You can often negotiate with the managers of in-town rental locations. I find it harder to do so at airport locations.
What time frame were you given by the dealer?
I saw that Mazda bit, just wondering which model it was.
Ask some friends or relatives if they have an extra car so you can use it for few months and pay them. Few are WFH due to covid.
Rental will be expensive since they in short supply also.
Do you drive a lot? If not - relying on Uber and public transport (depending on where in NY you live) may be not a bad option.
Additionally - consider buying a cheap used car and selling it after three months. Had a friend who was studying in the US for a few months. Bought a used Miata enjoyed it for the time he was here and sold it before he left for around the same price.
Look past the cosmetics. These cars are super reliable
https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/cto/d/new-york-scion-xa-2006-silver/7381656823.html
Exactly. half of New York moves to Florida in the winter so should be plenty of lonely cars hanging around.
Think out of the box and find a car from someone you know or someone that you know that knowsā¦ that you can use for a few months
Personally Iād rather just purchase a used car and sell it later rather than borrow a car from a friend or family member. Wouldnāt feel right if the car got hit while parked, stolen, or if anything happened. Thereās obviously the issue of liability and such. For the relatively minimal sum youād lose in deprecation over 3-4 months on a used car, it seems like thatās a pretty easy solution.
Depends what car you buy and how much you overpay in this market plus factoring in NY or NYC area sales tax and fees that could be a huge 3-4 month tab. Plus any depreciation and unknown maintenance risk. I am assuming finding any viable used car in the NY/NJ area is tough sledding right now after Ida. Not too mention top dollar price if you find something.
Plus the hassle and time spent searching for and disposing of a car for such a short period of ownership.
The OP just needs to find one good rental deal from a close, off airport location to bridge the gap. Corporate rates, internet rates, whatever it takes. Or break up the rental periods into smaller chunks for those days/weeks when a vehicle is really needed.
Yes and of course alternative transportation
Or find a friend/family member and work out a fair compensation
Under 500 a month for 3-4 months in NY? Thereās always citibike ā¦
I just did it with a Camaro LT1.
Very reliable but Iād rather walk.
You canāt comment until you have walked in OPās shoes ā¦
I donāt think you are going to find rentals in the $500/mo area right now. Maybe $500/week for an eco box.
Yep under $500 is pretty much citibikeā¦
Thanks. Why didnāt anyone else think of that?
I love that little Scion! It even has super fancy āwoodā trim! How classy 
For OP - rentals were expensive even before the current mess so $500 a month is basically impossible right now.Just pick up the least worst used car you can budget for. Iād probably be searching for the newest Honda Fit in your budget and run it for a few months.
Thank you guys for all the suggestions. Looks like the options left to me are finding a good deal on renting car or spend some money to fix my current carā¦ Uber/Lyft seems not work for me because I need to drop off and pick up kid from school
This should go without saying, but if your current car is repairable, even if it needs an engine, consider having it fixed, then sell when the new unit arrives. It is already in hand. The other deals are going to be super expensive, or risky, based on time frame. Just my 2 centsā¦
Have you thought about maybe using ZipCar? You can rent for something like $15/hr