If you had trouble and were not near a large city you may have trouble finding a shop that will work on a Prius. If your going to be near me let me know.
Road Trip - Drive My Own Car or Rent?
- Thread starter The Critic
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Rent something from Hertz. Peace of mind and the trip can be just about ruined if the car suffers a breakdown.
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Get a reduced Airfare fly where you're going and rent when you get there.
Originally Posted by madRiver
The chances of anything happening are pretty low and you'll save the $170.
Minus the wear and tear on your car. Even at a conservative 10 cents/mile of wear & tear ($80), then the rental is only a $90 difference. Anyone have wear and tear cost figures? The IRS allotment of about 55 cents/mile covers everything.
Be careful to investigate rental car insurance, whether it's through your own insurance or through the rental company. Through a second party will add to the cost. Rental agency insurance can be $30/day while going through places like Expedia is about $10/day. You hear horror stories all the time of people getting hosed due to rental car damage.
https://www.allstate.com/tr/car-insurance/rental-car-insurance.aspx
"Collision/loss damage waiver (also known as an LDW or CDW) isn't technically insurance. If you damage the rental car, this waiver may help cover the cost of repairing it. The waiver typically excludes coverage for damage caused by speeding or driving on unpaved roads. An LDW may duplicate your existing coverage if you have collision and comprehensive coverage on your own car. However, if you've dropped collision or comprehensive coverage from your policy, and you don't purchase the waiver, you would likely have to pay for damage you cause to the rental car. Additionally, a rental agency could charge you for "loss of use" of the car (lost rental income) while the car is in the shop being repaired. Your own auto policy typically won't reimburse you for that. Be sure to read your car rental agreement carefully to clarify what kinds of charges you could incur if you were to damage the vehicle."
The chances of anything happening are pretty low and you'll save the $170.
Minus the wear and tear on your car. Even at a conservative 10 cents/mile of wear & tear ($80), then the rental is only a $90 difference. Anyone have wear and tear cost figures? The IRS allotment of about 55 cents/mile covers everything.
Be careful to investigate rental car insurance, whether it's through your own insurance or through the rental company. Through a second party will add to the cost. Rental agency insurance can be $30/day while going through places like Expedia is about $10/day. You hear horror stories all the time of people getting hosed due to rental car damage.
https://www.allstate.com/tr/car-insurance/rental-car-insurance.aspx
"Collision/loss damage waiver (also known as an LDW or CDW) isn't technically insurance. If you damage the rental car, this waiver may help cover the cost of repairing it. The waiver typically excludes coverage for damage caused by speeding or driving on unpaved roads. An LDW may duplicate your existing coverage if you have collision and comprehensive coverage on your own car. However, if you've dropped collision or comprehensive coverage from your policy, and you don't purchase the waiver, you would likely have to pay for damage you cause to the rental car. Additionally, a rental agency could charge you for "loss of use" of the car (lost rental income) while the car is in the shop being repaired. Your own auto policy typically won't reimburse you for that. Be sure to read your car rental agreement carefully to clarify what kinds of charges you could incur if you were to damage the vehicle."
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Do you have AAA?
Does $167 a week include insurance or does your current insurance/credit card cover rental car insurance? Since we're talking risk here, getting into an accident or a fender bender is a much greater risk than a mechanical breakdown. So I would make sure I was covered.
Honestly I would just drive my own vehicle if it were me. Your car isn't exactly a beater yet and you have maintained it to a greater standard than most cars on the road. What's good is all of that work for if you cannot trust your car when push comes to shove?
Does $167 a week include insurance or does your current insurance/credit card cover rental car insurance? Since we're talking risk here, getting into an accident or a fender bender is a much greater risk than a mechanical breakdown. So I would make sure I was covered.
Honestly I would just drive my own vehicle if it were me. Your car isn't exactly a beater yet and you have maintained it to a greater standard than most cars on the road. What's good is all of that work for if you cannot trust your car when push comes to shove?
If the car is comfortable and well maintained, I would be inclined to drive it. Or, if you want to drive something different, rent. A V6 Charger is a decent car to drive on the highway. Don't forget the additional gas cost differential of 25mpg instead of 48. That could be another $50
I don't give it too much thought when planning 2K+ mile trips in either of my 180K mile cars. I think more about using up some of the remaining life than I worry about being stranded. Neither of mine are known to be as reliable as a Prius, but I don't know the history of your car, or your regular driving pattern. My weekend miles are frequently put on 500+ at a time with a trailer attached. A regular week of driving to work is several hundred miles with many heat cycles and lots of stop and go traffic. So for me, an 800 mile round trip on the highway sounds like less risk than a normal week at home.
That being said, I do carry a spare cam/crank position sensor and the tool to replace whichever one might fail in the same kit as my tire plug kit. Those are the most likely things to cause my car to fail in the near future, but I have not yet had an issue that prevented me from completing my trip or had to do any mid-trip detours or mechanical work.
I don't give it too much thought when planning 2K+ mile trips in either of my 180K mile cars. I think more about using up some of the remaining life than I worry about being stranded. Neither of mine are known to be as reliable as a Prius, but I don't know the history of your car, or your regular driving pattern. My weekend miles are frequently put on 500+ at a time with a trailer attached. A regular week of driving to work is several hundred miles with many heat cycles and lots of stop and go traffic. So for me, an 800 mile round trip on the highway sounds like less risk than a normal week at home.
That being said, I do carry a spare cam/crank position sensor and the tool to replace whichever one might fail in the same kit as my tire plug kit. Those are the most likely things to cause my car to fail in the near future, but I have not yet had an issue that prevented me from completing my trip or had to do any mid-trip detours or mechanical work.
Originally Posted by The Critic
Originally Posted by 02SE
I would sell any car I owned that I didn't trust to make it 800 miles.
It is also a question of risk. Sure, it is one of the better Toyota's you can buy. But in theory, any car with 182K miles has a greater likelihood of mechanical breakdown than one with 30K (or less). When you are traveling thru deserted areas with no services, this is a consideration.
The oldest vehicle I own is 21 years old, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. The only reason I have it is winter driving, and off road exploring in remote, deserted areas with no services, including no cellphone service.
But for sure it's your call on what you're comfortable with.
Originally Posted by 02SE
I would sell any car I owned that I didn't trust to make it 800 miles.
It is also a question of risk. Sure, it is one of the better Toyota's you can buy. But in theory, any car with 182K miles has a greater likelihood of mechanical breakdown than one with 30K (or less). When you are traveling thru deserted areas with no services, this is a consideration.
The oldest vehicle I own is 21 years old, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. The only reason I have it is winter driving, and off road exploring in remote, deserted areas with no services, including no cellphone service.
But for sure it's your call on what you're comfortable with.
JHZR2
Staff member
I'd normally say to drive your own car. You own it, know it, there's no good reason to think that reliability would be suspect, you're not going THAT far, etc.
But $167/week all in? That includes ALL the surcharges and fees and taxes?!?!?
Your fuel bill per mile will be higher, but it's only like 20c/ mile to use. Insurance is a sunk cost on your Prius. So the question is if per mile,depreciation on your car is less or more than 20c. I'd guess less. But it's another 800 miles you don't have to put on your car.
I'd heavily consider renting IF it's truly that much all in.
But $167/week all in? That includes ALL the surcharges and fees and taxes?!?!?
Your fuel bill per mile will be higher, but it's only like 20c/ mile to use. Insurance is a sunk cost on your Prius. So the question is if per mile,depreciation on your car is less or more than 20c. I'd guess less. But it's another 800 miles you don't have to put on your car.
I'd heavily consider renting IF it's truly that much all in.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Without a doubt, drive your own car. If you can't trust it for only 800 miles, you should find a newer car.
As I've said many times before, I'd hop in my old 232k mile Camry and drive it to New York and back without batting an eyelash.
Now if you're bored of your car and want to try something else, then go ahead. But don't rent a Sentra or a Camry or something. It needs to be something cool, like a Challenger as rooflessVW said, or a nice Camaro or something.
As I've said many times before, I'd hop in my old 232k mile Camry and drive it to New York and back without batting an eyelash.
Now if you're bored of your car and want to try something else, then go ahead. But don't rent a Sentra or a Camry or something. It needs to be something cool, like a Challenger as rooflessVW said, or a nice Camaro or something.
I would drive my 83 Caprice 800 miles without worry. That's what I have CAA/AAA for. The worst issue I had a long trip was my driver's window getting stuck down on a cold day on the highway and a washer pump failed in a bad snowstorm.
My 2007 Corolla has 165k miles, I usually rent for trips. Gives you a new car to drive and removes most possibility of stress! For that price, id rent. Enjoy the trip
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
I'd say you answered your question by asking it. If driving your Prius distracts you in the least wondering about it's health then rent a car. Maybe something you might not consider owning. Yes, something *MIGHT* go wrong with a late model low mileage rental car but a phone call gets you a replacement.
In earlier times I did repairs a couple of times on trips because the car I had was what I had. I recall not thinking it a great adventure. Now our road trips are almost always about the destination not the trip there and back, a questionable car would not be appreciated. Interesting the number of guys who say they like that little bit of a gamble.
In earlier times I did repairs a couple of times on trips because the car I had was what I had. I recall not thinking it a great adventure. Now our road trips are almost always about the destination not the trip there and back, a questionable car would not be appreciated. Interesting the number of guys who say they like that little bit of a gamble.
I don't like gamble. I even remember when I was a kid we had to rent a car just to drive 5 hours to visit family at Christmas, but that was because my parents car at the time was a 1984 Plymouth reliant (k car) that wasn't reliable even when brand new.
I've driven far enough the last 8 years in my 1983 to not worry about it breaking down anymore. Anything can happen with any car really.
I've driven far enough the last 8 years in my 1983 to not worry about it breaking down anymore. Anything can happen with any car really.
How many times has the car broken down in the last 2000 miles? Highway miles are very easy on vehicles, if it hasn't broken down recently, it is unlikely to break down on your trip. I don't think that there is much risk in driving your Prius since you have taken such good care of it. But, if driving it is going to stress you out on the trip, then rent. Life is too short.
Treat yourself. Spend even more and rent a convertible if the forecast calls for sun in SoCal.
I think you are over thinking the need for a rental.
Make it about a treat and rent something a little more fun than a Prius.
I think you are over thinking the need for a rental.
Make it about a treat and rent something a little more fun than a Prius.
The Prius isn't the best for road trippin', even a 3 hour jaunt to Tahoe is painful unless I stop somewhere to stretch. The car can make it, but I'd rent unless you want to be sore and antsy.
But then again, I know plenty of people who traveled across the state or country in a Fit.
But then again, I know plenty of people who traveled across the state or country in a Fit.
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4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Of course if you rent from National … you can walk out and grab what catches your eye … regardless of ownership … I always get something better from them -vs- Enterprise
Enterprise owns National which is geared more towards the business traveler. Plus National retires their cars between 20-25k miles.
Originally Posted by 02SE
I would sell any car I owned that I didn't trust to make it 800 miles.
Agreed .
I would sell any car I owned that I didn't trust to make it 800 miles.
Agreed .
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