There’s nothing quite like the freedom of having a car, yet ironically there’s nothing like the trapped feeling of being tied down to one. Where there was once only ownership and leasing, there is now also a seductive alternative in the form of car subscription. Why buy when you can subscribe? Here are 5 benefits of car subscriptions to help you make an informed decision, brought to you by the friendly Fluxsters of Flux.

1. Have a car, not a commitment

Photo by Gustavo Spindula

Traditional ownership is serious business. When buying a car, you’re usually locked in with a loan for anywhere between 5 to 9 years and may end up owing the bank more than the value of your car. Worst still, the bank technically “owns” the car the entire time. Don’t get us wrong, the Flux team doesn’t have commitment issues but it seems like a pretty raw deal to be stuck with something for so long and lose out in the end for all your troubles. Kind of like Thor having Loki as a brother. A car subscription, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy ownership without having to worry about getting trapped in unnecessary debt. With Flux you can choose between a 3-year subscription plan for the best value or go month-to-month for the greatest flexibility, it’s up to you.

2. Our collection is your garage

Photo by Jose Mueses

When buying or leasing, you have to be very sure of the car that you’ve chosen because there’s no room to explore or even change your mind once you’ve signed on the dotted line. A good subscription service may, for a reasonable swapping fee, allow you to try out other cars with just a simple adjustment of your monthly fee. That’s right, slide behind the wheel of a different car every time you drive back to your hometown for the festive season. Want to have a spacious MPV, a capable SUV, that racy red roadster you’ve been eyeing (because we all know how good you’ll look in it), and a sleek executive sedan, but don’t have space in the driveway? Well, all these cars and more could be yours with just one Flux subscription. Just switch cars as your needs (or wants) change.

3. Sundays should be Fundays

When buying or leasing, you have to be very sure of the car that you’ve chosen because there’s no room to explore or even change your mind once you’ve signed on the dotted line. A good subscription service may, for a reasonable swapping fee, allow you to try out other cars with just a simple adjustment of your monthly fee. That’s right, slide behind the wheel of a different car every time you drive back to your hometown for the festive season. Want to have a spacious MPV, a capable SUV, that racy red roadster you’ve been eyeing (because we all know how good you’ll look in it), and a sleek executive sedan, but don’t have space in the driveway? Well, all these cars and more could be yours with just one Flux subscription. Just switch cars as your needs (or wants) change.

4. Always there for you

Photo by Jason Edwards

Public transport, car sharing and e-hailing are great solution to modern mobility, especially in dense urban areas where traffic is constantly heavy and parking spaces are a luxury. But nothing really beats having a car in your driveway. Sure you might be able to get by, but when you’re late for a meeting and your mobile battery is low, not to mention a crying two-year-old in one arm and a laptop bag in the other, do you really want to be waiting at the pick up point in the rain? If this sounds like your average Tuesday, you probably require a car in your driveway at all times — which is a natural perk of a car subscription.

5. Protecting you and yours

Photo by Rhonda Jenkins

In the event of a breakdown or a collision, on-board telematics and tracking will allow emergency services to track your location and assist you as soon as possible. But let’s be realistic, a puncture at 2am in an unfamiliar neighborhood with one too many stray dogs taking an interest in your presence can be just as scary. Either way, the Flux road rescue team will promptly be dispatched to deal with your car and help you on your way. In other scary news of the 21st century, should you not find your car where you left it, real-time GPS data is available to recover not just the car but your possessions as well.