Zipcar, any good?

[M.C]

Does anyone use Zipcar, what's it like and do you think it's good value?

Also was wondering after seeing a number of the dented vans driving about, are you held liable for any damage you fail to report (say if you missed it)?

[Alpineandy]

I've never used it but have friends in London that don't have much use for a car (and no space for one), so when they do, they use a car club like zip car and they're very happy with the deal. No idea about the vans....
____________________
The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Ste]

https://www.zipcar.co.uk/what-is-zipcar

[M.C]

[Ste]

That link is for people who've got no idea what Zipcar is.

[Rogerborg]

I think that in principle car clubbing makes sense. I've got a car sitting around depreciating. On the very rare occasion when I need it, it would almost certainly be cheaper to rent one - if it were sitting around within easy walking distance.

[hellkat]

I have a zipcar account. It's very useful when you can't be arsed paying for all the car-related things that owning a car imposes upon you.

You have to remember to remove the £15 a month insurance thing (or you can leave it running if you use them quite often) else it gets expensive

The quality of the cars is pretty good, usually all new and in good nick.

You're not supposed to smoke in them, for the good of all users, although I suspect some people do.

Sometimes it's rather annoying when someone hasn't filled up (supposed to keep it at least 1/4 of a tank full) and you *are* supposed to write in the booklet if you ding the car but I suspect many bumps aren't written down if they are too small. None are majorly smashed up.

The vans are almost always in good nick. Although they can be a bugger to book: people book them for the whole weekend sometimes. But if you think about what you want to do in advance, you can usually find one reasonably close by.

It's just a matter of having a way to get to where they are parked, and a way of getting home again - but they quite literally are parked all over town. Our nearest cars (and vans) are just a ten minute bike-ride away, and (happily) in a secure compound so you can leave the bike there safely.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[hellkat]

Ah sorry just saw the other bit of the question.
Dunno how hard they chase about major dings.

I've not used any that have had loads of dents in, or inflicted any myself.


I suppose how draconian they are might depend on whether you write it in the book in the glovebox, as well as whether the next person after you complains that its been unreported when they went to use the van.

They can be quite pedantic about stuff, but it keeps the quality up.

I find it reasonable value for money but that's mainly from a convenience point of view. If you don't let the monthly premiums renew themselves unnecessarily, it can be a reasonably-priced way of having a decent-quality car for a few hours, but I do think it's really only a metrosexual sort of thing, the concept wouldn't work so well in smaller towns.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[hellkat]

And the best thing is you don't actually pay for the petrol
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[dydey90]

For the vans, I use Hertz 24/7. They have them at B&Q, Costco and Ikea, maybe other places by now. I think they're intended for shifting large pieces of furniture, but it's just a straightforward hourly rental at a flat rate, no extras and there's a fuel card in there so no paying for fuel.
____________________
This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[hellkat]

[M.C]

Yeah a friend told me about them, no membership fee. I think he rented one for 2 hours and moved house.

[Northern Monkey]

Sounds a massive pain in the arse. But then everything about London is a massive pain the arse so it fits in well.
____________________
Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk