Car subscription services — the “Netflix model of car ownership” — let you sign up for the car you want and cancel when you’re done, no long-term debt required.
1 The Netflix Model of Car Ownership
In an age when you can order almost any item for instant delivery, consumers don’t have to settle for the more traditional method of leasing or buying a car. The growing popularity of car subscription services, described as the “Netflix model of car ownership,” is a sign that consumers value an alternative method for car procurement, one that is convenient and debt-free. The concept is simple: sign up for what you want and cancel the subscription when you’re finished with it.
2 Subscribe Through an Automaker
A consumer can subscribe with a car manufacturer or a third party provider. If you’re going directly to the automaker, you pay a monthly fee which covers access to its inventory, the cost of insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. A number of luxury automakers offer subscription services including Porsche Passport, Access by BMW, Care by Volvo Coverage Summary, Lexus Complete Lease, and Mercedes-Benz Collection.
3 Third-Party Subscription Options
Third parties are also getting into the subscription game. Companies like flexdrive offer all-inclusive pricing and a stress-free package. With over 9,000 users, flexdrive is offered in 17 cities and has a plan to go national next year. Fair, another car subscription company, also hopes to change the face of car ownership. At Fair, you can get a car based on advanced data and analytics, not just a credit score. According to the company, you can get approved with a driver’s license and a bank account. Billed as commitment-free, paperless and totally flexible, California-based Fair already has 20,000 subscribers and is growing rapidly. At flexdrive, the average monthly subscription is about $800. At Fair, it’s approximately $350 per month. This includes a limited warranty, routine maintenance, and roadside assistance, but if you want to use Fair’s insurance, it’s an average of $115 per month (if you qualify).
4 Is Subscribing Right for You?
The stress-free, commitment-free, streamlined subscription model sounds great, but is the price right for consumers? The best way to find out is to do the math to determine the best option: buying, leasing, or subscribing. Calculate the cost of car ownership and determine what your priorities are. If you need a car temporarily, or if you run the risk of making a bad car financing decision, a subscription model may be the best and most efficient option. But since it’s definitely not the least expensive option, it’s important to analyze your needs, your habits and the short-term and long-term cost of each option.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a car subscription service?
A car subscription service is described as the “Netflix model of car ownership.” The concept is simple: you sign up for the car you want and cancel the subscription when you’re finished with it. It offers an alternative to traditional leasing or buying that is convenient and debt-free, letting consumers procure a car without a long-term commitment.
What does a car subscription typically include?
If you subscribe directly through an automaker, your monthly fee covers access to its inventory, the cost of insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. Third-party plans vary: Fair’s subscription includes a limited warranty, routine maintenance, and roadside assistance, while insurance through Fair costs an average of $115 per month if you qualify.
How much do car subscriptions cost?
Pricing depends on the provider. At flexdrive, the average monthly subscription is about $800. At Fair, it’s approximately $350 per month, which includes a limited warranty, routine maintenance, and roadside assistance. Adding Fair’s insurance costs an average of $115 per month if you qualify. Subscribing is convenient but is not the least expensive option.
Which automakers offer subscription services?
Several luxury automakers offer subscription services. They include Porsche Passport, Access by BMW, Care by Volvo, Lexus Complete Lease, and the Mercedes-Benz Collection. When you go directly to the automaker, your monthly fee covers access to its inventory along with insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance.
Is a car subscription right for me?
The best way to decide is to do the math, calculating the cost of car ownership and weighing buying, leasing, or subscribing. If you need a car temporarily, or risk making a bad car financing decision, a subscription may be the most efficient option. But since it is not the least expensive choice, analyze your needs, habits, and the short- and long-term cost of each option.
