The benefit to third-party services is that they're usually much cheaper than the OEM options, and represent lower-cost ways of getting into a vehicle. Borrow is an electric car-only subscription service that will give you an EV for three, six or nine months at a time.
Borrow functions more like a rental service since all vehicles remain the property of Borrow. The EVs that it provides to customers are all used and available in the Los Angeles area only. Customers can currently choose from four tiers of electric vehicles, each with different pricing. The second-lowest-cost tier is the "City" plan. The next step up is the "Premium" plan. Insurance is not included with the monthly subscription fee but Borrow says that it can assist with finding insurance and bundle it with your monthly payment.
Maintenance and roadside assistance are both included. Borrow is the most lifestyle-focused of the third-party options with its promises of swag bags, new products, event and restaurant discounts. While it might be good for someone who's in Los Angeles for a predetermined length of time, with used EV prices being what they are, it's probably not a great option for someone who is living there permanently, kind of like a furnished apartment near a movie studio.
Now, this is a pricey option for solidly "meh" rental cars, but the upside is that you get unlimited mileage for the length of your rental, though you will have to return your vehicle to one of the five currently participating rental locations.
Is it worth it? Maybe, if you need to pile miles on a company car but your business doesn't want to buy or lease. Sixt may not be as familiar to most Americans as Hertz or Budget, for example, but the European rental car company has been carving out a foothold here by offering slightly different cars than you'd expect for rentals at decent prices.
Now the company has decided to follow after its big, yellow competitor not into bankruptcy into the car subscription game with its Sixt Plus program.
Like most subscription services, buyers are able to select a tier of vehicle and for a set monthly price you get access to that car with things like maintenance, registration and the ability to swap for a different vehicle once a year.
Want to move a few rungs up the ladder, so to speak? Climb in the driver's seat for the latest car news and reviews, delivered to your inbox twice weekly. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Roadshow editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Kyle Hyatt , Sean Szymkowski. Volvo Care by Volvo. Jump to details. See at Care by Volvo. Genesis Genesis Spectrum. See at Genesis Spectrum. See at Pivotal by Jaguar Land Rover.
Nissan Nissan Switch. See at Nissan Switch. Porsche Porsche Drive — Subscription. See at Porsche Drive — Subscription.
Porsche Porsche Drive — Rental. See at Porsche Drive — Rental. Porsche Porsche Host. See at Porsche Host. Most car subscription fees include the car itself, maintenance, repairs, and even car insurance. Some include a limited amount of "damage waiver," road hazard for any damage to your tires such as leaking air from running over a nail, or blowouts , as well as roadside assistance.
Car subscriptions are pricey and you don't build any equity. At this point, I'm still convinced that the subscription services are not for the average car buyer; they feel like a luxury service with a luxury price tag. While that may change in the future, it's very much the case at the moment.
Even if the expense doesn't dissuade you, it might not be a fit for your needs—or you may not be eligible. Most car subscriptions have a cap on the number of miles you can drive, so if you do a lot of driving, buying a car might be the best option for you.
Subscriptions also require you to be eligible, typically by passing both a credit check and qualifying for the program's car insurance. If you have multiple traffic infractions, such as DUIs, or subpar credit, you may not be eligible to subscribe. However, there is a definite shortage of vehicles available for purchase right now, which has led to skyrocketing car prices.
Investing in a short-term subscription service for a few months while prices stabilize might the keyword being "might" make sense if the numbers add up. While customers seem to be interested in the car subscription model, vehicle manufacturers don't seem to be extremely successful at keeping their programs running.
Perhaps it's the cost, the limited number of brands that currently offer them, or simply due to subscriptions not being widely publicized and available only in select cities when they are. Fair provides personalized pricing based on your subscription term and location. Most cars are in model years to The examples below are based on Florida rates for to models and a one-month subscription:. In general, most Fair cars provide 10, miles per year or roughly 27 miles per day.
Plus, Fair may charge some consumers a security deposit in addition to your down payment. Drive an unlimited number of luxurious Porsche models every month with the Porsche Drive car subscription program.
Porsche is well-known for its gorgeous sports cars, impeccable service, and personalized approach to car ownership. Its stellar service and reputation make Porsche Drive the best sports car subscription. Simply download the mobile app to start your application. All subscriptions come with insurance , roadside assistance, vehicle maintenance, and white-glove concierge services, such as car home delivery.
Single-Vehicle programs give you one Porsche for a one-month or three-month subscription. The available models and prices are:. The Multi-Vehicle programs feature unlimited vehicle exchanges. The programs are:. Similar to other subscription services, Porsche will add extra fees such as:. Sign up, pick your car, and even open your car doors using the top-rated Sixt mobile app.
In , Sixt started with three rental car vehicles. Now, Sixt operates in over countries and has more than 2, locations worldwide. The mobile apps have more than 36, reviews and nearly a five-star rating. It only takes a few minutes to set up your subscription online, and you can usually pick up your car the next day. All subscriptions include:. In the U. Examples of plan prices are:. The following are some examples of extra costs or add-on items:. However, companies offer very different terms.
Mileage allotments vary from to 3, miles per month, not all services include insurance, and there are plenty of extra fees. Hertz My Car is a trusted brand offering the best overall car subscription service.
Unlike other companies, Hertz is available nationwide, and the plans include insurance and a comfortable 2, miles per month. A car subscription works similar to other pay-as-you-go monthly programs, such as streaming music or video.
You get the car you want to drive for one month, or in some cases three or six months, and you pay a monthly fee until you return the vehicle. Like other monthly subscriptions, each company has different application requirements, mileage allotments, and car options.
Some let you complete your entire subscription experience via a mobile app, whereas others require a phone call or in-person visit. Plus, many services ask for a down payment, activation fee, or deposit. Plan costs vary widely and may be based on:. A car subscription is worth it if you need a quick or temporary solution. Or if you want to splurge a bit on a vehicle before committing to a longer-term loan or lease. In short, you sacrifice value to get a convenient, no-hassle new or like-new vehicle for a limited time.
To find the best car subscription services, we evaluated 20 companies. We looked at term lengths and plan costs, including extra one-time, monthly, or problem-specific fees. Then we considered the service areas, car types and variety, along with subscriber perks. Additionally, we read consumer reviews and tried out mobile apps. Lastly, we assessed the processes of applying, picking out a car, swapping, and returning a vehicle.
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