Car required only for 5 months (rental, good credit, house)

[borvishal]

Hello,

We are a family of 4 and my parents are visiting me so I need a 7 seater car for a period of 5 months (May to October). When I look for short term rental; it is costing me minimum of $6000. I think I have to choose from one of the options below:

1. Continue to look for short term rental
2. Purchase a second hand minivan (7 seater) and sell after 5 months
3. Use Uber as and when needed

I don't necessarily need the car on a daily basis but always better to have the option so we can step out of the house at our will.

Does anyone else have any other suggestion?

Apologies if this is not an accurate forum to put my question. I will move it if this is not the right place.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by borvishal

Hello,

We are a family of 4 and my parents are visiting me so I need a 7 seater car for a period of 5 months (May to October). When I look for short term rental; it is costing me minimum of $6000. I think I have to choose from one of the options below:

1. Continue to look for short term rental
2. Purchase a second hand minivan (7 seater) and sell after 5 months
3. Use Uber as and when needed

I don't necessarily need the car on a daily basis but always better to have the option so we can step out of the house at our will.

Does anyone else have any other suggestion?

1. A short term rental is the most convenient if you do not mind the cost. Even buying a nice older vehicle will lead to minor service issues and you will have to register it.

2.5 How about buying an older 6 passenger sedan if you cannot find a good deal on a van.

All Lincoln Town Cars, almost all Ford Crown Victorias and Mercury Grand Marquis have 6 seats. Some Cadillac Devilles, Cadillac DHS, Buick Lucernes, Buick LeSabre and Buick Park Ave have 6 seats.

The prices for these types of cars are also inflated but you might be able to find a good deal on one. Here is a craigslist example.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/c...466116028.html

Using Uber seems inconvenient for family outings with multiple stops. Example trip 1 - Fernbank musuem, trip 2 - go to lunch, trip 3 - stop at Dekalb Farmers market. Trip 4 - go home. Four Uber tabs just for one Saturday trip does not sound like a good plan.

[Beretta]

Has anyone used Turo or something similar where you rent from private individuals? Is there an option to take two cars during this time? Might be easier to find a cheap second car and then sell when done.

[Need4Camaro]

Personally, I would just buy something used (do not buy brand new or you will eat negative equity like crazy) and sell it after 6 months. I drive for Uber when I’m not doing my day job and it will cost you more to Uber around than it would for you to buy a personal vehicle. Just pay extra on the car note so you don’t end up upside down when it’s time to sell.

Renting a minivan or SUV is also going to cost you WAY more than paying a car note. You will be in the ballpark of $1,500 per month for 6 months vs a payment of approx $500 month for a good SUV / Minivan you can get for $0 down with good credit.

[Atlanta-Native]

I would buy something used and then sell it. Uber would be the worst idea.

[arjay57]

I would probably buy a nice used van. If you take care of a vehicle it will hold its value.

[ShenardL]

https://www.swapalease.com/lease/search.aspx?state=GA

Maybe look into taking over a lease that only has 5-6 months remaining.

This recently sold bmw 7 series $600 a month 7 months remaining but has a hefty down payment: https://www.swapalease.com/lease/det...?salid=1580437

You'll have to find one with a low or 0 down payment.

[borvishal]

Thank you all for your suggestions ! Clearly renting for 5 months is not an option and so is Uber which means I will start looking for either 6 or 7 seater resale cars and see how it goes.

[seussie]

You'll be interested in Swaplease, which has been a balm to those deeply impacted by the pandemic; it lets you purchase another person's lease, and you can try to match size and timeline with whatever's available.

[Atlanta-Native]

Originally Posted by seussie

You'll be interested in Swaplease, which has been a balm to those deeply impacted by the pandemic; it lets you purchase another person's lease, and you can try to match size and timeline with whatever's available.

Interesting.