Car Clubs - Zipcar/Enterprise Car Club

Lethal`

Lethal`

Lethal`

Soldato
Joined
25 Oct 2006
Posts
5,395
Anyone use them. Tips/tricks?

I've just sold my car. I don't really need a car but they are useful for the occasional weekend trip etc. I think for at least next few months while we're still in pandemic-mode I'll just go carless. When I need a car I'll try zipcar and the likes out. I can cycle to a few locations within 5 miles and one within a 30 min walk.
 
Really depends on your location. In Zone 1 London I had DriveNow and ZipCar on my doorstep. Both worked well although it was a bit nerve wracking to pick up the "log book" and see all the same damage mentioned over and over again. I think you can insure yourself against the excess payments separately though which I'd recommend.
 
I'm just outside West London so I also have Heathrow within 30 mins cycle too which is probably best for extended rentals i.e. weekend trips. There's some independent rental car/van companies too.
 
I've been using Zipcar in the US for a year or so it is handy and I'd always recommend getting the extra insurance for these things saved me a few grand on one of my first trips one someone rear ended me and did a runner.

The downsides are its difficult to get one at peak times (the weekend) and it seems people's idea of clean is a lot different to mine. Also despite the no smoking warnings at least half of them stink of cigarettes.

The other thing is that there's a very narrow window where they are cost effective, if your going anywhere within a 30min drive its usually cheaper just to get an uber there and back. For long trips more than 24hrs its usually cheaper to get one of the traditional rent a car companies
 
Any extended period of time you could try that JLR scheme as well. I think its mega bucks in comparison but you could rent a nice Rangey that you'd never consider buying for a month or so.
 
I used Streetcar for a while before they were bought our by Zipcar and they were fantastic. They could remotely unlock cars for me, always answered the phone with an actual human within seconds and their prices were good.

They they were bought by Zipcar, who I just tried to use this weekend gone and the service is now akin to that of any multinational company. Talking to robots, placed in queues, etc. I cancelled it, wasn't worth the hassle for what I needed. I imagine they'd be ok if you have no other options.
 
dLockers said:
Any extended period of time you could try that JLR scheme as well. I think its mega bucks in comparison but you could rent a nice Rangey that you'd never consider buying for a month or so.
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That actually looks pretty interesting. Surprised it's 600 mile FUP. Pretty expensive though. Could be fun to take an F-Type out some time. I'm "saving" £565 a year in tax now!
 
Lethal` said:
That actually looks pretty interesting. Surprised it's 600 mile FUP. Pretty expensive though. Could be fun to take an F-Type out some time. I'm "saving" £565 a year in tax now!
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Yeah you need to look at your own total cost of ownership really - otherwise on the face of it, it is expensive. However, like you said, tax alone on a nice car of your own is 475+ and then once you factor in insurance, how little you actually use it, depreciation, etc. it starts to make a lot of sense!
 
dLockers said:
Any extended period of time you could try that JLR scheme as well. I think its mega bucks in comparison but you could rent a nice Rangey that you'd never consider buying for a month or so.
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There's also a few others I stumbled across on.to which does electric cars might be a good way to test if you can live with a sub 200 mile range. Also not cheap if you want the fast tesla
 
mattx2 said:
There's also a few others I stumbled across on.to which does electric cars might be a good way to test if you can live with a sub 200 mile range. Also not cheap if you want the fast tesla
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Test drove a Model 3 at the weekend. Mostly for the fun of it. I half considered it on company car but to be honest I think I'd rather have a house. Also, I didn't find it mind blowing. It was fun but just didn't blow me away. Autopilot/Autopark kinda failed too :D

When I got back I realised the SR (I test drove) is slower than the LR I had been looking at and not extremely faster than the MPS I had. That kinda explains it. Either way I don't think it's time for a Model 3 just yet but I'd rent one now and again if cheap enough!
 
I use Zipcar in Greater London. A selection of vehicles just round the corner from where I live. Particularly handy is the hourly van rental.
 
You can also have a look at ubeeqo. Like zipcar but people rent out their own cars. Haven't personally used it, as I ended up buying a car
 
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