ReachNow Car Rental

Car-sharing services are popping up like dandelions in springtime. Even BMW joined in the fray.

The company’s ReachNow service is available in Seattle only, though it may eventually expand to other cities. The program allows users to easily rent a BMW or MINI car, parked in various areas around town. Users must apply for the program and are accepted based on driving record.

The entire system operates via smartphone app. Users open the app and are shown available cars near them — previous users simply leave the car in a legal parking space or other designated drop-off point. Then, the next user simply reserves via the app, walks to the car and opens the door, also via the app.

The system is easy to use and convenient — for the most part. There are limits on where you can take the car, so don’t start planning a crazy road trip just yet. And of course, availability is a limiting factor, though the cars are generally widely available in dense urban areas. Often, you won’t have to travel more than a few blocks to get to one.

The prices are reasonable; the car share program doesn’t yet charge an initiation fee, and usage fees are competitive — and often beating — other programs like Uber and Lyft.