Korean Job Discussion Forums

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Hey... Anybody with experiences of renting a car in Australia, I would like to hear some. I want to rent a car for a month at home.

Any opinions about best company, are they really picky about the state of the car when you give it back, insurance and the like would be really helpful.

Thanks

Zark · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 6:10 pm Post subject:

Rented a car out of Sydney a couple years ago. No problem, less expensive than in the USA/Canada and much less expensive than in the UK. Basic insurance was included - if you use your Gold or Platinum Visa or Mastercard - the extra coverage is taken care of by them (to some extent - read all the stuff - but I usually take a chance and let them do it).

They rental agency did not look the car over particularly carefully when I returned it. But! - I make it a habit to have a car washed and vacuumed before I return it - once they see the car looks clean they generally don't look it over too closely.

Be very very picky when you pick it up - have them mark even the smallest of scratches, small dents etc. Check the car only in bright daylight or in a well-lit area. Look along the body panels for small indentations. Look at the hubcaps. Make them mark everything. Then, because the card has all the marks on it - they also won't look too carefully when you return it. Don't worry about being too p*ssy with this as they do it all the time - even a new car will have a variety of small scratches and dents - don't forget to check the windscreen for pits and small scratches or cracks - also the interior for cig burns, stains tears etc. Don't forget to check on the spare tire and tools.

This all sounds like a hassle, but it shouldn't take more than five minutes - and it will mark you as being experienced and as not being a SUCKER for any scams on return of the car. It's the people who rarely rent - who want to be loved and liked - that set themselves up for being suckers when they return the car. Suckers say things like, "Naw, it looks fine!" - then get burned when they come back. Not need to be a pr*ck about it, be nice, but careful. The rental car agency knows the score. Now you do too.

I just looked on the net and took the best deal I could find. Ask for a momthly rate - instead of a daily or weekly rate. ASK for a deal or discount - no big deal, they can always say no.

I have rented a kazillion cars in quite a few countries - never had a problem with this method.

Funny story - I think it was in Australia - they wrote down the tire serial numbers - someone had been renting cars with new tires and switching them out for crap tires (perhaps exchanging with the tires on their own car?)!

One place did b*tch about all the bear fur - but it was a hot summer and I was shedding . . .

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

how much?

i've only rented them for a day and it was like 70 bucks a day for the smallest, poorest car they had.. a 1.3l festiva or the like..

i'm sure you would get a better deal for the month but it's gunna be damn expensive.

check here - http://search.ninemsn.com.au/results.asp?q=car+rentals&FORM=MSNH&v=1&CY=en-au&RS=CHECKED

Zark · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 6:41 pm Post subject:

something around us$24 a day - but I don't recall the exchange rate then - maybe us$.6 to au$1?

check the net carefully - never rent from a place at the airport as they will have too much in the way of overhead costs, so they'll be quite expensive.
Any decent place will pick you up and take you to their shop anyway.

Yeah, a bit expensive to rent, but who wants to spend a few days hunting down a car, buying, holding your breath for a month hoping it won't break - springing for insurance, taxes etc - then spending the last week of your vacation HOPING you'll sell it? (I don't like to leave friends or family with my problems) Just my opinion.

Now if you were talking about a couple months . . .

Also nice to know that if it blows up, you just give them a call and a new car arrives.

It does look though - at a quick glance that prices are greater than a few years ago. However, it still looks like you could get in for about US$200 a week - with a little bit of net work. Expensive, yes!

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

yea.. i was was a bit tight like i am i would buy 1 and risk it.. 95% chance nothing will happen but if it does you are in a bit of trouble.. i just have a problem giving over 1000 bucks when there could be a much cheaper way with a little extra work

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

If price is an issue, hunt around for a company like "Rent-A-Bomb"...

http://www.rentabomb.com.au/

At the moment they have a special for renting a car for a month from $550

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

thats a good call waterbaby

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I rented from Avis last year mainly due to the unlimited kilometres thing. Only 600 dollars for 18 days for a Mitsubishi Lancer and had no probs at all.
Some people suggest just buying a bomb. For many people who are not Australian I don't suggest this being a good idea. There are large distances between major centres here, especailly in the north and if it breaks down you could be in major trouble. If just driving around town then it is a wise choice but most tourists want to travel large distances. Go the safe option.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

getting a naturally aspirated 4 cyclinder would cost you under 1000 bucks with rego.. it may not be a great car but if ya knew anything about cars you could see if such a simple engine was any good... i used to buy and sell bombs for extra cash, i know a bomb when i see 1 but it maybe a little different if you are not that familiar with mechanics..

and the good thing about getting a car for that price is that is about as low as they go.. you won't lose any or too much money..

the op never mentioned if it would be traveling long distances so i just assumed it was for local travel... anyway.. there is my 2 bobs worth again

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I am in Oz now and have a rental from Delta/Euro and there are great. $2000 for six weeks and unlimited kilometres. All those other insurances you pay for are included. Only a $300.00 at fault excess. No problems at all. Buying a car looks like a good option, but in the long term it is a pain. Roadworthies, rego, insurance, not worth the hassle.

fidel · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: North Shore NZ

Rented a car out of Sydney a few years back, think it was a new ford Fairlane. had it for 9 days drove down the south coast road to Melbourne, then alnog the Pacific highway. The car was cheap as from some small dodgy rental place out at parramatta. When we returned it they tried to rip us off for a new windscreen ($500) as it had a small crack. We took issue and noted that they hadn't checked the windscreen when we rented it. After a 3 minute argument they gave up. It was obvious that they wanted to scam some cash out of us. The thing is a lot of tourists would just pay up. The funny thing is we must have been flashed by speed traps 3 or 4 times on our trip haha

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003