Need a car for three months -- budget advice?

[erincon23]

My DH has been out of work for well more than a year, working contract jobs and whatever he could find. For the last four months, he's been taking the train to downtown Chicago at least four days a week. DS18 took this semester off of college and has been home, so DH taking the train has been great -- we can go pick up the car at the station and use it for the day (I need my car every day).

DH had a second interview for a job yesterday and he's one of two "finalists" for the position (yay!). If he gets this job, he would have to drive every day, making us short one car. We are obviously not in a position to purchase a car, and we really only need one for the summer. But we would definitely need another car. In-laws have a second car that I really think is never used at this point -- DMIL is (I think, but I can't be positive) not driving due to knee and hip issues -- but as much as I love them, I don't know that we're comfortable approaching them about borrowing the car! My parents have a second car, but it would need about $2,000 worth of work to make it safe and driveable, so that's not an option.

I know, long story to get to the question -- anybody have any suggestions on getting a third car for three months? Do you know of anywhere that does really short-term leases? How might I find someone who has a few months left on a lease but wants to turn it in early? I think we will probably get up the nerve to ask the in-laws about their second car, but I don't expect them to be willing. Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[FINFAN]

maybe if you offered a monthly payment for the use of their car it may be more appealing to all? My DH gets a rental every week for travel but his company pays for it and it can be very pricy. Maybe try calling AAA and see if they have a suggestion for long term, or Enterprise..while it will be pricey, if they know they have a set term they may offer a discount. Good luck in the job for your DH!

 

[clh2]

I know several people who have "bought" an inexpensive car for a summer, and then sold it at the end of the summer. They do this when their college kids come home for the summer.

Is this an option for you?

 

[dawson5]

There is a site that helps you arrange to take over someone's lease. I forget the name, but if you google, you should find it. You really need to look hard at it though and there is a fee to do it. My husband and I toyed with this when his lease ran out and he only needed a car for a few months until he could drive the convertible for summer. He ended up driving mine, I didn't need to go far and could use the convertible to go to the store or run to the school, things like that. I didn't need it for a daily driver. (It's rear-wheel and stinks in the snow.)

 

[Forevryoung]

It sounds like your SON is the one who needs the car. Maybe he can call grandma and talk to her about it. Ask if he could use her car in exchange for running errands with her weekly or something.

I know that sometimes it's easier for me to approach things with my grandparents that didn't sound the best coming from my parents.

I know that if I had asked when my Grandfather was alive if I could borrow his car, he would have gladly let me borrow it (he stopped feeling comfortable driving but still owned a car).

 

[java]

So you have 2 cars now? Is that right?

I am unsure of your situation for needing your car everyday so I'll assume that's a no-choice you need it every day kind of thing.

DH needs the car for work. That's a non-negotiating situation.

What do you need the third car for? Are there other options? Is it for your son? Does he have a job? Can he buy a car for himself? Or take the bus? Or ride his bike?

We are in a similar situation. Right now we have 2 cars. DH is working nights right now so it is working. But if that changes we'll be in a different situation trying to work it out. I have my 17 year old saving for "his" car.

 

[brymolmom]

For just 3 months I would just work something out. For example, if your son isn't going to school - is he using the car for his own job?

I would look into the bus schedule for your son if you are anywhere near a bus line. I took a bus from the suburbs to the city one summer as a college student for my summer job because we were a car short and there wasn't one for me to borrow daily...If not, have your son look into a different schedule for work (maybe just evenings?) - so that you guys can share one car more easily. If it is for school....maybe just have him dropped off early in the morning and hang at the library doing his homework, etc. during his 'non class' times during the day and have dh pick him up on the way home from his work? Or, whether work or school, could dson work out a carpool with a friend (whom he could offer to pay, for example, $50 a week for the rides)? That would be a lot easier and cheaper than renting.

For 3 months, even though none of these options are likely the most desireable, I'm sure it's doable for a short timeframe like this.

 

[sharbear]

We had this situation and I rented a car for the summer. I found out about it from a neighbor. It was certainly easier than buying one and selling it. I paid the insurance on the car, just cancelled it at the end of the summer.

My SIL did the same thing. I think they worked out a deal with an auto dealer and paid something like 150.00/week Mine was cheaper 350.00/month I think. Her car was much nicer though, ours was not very nice.

One thing, it was easier for my H to drive the rented car than one of my kids. So the insurance was in his name.

I would have your S call his Grandma or your H call his mother and ask if they can borrow their car. My MIL would if she didn't need it, she has let her nephew borrow her car when they need an extra. Tell them you could pay the insurance on it and would pay for any damages. But I would think that having the older driver drive a rented/borrowed car is your best bet.

Google auto leasing in your city. I paid a security deposit and then paid a monthly rate. I think they debited it out of my checking account so they were sure I was going to pay. When I went to their offices, it was really busy and they were thrilled I had a steady job and no problems with insurance

 

[Padme]

Could joining a car sharing program help you?

http://www.igocars.org/how/

 

[erincon23]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not going to defend why we need a 3rd car and why WE'd be paying for it, not DS, just believe me when I say that going without a 3rd car is not an option (no bus lines, no car sharing in the area and we would need it too often -- although I think this is a terrific idea in general, and when DS is living on his own, that might be a good solution for him -- etc). With the inlaws' car, DS wouldn't be driving their car -- DH or I would, but they're a little prickly about some things (honestly, if my parent's 2nd car were "seaworthy," I know they wouldn't hesitate to lend it to us -- they have in the past). We may just scrape together the money and buy a beater -- but that would mean I would probably end up driving it because I'll be driving the shortest distances this summer...

 

[java]

When we were looking (with the job situations right now we are not looking) we were finding drivable beaters in the $1500-$2000 range. Holy smokes though some of them had such high mileage! Good luck to you and BEST OF LUCK to your DH and the job!

 

[erincon23]

That's about the range I was thinking. Although I think we're already in the beater range -- DH's car is 10 years old and has nearly 200,000 miles! But if I could find a car like his, and know that it had been well taken care of (it's a Honda Civic), I'd grab it for $1500. I had been kind of counting on him keeping this consulting job downtown during the summer and not having to worry about the car situation for a while... although I'll take the stability of a full time job and benefits over the stability of the car situation any time! Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Have you looked into the Pace Ride Share or the iGo Car Sharing? I don't know much about either, but may be an option?

http://www.igocars.org/how/

https://www.pacerideshare.com/en-US/

 

[Mickeyflower]

I just did a quick google search and there are car rental companies that do long term rentals. I'd go to your local car rental company and check that out first. IF you only need it for 2-3 months and can get out under $2000, personally, I'd go that route. Usually, you don't need to take their insurance either if you can prove that your current auto insurance, credit card, etc will cover it. A lot of them even offered Free Roadside assistance. Before you go into buying what may end up being a HUGE LEMON and opening up a can of worms, check that out first.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Two summers ago we needed a fourth car for the summer as we had five people working (2 college kids and 1 HS) and a bus was not an optioin.. We rented a car (Avis I think) for like $1250 for 3 months. It was the smallest model they rented. We did not have to add it to our insurance as our insurance covered rentals. We also were reimbursed for an oil change. DH drove the car to work everyday. It worked out great for the summer.

 

[snowy76]

Two summers ago we needed a fourth car for the summer as we had five people working (2 college kids and 1 HS) and a bus was not an optioin.. We rented a car (Avis I think) for like $1250 for 3 months. It was the smallest model they rented. We did not have to add it to our insurance as our insurance covered rentals. We also were reimbursed for an oil change. DH drove the car to work everyday. It worked out great for the summer.

You should be able to call an agency about a discount. There are plenty of people who work short-term away from home and need to rent a car for the duration. I found this info for Enterprise:

http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=020&cnty=US&language=en

 

[nchulka]

You have a car, your DH has a car. This is your DS's problem, he's an adult!

 

[scrapquitler]

In-laws have a second car that I really think is never used at this point -- DMIL is (I think, but I can't be positive) not driving due to knee and hip issues -- but as much as I love them, I don't know that we're comfortable approaching them about borrowing the car!

Can you have DS18 ask them? They might be more willing to help their grandson. And maybe he can offer to 'rent' it from them for a little bit of $$ from his paycheck? Most grandparents would probably be willing to help a responsible grandchild if they can, and it would get the problem away from 'you' needing the help.

 

[sk!mom]

I don't understand why you need a third car. Does your DS need to get to a job?

I would buy a beater- maybe $1000. If it keeps running you'll be able to sell it at end of Summer and get your money back.

 

[TinkTock]

Could someone drop off and pick up your husband at the train station?