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I like the freedom of -- IF I get a flat tire -- or IF there's an accident -- I call and get another car, and keep going on my trip -- and it's not MY car that's messed up....or worse ....now I'm back to car payments.
If you get a flat tire, you want it repaired. Call AAA, they come out, fix it and you are done. It isn't like a replacement car is going to appear for you within a minute because it is rented.
If you are in an accident, you are going to be inconvenienced regardless. You could just as easily be in a car accident driving your own car going to the grocery store. I read an insurance statistic that said most car accidents happen close to the driver's home. You aren't going to rent a car to drive the grocery store out of fear of getting in an accident with your own car.
I usually drive my own car on vacations. There are times a rental car works out better for sure. I rented a large mini-van when there were several of us going on a vacation, but that was more for getting more than 4 people in a car for our trip.
I did that once......kids wanted a train trip. It cost me more than driving and TOOK LONGER! Kids have the memories and I'll know never to do that again
I expect it will be an adventure. One of the main reasons I am doing it is to scout it out for my parents so they'll come visit because my mother won't fly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corerius
That has always surprised me, there's really not much advantage between a Tacoma and a 1/2 ton Silverado with a 5.3L.
I guess there's no shock, the era of the minitruck is in the past and really they're all about the same size. Engine displacement has less to do with mileage than you might think and those GM LS V8s are pretty remarkable.
Those new 8-speed transmissions have a lot to do with the outstanding mileage those full-size GM trucks get now.
For long trips we like rent. We always rent from the same company, not Avis or other expensive company, so the more we rent from them the lower the rates for return customers. It is fun to "test" drive a new car for a few weeks as a lot has changed since we bought our trusty Honda. I agree with other posters that it is nice not to have to worry about waiting at a garage for our car to be repaired if it were to break down, not to mention having to pay higher "out of town" charges. Vacations are for going not sitting in a repair shop!
Some of the Yes replies were given by people who chose to rent for reasons more heavily weighted towards peace of mind or variety than "return on investment." Cars are not investments anyway. They are tools. Sometimes there are reasons to rent different tools than the ones you own.
I would like to rent something like a Miata for a noncamping road trip. But I sure wouldn't own one. Not because of any fault in it, but because I frequently carry bikes, boats, and other bulky stuff, and I tow a trailer. Ever towed a long trailer with a short-wheelbase vehicle? At highway speeds?
Yes, but that's not going to screw up my vacation.
Neither does being in a wreck while on vacation in your own car; just rent one when it occurs and carry on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by selhars
Because the less my car is on the road, the more likely it will make it to 500K. Because the less likely it's exposed to potential accidents.
This makes absolutely no sense.
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