Car Subscription Services: The Future of Driving or a Total Money Trap?
"Let’s play a game: you give me your best price, and I’ll try not to faint."
- Chase | Dad joke style quote enthusiast | Not very good at it...
Week 17 – Car Subscription Services: The Future of Driving or a Total Money Trap?
Welcome to Week 17 Deal Guard nation!
This one’s a little different—but super important if you like flexibility, hate commitment, or just want to try something new.
Let’s talk about car subscription services.
You’ve probably seen the ads:
“Drive a new car every month!”
“No loans. No long-term leases. Just one flat fee.”
Sounds like a dream, right?
But is it a smart move or just a shiny money trap?
Let’s break it down.
Tactic #17: Understand Car Subscriptions Before You Swipe Your Card
What Are Car Subscriptions?
Car subscription services are like Netflix for cars. You pay a monthly fee that covers:
The car
Insurance
Maintenance
Roadside assistance
Registration/taxes (sometimes)
And in some programs, you can swap cars every few weeks or months.
Examples:
Care by Volvo
Porsche Drive
Hertz My Car
Flexdrive
Some local dealers and luxury brands also offer their own plans
Step-by-Step: How Car Subscriptions Work
Step 1: Pick a Plan
Each service offers a few tiers based on car type:
Entry-level cars = ~$600–$800/month
Luxury/SUVs = $1,000–$2,000/month or more
Plans may be:
Month-to-month (cancel anytime)
3–12 month contracts (with more perks or better pricing)
You choose the tier, then pick a car from their inventory.
Step 2: Drive It Like It’s Yours
Most subscriptions include:
1,000–1,500 miles/month
Maintenance & tire rotation
Insurance with set coverage
24/7 roadside help
Swap limits depend on the service. Some let you change cars every 30 days. Others limit you to 2–3 swaps per year.
Pros of Car Subscriptions
✅ No loan or lease commitment
✅ No separate insurance or maintenance bills
✅ Try different cars without buying
✅ Great for short-term living situations or relocations
✅ Easy way to drive a high-end or new vehicle without buying
Cons of Car Subscriptions
❌ WAY more expensive than owning or leasing
❌ Limited inventory in some programs
❌ Mileage limits + fees for going over
❌ Insurance coverage may not be great
❌ Not ideal for long-term value or ownership
Real Comparison:
Let’s say you want to drive a 2023 Audi Q5.
Subscription: $1,250/month = $15,000/year
Lease: $650/month + $50 insurance = ~$8,400/year
Buy: $45,000 total cost, ~$600/month w/insurance = ~$7,200/year
That subscription is double the cost of leasing or owning.
You’re paying for flexibility—not value.
Who It’s Good For:
✅ You’re in a temporary living situation (6–12 months)
✅ You need a car while relocating or between leases
✅ You want to try multiple models before buying
✅ You hate dealing with insurance, maintenance, or paperwork
Who Should Avoid It:
❌ You drive a lot of miles (limits = expensive overages)
❌ You’re budget-focused
❌ You want long-term equity
❌ You already have access to good insurance and maintenance coverage
Deal Guard Concierge Tip: We’ll Help You Compare All Options
Thinking about a subscription?
Let us:
Compare it to lease or finance offers
Review the fine print for fees, swaps, or limits
Help you figure out the true cost per month
We’ll tell you straight-up if it’s worth it—or just hype.
What to Avoid
Don’t sign without reading swap limits, mileage caps, or cancellation rules
Don’t assume it’s cheaper than leasing (it rarely is)
Don’t use it as a long-term solution unless cost doesn’t matter
Recap: Is a Car Subscription Worth It?
Super flexible—but super expensive
Good for short-term needs or variety seekers
Not ideal for building value or long-term affordability
Only makes sense if convenience is worth the cost
Next week, we’ll dig into certified pre-owned cars (CPO)—how they compare to new and used, and when they’re actually worth the price.
You’re building decision-making power that most car buyers don’t even know they’re missing. 🙌
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Thinking about a subscription? We’ll help you compare it to leasing and buying—and pick what’s best for YOU.
Our concierge service breaks down every angle so you don’t overpay.
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Hate dealer games? Let us fight for you.
Our concierge service doesn’t just find you the car—we crush hidden fees, bad rates, and sales tricks so you don’t have to.
Go to GETDEALGUARD.COM TO LEARN MORE!
#cardealconcierge #carnegotiationtips #dealerfees #carbuyingstrategy #cardealhelp #week4
See you then!
Chase Jordan | Founder | Deal Guard
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Want help negotiating your deal from start to finish?
Let us do the heavy lifting. Our concierge car buying service saves you hours of stress and thousands in bad deals. Your time is valuable—let’s protect it together.
Go to GETDEALGUARD.COM TO LEARN MORE!
#carsubscription #carebyvolvo #carownershipalternatives #cardealconcierge #week17
