If I rented in the UK I would have stopped flying here by now.
Because I own, I can take the plane when I want near enough, I can go away for as long as I want, within reason, and I can fly for as long or short as I want. I can alsogo when I feel like it, and don't usually have to worry about coming back late.
For me it is a no-brainer. I own in the UK then go to the USA several times a year and rent something worth 1/2 million $ and enjoy that too.