Jump to: Reviews | History of Automobile Innovation

For $35, today's Groupon gets you a one-year Zipcar membership and a $50 driving credit ($125 value). Zipcar is the largest car-sharing company in the world, according to The Economist, since they provide rides for nearly half of all car-sharers worldwide. Urbanites who ordinarily hoof it, use public transit, or ride on the backs of men bred for transportation purposes can't resist the convenience of wheels-at-will without the hassles of car ownership.

Drive a convertible for a summer cruise, truck for heavy hauling, hybrid for earth-saving, SUV for a family outing, or coupe for couping; there are 11 models to choose from. View vehicle availability online, and then reserve the car (there are a ton of pick-up spots in Atlanta). The reservation includes driver's insurance and a gas card to fill up the tank. Rental is billable by the hour or by the day, starting at $7 per hour and $69 per day, and reservations include 180 free miles per day (mileage above 180 miles is charged at $0.45 per mile for most cars). This Groupon covers the $25 membership sign-up fee, gets you a year membership ($50 value) and a $50 driving credit. Click here to see complete rate info.

Zipcar is a great way for families to save money. If your family needs a second car only occasionally, downsize to one car and shed your insurance and maintenance costs like a snake sheds its braids. With a Zipcar membership your second family car is just a short distance away whenever you need it. Families that downsize to one car can save as much as $500 per month.

Signing up is easy; your Groupon will include simple instructions for redeeming on Zipcar's website. Please note: Anyone who doesn't meet Zipcar safe-driver requirements will not be eligible for membership, but will receive a complete refund in one to two weeks.

Reviews

Yelpers give the Zipcar in downtown Atlanta an average of three stars (it's a combination of Flexcar and Zipcar reviews, since Zipcar merged with Flexcar):

• ...Customer service has been helpful and notably good at thinking outside of the box, just what you need with an end user-oriented program like this. – Joel M.
• Reserving a car online is super easy… There was a gas card in the car for the one time the gas tank went below a quarter tank. There are a handful of cars near where I live, and even more near work. – Kristine M.

History of Automobile Innovation

Car technology has come a long way since Leonardo da Vinci's early diagrams of a vehicle powered by the screams of horses. Here are some of the major innovations that have made driving the pleasure it is today:

1890: Brakes become standard.
1903: Planes make cars obsolete.
1927: TV invented expressly for the purpose of selling cars.
1987: The 1987 Buick Regal Grand National is released, causing every other car to immolate itself in the face of true perfection.
2008: GM announces that basketball great Larry Bird will now come standard on all 2008 models.