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Zip car - suitable for the moderately disorganised?

8 replies

Fridayschild · 27/12/2016 07:10

I need to talk myself into getting rid of my car... Does anyone have experience of zip car and trying to book them at weekends? This is the only time I use the thing.

In my mind's eye I see myself using cabs when public transport won't get my around London. We are going to Harry Potter at Universal at half term and I think that is a car hire situation. Now I could book that now, so I would hope I can get a car for that. However what about those impromptu let's go to IKEA moments? Do those go with the car? (I appreciate that may not be a bad thing).

We are in SW London if that helps. I have a self-perception of myself as being moderately environmentally friendly. However there is a long way to go....

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Motherfuckers · 27/12/2016 07:34

Not quite in the same position as we did have a small car. However we did get rid of our second (gas-guzzling) family car and used rental cars for years. We started with zip cars, but this wan't so convenient for us, although in London you should have no problem. We had an enterprise within walking distance and could frequently get one the same day for last minute ikea trips.

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Fridayschild · 28/12/2016 08:02

Thank you. The only way to monitor their availability is to be a member. However there are at least 4 cars which live within walking distance of my house (I love London) so I am going to join and see how I go with some random testing for a while before getting rid of the car.

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Manumission · 28/12/2016 08:11

We tried it about four years ago in SW London on the basis that we had two within walking distance and weee only a 10 minute hop on the train to Clapham Junction where there were many more (station 5 minute walk from our house).

It didn't work. Everyone wants them on weekends and we are also moderately disorganised (or, as I prefer to think of it "spontaneous").

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AgainPlease · 28/12/2016 08:22

We used ZipCar for about a year and it was fine. We are also in SW London and we had 3 cars within 5 min walk - weekends are popular, you just have to be a little organised and if you're not, there will be cars available on the day but you might have to get on a bus or train to get there. Like PP said Clapham Junction has loads and usually free on weekends.

Do you have DC? I can't imagine not having a car with DC... even in London Zone 2.

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Manumission · 28/12/2016 08:34

Oh just thought. I only drive automatics. So that would have had an effect in fairness.

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witchmountain · 28/12/2016 12:34

I use what was City Car Club and is now Enterprise. I was worried about the same thing before I joined but actually I've never had any problems. Worst case scenario has been going a bit further for a car. I imagine Zipcar would be the same.

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FourToTheFloor · 28/12/2016 12:38

Sweet London here too and no problem. We bought a car though as 2 car seats were annoying.

We also went to Harry Potter and you can take a train and bus very easily.

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Fridayschild · 29/12/2016 06:46

Thank you all. Yes I have DC but they are 12 and 13. I don't think I would be contemplating it if we had car seats or other paraphernalia to take every single time!