for the area, though, and I'm wondering if they're just constantly booked, since it's a campus of thousands. I'm wondering if anyone has used zipcar in such a situation? It would be really nice to use it for entire weekends, but I have to wonder if the demand even makes that possible.

At $66/day, would it be cheaper to rent from one of the car rental companies, like Enterprise, Hertz, etc? Their weekend rentals can be pretty cheap.

[studentaffairsgrad]

I just found out that where I'm moving, there's a zipcar program, and the fee is only $35 a year, with rates at $8 an hour and $66 a day. There are only 6 cars for the area, though, and I'm wondering if they're just constantly booked, since it's a campus of thousands. I'm wondering if anyone has used zipcar in such a situation? It would be really nice to use it for entire weekends, but I have to wonder if the demand even makes that possible.

I've never done it, but I don't think availability is a problem. I did my undergrad at a university that often tops the list of the country's largest, and I always noticed there were plenty of zipcars around (the parking lot for some of them was right across from my residence hall). Someone on my staff used to rent them and had a positive experience, but it does sound a bit pricey.

[Behavioral]

At $66/day, would it be cheaper to rent from one of the car rental companies, like Enterprise, Hertz, etc? Their weekend rentals can be pretty cheap.

Yeah, but generally they're located in areas that you'd need a car to reach in the first place (i.e., airports). Also, if you're under 25 (which I suspect most of TGC is), you're either now allowed to rent a car, or the rates rise by quite a bit (I remember the rates went from $18/day to $55/day + one-time $75 fee in San Antontio when I inquired about it at Enterprise).

And 6 is plenty Zipcars. Most campuses have 2-4 and they're fine.

[Behavioral]

I've never done it, but I don't think availability is a problem. I did my undergrad at a university that often tops the list of the country's largest, and I always noticed there were plenty of zipcars around (the parking lot for some of them was right across from my residence hall). Someone on my staff used to rent them and had a positive experience, but it does sound a bit pricey.

The price is after gas and insurance (which you don't get with most rental car agencies).

Also, from what I've seen, most people don't do the full-day unless they're sharing with friends (which brings down the per-person cost quite a bit).

[timuralp]

The price is after gas and insurance (which you don't get with most rental car agencies).

The insurance is nice. One thing I found out after looking through my AmEx card agreement was that AmEx also provides Loss Damage Insurance if the car was rented on the card. The liability, I think, is included in every rental contract. So, that should be enough coverage.

Yeah, but generally they're located in areas that you'd need a car to reach in the first place (i.e., airports). Also, if you're under 25 (which I suspect most of TGC is), you're either now allowed to rent a car, or the rates rise by quite a bit.

Also, a lot of schools have contracts with various car rental places through which under 25 fee is waived and might give some other perks. Some also waive the under-25 fee through promotions (Hertz seems to have been doing that for the past 2 years?). A number of them also offer pick up and drop off services.

It seems to me that if not renting frequently, shopping around the area may be a good idea?

Edited June 30, 2011 by timuralp

[Golden Monkey]

Yep, the big catch with rentals is the insurance, and the fact that you have to get to the airport, or some place like that in the first place. I haven't owned a car in five years, so I don't have auto insurance. I recently rented a car, and while the rental rate was super cheap ($28 a day,) the insurance and tax made it shockingly expensive.

I imagine I'll end up using zipcar for a few months, then I'll finally give up and just buy a car.

[katerific]

Whoa, supes late on this topic, but I wanted to contribute just in case:

I've been using zipcar over the past two years (at my ugrad institution) and recently got my own car (my mom gave me her old car). The entire time, I always wanted my own car. It wasn't because of the price or anything--I mean, gas/insurance/maintenance is covered and all, and these are newer/nice cars and such--but booking can honestly be a pain. I went to a medium-sized school, and there was a decent fleet of maybe like 20 scattered around campus. I would plan my roadtrips, and even errands, way in advance, usually (at least the really important errands). The thing that bugged me the most was that a lot of people don't treat the cars right, even though they should, and people are lazy about reporting other people.

Now, I have an 8 year old car, and it's alright. I do miss driving ~cool~ cars, but I guess my situation is pretty different, since I didn't have to buy my car. In general, I thought zipcar was a good alternative to owning a car, even though it could be frustrating. Two things I really liked, though: (1) you can zip in any city that has zip, and (2) I got the opportunity to drive around in different models, colors, etc, at any time. (Okay, that may sound really lame to some people, but whatever.)

But to answer your original question: it is possible, just be a careful planner. Would I recommend zipcar? Sure, at least until you get a feel of what the town is like, maybe. My old uni/city was VERY much a car-tropolis, so that added to my frustration (since zipcar was ALWAYS in demand). At my new uni, I think I could see myself getting around better with biking, walking, bus, and zipcar (even though I do have a car).

Also, food for thought: if your hubcaps end up flying off or something, it's like, 34 to replace them. That's a yearly membership at zipcar!

And yes, two of my hubcaps flew off on my roadtrip to my new university. :c

[Golden Monkey]

Thanks. Good info. I've settled on buying a car, probably in late fall/early winter. Fortunately, I have a grocery store across the street, and another one a few blocks away, so at least I won't starve before then.