Renting car/van for 2 months? Help?

[PatMcDuck]

OK, here is the deal. DD (17) needs another surgery on both knees May 12. She has already endured a double hip, and 8 weeks later, a double knee surgery in 2007. (Avascular necrosis from steroids used to treat another disease). Now, it is back in the knees. After surgery, no weight bearing for 8 weeks. LAST time we had our old minivan. That old van has gone to van heaven, and all I have left is my VW Beetle!

I am thinking I need to rent a small SUV or minivan for 2 months. (she will be able to slide into the seat on a board, so I do not need a wheelchair lift). Any ideas where to get a reasonable rental for 2 months?? It appears like if I do this it will cost $1500. I am worried about having her home and no way to transport her. (for appointments I was going to try and borrow a car, but it will not be easy)

Thanks!

 

[KPeveler]

i am pretty sure Braun has short term leases - it will likely have a ramp in it, but that might be easier than board transfers...

I have no idea of cost, but you can ask!

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just a followup, we rented a minivan from Enterprise, month to month. We expect to have it for 2 months. It is a nice Toyota Siennna. It has the 3 seats across the middle seat, which will be good for the early weeks, when she has both legs straight out in splints.

I spoke to many people, all who said no, we should NOT have to pay $1700 (TOTAL with all the rental fees and taxes). But we could not find any alternative. Insurance will not pay for anything, and the ambulance to just get her home from the hospital one way would be almost the same amount as this. We saw no way out. I am not sure what people would do who do not have a credit card to dump this sort of expense onto. The bonus is that I will be able to take her not only to her many doctor and therapist appointments, but also on occassional trips to mall, movies, etc. Visiting friends and family is out, they do not have ramps or a handicapped bathrooms of course.

Tip, check ALL companies, and local AND SEVERAL airport locations. We got this one from Philadelphia airport, from Enterprise. Budget was about the same $$. Newark airport was MUCH higher, as were local rental locations. The airport was less, even with all those high airport fees, because the rate was so much less. I leave these tips, but I doubt many people would ever have a teen getting both knees operated on at the same time, who would be completely non weight bearing for 8 weeks. It is our 3rd round on this type of surgery. (severe Avascular Necrosis in both hips and both knees from short term steroid use used to treat a rheumatological condition).

 

[bookwormde]

Sounds like you may allready be committed, but for month+ rentals some of the bigger car dealers do these competitivly
bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry about your DD's surgery. Hope her recovery is uneventful and fast.

I have heard of short term leases from car dealers, like bookwormde mentioned. I guess I would just call around, keep good notes of what everyone tells you and let them know that you are looking all over and are looking for their best rate (sometimes won't help, but it sometimes does help to make a dealer more competitive).