It's impossible to deny that many people's lives have changed since the arrival of ride-hailing apps, isn't it? Because of this, many people have started to wonder: is it better to buy a car or use Uber?

Furthermore, there's another question: what about renting? With all this in mind, we've compiled a series of information on this topic. We'll show you the pros and cons, and ultimately, you'll be responsible for making the decision! 

After all, we need transportation in many situations: going to a party and it being too late to take the bus back; going out for drinks and not putting anyone's life at risk. In these cases, all you have to do is grab your phone and order the famous Uber.

It's become incredibly convenient, hasn't it? But, although these are occasional situations, using only Uber to get around can get quite expensive, and using your own car on a daily basis is preferable. So, let's learn more about this below!

Something we'll tell you upfront is: there's no easy answer to that question. And the problem gets much more complex when we add the possibility of renting a vehicle. 

Later in our article you will find different topics with various points of view to help you decide whether it's better to buy a car or use Uber: costs, convenience, and more.

Owning a car is inherently expensive, even if the vehicle is fully paid off or sits parked in the garage most of the time. This is due to taxes and general maintenance costs.

For example, it is necessary to take into account the vehicle tax, periodic maintenance (washing, tires, oil changes, etc.), possible insurance, parking, fuel (whether ethanol or gasoline), and potential fines. 

Moreover, this calculation doesn't even take into account the depreciation of the vehicle's value. On this point, something can and should be highlighted: the less you drive the car, the less advantageous it becomes. 

To find out if owning a car is better from a financial point of view, our calculation team went into the field and designed the following scenario: imagine you are a happy owner of a 2019 HB20.

According to our calculations, someone who owns one of these models and lives in São Paulo spends an average of R$$ 8,000 per year. This only considers insurance, vehicle tax, and the well-known depreciation. 

With R$ 8,000 it's possible to make five weekly trips costing R$ 30 with Uber. Now, if we add the costs of maintenance and fuel, considering the price of gasoline, we arrive at an approximate figure of R$ 12,500 per year. 

You can already gather this information to determine whether buying a car or using Uber is more worthwhile. But the expenses don't stop there! To all of this, we can also add tolls, parking fees, and fines.

Thus, the value that was R$ 12,500 reached R$ 14,000. This R$ 14,000 represents approximately R$ 1,120 in expenses per month. And, if you sell your car for R$ 30,000 and invest that amount, you can make money.

In other words, if he earns 0.5% per month, it will be possible to have a gain of R$ 1,500 per year without any effort. And there are still more decision factors.

If you live in an apartment building, it's possible to rent out your parking space for an average of R$ 200 per month, earning R$ 2,400 per year. Isn't that something to think about?

Another way to help you make this decision is to simulate rides using apps. We suggest you simulate different routes from your routine at different times, since prices vary depending on the time of day. 

Let's assume you choose a shared Uber and spend approximately R$ 25 per ride over 30 days. This will give you a total expense of R$ 750.

When compared to the costs of owning a car, it's still cheaper. Now, if your intention is to save even more, you can opt for other means of transportation such as the subway, bus, or even a bicycle.

Besides the dilemma of buying a car or taking an Uber, how about renting? According to ABLA – the Brazilian Association of Car Rental Companies – today approximately 151,300 light vehicles registered in Brazil are for rental. 

Daily rates vary depending on the car category or the type of damage coverage. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the daily rates become. 

The main benefits of renting a car are:

To rent a car, all you need is a valid driver's license. If you want a specific model, we recommend contacting the rental company a little before the rental period. 

There are rental car companies that have partnerships with credit card brands and offer extra points that can be redeemed for gifts or even used to offset the card's bill. 

Another point to consider in all of this is that dealing with traffic requires attention and awareness of certain stresses such as traffic jams, lack of parking spaces, and traffic restrictions, and this should also be taken into account. 

On the other hand, having a car guarantees comfort and freedom to go out and travel at any time, in any way you want, without depending on rentals or calling a driver to take you somewhere. 

Therefore, it is not uncommon to encounter people who claim that the convenience is worth the cost of owning a car. 

The dilemma of whether to buy a car, use Uber, or even rent a car is quite personal, and there's no right or wrong answer. Therefore, consider a few variables before making your decision.

If you use your car for work and need to drive a lot or travel constantly, owning a car is likely more advantageous to your lifestyle. 

However, if you don't consider owning a car important, perhaps you don't really need one in your garage. For example, if you find it more convenient to call a car when you need to go out.

Or maybe you don't mind renting a car when you travel, either. Either way, before making any decisions, put all the expenses down on paper and see what's best for your budget. 

And since we're talking about buying, prices, and renting, how about getting more value for your money and learning when is the best time to buy a brand new car? 

If you're still unfamiliar with the tricks to buying a brand new car, you can't miss our article. To get your brand new car and guarantee a discount, just click the button below!