Rent or drive your own car for long trip

[rockford33]

Just curious what other people usually do. For a long trip (less than a plane ride, maybe 9-10 hours by car), I usually prefer to rent a car to save wear and tear on my wife's car (mine would be too small for that long of a trip ) and the extra miles and depreciation. She is in outside sales, so she drives a lot already (6500 miles in the past 3-1/2 months). She doesn't understand why I like to rent a car for these long trips (next trip will be about 1200 miles roundtrip, not including any driving once we get there).

So, what do you guys do?

[tmacsad]

I like to rent a vehicle when I go on a long excursion . For the simple fact that if it breaks down... I don't have to come out of pocket to fix it or get it towed back home.

[Tex Star Detail]

I like driving my own car. Nuff said. I can feel comfortable in it and not have to worry about every little thing...

[Mr. Clean]

I have taken both approaches, for our annual trek to CO. Certainly benefits and drawbacks to both approaches.

[BADLANDER]

drive my own haha



before my 2000mile road trip

[tmacsad]

Originally Posted by BADLANDER

drive my own haha



before my 2000mile road trip

[black bart]

Originally Posted by BADLANDER

drive my own haha



before my 2000mile road trip

On a 2000 mile trip if you had rented a economy car it would have saved enough in fuel to pay for the rental fee.

[Bunky]

I like driving my own car...that is why I have a car I like to drive.

[JohnHenry]

Originally Posted by Bunky

I like driving my own car...that is why I have a car I like to drive.

Exactly!

[Stephan]

Not sure if any of you guys watch Top Gear but they did a great challenge once where they drove across four states to determine whether it would be cheaper to rent a car, or buy one and then try to sell it at the end of the trip.

[Mr. Clean]

Originally Posted by Stephan

Not sure if any of you guys watch Top Gear but they did a great challenge once where they drove across four states to determine whether it would be cheaper to rent a car, or buy one and then try to sell it at the end of the trip.

Don't leave us hangin' Stephan. What was the outcome and how did they go about measuring their conclusions?

[Stephan]

YouTube - Top Gear America Challenge Part1 of 7

They started in Miami each given a $1000 and had to buy a car drive across the states and then sell them. I think in the end they just donated them, but its a fun challenge.

[mc2hill]

Originally Posted by Stephan

YouTube - Top Gear America Challenge Part1 of 7

They started in Miami each given a $1000 and had to buy a car drive across the states and then sell them. I think in the end they just donated them, but its a fun challenge.

Yea, but no one had a car with A/C that worked the whole trip, and they couldn't even give one of the cars away to Katrina victims!
The place they camped overnight is close to where I grew up in north FL.

[Ronkh]

Drive your own. If you bought it cuz you love it.If you hate it, rent something else.

[BADLANDER]

Originally Posted by black bart

On a 2000 mile trip if you had rented a economy car it would have saved enough in fuel to pay for the rental fee.

spent just over $300 for gas, it wasnt that bad