Should I keep repairing my car or replace it?
Tired of surprise repair bills? Keeping a paid-off car is usually the cheapest way to drive, until the repairs add up. Here's how to tell, and what changes when you flex.
When repairs add up
Repair bills grow as a car ages. Most new-car warranties cover at least three years or 36,000 miles, and powertrain coverage usually runs five or six years. After that, repairs are on you. The average check-engine repair reached $554 in 2025.
A simple test: divide a repair's cost by the months you plan to keep the car. A one-off repair usually costs less than a monthly payment on a newer car. A car that keeps needing repairs may not.
Flexing a typical Flexcar comes to about $809 a month all in, averaged over 3 years, with insurance, protection, the membership, taxes, and fees, for a 25–34 driver with good (670–739) credit driving about 15,000 miles a year, averaged across Flexcar's 8 markets.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Car Brands Ranked by Maintenance and Repair Costs Over Time (December 2025); Consumer Reports, Your Guide to Car Warranties (August 2024); CarMD Vehicle Health Index (April 2026); Consumer Reports, Consider Fixing the Car You Already Own (January 2026)
What's included when you flex
Your monthly payment covers your car, selected mileage plan, and insurance/protection plan. A separate $249 annual membership provides maintenance, covered repairs, 24/7 roadside assistance, and member benefits.
What a newer car costs when you buy
Replacing an old car with a bought one brings a loan payment, and the insurance and upkeep are still yours.
Buying a typical Flexcar, the calculator counts about $76 a month for maintenance and repairs, less about $7 it credits for repairs the extended warranty pays, and $286 for insurance matched to Flexcar's protection as closely as a car loan allows, on top of the loan payment, for a 25–34 driver with good (670–739) credit driving about 15,000 miles a year, averaged across Flexcar's 8 markets.
Questions
Can I use my own insurance?
You don’t need to. Insurance comes with every Flexcar: liability coverage plus your choice of protection plan, Essential or Enhanced with a lower deductible and covered glass. Personal auto or credit card coverage can’t replace it.
Is there a down payment?
No. At checkout you pay your first month and tax, plus a refundable deposit if your approval includes one. The $249 annual membership is billed separately, 14 days after pickup.
How soon can I get my car?
Approval takes minutes, and you get your car in days. Choose a pickup time at a Flexcar hub near you, or delivery where it’s offered. Pickup at your local hub is free, and any delivery fee shows before you confirm.
Can I change cars when my needs change?
Yes. Choose another available Flexcar and schedule a swap for $199 (discounted with loyalty and rewards). Your monthly payment can change with the vehicle, mileage, and protection plan you select. Availability varies by location.
More guides
Savings are estimates for a 25–34 driver with good (670–739) credit driving about 15,000 miles a year, averaged across Flexcar’s 8 markets, using model-average prices as of October 2026. Flexing includes Essential protection, the annual membership, and Flexcar’s taxes and fees, with modeled price step-downs; buying includes financing, ownership costs, a dealer warranty and GAP, and the car’s resale value. Actual savings vary and aren’t guaranteed. Maintenance, covered repairs, and roadside come with the $249 annual membership. Estimates include each side’s taxes but not mileage beyond the driving assumed, swaps, damage, fuel, or tolls, and buying includes its cost of capital. Insurance limits, deductibles, and exclusions apply. Availability varies. Month-to-month returns have no early-termination penalty; usage and damage charges still apply. Terms vary by plan and state; see the Membership Agreement.