Quick answer
What is the main difference between Flexcar and Carvana?
Flexcar is designed to be the best way to have your own car for daily life, without buying or traditionally leasing one. Carvana is an online automotive retailer where customers buy, finance, sell, or trade used vehicles. With Flexcar, you can choose a car that fits your life today and flex into another available car when your needs change.
Flexcar vs. Carvana at a glance
A side-by-side look at how each option is structured, what is included, and who is responsible for ongoing vehicle costs.
| Feature | Flexcar The best way to have your own car | Carvana Online used-car retailer |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Daily life, commuting, errands, and everything in between | Buying and owning a vehicle |
| How it works | Choose a car that fits your life and keep it for as long as it works for you | Purchase a vehicle with cash or financing |
| When needs change | Flex into another available car. $199 swap fee applies. | Sell or trade the current vehicle and purchase another |
| Vehicle inventory | Used and brand new vehicles | Used vehicles |
| Down payment | $0 down | Varies based on purchase and financing terms |
| Vehicle ownership | Flexcar owns the vehicle | Customer purchases the vehicle |
| Credit process | Soft credit check and identity verification | Financing prequalification and approval may apply |
| Insurance | Insurance included | Buyer is responsible for securing auto insurance |
| Routine maintenance | Covered through the $249 annual membership and handled by Flexcar | Owner is responsible after applicable coverage or warranties |
| Roadside assistance | 24/7 roadside assistance covered through the annual membership | Depends on selected protection or roadside plan |
| Mileage | Choose a mileage plan and adjust it as your driving needs change | No mileage plan, but mileage affects maintenance and resale value |
| Vehicle equity | No ownership equity | Buyer may build positive or negative equity |
| Annual membership | $249 per year | None |
| Return / exit | Schedule a return at any point | Sell or trade the vehicle; eligible purchases may have a limited return period |
- Flexcar
- Daily life, commuting, errands, and everything in between
- Carvana
- Buying and owning a vehicle
- Flexcar
- Choose a car that fits your life and keep it for as long as it works for you
- Carvana
- Purchase a vehicle with cash or financing
- Flexcar
- Flex into another available car. $199 swap fee applies.
- Carvana
- Sell or trade the current vehicle and purchase another
- Flexcar
- Used and brand new vehicles
- Carvana
- Used vehicles
- Flexcar
- $0 down
- Carvana
- Varies based on purchase and financing terms
- Flexcar
- Flexcar owns the vehicle
- Carvana
- Customer purchases the vehicle
- Flexcar
- Soft credit check and identity verification
- Carvana
- Financing prequalification and approval may apply
- Flexcar
- Insurance included
- Carvana
- Buyer is responsible for securing auto insurance
- Flexcar
- Covered through the $249 annual membership and handled by Flexcar
- Carvana
- Owner is responsible after applicable coverage or warranties
- Flexcar
- 24/7 roadside assistance covered through the annual membership
- Carvana
- Depends on selected protection or roadside plan
- Flexcar
- Choose a mileage plan and adjust it as your driving needs change
- Carvana
- No mileage plan, but mileage affects maintenance and resale value
- Flexcar
- No ownership equity
- Carvana
- Buyer may build positive or negative equity
- Flexcar
- $249 per year
- Carvana
- None
- Flexcar
- Schedule a return at any point
- Carvana
- Sell or trade the vehicle; eligible purchases may have a limited return period
Quick takeaway: Flexcar gives you the experience of having your own car for daily life without buying it or locking into a traditional multiyear lease. Carvana is built around purchasing and owning the vehicle, along with the costs and responsibilities that come with ownership.
What is Flexcar?
Flexcar is designed to be the best way to have your own car without the weight of owning one. Choose from available used and brand new vehicles, select the mileage and protection plan that fit your needs, complete the process online, and make the car part of your daily life. If your needs change later, adjust your mileage or flex into another available car.
- $0 down
- Used and brand new vehicles available
- Insurance included
- Choose the mileage plan that fits your driving. Unused miles roll over to future months. Adjust your mileage as your needs change.
- Routine maintenance covered through the $249 annual membership
- 24/7 roadside assistance covered through the annual membership
- Flex into another car as your needs change
- Online approval
- Pickup or delivery where available
What is Carvana?
Carvana is an online platform for buying and selling used vehicles. Customers shop online, choose how to pay, and complete the purchase without visiting a traditional dealership. Once the purchase is complete, the customer owns the vehicle.
- Customers browse used vehicles online
- Customers can pay in cash or apply for financing
- Customers may sell or trade in an existing vehicle
- Delivery or pickup options may be available
- The customer purchases and owns the vehicle
- The buyer is responsible for auto insurance
- The buyer is responsible for ongoing maintenance and repairs
- Purchase-related costs may include taxes, registration, interest, and a down payment
- The owner is responsible for depreciation and future resale or trade-in
- Eligible purchases may include a limited return period, subject to Carvana's current terms
The biggest differences between Flexcar and Carvana
Having your own car vs. owning one
Flexcar gives you a car of your own for daily life, without taking on the burdens that come with ownership. Flexcar owns the vehicle, so you can skip the financing, depreciation, resale, and other responsibilities that come with buying a car.
With Carvana, you purchase and own the vehicle. That means taking on the benefits of ownership along with responsibilities like financing, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and eventually selling or trading in the car.
$0 down vs. purchase-related upfront costs
Flexcar requires $0 down.
The upfront cost of purchasing through Carvana may depend on:
- Vehicle price
- Financing terms
- Credit profile
- Trade-in value
- Taxes
- Registration costs
- Required down payment
- Existing vehicle equity or negative equity
What's included vs. ownership costs
- Your car
- Selected mileage
- Insurance
Choose either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection based on the coverage that works for you.
- Routine maintenance
- Covered repairs
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Applicable member benefits
- Down payment
- Auto loan payment
- Interest
- Auto insurance
- Taxes and registration
- Routine maintenance
- Repairs
- Tires
- Roadside assistance
- Depreciation
Insurance and protection
Insurance is included with either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection. Members choose the protection plan that works for them, with coverage, deductibles, benefits, and pricing varying by plan and location.
Carvana customers are generally responsible for securing their own auto insurance before taking delivery of a purchased vehicle.
Included maintenance vs. owner responsibility
Flexcar handles routine maintenance directly at Flexcar hubs. Routine maintenance, covered repairs, and 24/7 roadside assistance are included through the $249 annual membership, subject to applicable terms.
With a Carvana purchase, ongoing maintenance and repairs ultimately become the owner's responsibility after any applicable warranty or protection coverage.
Examples may include:
- Oil changes
- Tires
- Brakes
- Batteries
- Inspections
- Unexpected repairs
When life changes, your car can too
The car that fits your life today may not be the car you need later. If your needs change, you can choose another available Flexcar.
Need more room later? Flex into an SUV.
A $199 swap fee applies. Vehicle availability and pricing vary.
To change vehicles, owners generally need to sell or trade the current car and purchase another.
No vehicle equity vs. potential ownership equity
Flexcar members do not own their vehicles or build equity in them. In exchange, they avoid the responsibility of reselling the vehicle and managing depreciation.
Carvana customers purchase their vehicles and may eventually own them outright after paying off any financing.
Ownership does not always mean positive equity. A buyer may owe more than the vehicle is worth, particularly earlier in an auto loan.
Monthly mileage plans vs. ownership mileage
Flexcar members choose a mileage plan based on how much they expect to drive. If their driving needs change, they can adjust the plan to better fit their life.
Carvana buyers do not have a monthly mileage allowance because they own the car. However, increased mileage can affect:
- Maintenance needs
- Repair costs
- Vehicle condition
- Trade-in value
- Resale value
How Flexcar works
- 1
Browse available vehicles
Enter your ZIP code to view available Flexcars.
- 2
Choose your car
Select an available car that fits your life and budget.
- 3
Choose your mileage and protection
Choose your mileage plan and select either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection.
- 4
Complete your order online
Verify your information and complete the required approval steps.
- 5
Pick up or schedule delivery
Pick up your car at a Flexcar hub or choose delivery where available.
Once you have your car, make it part of your daily life. If your driving or transportation needs change, adjust your mileage, flex into another available car, or schedule a return, subject to applicable terms and fees.
How Carvana works
- 1
Browse used vehicles online.
- 2
Review cash, financing, and estimated payment options.
- 3
Enter trade-in or vehicle-sale information if applicable.
- 4
Upload required documents and complete the purchase.
- 5
Schedule delivery or pickup where available.
After the purchase is complete, the customer owns the vehicle and becomes responsible for insurance, ongoing maintenance, repairs, registration, and any applicable loan payments.
Which option is right for you?
- You want your own car for daily life.
- You want to avoid putting thousands of dollars down to buy or traditionally lease a car.
- You do not want to be locked into a traditional multiyear lease.
- You want $0 down.
- You want insurance included.
- You want routine maintenance, covered repairs, and 24/7 roadside assistance handled through Flexcar.
- You want to adjust your mileage when your driving changes.
- You may want to flex into another available car later.
- You do not want to manage depreciation, resale, or trade-in value.
- You live in a current Flexcar market.
- You want to purchase and eventually own a vehicle.
- You are comfortable taking on an auto loan or paying in cash.
- You want to trade in your current vehicle toward another car.
- You do not want a monthly mileage plan.
- You plan to purchase a vehicle and keep it for 10+ years.
- You are prepared to manage insurance, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and resale.
If your goal is to have your own car without buying or locking into a traditional multiyear lease, Flexcar may be the better fit. If your goal is to purchase a car and plan to keep it for 10+ years, Carvana may be the better option.
Flexcar vs. financing a car through Carvana
A Carvana auto loan payment primarily pays toward the vehicle purchase and interest. The owner must generally pay separately for insurance, maintenance, repairs, registration, and other vehicle expenses.
With Flexcar, your monthly plan includes your car, selected mileage, and insurance through either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection. The $249 annual membership covers routine maintenance, covered repairs, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
With Carvana financing, the goal is to eventually pay off and own the vehicle. With Flexcar, the goal is access to a car without a large down payment, with the ability to flex into something else when your needs change.
Takeaway: Compare the complete monthly cost, not only the estimated auto loan payment.
Flexcar vs. Carvana: Key takeaways
- Flexcar is designed to be the best way to have your own car without buying one.
- Carvana is an online platform for purchasing, financing, selling, and trading used vehicles.
- Flexcar requires $0 down.
- Insurance is included with either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection.
- Flexcar's $249 annual membership covers routine maintenance, covered repairs, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Carvana customers own the vehicle and are responsible for insurance, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and resale.
- If your needs change, you can flex into another available Flexcar. A $199 swap fee applies.
- Carvana may be the better fit for someone who plans to buy a car and keep it for 10+ years.
- Flexcar may be the better fit for someone who wants a car without buying or locking into a traditional multiyear lease.
Frequently asked questions
Flexcar is designed to give you your own car for daily life without buying it. Carvana is an online retailer where customers purchase, finance, sell, or trade vehicles. With Flexcar, you can choose a car that fits your life today and flex into another available car when your needs change.
No. Flexcar owns the vehicle. Members choose an available Flexcar and use it as part of their daily life without purchasing or reselling the car.
Yes. Carvana allows customers to browse, finance, and purchase used vehicles online. Customers may also sell or trade in an existing vehicle.
Yes. Insurance is included with either Essential Protection or Enhanced Protection. Members choose the protection plan that works for them, and coverage, deductibles, benefits, and pricing vary by plan and location.
Purchasing a vehicle through Carvana does not generally include ongoing auto insurance. Buyers are responsible for securing the insurance required to take delivery and operate the vehicle.
Yes. Routine maintenance, covered repairs, and 24/7 roadside assistance are included through Flexcar's $249 annual membership, subject to applicable terms.
Carvana purchases may include limited warranty coverage or optional protection products. Ongoing routine maintenance and repairs ultimately become the owner's responsibility.
Yes. If your needs change, you can choose another available Flexcar. For example, you might start with a sedan and later flex into an SUV when you need more room. A $199 swap fee applies, and availability and pricing vary.