Zipcar Redefines the Rental Car

It depends how you use it.....

I used Zip car in NYC for 2 years. It makes a lot of sense in case of following:

The trip is quick but of long distance. For instance dropping off my daughter to Stony Brook took about 3 hours or around 30 bucks. It was the fantastic deal.

If the trip takes a lot of time, you end up paying a lot of money. Or if the distance is short, you are better of taking a cab.

Also, timing is important - late night rentals to drop of my daughter were better than doing the same thing during the day.

VKM of NY @ Apr 11, 2009 15:47:19 PM

about zipcar

notes on what the zipcar agreement entails:

you do have to pay for yuor own gas. as a matter of fact you must return it iwth at least 1/4 tank of gas, other wise they charge penalties.

you do have to worry about parking , because it is just liek any normal car.

you do have to get it back in time, late fees start at 50.- dollars.

its expensive, and high tech. if you plan and are a responsible person, and a capable person, that drives safely, this is an interesting service. use caution on the road, and have a safe time.

michael of OR @ Feb 25, 2009 03:28:32 AM

looks incredible

i just reserved a mazda miata convertible

for 69 dollars a day

well see how this goes. its just seems incredible

yeah its expensive, but the control you get, and power over reservation times, and the responsibility, is very well done. i own two cars back at home but this is a trip far away, and i will need a car

just too good to be true. the different models they have waiting for me, brand new cars, incredible.

they have like 10 models of cars for portland oregon here

its gonna be a lot of fun. i have a nice clean and tidy driving record for over 10 years so they let me into their program.

you have to have a credit /debit card to get in, and it costa 50 dollars plus 25 just to get the membership

it will be just fine, i think. hope everything works out

michael of OR @ Feb 25, 2009 03:23:28 AM

Zipcar = Happy

At least for me....

I don't know where the other individuals are coming from, but I recently began using Zipcar and have loved the service so far. If you need a car everyday, it's not ideal. However, for the city dweller who just needs to run some errands it is absolutely perfect.

See my review here for Zipcars in the DC area: http://itsalldicta.blogspot.com/2009/02/zipcar-review.html

BT of DC @ Feb 20, 2009 15:20:20 PM

good service

zipcar has a few plans... i am on the infrequent driver plan

all i do is pay for the hours i schedule it for

i think it's a great deal... cheaper than a cab and renting a car for a day

the car i use is 2 blocks away, is a hybrid and is almost always available if i reserve it the day before

i don't have to pay for gas, insurance or worry about parking

once or twice a month i schedule it for shopping and errands

i have had the misfortune of have crumbs left behind by a previous driver... not the end of the world...

i even got a credit for referring a friend

i think the biggest problem is racing back to get the car back in time

plan ahead wisely

blac of WA @ Jan 13, 2009 15:27:19 PM

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...

joe of CA @ Aug 27, 2008 12:04:09 PM

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...

joe of MA @ Aug 27, 2008 12:01:57 PM

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.

Aaron of NJ @ Aug 17, 2008 18:13:36 PM