Long-Term Car Rental vs. Buying Pros & Cons: Which is better? | SIXT rent a car Magazine (2024)

It’s no secret that buying a car is not cheap. There is the cost of the car itself – either upfront or through monthly payments – plus insurance, parking, and upkeep and repairs. When all that is added up, you might be tempted to do the math on whether a long-term car rental is a better deal. We have rounded up some of the pros and cons of long term car rental vs buying a car in order to help you decide based on your needs and circ*mstances.

Buying a Car: Pros and Cons

In most of the United States and other countries around the world, having a car is a necessity. But it also costs money, and it can be hard to decide if making a commitment to buy a car rather than a long-term rental or leased car is worth it. Here are some things to think about before you decide to buy a car.

Pros of buying a car

  • You are the owner!
  • You can customize the car if you want to.
  • Your money is going toward owning the car.
  • You have the option of selling the car or trading it in if you want to upgrade.
  • There are no monthly mileage limits to worry about.

Cons of buying a car

  • Monthly payments are often higher than renting or leasing.
  • You might need to take out a loan to pay for it.
  • The car depreciates in value.
  • You are responsible for repair costs (after the warranty ends, if new).
Long-Term Car Rental vs. Buying Pros & Cons: Which is better? | SIXT rent a car Magazine (1)

Long Term Car Rental: Pros and Cons

If you are looking at a long term car rental or leasing a car, there are some things to consider before choosing this option over buying a car. Many people choose to lease or rent a car long term because they can drive a new car that they could not normally afford to buy. SIXT rent a car has great long-term car rental offers.

Pros of a long term rental

  • The monthly cost is often lower than a traditional auto loan payment.
  • You are (usually) not responsible for repairs needed on your car for the length of the lease or rental.
  • Renting or leasing a new-model car is cheaper than buying one.
  • You don’t need to try to sell the car when you want to upgrade.

Cons of a long term rental

  • There are monthly or yearly mileage limits for rented and leased cars.
  • It is hard to get out of a lease contract early.
  • Fees and penalties are common with leased cars if you don’t take care of maintenance, make a late payment, go over your mileage limit, etc.
  • You don’t have the possibility of making money with the sale of the car at the end of your lease or rental contract like you do when you own it.

Renting Vs. Buying: Which is Better?

Both options have their plusses and minuses, but ultimately the decision comes down to your budget and how much you will use the vehicle. If you are set on driving a new-model car that would otherwise be out of your price range, or only need a vehicle for a fixed period of time, a long-term rental might be for you. And if you use your car a lot, driving long distances, and want the freedom of being able to sell your vehicle, buying a car might be the better option.

Long-Term Car Rental vs. Buying Pros & Cons: Which is better? | SIXT rent a car Magazine (2024)

FAQs

Why is renting a car better than buying a car? ›

No wear-and-tear maintenance costs: You won't have to pay for things like new brakes or tires on your long-term car rental. Lower insurance premiums: A lender may require coverages and limits for car insurance beyond what your state laws may require.

What's the main advantage of buying a used car from a rental car company? ›

PROS: — A way to save: Rental companies purchase their vehicles in volume and at a discounted rate. In turn, they are able to sell them at lower prices than a traditional dealership would. On average, the discounts could be 10% or more depending on the vehicle.

What is the best company to rent a car from? ›

Read on for all of our picks for the Best Car Rental Companies so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
  • Best Overall: Hertz »
  • Best Budget: Alamo »
  • Best for Businesses: National Car Rental »
  • Best for Comprehensive Loyalty Program: Budget »
  • Best for Luxury Rentals: Enterprise »
  • Best Global Availability: Avis »

Why is rental car insurance unnecessary? ›

Rental car insurance can be expensive — it can easily double your rental costs if you purchase a full coverage package. You also technically don't need to purchase insurance since rental cars are automatically covered for the minimum requirements in their state. However, it can still be worth it in some situations.

Why is it better to buy then rent? ›

The benefits of owning a home instead of renting offer buyers several tax advantages, the ability to grow equity, and of course a place to call your own. It's also a feel-good milestone that offers a sense of pride and accomplishment.

What are 3 cons of leasing a car? ›

Cons of Leasing a Car
  • You Don't Own the Car. The obvious downside to leasing a car is that you don't own the car at the end of the lease. ...
  • It Might Not Save You Money. ...
  • Leasing Can Be More Complicated Than Buying. ...
  • Leased Cars Are Restricted to a Limited Number of Miles. ...
  • Increased Insurance Premiums.

Why are rental cars sold so cheap? ›

Some of the differences may come from their condition or mileage, but it also stems from the fact that rental car companies buy in high volume. As a result, they don't pay the same prices when they purchase their vehicles new as other buyers do. They can afford to sell them for less.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a used car from a dealer? ›

+ More likely to find best possible purchase price but not the best cars! + Offers more legal protection than buying from a private party, because of the stringent laws dealerships must follow. + They have to provide a car history check. + They have a reputation to lose!

What are rental risk units? ›

These are “rental risk” vehicles: Rental car companies bought them outright from the automakers and then sell them two years or so later at whatever price the market might bear – as opposed to vehicles that rental car companies buy with repurchase guarantees where the automakers agree in advance to buy them back at ...

Is Hertz or Enterprise better? ›

Customers looking for availability, selection, cheaper rates, and a better overall experience typically find that on an Enterprise lot. However, Hertz comes in close second with the lowest rates for drivers under 25 and plenty of luxury models in its fleet.

What is the number one car rental company in the world? ›

Enterprise

Which is better Alamo or Enterprise? ›

Enterprise ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction for the second year in a row, followed by National and Alamo in third place. “Enterprise's chief strength is delivering value for the price paid for the rental car,” says Taylor.

Do you need extra insurance when renting a car in USA? ›

It would be very unusual for anyone to need to buy extra insurance from a rental car company. For most people, their personal auto insurance policy will take care of anything that might happen while they're renting. It's smarter to keep your personal policy up to date and save money by skipping the extra coverage.

What is a key thing you should do before lending your car to a friend or family member? ›

Does the driver have a safe driving record? You should not loan out a vehicle to someone who does not have a clean driving record. Look at the state records to find out if the driver has any past conviction for reckless driving.

What does Allianz rental car insurance cover? ›

Our car rental insurance product is called OneTrip Rental Car Protector and provides primary coverage for covered collision, loss and damage up to $50,000, along with 24-hour emergency assistance.

Is it better to rent a car or get mileage? ›

Save money by renting vehicles (often at discounted corporate rates) instead of paying for mileage reimbursem*nt. Reducing insurance and liability risk for employees. Providing reliable, late-model vehicles with modern safety features.

Is it better to lease or finance a car? ›

In the short term, it's generally cheaper to lease a car due to less stringent down payment requirements, lower monthly payments and minimal maintenance and repair costs. In the long run, however, you may be able to save more by buying a car because you'll retain all the equity you build as you pay down the loan.

Why leasing a car is smart? ›

Lower upfront and monthly costs: Leases often require a low or no down payment, and monthly payments are typically lower compared to auto loans. You can also expect repair costs to be lower, so you don't have to set aside as much money to anticipate those.

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