Learn me, o wise and knowing friendslist

[erilyn]

I thought I'd decided on a rental car for NZ, then when I went back to the Thrifty website, the quote was higher than what I had written down. Anyone got strong feelings about Thrifty or Budget? Or advice on things I should particularly look for in the terms and conditions?

::kicks email server:: Why won't you send my email?

Commute home tonight was a little longer than usual. Got to within about 200 metres of my station, no problem, then we stopped. A while later it was announced there was a train stopped at the station up ahead waiting for an ambulance. And then we waited...there's something particularly frustrating about being thwarted so close to home, but at least I was in a half empty train with a seat and stuff to read. If I'd been on a packed all stations train it would have been insane, I can only imagine the backlog that was caused, as we were stopped for over 45 minutes. The ambulance was still there when I finally got off the train, I hope the person was ok.

Hello people, hope all is well. Just a little update. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support from everybody about my decision. Again, this was not easy for me to do. I know alot of people are upset, but all I can do is follow my heart. I am the type of person that when I commit to something I give it everything I've got. There are still alot of things I want to do in this life and it takes time, dedication, and focus. Thank you for your support. Peace and Love, Kevin

Comments

[alasen.livejournal.com]

We used ACE last year - however their depot is rather far from Stately Luthor Manor, and also from Auckland airport.

I'm using National/Europcar this time - it was the cheapest one which met my conditions of "does not say how long you have to have unrestricted license for" - all the others were at least a year, and I will hopefully have had it a month... I'm sure they do fluctuate in price, though, I'm sure the ones I looked at changed. Going through www.nationalcar.co.nz there was a discount although they're run by europcar. However most of the tiny cars were sold out in automatics, so I have a mid sized one which is what I drive here anyway.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

I liked ACE's price, but the car was a bit small (I need power!) and old, and then the next size up is a station wagon (I'd prefer not to have an open back when there's gonna be luggage in there 90% of the time). Shall check the other out, ta.

[alasen.livejournal.com]

Heh, our ACE van, we thought was going to be a tarago size, was huuuuuge. We ended up with a 10-seater for the 5 of us. It was oldish, too, but we didn't have any problems. (That's why they're cheap :)

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

This is why I'm so indecisive! But through Thrifty or Budget, it works out at about $40 per person more to get a 2.0-2.4L car rather than 1.8L through ACE, and given the amount of driving, I'm leaning towards the car with a bit more grunt.

But I don't know!

[alasen.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about litres and things!

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

The car I drive is a 1.8L - good enough for city driving but not a lot of grunt for doing long distances, particularly with three people + luggage in the car. Beyond it relating to powerfulness of engine, it's just numbers to me ;)

[veronamay.livejournal.com]

*shanghais thread*

Keep in mind that the bigger the engine, the more fuel you're going to burn, and with petrol prices being what they are (and the exchange rate/GST in NZ), it might be a better option to sacrifice the grunt in exchange for saving a bit of cash. A 1.8L engine with three people and luggage will be fine, as long as you're not driving hundreds of kilometres non-stop for days.

/revhead

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

All input welcome :) I know it'll cost more, but there is a fair bit of driving (which I'm doing all of) and I'm spoiled - any long distance driving I've done has been in the parental car, which is very powerful and lovely for that sort of thing. Dad and I are going over the route and plotting stuff out (they did a vaguely similar trip a few years back), so I guess I've just got it suck it up and make some decisions *g*.

[veronamay.livejournal.com]

The difference between a 1.8 and a 2.0 isn't much, so there's the middle ground if you're looking for one. :)

[veronamay.livejournal.com]

I was on my way home tonight when I saw the noticeboard - and there was a packed-full train waiting on the platform at North Sydney. I went home via the Strathfield line instead. *g*

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness you were able to go that way :)

[sproke-ina-can.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about rental cars, but if you're coming to Wellington, you better be coming to see me or I will *not* be impressed! Email me :0) sproke at orcon dot net dot nz