Topic: Rent vs Drive your own car

[pi314]

I was wondering if anybody here has some formula they apply when deciding whether to drive your own car vs renting one?
I'm planning on going on several longer road trips from here until September, and have been having difficulty deciding when to take the Focus, and when to rent a car... or is it always better to just take your own?

Considerations:
1) Wear and tear - if you're driving 800, 900 km in a 48 hr time period, and can rent a car for $54 with unlimited mileage, is that better?

2) Driving enjoyment - The focus is very nice on secondary roads, but isn't the best highway cruiser

3) Use of the car - other members of the family can use the car while I'm gone (not always a problem however)

4) Conserves Warranty - good for resale

I'd love to hear what everyone has to say about this

[pi314]

Yeah I'm leaning towards taking my own car for the 900 km trip, also because some of the roads will be fun, and focus >>> chrysler200 for driving dynamics

But later on I'm possibly making a 6000 km trip over about 2 weeks, and that would cost about $370 to rent...

[Fobroader]

Unless you are renting something a lot better then what you have, go with your own car.

[Julie]

I don't have a formula, but I would assume the rental company is making money on your rental. Once you factor in the gas, in addition to the rental fee, I'd figure they'd be ahead.

6000 km is not a lot for an occasional trip. I rent a lot more than I'd like, because when I go someplace, it's usually too far to drive. I wish I could drive. Oh, and rental cars (when I'm going for a cheap ride) usually suck.

[dkaz]

I'd only rent if I wasn't sure my car would survive the trip.

[Firm]

I tend to rent more in the winter months, or if I know I am going to be on bad roads. I have family up in northern ontario, it's only about a 2000km round trip, but I know at least 100kms or so is on gravel roads - something I'd rather not subject my own car to, so I usually rent.
Also, in the winter when I know the highway is going to be a salt bath for the entire journey, I'd rather rent and not worry about the affects of the excess salt on my own car.

In summer and on paved roads I'd rather drive one of my own cars, regardless of distance mostly for the fun factor. I also feel slightly out of place in a cheap rental....While old, my own cars are a reflection of me, and I am comfortable in them....I feel a little awkward driving around in a Base Nissan Micra, or whatever.

[quadzilla]

Is adding another 5,000 kms really going to make it depreciate more?

I bought my car to drive and I drive them until I no longer want them or want something different. I don't care how many km's I put on them as they are meant to be driven.

An exception to this would be if I could rent something I really wanted. IE: V60 R_Design, 328xiT

[Ex-airbalancer]

I tend to rent more in the winter months, or if I know I am going to be on bad roads. I have family up in northern ontario, it's only about a 2000km round trip, but I know at least 100kms or so is on gravel roads - something I'd rather not subject my own car to, so I usually rent.
Also, in the winter when I know the highway is going to be a salt bath for the entire journey, I'd rather rent and not worry about the affects of the excess salt on my own car.

In summer and on paved roads I'd rather drive one of my own cars, regardless of distance mostly for the fun factor. I also feel slightly out of place in a cheap rental....While old, my own cars are a reflection of me, and I am comfortable in them....I feel a little awkward driving around in a Base Nissan Micra, or whatever.

Where in Northern Ontario? Red Lake ?

[Firm]

Hearst area...and some in Sturgeon Falls.

[random006]

900 Km is very little work for any car these days.  I have taken my various cars on trips totalling three or four times that with no issues.  Obviously, you need to factor in (at the very least):

• The condition of the car:  Can it withstand the intended route?
• The age of the car
• Fuel efficiency vs fuel availability  (not usually a problem but then I don't where you will be going)

Regardless, get it serviced prior to your trip(s), especially the 6000 Km voyage.  In fact, you will in all likelihood need a second servicing right after a trip of that magnitude.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Hearst area...and some in Sturgeon Falls.

That is not that far !

[Firm]

Hearst area...and some in Sturgeon Falls.

That is not that far !

No, like I said, 2000km round trip. It's more so the roads, and road hazards, up there that make me want to be in a rental.

[pi314]

900 Km is very little work for any car these days.  I have taken my various cars on trips totalling three or four times that with no issues.  Obviously, you need to factor in (at the very least):

• The condition of the car:  Can it withstand the intended route?
• The age of the car
• Fuel efficiency vs fuel availability  (not usually a problem but then I don't where you will be going)

Regardless, get it serviced prior to your trip(s), especially the 6000 Km voyage.  In fact, you will in all likelihood need a second servicing right after a trip of that magnitude.

I suppose I should clarify... this is a new 2013 Ford focus with 8000 kms on it currently. I bought the car in March.
I intend to take it on the 900 km trip from Fredericton to PEI and back, as well as a 3500 km round trip from Fredericton to Mississauga and back.
Which will bring it to about 14000 kms... the service interval is about 16000 km (there's an oil life monitor). The Fredericton to Mississauga trip is too long for the cost of the rental to work out cheaper

I'm also considering a trip to North Carolina and back, which would be a total of 6000 km in a week and a half - this is really where I'm considering renting a car.

I'm not really sure how many annual kms the car will see, but I'm slightly concerned about hitting 60 000 (the end of the comprehensive warranty) quickly if I continue to take trips like this

With the Corolla I'm not as concerned partially because of the ECP, but also due to very experience with operating costs in the past (my dad had one, as well as many other friends and family)... I'd take the Corolla, but it's currently in Ontario.

[TheHire]

I feel a little awkward driving around in a Base Nissan Micra, or whatever.

Just for that, you're getting booked into all the subcompacts I can find...

[pi314]

Thinking about this further, these are the costs I can think of for a 6000 km trip:

Fuel - Let's say this is a wash between the rental and personal car.

Depreciation -
Servicing Cost - $40
Tire wear - $40 (rough calculation assuming 60000 km life and $100/tire)
Brakes - $10?
Misc. - $10?

So Assuming $100 in operating expenses vs $400 in rental costs, if depreciation is more than $300 it's cheaper to rent.

I intend to keep the focus for a rather long time, so I'm not sure the extra 10 000 km I put on the car this summer will actually make a difference. Also factors like the music system (which I'm familiar with and has all my music), Manual transmission which I much prefer (except for congestion on the 401/403  )

[Ex-airbalancer]

Just drive your car, you said you keeping it a long time
I just think every car / truck has zero value after 5 years , so I really do not care what kind of mileage I put on it