Is renting a car in NYC worth it for a 3-day trip?

[Pepper]

Planning my first NYC visit and debating whether to rent a car in New York for three days. Everyone says parking is terrible, but I want to explore beyond Manhattan. Are there any areas where having wheels actually makes sense, or should I just stick to subways?

[Ggier]

Renting a car in New York can be strategic if you're hitting the outer boroughs or day-tripping to the Hudson Valley. The trick is timing - avoid Manhattan rush hours and research garages in advance. A solid itinerary balancing transit and driving (plus parking hacks) is outlined here. Pro tip: Compact cars save headaches with parallel parking.