3 ms·

When you factor in gas, Zipcar can easily be cheaper. If you live in SF, for instance, Zipcar is most likely the cheapest way to rent a car to go to Tahoe. On

When you factor in gas, Zipcar can easily be cheaper. If you live in SF, for instance, Zipcar is most likely the cheapest way to rent a car to go to Tahoe. On a trip last year my (Zip)car beat the other car by about $20 after all was said and done. So the $75/day can be misleading at times. Also, unrelated, Zipcar allows members who are under 25, which makes it much more expensive to rent a car from a traditional place like Enterprise. Being currently under 25, this is a massive benefit.

Brushfire 17y ago
Interesting. I'm based in Chicago. That said, I literally just drove the San Fran to Tahoe drive after visiting VC firms in the bay area 2 weeks ago. We did it in a National rented vehicle (granted it was carrying 7 people..) and our gas bill was only $90. And that was in a Toyota Sequoia, so I've got to assume a compact car would be something like $40-$50 (feel free to correct me). If you rented the car for $30/day (normal rental, not a Sequoia), then it would be way cheaper. Rental $30*4 + $40 = $160 Zipcar $75*4 = $300 I'm not trying to argue unnecessarily, I just see Zipcar as smart for trips < 2 days only. I think that's the customer they are targeting, too. Also, its great to know that as gas prices go up, Zipcar becomes a better option.
- smokey_the_bear 17y ago
  On ZipCar I can get a Subaru Impreza for $66/day. For a three day Tahoe trip, that's a great deal. Renting a 4wd drive vehicle from a rental agency is way more than $30 a day.
- evansolomon 17y ago
  It works out better for a two day trip, since that's a much higher gas/day ratio. Also, as someone else mentioned, there is a huge benefit to having a 4wd vehicle in this case, and the premium for that at traditional rental car companies is significant. I mostly agree re: the 2 day statement.

3 ms·

When you factor in gas, Zipcar can easily be cheaper. If you live in SF, for instance, Zipcar is most likely the cheapest way to rent a car to go to Tahoe. On

by evansolomon 17y ago

Brushfire 17y ago
Interesting. I'm based in Chicago. That said, I literally just drove the San Fran to Tahoe drive after visiting VC firms in the bay area 2 weeks ago. We did it in a National rented vehicle (granted it was carrying 7 people..) and our gas bill was only $90. And that was in a Toyota Sequoia, so I've got to assume a compact car would be something like $40-$50 (feel free to correct me). If you rented the car for $30/day (normal rental, not a Sequoia), then it would be way cheaper. Rental $30*4 + $40 = $160 Zipcar $75*4 = $300 I'm not trying to argue unnecessarily, I just see Zipcar as smart for trips < 2 days only. I think that's the customer they are targeting, too. Also, its great to know that as gas prices go up, Zipcar becomes a better option.
- smokey_the_bear 17y ago
  On ZipCar I can get a Subaru Impreza for $66/day. For a three day Tahoe trip, that's a great deal. Renting a 4wd drive vehicle from a rental agency is way more than $30 a day.
- evansolomon 17y ago
  It works out better for a two day trip, since that's a much higher gas/day ratio. Also, as someone else mentioned, there is a huge benefit to having a 4wd vehicle in this case, and the premium for that at traditional rental car companies is significant. I mostly agree re: the 2 day statement.