SUVs a deal to rent and buy used on clarkhoward.com

Clark has a unique money-saving tip to share. While recently in Portland, he found that he could rent an SUV for $23.41/day vs. renting a sub-compact for $55/day. He didn't plan on using much gas during the trip, so that's a real deal! Ditto for a recent rental experience in Florida where all he could find was an SUV for rent. He practically begged the rental company for a sub-compact, but he couldn't get one because they were all booked up.

Over the years, Clark has always advised people to book sub-compact and then reap the benefits of a free upgrade. Now it's all turned around -- the free upgrade is the smaller car that you can't even get!

But think about the bigger picture here. Used SUVs are an unbelievable deal right now. The dealers can't give them away. CarMax recently reported a 78% drop in quarterly profits all because they're stuck with SUVs on their lots.

So if you have a need for more space and drive under 13,000 or 14,000 miles/year, an SUV might work for you -- even with the high price of gas. This is strictly from a straight economics perspective. How about buying a new SUV? No, the math doesn't work in your favor.

What others are saying

Car Rentals
Clark, I have used the 'sub-compact' default trick for years while traveling for business. I can honestly say I rarely ever get a sub-compact even though that's all I pay for. The last two times I've rented cars I receive minivans! My business customers enjoyed the extra space and I never have to drive very far on business trips so I highly recommend that to everyone.
By James @ 10/27/08 04:32:38 PMreport abuse
SUVs
I bought my 2004, Z-71 Tahoe in August of 2005. Gas was $1.36/gal, then it jumped to an unheard of $1.59/gal. We needed it to tow music equipment, and we took it on day trips. It has been a wonderful vehicle. I still wouldn't trade it. I am 6' tall and little cars make me feel as if I am driving an athletic shoe. I never let the gas gauge go below 1/2 tank. I buy my gas at a station that I have never paid over $3.79 per gal. This station is a "wet station" and always has gas. The most I have spent is $50, when I let the gas level go to 1/2 tank. I usually spend around $25-$40 per fill up. If you plan your gas purchases and not let it go to the bottom of the tank, your stress level will improve greatly. It's a trick my Dad told me in college from his gas embargo days in the 70's. I always have gas and to this day I have not spent over #3.79, even in the crunch we just had. I drive between Alpharetta and Buford, and can remember not one gas station having gas, except the station I go to on Peachtree Ind. Way north on PIB.
By Franna @ 10/07/08 01:11:14 PMreport abuse

Car Rentals

Clark, I have used the 'sub-compact' default trick for years while traveling for business. I can honestly say I rarely ever get a sub-compact even though that's all I pay for. The last two times I've rented cars I receive minivans! My business customers enjoyed the extra space and I never have to drive very far on business trips so I highly recommend that to everyone.

By James @ 10/27/08 04:32:38 PMreport abuse

SUVs

I bought my 2004, Z-71 Tahoe in August of 2005. Gas was $1.36/gal, then it jumped to an unheard of $1.59/gal. We needed it to tow music equipment, and we took it on day trips. It has been a wonderful vehicle. I still wouldn't trade it. I am 6' tall and little cars make me feel as if I am driving an athletic shoe. I never let the gas gauge go below 1/2 tank. I buy my gas at a station that I have never paid over $3.79 per gal. This station is a "wet station" and always has gas. The most I have spent is $50, when I let the gas level go to 1/2 tank. I usually spend around $25-$40 per fill up. If you plan your gas purchases and not let it go to the bottom of the tank, your stress level will improve greatly. It's a trick my Dad told me in college from his gas embargo days in the 70's. I always have gas and to this day I have not spent over #3.79, even in the crunch we just had. I drive between Alpharetta and Buford, and can remember not one gas station having gas, except the station I go to on Peachtree Ind. Way north on PIB.

By Franna @ 10/07/08 01:11:14 PMreport abuse

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Oct 06, 2008 -- SUVs a deal to rent and buy used

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