Used car for 3 months (under $3000)
I'm in need of a car for about three months in Atlanta, GA area. Are long-term rentals a better option or is buying a used car and drive for 3 months better?
I'm wondering what are some good models of used car in the price range. How hard is it to get rid of the car at the end of the three months?
Does it matter if I'm not a resident of GA state? And since I don't own a car or insurance right now, how much would insurance roughly cost for 3 months?
I'm wondering what are some good models of used car in the price range. How hard is it to get rid of the car at the end of the three months?
Does it matter if I'm not a resident of GA state? And since I don't own a car or insurance right now, how much would insurance roughly cost for 3 months?
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Most $3000 used cars are questionable at best. You *might* score a large, older American sedan from an elderly couple, and that could work out for you, but any Japanese or German car for $3000 is more likely to be a costly headache. If you figure $3,000 to buy, + $300 for tax and registration + at least $400 for 3 months insurance (if not more), you're at $3700 with no repairs. Let's throw in another $500 for needed repairs (if you're lucky), and we are at $4200. Let's say you sell it for a "need to leave town" price of $2200.
So it has cost you $2000 for 3 months, which is probably close to the 3 months rental, and a lot more stressful and in a dumpy old car.
On the other hand, a rental company will sell you liability insurance but that's about $12 a day. So that may end up costing more than $2000.
You need to call up the car rental places (and even a "rent a wreck") and figure this out more precisely.
There's no clear answer here but if you can get a car rental and insurance for about $2000--$2200, I think that's the best bet.
Remember, if this $3000 car dies on you, you've lost everything anyway.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Should I go with the Hertz and pay $3008 plus three months insurance? Or is buying a used car a better option compared to this price? Thanks!
Try Fox car rentals. They are cheaper sometimes.
(Unfortunately Fox car rentals does not serve GA area)
Is there a Zipcar in Atlanta? Maybe you don't need a car 24/7 anyway.
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Seems like a convoluted situation. Uber and ZipCar if you don't need it daily could be the cheapest option of all.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
@sp_1994, some dealers rent cars and some may be okay with a long-term rental, perhaps something they have on the used lot that's not moving. Maybe not in Atlanta though. Be worth making a few calls if you run out of leads.
Does anyone know how insurance works? Their insurance is $8 a day and adds up to a lot for three months. I don't have car insurance, and heard insurance companies won't insure rental cars?
And a rental company typically doesn't include insurance with their rate. Usually, it's an option you can add because they assume you already have your own insurance policy. Some companies do include insurance with the price of renting one of their cars, so be sure to ask or read the fine print." (Allstate)
Insurance isn't cheap period. I'm in an inexpensive area for car insurance and I'm still paying about $2.20 a day for insuring my one older vehicle.
3 Ways to Avoid Costly Rental Car Insurance (credit.com)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://bestride.com/blog/steven-lang-wants-to-help-you-get-started-as-a-car-dealer/11299/
And his kinja account:
https://kinja.com/StevenLang
I've read many of his articles and he seems to be a straight shooter.