Originally Posted by crazybikerchick

Car ownership and operation is expensive! So I think it could work but the ground rules need to be clear to everyone up front. What happens if the vehicle is in an at-fault collision? Will the person operating the vehicle then have to pay the differential cost in insurance year after year? What about cosmetics? Will the other users care if Bob's bad parking job scratches the body? Will Bob have to repair it?

Fairest would be to apportion all non-fault related costs to everyone based on mileage, which would involve keeping a mileage log. Example - tires need to be replaced, its based on the mileage log. Someone knocks off the mirror - they pay (its not based on something wearing out). Formal car-share programs charge based on mileage AND time because even if the vehicle is parked its not fair if someone else can't use it. It would be easier in an informal system to skip the time costs but perhaps institute a rule - if the truck is meant to be used to haul cargo, no extended usage (ie taking it on a vacation)