Consumer Review: U-Car Versus ZipCar
Posted by Alerts For Consumers at Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:15:00 GMT and is filed under Free Consumer Reports,Other Consumer Goods 
Categories: Car Share, ZipCar, U-Car, car sharing programs, consumer review
Car sharing is the latest alternative to owning, leasing or renting a vehicle. Conducive for the environment and from a financial standpoint, car sharing is a viable transportation solution.
While ZipCar leads the nation standard in car sharing made simple, one more car sharing program plans to vie for the consumer share. U-Haul International, Inc. has a new product offering, called U Car. TheConsumerJournal reviewed and compared the two programs:
| U-Car | ZipCar | |
| Annual Rate | $50/per year | $50/per year |
| Other Fees | $25 application fee -- $10/per hour or $65 a day | $25 application fee - A monthly minimum commitment ranging between $50 and $250. |
| Benefits | -- Includes gas, parking and insurance -125 miles/per day -- Hassle-free pricing -- Offers fixed prices -- For an extra $30, has a special night time car share program | -- Includes gas, parking and insurance -- 180 miles per/day -- Offers a nice program variety (occasional - regular use) -- Features value programs (priced at $50 -$250) per month with rollover credits -- Convenient vehicle pick up |
| Drawbacks | -- Not available in all cities, such as NYC and Los Angeles -- Reserving a car is a little more involved (Reserve via Internet and then wait for a confirmation). | --Offers a one time free car share program modification. All other program/service changes incur a $25 fee -- The monthly commitment car share program requires more planning |
Consumer tip: In cases where a vehicle is needed for more than four-hours, a car rental maybe more financially feasible. To determine the cost efficacy of renting a car for a day to the fees involved in a car sharing program--remember to include all costs in the comparison.
Holly Bentz (c) 2008 fruitionmedia.net
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