First world car problem - any ideas?

[Neverender]

In my current job I am lucky enough to be 'given' a car. The tax is minimal and it's paid for through points the company give you. I'm not joking! I'm leaving and have a new job and have ordered a new car, but there is likely to be a gap and I have to be able to get to work. There's no other way than driving.

I've come up with a few options;

1. Hire a car - expensive but possible
   
2. Borrow a car - only possible if I know someone who isn't using theirs or has a spare, so highly unlikely
   
3. Taxi - very costly
   

Does anyone have any other ideas? If I went to a second hand dealer and asked if I could hire one of their cars for 6weeks, does anyone know what they might say as I don't want to ask if they're going to think I'm a knob? I'd rather pay a local dealer than Avis or Europcar!

There's got to be a way I'm not thinking of...?!

[Neverender]

Before someone says I know I could buy a cheap one but it's a lot of hassle and paperwork for a short time, and then I'd have the hassle of selling it.

[AvoidingDM]

If a car is part of your package the company should hire you one until yours is available.

[Neverender]

It's unfortunately not part of my new employment package, I've ordered it myself.

[Thiswayorthatway]

Short term lease a car, cheaper than standard hire rates with Avid etc.

£400 for a VW Polo for 3 months, 1,000 miles a month. See //www.car4leasing.co.uk for example.

[Seeline]

Taxi for a couple of days and then see if you could car share until yours arrives?
Would cycling be a possibility?

[PersianCatLady]

Borrowing a car from someone is a hassle in terms of insurance.

Nearly every UK car insurance policy only covers insured and spouse to drive the car to work (commute to a single workplace).

If you were added to a friend's insurance you would need to request this extra additional cover and for some odd reason a lot of insurers don't like to include it.

I would go for the month lease at £400 that a PP suggested.

[Neverender]

It's 30 miles away so I think the saddle may suffer! Thanks for the link...

[Neverender]

Do you think a local car dealer might loan me a car for less? I suppose I could ask...

[PersianCatLady]

ThisWay
I thought that £400 for a month was quite reasonable - about £100 a week.

£400 for 3 months sounds really good.

[thelastredwinegum]

Can the dealership you've ordered your new car from help at all? My brother ordered a new car but his old car had packed in so they gave him a courtesy car until the new one was ready.

[PersianCatLady]

I think even if they said yes hiring a second hand car from a dealer would be a nightmare.

How would you insure It?

You have to have an interest in a car to take out an insurance policy in it so would they "sell" it to you for those purposes and then "sell" it back to them afterwards?

I still can't believe that you don't think that £400 for a three month car lease isn't a great deal!!

[SlothMama]

Have a look at short term car hire, I doubt any dealership will hire you a car the added mileage will depreciate it's value.

Company cars are great, just ensure you aren't liable for company car tax.

[Neverender]

Sadly I don't, but I work in leasing currently! I've called a second hand dealer and they've basically said hire a car. I might try and fill the gap in the market one day. Until then it's Avis then or leasing short-term. Thanks all...

[Neverender]

It's not a company car Sloth...promise...

[PersianCatLady]

ThisWay
I just looked at your link and you can't just lease those cars for 3 months as far as I can see.

Those prices are per month on a 48 month contract.

[Neverender]

In my mind there are hundreds of cars sat around doing nothing at second hand dealers, and I could just borrow one for a bit at a lower cost!? Lol

[Thiswayorthatway]

//www.carsondemand.co.uk

£250 for 28 days

[Neverender]

Ooh! Thanks thisway...

[PersianCatLady]

I could just borrow one for a bit at a lower cost!? Lol
I used to think that too.

If you work in leasing can't you do some sort of short arrangement for yourself at all?

Could you maybe get one of your colleagues to organise something for you?

It seems crazy that you are in the leasing industry but you can't benefit from it.

[PersianCatLady]

£250 for 28 days

Thank you ThisWay as well.

You tempted me with £400 a month and now I am impressed as I might need to hire a car for a month soon as well.

[DarthMaiden]

When I had a car gap I spoke to my employer.

They had an agreement with Avis from memory that they used to hire cars for employees when needed who didn't have company cars.

It was a corporate agreement so very heavily discounted.

I was allowed to hire my car through them (I had to pay rather than the company) but it meant I could rent a car for a massively subsidised rate for 2 months whilst waiting for my new one.

Maybe worth seeing if your new employer has an agreement with a hire company they would allow you to tap into?

[PersianCatLady]

Maybe worth seeing if your new employer has an agreement with a hire company they would allow you to tap into?
I think that the OP is changing from one job to another and that is why she is going from being given a car to use to waiting for the new one she has bought to be delivered.