18 months in Zurich - best way to get a car? - Page 2

st2lemans · #21 25.05.2011, 13:59

	Quote:	Treverus
	I disagree. At this price, it will be a bucket.

Sorry, but based on my experience, this is not true.

Tom

kev132 · #22 25.05.2011, 14:46

hi all - thanks for the help. Am happy to consider my question answered, thank you all!

So in summary - we will use mobility and rent for first 2-3 months. If we think we are spending a lot, or need something more permanent we will look at the benefits of either bringing our own car over for 12 months OR buying something 2nd hand.

Thanks
K

Wakey · #23 25.05.2011, 17:07

	Quote:	kev132
	hi all - thanks for the help. Am happy to consider my question answered, thank you all! So in summary - we will use mobility and rent for first 2-3 months. If we think we are spending a lot, or need something more permanent we will look at the benefits of either bringing our own car over for 12 months OR buying something 2nd hand. Thanks K

Thats exaclty what we did, and we concluded that we did not need a car as often as we thought we would, and it would not pay off to buy our own. Only the parking space would cost 150 chf/month, only for that we could take a mobility car every weekend. The disadvantage of renting/mobility is that you need to plan all your trips, but you get used to it. Advantages are that rental cars are usually brand new/very economical, you can rent according to your needs (small car, van, sportscar), you save a lot of money and do not need to clean the car

st2lemans · #24 25.05.2011, 17:35

Well, for three drivers we have three cars, seven motorcycles, a moped., two garages, and a parking space (two cars get parked wherever).

And I walk to work.

Tom

pugs · #25 25.05.2011, 23:20

	Quote:	narco
	I use mobility, and I have been for the last two years, it's a great system. I did some calculations and if I use it in a big way once a week, and then public transport the rest of the time it was cheaper, and better than owning a car. Better because I was comparing it to a cheap used car, whereas mobility cars are usually quite new, and you don't have any hassle of repairs, and you can choose what type of car you want for any given purpose. A van to move, a BMW to drive to Germany, a hatchback to go shopping etc.. If you get mobility combined with a yearly public transport ticket you get a huge discount everytime you hire a car. Oh, and I had an accident once, no problem, I just had to pick up another car from the closest place and carry on. They guy who I crashed into, that owned his car, would have had issues for weeks whilst it was getting repaired. Matt

I second all that. I've been a Mobility member over 10 years, holding either a local public transport season ticket or a GA go-anywhere travelpass at the same time and have never missed owning a car (even though I don't live in a city).
3 more benefits Matt didn't mention:
- you'll save on what may be huge parking costs (these alone can cost more than a public transport pass, even before you get in your car)
- you'll feel freer to choose the best form of transport for those weekend trips, e.g. you'll certainly be better off taking the train to Lugano on a holiday weekend (traffic jams) or to a ski resort in winter (ditto plus slippery roads/struggling with chains). If you've spent a few thousand on a car you'll feel obliged to use it; and, though I'm sure you don't need reminding
- you'll be doing less harm to the environment

kev132 · #26 30.05.2011, 22:48

Is it possible to get a lease for 12 months? I've heard people say you can get a lease on a new or 2nd hand car here. But would anyone lease to us for such a short term? If so, any pointers/tips/ suggestions of garages?

Thanks!
K