Anyone ever use zip cars?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I was thinking about signing up for zip cars to just have the convenience of knowing that if I need a car for an hour or two it's not out of the question and I won't have to rent a car for a whole day.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[lordscarlet]

I was thinking about signing up for zip cars to just have the convenience of knowing that if I need a car for an hour or two it's not out of the question and I won't have to rent a car for a whole day.

Anyone have any experience with this?

I have a zipcar membership here in DC. I spent about $500 on it last year in total. I think it's well worth the price. I was spending $300/mo before that on a car payment... for a Toyota Corolla.

[Daimyo]

I use I-Go car sharing in Chicago and its great. There are at least six cars within 5-10 minutes walk of where I live (including a couple SUVs) so its very convenient. Usually have to plan ahead a few days to get one during busy times though (like Saturday afternoons).

[Pyser]

um....what?

[DanGarion]

um....what?
It's for those weird people that don't have their own car...

[Pyser]

pretty cool idea.

[lordscarlet]

um....what?

http://www.zipcar.com

[gottimd]

I always wondered how that worked. So the car is delivered to the Metro stop, and they send you some sort of key/activation device? Do you still have to pay for parking at the metro or do they park it in the ride/go's?

[miked]

I used the Zipcars in Boston. It was pretty damn cool, so long as you are just using it to run errands and stuff. My car was wrecked while it was parked during a snowstorm by some putz and I relied on Zipcars for a while. It helped having a discount, so I only paid like $20 for the year membership. It was totally worth it.

[gottimd]

Would you say they are most beneficial to either:

1) People who live in the city who commute outside to the burbs? The mass transit takes them as far as it goes, and the commuter gets in the zipcar and drives the remainder of the way, rather than driving all the way from a city to the burbs.

2) If you are a contractor on a long term job not near home?

[Castlerock]

Would you say they are most beneficial to either:

1) People who live in the city who commute outside to the burbs? The mass transit takes them as far as it goes, and the commuter gets in the zipcar and drives the remainder of the way, rather than driving all the way from a city to the burbs.

2) If you are a contractor on a long term job not near home?
I would say neither. It is great for someone who lives and works in the city and only needs a car infrequently.

[Pumpy Tudors]

After checking out the website, I would have loved something like this when I lived in New Orleans. I didn't mind riding the bus before I got a car, but it was hell when I had a big shopping trip to do.

I'd never heard of Zipcars, but it looks like a neat concept for people in big cities.

[miked]

I would say neither. It is great for someone who lives and works in the city and only needs a car infrequently.

Bingo. If you drive it a few hours, it instantly becomes insane with regards to cost. For example, I think there's a radius in Boston you can't drive it outside of on an hourly rental. They end up charging like $50-70 per day depending where you are. They say because it includes gas and insurance, it's still worth it...and to a degree they're correct. But to commute, it would make very little sense.

[gottimd]

Bingo. If you drive it a few hours, it instantly becomes insane with regards to cost. For example, I think there's a radius in Boston you can't drive it outside of on an hourly rental. They end up charging like $50-70 per day depending where you are. They say because it includes gas and insurance, it's still worth it...and to a degree they're correct. But to commute, it would make very little sense.

So its more cost efficient for a person who is commuting from a city to the burbs to either drive or take a taxi, public bus on a daily basis then to use this service? Lets say you work 5 miles from the last metro stop, that $500/yr might be better than the cost of taxis and bus systems for the year, no?

[wade moore]

So its more cost efficient for a person who is commuting from a city to the burbs to either drive or take a taxi, public bus on a daily basis then to use this service? Lets say you work 5 miles from the last metro stop, that $500/yr might be better than the cost of taxis and bus systems for the year, no?

The problem is, it doesn't work that way. You can't just leave it at your house. You have to drop it off where you left it. So you would be "renting it" from 5:00PM - 7:00 AM (or whatever) which would be way more expensive than a bus or whatever. The daily rate is around $65.

If you could just leave it wherever, then yeah - but when you use the zipcar you take it from somewhere and then you have to leave it in the same area you took it from (at least I'm pretty sure about this - ls can correct me if I'm wrong). Either way - you can't leave it in front of your house in the burbs, I'm sure about that.

[gottimd]

The problem is, it doesn't work that way. You can't just leave it at your house. You have to drop it off where you left it. So you would be "renting it" from 5:00PM - 7:00 AM (or whatever) which would be way more expensive than a bus or whatever. The daily rate is around $65.

If you could just leave it wherever, then yeah - but when you use the zipcar you take it from somewhere and then you have to leave it in the same area you took it from (at least I'm pretty sure about this - ls can correct me if I'm wrong). Either way - you can't leave it in front of your house in the burbs, I'm sure about that.

I understand that. But what if you are commuting from the city? So Joe Schmo wakes up, takes the metro to the last stop out in the burbs. He then gets the zip car there, and drives the 5 miles to work. When work is done, drives it back to the metro to drop it off, gets back on the metro and goes home. But if the rate to rent it is $65 for lets say 8:30am-5:30PM, then yes, I guess it wouldn't make much sense. I thought they could pay a small fee to use it or that annual $500 fee. So essentially the zip car IS just for people who need a car once in a blue moon.

[wade moore]

I understand that. But what if you are commuting from the city? So Joe Schmo wakes up, takes the metro to the last stop out in the burbs. He then gets the zip car there, and drives the 5 miles to work. When work is done, drives it back to the metro to drop it off, gets back on the metro and goes home. But if the rate to rent it is $65 for lets say 8:30am-5:30PM, then yes, I guess it wouldn't make much sense. I thought they could pay a small fee to use it or that annual $500 fee. So essentially the zip car IS just for people who need a car once in a blue moon.

Yes ;). There are package deals where you pay a yearly fee for a reduced hourly rate, but I don't think there is anyway that what you are suggesting would be cost effective with Zipcar.

[lordscarlet]

I always wondered how that worked. So the car is delivered to the Metro stop, and they send you some sort of key/activation device? Do you still have to pay for parking at the metro or do they park it in the ride/go's?

They are parked all over the city in random places.

Would you say they are most beneficial to either:

1) People who live in the city who commute outside to the burbs? The mass transit takes them as far as it goes, and the commuter gets in the zipcar and drives the remainder of the way, rather than driving all the way from a city to the burbs.

2) If you are a contractor on a long term job not near home?

3) (2) and city dwellers. It is good for short jaunts (as has been covered) mostly. Although, if you compare the daily rate to somewhere like enterprise where you pay for gas and pay for insurance (I don't have a car so I don't have insurance) they work out to about the same, so day-long rentals are not out of the question.

So its more cost efficient for a person who is commuting from a city to the burbs to either drive or take a taxi, public bus on a daily basis then to use this service? Lets say you work 5 miles from the last metro stop, that $500/yr might be better than the cost of taxis and bus systems for the year, no?

I understand that. But what if you are commuting from the city? So Joe Schmo wakes up, takes the metro to the last stop out in the burbs. He then gets the zip car there, and drives the 5 miles to work. When work is done, drives it back to the metro to drop it off, gets back on the metro and goes home. But if the rate to rent it is $65 for lets say 8:30am-5:30PM, then yes, I guess it wouldn't make much sense. I thought they could pay a small fee to use it or that annual $500 fee. So essentially the zip car IS just for people who need a car once in a blue moon.

8:30am-5:30pm would be $67 I believe. There is a membership that reduces the costs. I haven't checked the numbers lately, but you can pretty much pre-pay hours at a reduced rate, but it would still add up.

I live in the city and don't have a car. I use it for large shopping trips (groceries are cheaper to have delivered through peapod, though), going beyond metro's reach (my mom lives in Woodbridge) and unexpected short timespan trips (say going to Crystal City for lunch at work). It is definitely designed for the city dweller, though.

[miked]

I understand that. But what if you are commuting from the city? So Joe Schmo wakes up, takes the metro to the last stop out in the burbs. He then gets the zip car there, and drives the 5 miles to work. When work is done, drives it back to the metro to drop it off, gets back on the metro and goes home. But if the rate to rent it is $65 for lets say 8:30am-5:30PM, then yes, I guess it wouldn't make much sense. I thought they could pay a small fee to use it or that annual $500 fee. So essentially the zip car IS just for people who need a car once in a blue moon.

If the zipcar locations are there also. I was lucky living in the North End of Boston as there were many locations near me. Also, with the parking situation in the North End, sometimes, it was easier to rent the zipcar for an hour to go to the market without having to cruise for parking spots and possibly pay $15 to park my car overnight in a lot. It's great if you have no car, live in the city and need to get around to the store and other places.

[gottimd]

Wow, I have never been quoted that much in one post.

[lordscarlet]

If the zipcar locations are there also. I was lucky living in the North End of Boston as there were many locations near me. Also, with the parking situation in the North End, sometimes, it was easier to rent the zipcar for an hour to go to the market without having to cruise for parking spots and possibly pay $15 to park my car overnight in a lot. It's great if you have no car, live in the city and need to get around to the store and other places.

Within .25 miles of me there are probably 15+ zipcars. When I had a car I was paying $300/mo and had to move it once a week for street cleaning. The only reason I can't get somewhere with the bus or metro is to see relatives for the most part, and half of them are on the outskirts of metro so I don't need a zipcar for that either. My Step-Father slugs to DC for work and has a zipcar membership in case he needs to run errands while at work.

[KevinNU7]

Would you say they are most beneficial to either:

1) People who live in the city who commute outside to the burbs? The mass transit takes them as far as it goes, and the commuter gets in the zipcar and drives the remainder of the way, rather than driving all the way from a city to the burbs.

2) If you are a contractor on a long term job not near home?
Imagine living in the city and finding a nice large item as say Crate and Barrell and trying to stuff it into a taxi cab... Or finally being able to go grocery shopping and buy more then 3-4 bags worth of stuff

[GreenMonster]

In Atlanta we have FlexCar and there are a couple in the garage where I work. People hardly use them, because most everyone in Atlanta has a car, because our public transportation blows.

[lordscarlet]

Imagine living in the city and finding a nice large item as say Crate and Barrell and trying to stuff it into a taxi cab... Or finally being able to go grocery shopping and buy more then 3-4 bags worth of stuff

Peapod (and similar services) are the way to go. And cheaper than renting a zipcar. :)

[KevinNU7]

Peapod (and similar services) are the way to go. And cheaper than renting a zipcar. :)
I never used Peapod and always had a car when I lived in the city. Something about someone else picking out my fruits and vegtables bothers me though.

[lordscarlet]

I never used Peapod and always had a car when I lived in the city. Something about someone else picking out my fruits and vegtables bothers me though.

I normally get those from Whole Foods on my way home. However, when I do order them from peapod they're actually better than going in. They select your produce before putting anything out on the floor, so you get the best of the lot as long as you don't have a moron packing your groceries. A small portion of my groceries are produce, so I can leave that off and still have a large order.

[stevew]

Seems like it would be an awesome service if you wanted a larger vehicle from time to time. Occasionally I'll want to use a truck, and it's seriously cost prohibitive, especially if you just need it for an hour or two.

[molson]

I use zip codes. They help my mail get to it's destination more quickly.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I use zippers. They help keep me from getting arrested when I ogle cheerleaders at college football games.

[CU Tiger]

You know, I can not imagine a life where I did not own a car...


I guess it stems from growing up very rural and still commuting 50+ miles each way to work, but thsi not oning a car thing is just wrong to my mind...

[gottimd]

Imagine living in the city and finding a nice large item as say Crate and Barrell and trying to stuff it into a taxi cab... Or finally being able to go grocery shopping and buy more then 3-4 bags worth of stuff

What about buying online and having it delivered? or in other words....

What better shipping costs or zip car?

[miked]

In Atlanta we have FlexCar and there are a couple in the garage where I work. People hardly use them, because most everyone in Atlanta has a car, because our public transportation blows.

Quoted for truthiness. We have a bunch here on campus in Atlanta and I think they collect dust.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Mostly a decent experience...

I rented one for a couple hours. I was 1/2 hour late getting there and picking up the car, but that doesn't matter. I was then caught in traffic returning it (took 15 minutes just to drive around the friggin' block) and was charged for an extra hour plus a $50 late fee. I tried contacting what they consider customer service, but it's about as effective as sending a letter to the White House.

I'll probably use it again, but only when I really feel I have to. I'll also factor in that if you are three seconds late it's a significant financial hit and rent it for an extra hour just in case.

I may or may not continue the service in a year. Haven't decided yet.

[wade moore]

Mostly a decent experience...

I rented one for a couple hours. I was 1/2 hour late getting there and picking up the car, but that doesn't matter. I was then caught in traffic returning it (took 15 minutes just to drive around the friggin' block) and was charged for an extra hour plus a $50 late fee. I tried contacting what they consider customer service, but it's about as effective as sending a letter to the White House.

I'll probably use it again, but only when I really feel I have to. I'll also factor in that if you are three seconds late it's a significant financial hit and rent it for an extra hour just in case.

I may or may not continue the service in a year. Haven't decided yet.

You can do what I know LS has done before - call a friend, have them log in as you, and extend your reservation right there online while you sit in traffic.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

You can do what I know LS has done before - call a friend, have them log in as you, and extend your reservation right there online while you sit in traffic.

I'm too cheap to get a cell phone! :D

[lordscarlet]

Mostly a decent experience...

I rented one for a couple hours. I was 1/2 hour late getting there and picking up the car, but that doesn't matter. I was then caught in traffic returning it (took 15 minutes just to drive around the friggin' block) and was charged for an extra hour plus a $50 late fee. I tried contacting what they consider customer service, but it's about as effective as sending a letter to the White House.

I'll probably use it again, but only when I really feel I have to. I'll also factor in that if you are three seconds late it's a significant financial hit and rent it for an extra hour just in case.

I may or may not continue the service in a year. Haven't decided yet.

You should always tack on an extra 30 mins at least. It's only $4.50. But you need to understand why they charge you an extra $50. What if you had a 4:30 reservation and the dude before you didn't show up until 4:45? I've tried to think of some other way they could do it, and this is the only one that makes sense for them.