Buying, Renting or Signing for a Car?

Have you ever wondered whether it's worth buying, renting or signing for a car? I have, and I assure you: the answer is not that obvious.

Which of the options below best represents your goal in 2025?

The car dilemma in Brazil

Did you know that the cost of maintaining your own car in Brazil can exceed R$ 2,000 per month? That's taking into account IPVA, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and fuel. That's not a small amount. And with that in mind, many people (including me!) start to wonder: are there better options? The good news is that there are - and in this article I'm going to show you, in a simple and straightforward way, which is more worthwhile: buying, renting or signing for a car.

Buying a car: freedom or a trap?

Buying a car has always been the "default". After all, having something you own gives you security. But does it still make sense today?

Advantages of buying:

• It's yours. Nobody takes it away, you do what you want.
• You can sell whenever you want (although not always for the price you want).
• For those who drive a lot, it can pay off in the long run.

Disadvantages:

• Rapid depreciation: in 3 years, a car can lose up to 30% of its value.
• Constant extra costs: insurance, maintenance, taxes, overhauls.
• High-interest loans (even with a down payment).

Therefore, buying a car makes more sense for those who have a conservative profile, intend to keep it for many years and have a good reserve to deal with the costs. However, for those who want practicality or are on a tight budget, it may be the worst option.

Renting a car: practicality with a deadline

Renting may seem like a tourist thing, but many people are already using monthly rentals for their daily lives - especially app drivers or people who don't want to worry about anything.

Advantages of renting:

• No headaches with IPVA, insurance or maintenance.
• New and revised fleet.
• Ideal for those who need the car for a fixed period of time.

Disadvantages:

• It's not yours: all the money invested "goes away".
• It can be expensive in the long run.
• Mileage limits in some contracts.

In fact, renting a car is excellent in specific situations: long trips, temporary projects, moving to another city, etc. In other words, if you need mobility without compromise, it could be a good idea.

Signing for a car: the modern middle ground

Signing up for a car has become the "Netflix of vehicles". You pay a monthly fee and receive a brand new car with everything included - maintenance, insurance, IPVA and 24-hour assistance.

Subscription benefits:

• Cost predictability: you know exactly how much you're going to pay.
• No bureaucracy in buying and selling.
• Easy replacement every 12 or 24 months.
• Ideal for those who always want a new car.

Points of attention:

• The cost can be higher than financing.
• Minimum contract (usually 12 months).
• Not all companies offer national coverage.

Even though the monthly cost of the subscription may seem high, when you put it all into perspective - including peace of mind - it can be more advantageous than buying. In other words: it's a modern, practical and safe way to own a car.

Main subscription car companies in Brazil:

Localize Meoo

• Differentials: Extensive network of partnerships with various automakers, offering a wide variety of models for different user profiles.
• Available plans: Contracts for 12 to 36 months.
• Services includedIPVA, insurance, preventive and corrective maintenance, as well as 24-hour assistance.
• Official website: meoo.localiza.com

(Stellantis)

• Differentials: Fleet made up exclusively of Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot and Citroënbelonging to the Stellantis group.
• Available plans: Subscriptions to 12 to 36 monthswith the possibility of customizing franchises according to usage.
• Services includedIPVA, insurance, maintenance, documentation and assistance, except fuel.
• Official website: myflua.com.br

When is each option worthwhile?

Buy a car if:

• You drive a lot every day.
• He plans to keep it for several years.
• You have a financial reserve for unforeseen events.

Rent a car if:

• You only need it for a few months.
• You're making a trip or a temporary move.
• He wants to avoid any commitment.

Sign for a car if:

• He often likes new cars.
• You want total practicality, with no surprises.
• He prefers not to tie up capital in the purchase.

Direct comparison

Criteria	Buy	Rent	Subscribe
Fixed Costs	High	Included	Included
Bureaucracy	High	Average	Low
Flexibility	Low	High	Average
Final value	It's active	No return	No return
Ideal deadline	Long term	Short term	Medium term

What about the Brazilian market?

In Brazil, undeniably, the cost of living is tight and the interest rate is still a challenge. As a result, subscription models are on the rise, especially among young people and people living in big cities.

In addition, companies such as Localiza, Movida, Flow! e UseCar have been expanding their offerings. Even some automakers like Fiat, Renault e Volkswagen already offer their own subscription plans in order to meet this new consumer demand.

In this way, the market adjusts and we, as consumers, gain new options to choose what makes the most sense.

It's more up to you than the car

Ultimately, there is no universal answer. Everything will depend on your lifestyle, priorities and ability to deal with the costs and bureaucracy.

So before you make a decision, think about your actual use: do you need a car every day? Do you want to keep it for years? Can you afford the extras?

If you want to continue learning about personal finance and urban mobility, explore the other articles on the site! And let me know in the comments: what makes more sense for you today - buying, renting or signing for a car?