Quote:
|
Is a Toyota with 120K really worth the $4k price when you can get a Chrysler with 120K for half that?
|
yes. that is when you will really notice the difference between toyota and some of the other brands. anything that is new and shiny should drive well and require only routing maintenance. it is the 100+ mileage performance that has given toyota it's reputation.
that being said, i don't think i would buy a vehicle that will be used as little as you are suggesting. the more a vehicle sits, the more things will go wrong, seals will leak, etc. simply from lack of use.
if you really don't need or want to own another vehicle the rental route will be more cost effective overall. it is more expensive per day, but in the long haul it is cheaper. with owning you have the purchase price, insurance, maintenance, tags, and if it is old you run the risk of ruining your vacation with a breakdown. in renting you only have the rental cost, end of story.
you can also negotiate the rental costs. the national chains don't have set pricing for rentals. they charge what they think they can get. but they have set, discount pricing agreements with local dealerships and mechanics for their clients. example: during peak vacation times here in phoenix the daily rate for an expedition/tahoe was $95-125/daily if you just called the rental office. i called up and explained my vehicle was in XYZ dealership and i needed a rental. Bingo: $45/daily. i took my vehicle to the dealershp for an oilchange - $26 one time charge that i had to pay anyway and i drove someone else's brand new Tahoe for the week.