Here are 5 reasons to rent a vehicle vs driving your own car:
1. Renting a vehicle has less chance of breaking down on the road.
When you rent a vehicle it usually have a lot fewer miles on it then your own. It usually has had the necessary maintenance done and if you do break down, its the responsibility of the rental agency to get you a new vehicle as well as pay for any repairs that need to be made.
2. Better gas mileage
Obviously, this would have to do with what vehicle you normally drive and which one your rent. Because rental cars are newer, the gas mileage is going to be as good as it can be. The van we used to own was getting about 15 miles/gal. while the vehicle we would rent would get 25 miles/gal. which, for a 1500 mile trip, the savings was around $100 based on the $2.50/gallon.
3. Less wear and tear on your own car
Long distance highway driving can be very tough on a vehicle. Save those miles on your own car and put them on a rental will extend the life of your car.
4. Rent a vehicle that may be more suited for type of vacation
Perhaps you own a small car but are going camping and need extra room. Instead of jam packing the car and have your family sitting on each other's lap, rent a larger vehicle for comfort. On the other side, if you are heading out on a trip and don't need to take your SUV, rent a smaller car that can save you gas and money (See number 2)
5. Renting a vehicle can give you an opportunity to try a vehicle that you might want to purchase.
I needed to go out to visit my daughter in Indiana by myself and went to rent a car. I had seen many HRT's around town and when one was available, I jumped on the chance to try it. My daughter didn't like my color choice but it did give me the chance to try one.
Each trip and situation will be different. But when going on vacation or on a long trip, consider renting a vehicle vs. using your own. Going on sites like priceline can also save you some money in renting a vehicle. Be sure to use a reputable company who will be able to provide you service in the event of a problem with your rental.
5 comments:
I think if most people included wear and tear on their vehicle they would actually save money by renting. Besides you typically get to enjoy a nicer ride in the process.
Thanks for the post
I think renting a car for vacation can be a very good idea. When I lived in Dallas I used to rent one frequently to visit family members in Arkansas. My main reasons were better gas mileage from the rental car and to save wear and tear on my own vehicle. Also, like you said, I had more peace-of-mind that I probably would not have car trouble along the way - which was especially important to me when I traveled alone.
One thing I used to do was to check around at various rental agencies. Some allowed you to travel out of state with unlimited mileage. Others had restrictions. I'm not sure if this is still how it is (I haven't rented a car in a few years), but it is probably worth it to shop around for the best deal to suit your needs.
Good idea about using your car rental as a way to test-drive a possible purchase. Also, I agree with Craig that you typically get to enjoy a nicer ride in the process.
Great post: One major plus to renting a car is that if you put it on a Visa or MC, they both have rental car insurance in the event you get into an accident. It usually comes with the card by your miles may vary.
We almost always rented for family vacations when I was young and every single time we didn't we had huge mechanical breakdowns! I agree 100% rent on vacation!
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