but you must stay in the Brooklyn area, can't go too far
No, you just need to bring it back to Brooklyn when you're done with it.
I took the car from work in BP to Costco, left it in Park mode while I shopped and drove home to CH with my purchases. Back in Park mode while I unloaded the car, then drove 2 blocks away to drop it off (in the zone limit).
Other option would've had me borrowing a car from a family member or waiting till someone was going that I could get a ride with (no I don't have my own car).