If you haven't seen or heard of the Flexcar program, it's an interesting car share system popping up in a number of metropolitain cities across the US. You basically share a vehicle and pay a hourly, daily, weekly or monthly usage fee. Price includes up to 150 miles and insurance. From what I can tell, prices are a hair cheeper then renting, but me, I'd rather own my own.

http://www.flexcar.com/

Well, either way, the Seattle program has recently announced that it will be using the 2007 MINI Cooper as their "sub-compact" of choice. Sounds like they'll be a few new Coopers running around town soon!

 

In other cities, the similar Zipcar program has them. I even saw a brand spanking new Nightfire Red cabrio here! This program is how I got into MINIs, as I was carless until recently. With Zipcar you have to be a member, which involves registering and annual fees, or a minimum monthly charge. Is Flexcar the same?

 

In Philadelphia Philly Car Share has been using R50s for years, and has taken on a bunch of R56MCs since Feb too.

 

Saw one of the MINIs in the Flexcar program a couple weeks ago. Makes total sense to me.

 

I didn't dive too far into the website, but it looks like a $35 registration fee with an advertised price of $8 or $60-somthing a day. I guess it might work for someone who only needs a car a few hours a week. Or a few days a month. If you factor in not needing to buy separate insurance, maybe. Wouldn't work where I'm at, though. Plus I like the "pride in ownership"? thing, too.

 

I loved the Zipcar program. It could feel like robbery when you spend 4 hours and 35 bucks for an afternoon of shopping, or $125 for an overnight trip. But it includes insurance AND gas, and the convenience of having access to a car anytime(they're usually right in the neighborhodo) and $200 total monthly costs is pretty cool. Pointless unless you're a wheel-less urbanite, but a great program then.

 

Missed the anouncement, but the Seattle web site lists the Mini in their sports car section at present. Still a great idea imho.