Short Term Car Options

FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 07:50
Last edited 21/04/2021 - 10:35 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargain,

I am looking for some short term car options.

For a bit of context, my car got written off by insurance and surprisingly got more than I originally paid for. I was insured for market value and the price of my car has gone up. The public transport to my work is virtually non-existent as it takes 1 hr more (not exaggerating, 20 mins vs 1hr 20 mins) so that is impractical. I am only looking for a car for a few months as I am awaiting my permanent residency (CO contacted, just medicals pending till June end).

I am looking forward to buying a Prado as I want to get into off-roading and my partner and I are planning to have a dog. So I just need a cheap car for a few months. While money is not an issue, I just don't want to spend more than I absolutely have to, to get a car. Rental options at $25/day for 3 months will cost around $2300.

Is there anything else you guys can suggest?

Automotive

Comments

  • ChrisLevo on 21/04/2021 - 07:59
    +1

    Learn how to punctuate?

    Your post hurts to read…..

    • Quantumcat on 21/04/2021 - 12:26
      +1

      Didn't know what was wrong with it so checked revisions. Good job Baysew

    • LFO on 22/04/2021 - 12:56

      Learn how to punctuate

      Punctuation is OK.

      Different paragraphs is what you probably meant.

      Besides, what about the content of the allegedly poorly paragraphed post????
      Anything constructive?

      For the OP: why don't just buy that Prado now? Killing two birds with one stone. Done and dusted!

      Just in case:
      There are 14 punctuation marks that are commonly used in English grammar. They are the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, hyphen, parentheses, brackets, braces, apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis.

  • jimbobaus on 21/04/2021 - 08:07
    +10

    Often if you call hire car companies and ask for a long term rate they can negotiate with you.
    Used to work for Budget and Thrifty and we would negotiate monthly rentals all the time.
    Do not call call centre or online.. call your local office directly and advise them you want a car for XX months.
    Note if you return car earlier than agreed they will revert the rate to the standard rate (want for 1 month return after 2 weeks for example, if you go longer than a month you will maintain your agreed rate)

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 08:19

      Will try this, thanks!

    • JimmyF on 21/04/2021 - 09:28
      +1

      Budget and Thrifty for example have massive car shortages ATM.

      OP already found a car for $25/day, I don't see them getting much cheaper than this for a short term rental.

      • jimbobaus on 21/04/2021 - 09:34

        I know the Europcar near me has no issues.
        we needed a car last month for 3 weeks (for work) got a cracking deal

        • JimmyF on 21/04/2021 - 09:36

          You did well then, there are massive shortages in QLD/WA/TAS for hire cars, prices are insane!

          • jimbobaus on 21/04/2021 - 09:37

            @JimmyF: Did not know that.
            Car hire places in Vic always seem to have too many cars sitting on their lots.

            With Budget/Thrifty/Europcar etc being franchises (with some exceptions) it probably means they cant move cars around to where they are needed

  • pegaxs on 21/04/2021 - 08:09
    +3

    Scamtree or Fartbook and look for a dunger with 3 months rego on it… it may cost you more than the $2300 you have already quoted though once you factor in insurance, transfers, etc.

    Beg/borrow. Got friends with a spare car they don’t use regularly? Offer to rent it off them for the time and pay less than $25/day.

    Go get/car next door type rentals where you only take the car when you need it.

    Buy an electric assist bicycle and ride to work. Upside is it’s cheap and you get to ride to work. Downside, it’s going to get cold soon…

    Scooter/small motorbike. Easy to get through traffic, easy to park, super cheap to run. Downside, license and extra gear would probably put you over your budget.

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 08:20

      Beg/borrow. Got friends with a spare car they don’t use regularly? Offer to rent it off them for the time and pay less than $25/day.

      Doing this right now!

      it’s going to get cold soon…

      Yes, that's why 2 wheelers are impossible.

      • bobbified on 21/04/2021 - 09:27
        +1

        Yes, that's why 2 wheelers are impossible.

        In cold weather, the shrinkage is real! 🤣

        • pegaxs on 21/04/2021 - 09:59
          +1

          In cold weather, the shrinkage is real!

          Real men who ride in winter don't worry about shrinkage because their balls are brass and brass has a very low linear expansion coefficient :D

          • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 10:10

            @pegaxs: Although metals being good conductors of heat I cannot image the constant pain in the surrounding area.

          • bobbified on 21/04/2021 - 10:18

            @pegaxs: I didn't mention how much shrinkage. Ever seen a wrecking ball before? Now just think about two of those things next to each other 😊

  • pharkurnell on 21/04/2021 - 11:33
    +2

    Why are you not buying your Prado now?

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 12:24

      I need to wait for my permanent residency to get a car loan approval to buy a Prado.

      • LFO on 22/04/2021 - 12:58

        I suggested that as well: buying a Prado now.

        I understood money wasn't an issue. Why a car loan then? To end up paying more?

        • FrugalDealSeeker on 22/04/2021 - 21:00

          I understood money wasn't an issue. Why a car loan then? To end up paying more?

          Actually, to avoid earning less. Currently, my investments on average have a better ROI than what I'd end up saving in interest. It does not make sense to me to spend $40k-$50k upfront if the market return on these investments is going to be more than what I'd lose in interest.

          • LFO on 23/04/2021 - 16:09

            @FrugalDealSeeker: Loans have fees and charges (set up, monthly, etc) of all kinds.
            Hidden, semi hidden (like higher and compulsory full car insurance) and obvious, all of them.

            For the looks of it, having to "rent" a vehicle is another hidden/obvious extra charge. Wasted money.

            If ALL those charges and fees are accounted then is fine.

            Not sure what sort of investment is that but good for you if it is.

  • Euphemistic on 21/04/2021 - 12:12
    +2

    Sounds like you have cash on hand. Just buy a hatch or sedan for around $5k. Pick a reputable and popular model. Petrol, manual, and Japanese or Korean. Sell or trade it when you upgrade.

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 12:37

      The issue with this is we lose around $500 inc. RWC, transfer and rego + monthly insurance, each time we switch before factoring in depreciation. Although I guess that is still OK compared to $2400 on a rental car. Will work it out and see how it goes.

      • Thrawn on 21/04/2021 - 14:30

        Insurance addition on a rental car is going to cost a lot more…

      • Euphemistic on 21/04/2021 - 15:13
        +1

        Depreciation on a $5k car will be very little over a few months. Yes it will cost you in transfer fees, but you’ve got $2300 hire costs to cover. You’d be paying insurance on a car you own anyway.

  • No on 21/04/2021 - 12:19

    Checkout carnextdoor, I borrowed a car from them once. The car wasn't in the greatest condition but it was very cheap.

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 21/04/2021 - 12:38

      Yep, that's where I got $25/day for a Camry in my area. I was just wondering if could get a cheaper deal if I said I wanted for a longer term.

      • djprima on 21/04/2021 - 13:47

        Yes this can be arranged if the owner is willing to. Source: I'm a car next door owner

  • spackbace on 21/04/2021 - 13:17
    +9

    Buy a $5k Corolla

    Sell for $5k in a few months

  • HeWhoKnows on 22/04/2021 - 08:46

    Rental option @ $25/day is very good

    • near new car
    • includes registration, insurance and service/repairs
    • no depreciation or loss

    Otherwise buy a cheap car and then sell when you no longer require it……
    RISKS:
    Might turn out to be a bomb and cost a heap to fix ending up in a huge loss
    Need to pay for rego, insurance, service and repairs
    Might need to cop a loss on the sale
    Lost time searching for a used car - could take weeks!

    • FrugalDealSeeker on 22/04/2021 - 13:13

      Otherwise buy a cheap car and then sell when you no longer require it……

      I am actually considering this, a $2000 - $3000 Toyota or Honda as that is what I would pay on rent anyway.

      • Euphemistic on 22/04/2021 - 15:16

        $2-3k would be my budget if I needed a car at short notice, such as waiting for insurance to process. But… I’m reasonably mechanically competent and can usually fix cheaply things that light go wrong with a cheap car. If I didn’t know cars, I’d be looking $5-7k.

  • OzHunterNSW on 22/04/2021 - 12:05

    If money is not an option… move closer to work

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