What Is The Most Economic Way for a Three Month Car Rental?

My car was severely damaged in an accident and is not in driving condition. I am ordering a new car that I have been eyeing on but the delivery is 3 months away.

What is the most economic way to get a replacement car for the 3 months in between?

Comments

  • +11

    Buy a cheap box and palm it off a few months later for the same price.

  • +2

    Do you need a car 7 days a week?

    • 4 days a week for work

      • But do you REALLY need it?

        • yes, 4 days out of a week, my work shift starts at 6am.

  • +8

    Options in no particular order:
    1. Go without.
    2. Public transport.
    3. Taxi/Uber
    4. Bicycle.
    5. Minimise use, but borrow from friends/ family when necessary
    6. Buy a clunker $1500 ish with enough rego to sell with rego.
    7. Rental from cheapest place you can find.
    8. Car next door/rideshare etc.
    9 long term rental from big provider.
    10. Out there idea: can the dealer hook you up with a loan car from their used section for a nominal fee?

    Keep in mind 3 months might stretch a bit.

    • Option 10 was the first thought that popped into my head when I read the post.

  • +1

    Goget or a similiar car share service if that suits your use case.

    Otherwise buy a cheap car and sell it in a few months.

    • Goget roughly $80 per day x 4 times per week x 3 months = $3,840

      • Might also be able to use it hourly depending on what they actually want to do.

  • Check with some of the rental companies. Ask if they do a monthly rate. We did this in Canada for 3 months a few years ago and saved roughly 30% over their standard weekly rates. Might still be too expensive but might be worth inquiring.

  • +1

    As others have mentioned the most economic way to solve the problem is likely to buy a cheapie and flog it in three months, or work around on a car share arrangement. Big question is whether or not this will meet other requirements including convenience, vehicle quality, hassle, etc.

  • Try carbar.com.au

  • Does your insurance cover some or all car rental? till you get another car as part of policy assuming your car was wrecked by someone else?

  • -1

    The most economical is if you can cancel your new car order and find few months old car of the same spec.

    • Not at the moment it's not. Used car prices are nuts. You'd probably end up paying at least the same as a new car.

      • No one is going to pay the same price for a used car as a new one - specialist models excepted, or perhaps overly stupid buyers.

        • you'd be surprised it's pretty damn close.

          Toyota dealer is selling a year old rav4 hybrid, for same price as 2020 model new. Maybe more wiggle room to argue.

          But some of the most popular models are almost impossible to get in stock Rav4, Seltos and people have been waiting 3-6 months, although it seems closer to 3 now. As a result used market is insane.

          Honestly, if you needed a car now, and could by a demo or 1 year old used car even at same price as new but save spending $3k on renting a car like the OP wouldnt you do it?

          • @modiika: I looked at some hatches about a month ago in Melbourne, most used car dealers had 1-2 year old models listed within $500 dollars of the new car drive away price. There were exceptions, but it was fairly common.

            • @modiika: Because there is a supply issue, as well people are wanting a car more due to avoiding public transport as well working from home.

          • +1

            @modiika: I guess they can list at whatever price they choose. You might get someone silly enough to pay up, either that or it gives you more discount available.

            Listing at a price is different to selling it at that price a lot of the time.

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