In September I came across a choice that was as simple as it was difficult. The choice was to buy a car or take it with a long-term rental or leasing. You will say: and what changes? In fact it changes a lot, even a lot, especially when you have to account for the costs that nowadays a car has. My story begins like this: I decide to stay in Rome after graduation for a number of reasons and my old car from 2016, at least not so old, the Peugeot 208, being diesel, since November 2024 could no longer circulate in Rome for a law against pollution (I decide to send it down to Calabria). So, since I needed a means to move within Rome, to go to work and to be free to leave quietly, since Rome is famous for its optimal public transport service, I came across this decision.

Initially I decide to see an Opel Corsa on Autohero. Let’s say that among all the various sites and dealers, it seems to me the most reliable and above all transparent site, so I decide to put it in the cart to buy it. When I arrived at the checkout, also entering various additional services, I asked myself: but how much does all this cost me? Then I started to do the first calculations. A car is devalued in the first year by up to 20% and by around 7% each year after the first (excluding VAT). Besides this, on average a car per year has an ordinary and extraordinary maintenance cost, on average, between 700 and 1,000€, considering: tyre change, overhaul, repair and other unplanned maintenance. In addition to this, it has the stamp to be paid based on the kW of the car. Not including other costs such as interest on the loan, in case you don’t want to pay all cash, and insurance.

Insurance, which has been soaring in recent years, for a guy like me, including theft and fire, would cost about € 1,200 per year. In short, having a car today costs and, if it were not so useful, I would gladly use all this money to travel. After the last calculations, I understand that buying that car and reselling it after three years (time period for which I think I need the car), the hidden costs (unrecoverable) were about 12,000€. Without considering the petrol and all the other costs to use it. And above all, I say, without considering accidents or other unpleasant things. I start looking at long-term rental cars that, unlike leasing, do not have a maximum rate to redeem the car, but have the option, if you want, of evaluating the car and then buying it later, based on the expert’s assessment. I was sure not to redeem it.

Obviously a rental car has advantages, that is within the rent presents all the services you can have for a car: ordinary and extraordinary maintenance, road assistance h24, insurance not only with theft and fire, but also cover for natural disasters and with the Kasko. Let’s say you’re covered by whatever happens to your car.

When all the calculations are done, the Clio Alpine would have been worth €180 per month for three years with an advance of 3,000€. So 180 x 36 + 3,000 = 9,480€. It means that the unrecoverable costs would have been lower, without having to think about buying and selling the car and especially having additional services of any kind. I decide to take it, but unfortunately the machine would be delivered after 6 months since they had to produce it, so it was a no, I could not wait that long. Then I came across an Opel Corsa that had a delivery of 8 weeks. The cost was 250€ per month for two years with an advance always 3,000€. So 250 x 24 + 3,000 = 9,000€. Considering three years, so we can compare it with the other options, it would come to 13,500€. Then 1.500€ more than the purchase, that is 500€ more per year. I asked myself: is it worth spending 500€ more without having various thoughts and having a brand new model? After several days of reflection, the answer was yes and then I took this car.

One week after delivery, a bus of the Atac me the cut making damages for 6.000€ and a van of the DHL me it sbatta to the parking place making damages for 800€. Moral of the story: I did not pay out of my pocket even 1 € and Leasys (company with which I rented the car) changed everything for me with a service and a scary speed, booking everything from the app. In the end, I think it was the right choice, especially if you live in Rome or a big city. Unfortunately, you never know what can happen to you, even when the car is parked in the parking lot below the house, because here life is hectic and between buses, coaches, scooters, taxis and cars, you never understand anything.

In conclusion, some studies, including mine, indicate that if you want to take a car for two/ three years, it is definitely worth opting for rental or leasing, because the difference in costs is acceptable or, in some cases, lower. Of course, it all depends on the car you choose and the economic opportunities you have. For some people, having a car can represent a "status" and therefore all these calculations may have little importance; for others, instead, it is only a useful means to move comfortably. That said, long-term rental is a choice that offers peace of mind and fewer thoughts. Sure, it’s not perfect, but for me it was definitely the best compromise.