We were lucky enough to be given a capsule by friends, we knew it hadn't bee in an accident. I would highly recommend using a capsule for newborn bubs, I loved it. And everyone I know who uses one loves them. I am pretty sure also that they are recommended safety-wise as being the best option for a newborn. So for me, that was the number one reason to use one. But I also loved that I didn't have to wake DS to get him in and out of the car. It was winter when he was little, and we would just rug him up, and if he needed to go to sleep not too long before we went out we'd just put him in the capsule, and then in the car when we were leaving. Likewise when we arrived home, if he was still asleep, we'd just leave him in the capsule until he woke up (unless it was late at night). If I needed to nick into the shops quickly, I would just carry him in it, which makes things alot easier.

I miss using it actually! Though I don't fancy carrying around 10kgs PMSL! Look, people will say 'yes get one' and others will say 'no don't'. I know that plenty of people survive just fine with a convertible car seat from birth.

ETA About the hire, I'd say they are pretty strict about having stuff in good condition. My mum hired a capsule for six months for her car, and it was brand new! Was nicer than ours LOL.