Zipcar Redefines the Rental Car

zipcar rocks

I think zipcar is a great concept and I love that it's more environmentally friendly...

bonjour zipcar

how easy! maybe zipcar will expand to europe. with all the college "zipsters" the convenience of a zip car during study abroad or summer backpacking trips would be nice and familiar.

Zipcar like austincarshare.org service is great!

In Austin, TX where Zipcar doesn't operate, austincarshare.org offers a similar service which has been super economical. For less than I used to pay per month on liability insurance only on a old car, I get a almost new car to use whenever I need it and being a bicycle commuter I have been able to get rid of my old car about two years ago.

Zipcar

I guess this is the trend of the future - however, back in Philadelphia, where I worked in the 50's, there were trolleys, buses and subways - a short walk to each, even in the suburbs. You paid a small price for each transportation, no bills for insurance, maintenance, gas, garaging of a vehicle, or jockeying for a parking space, etc. And, you always arrived on time to your destination. Also, these types of transportation, except for the bus, were enviromentally friendly, as they used electricity, not fuel. And, since a trolley, bus and subway could transport many people at once, it cut down on the congestion on the highways. Unfortunately, we have given up mass transportation for the love affair with the car.

Rental Cars

We use a rental car for 10 days a visit to Houston, TX (about 3x a year). The

fees and taxes often equal the actual rental cost (we always drive an economy

model). Haven't figured out the practicality of "zipping" around the airport

(Bush Intl) and avoiding some or all of these surcharges.

Zipcar + Public Transportation

Lee from AL seemed to lament the downfall of public transportation as America became more car dependent.

However, I actually believe that Zipcar complements public transportation in a way that may actually have a measurable impact on the trend toward every American owning a vehicle. Because I have used a combination of Zipcar and public transportation in the cities in which I have most recently lived (Boston and DC), I have not had to own my own car for three years. I never thought I would go so long without a car, but it's been great. I've saved a lot of money and avoided a lot of heartache from having to deal with traffic, parking, and all of the other annoyances of car ownership. I may also be helping the environment in the process, but, like most Americans, I am self-interested and really do not worry much about my carbon footprint.

The Zipcar Hypocrisy?

I used to work at Zipcar's main office in Cambridge, and this is hard for me to say, because the concept is so solid. The company is really much more outwardly fun than it is to work for. It felt almost like a fraud actually. The CEO drove a huge Ram pickup truck, and was often yelling at employees publicly, and always talked about how much b.s. the environmental face of the business was. The culture was stodgy at best, and I finally left because I didn't like feel we were an honest company. Maybe I am a little utopian, but it would be great if the people leading a company actually believed in the mission.

Can this really work? Miles driven?

Seems like a great idea. Anyone know how many miles the average Zipcar member actually drives in an hour of rental time? Weighing that against other options is interesting.

Zipcar + BS = no more

Yea it has reached a tipping point - I am a 4 year member that is hanging it up this year - it is cheaper now that insurance has come down and cars are cheaper than ever - we bought a used subaru and it will cost us half the price that zipcar cost us in the last 3 years... there goes their "model" - it's mostly college kids using the cars and they do all the things they are not supposed like smoking and cat hair all over the car or the trash they leave behind and NOW MORE THAN EVER I get into a car to find it on "E" - then I fill it up and the next time I use the same car it's empty again - thanks for the fun zipcar but our time has come to say goodbye...

zipcar = crappy

Yea it has reached a tipping point - I am a 4 year member that is hanging it up this year - it is cheaper now that insurance has come down and cars are cheaper than ever - we bought a used subaru and it will cost us half the price that zipcar cost us in the last 3 years... there goes their "model" - it's mostly college kids using the cars and they do all the things they are not supposed like smoking and cat hair all over the car or the trash they leave behind and NOW MORE THAN EVER I get into a car to find it on "E" - then I fill it up and the next time I use the same car it's empty again - thanks for the fun zipcar but our time has come to say goodbye...