Temporary Car for 2/3 months

[chrisgVRS]

Hi all, My wife’s new car has been delayed until February, but her current lease ends in mid-December.

I’m trying to work out the most cost-effective option to bridge the gap. Short-term hire quotes are coming in at around £396 a month plus insurance for something like a VW Polo.

Would I be better off buying a used car for a couple of months and then selling it on?

Any ideas or experiences would be really appreciated!

[andrewcliffe]

Buying the right cheap car could easily be a net-zero cost apart from running costs.

[JQ]

andrewcliffe said:

Buying the right cheap car could easily be a net-zero cost apart from running costs.

And would likely require significant time invested in buying and selling.

Personally, my first option would be to extend the current lease, second option would be to hire. Buying and selling in 8 weeks would be a pain in the ass -to make it work financially you'd have to buy the right car at the right price privately then sell privately. Lots of frogs to kiss and lots of tyre kickers to entertain.

4th option, if you're near a car hire place, just hire cars on the days she actually needs a car. We have 2 cars and survived a month with only one - I just got the train to work and my wife hired a car for a weekend away the one time we couldn't make it work.

[66HFM]

I'd look at buying something that is always in demand and easy to sell on.
Something like a Fiat 500 for £2k and you'll get your money back when you want to sell it as well.
£35 RFL and insurance is dirt cheap as well.

Its a case of whether you wife would want to drive a 12 year old Fiat...;)

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

JQ said:

And would likely require significant time invested in buying and selling.

Personally, my first option would be to extend the current lease, second option would be to hire. Buying and selling in 8 weeks would be a pain in the ass -to make it work financially you'd have to buy the right car at the right price privately then sell privately. Lots of frogs to kiss and lots of tyre kickers to entertain.

4th option, if you're near a car hire place, just hire cars on the days she actually needs a car. We have 2 cars and survived a month with only one - I just got the train to work and my wife hired a car for a weekend away the one time we couldn't make it work.

I would agree with the thoughts here as well.

Buying for such a short period of time really doesn’t make an awful lot of sense.

It is many years ago now when I had to do similar, I found a hire company that had a more run down fleet and thus charged a better rate, especially for a longer period.

[chrisgVRS]

Thanks everyone, incredibly helpful to bounce ideas. I think for time/hassle/life, we are just going to have to hire for a few months.

Now, I will try to find a deal.