OT: Cheap hire car

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E

EMB

Guest
At long last I'm actually likely to get to the UK. Can anyone recommend
a place for me to hire a car for 6 weeks or so that isn't going to
charge a king's ransom. For reasons of budget I can't afford anything
with a green oval . :-(

Incidentally, low fuel consumption is going to be vital as I'll probably
go into shock buying fuel in the UK (I'm paying about 42p/litre for
diesel here, and about 60p for petrol).

--
EMB
 
On or around Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:04:17 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>At long last I'm actually likely to get to the UK. Can anyone recommend
>a place for me to hire a car for 6 weeks or so that isn't going to
>charge a king's ransom. For reasons of budget I can't afford anything
>with a green oval . :-(

When and where?

>Incidentally, low fuel consumption is going to be vital as I'll probably
>go into shock buying fuel in the UK (I'm paying about 42p/litre for
>diesel here, and about 60p for petrol).

Bloody diesel around here is launching itself over the 100p mark. seem at
least 2 garages and the others will doubtless follow once they can all do it
together.

I did get some for about 95.9 down by cardiff the other day.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero" (sieze today, and put
as little trust as you can in tomorrow) Horace (65 - 8 BC) Odes, I.xi.8
 
Austin Shackles wrote:
> On or around Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:04:17 +1200, EMB <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
>
>>At long last I'm actually likely to get to the UK. Can anyone recommend
>>a place for me to hire a car for 6 weeks or so that isn't going to
>>charge a king's ransom. For reasons of budget I can't afford anything
>>with a green oval . :-(
>
>
> When and where?

I'll be wanting to travel everywhere from Sheffield to Wales, probably
in October/November. Pickup somewhere near falling out of a plane at
Heathrow would be convenient but not vital.

>
>
>>Incidentally, low fuel consumption is going to be vital as I'll probably
>>go into shock buying fuel in the UK (I'm paying about 42p/litre for
>>diesel here, and about 60p for petrol).
>
>
> Bloody diesel around here is launching itself over the 100p mark. seem at
> least 2 garages and the others will doubtless follow once they can all do it
> together.
>
> I did get some for about 95.9 down by cardiff the other day.

Ouch!


--
EMB
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 10:14:35 +0100, EMB <[email protected]> wrote:

> ...
> I'll be wanting to travel everywhere from Sheffield to Wales,

ugh - The Birmingham ring road (M42). enjoy ;)

> probably in October/November. Pickup somewhere near falling out of a
> plane at Heathrow would be convenient but not vital.

Plenty car hire depots within the Heathrow perimiter.

Know your expected arrival time? Late on Sunday evening is a good time to
be a walk in customer looking for a group-A (cheapest) hire - you'll
likely get a free upgrade as they won't have any small cars left.

Aside from those actually @ Heathrow, there's Enterprise and Budget, both
have depots/agencies nearby.

It's probably worth checking with your travel agent - if they're big (or
part of a big group) they may be offering proper discounts.

If it would help I'll glady scan the relevant pages from YP/Thompsons/&c.
--
William Tasso

Land Rover - 110 V8
Discovery - V8
 
William Tasso wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 10:14:35 +0100, EMB <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> ...
>> I'll be wanting to travel everywhere from Sheffield to Wales,
>
>
> ugh - The Birmingham ring road (M42). enjoy ;)

It was pure ****e last time I was there and I expect it's only got
worse. Still, I'll be on holiday so I won't let it get to me.

>
>> probably in October/November. Pickup somewhere near falling out of a
>> plane at Heathrow would be convenient but not vital.
>
>
> Plenty car hire depots within the Heathrow perimiter.

All of whom seem to want an arm and two left testicles in return for
giving you a vehicle (at least in comparison to what I'm used to paying).
>
> Know your expected arrival time? Late on Sunday evening is a good time
> to be a walk in customer looking for a group-A (cheapest) hire -
> you'll likely get a free upgrade as they won't have any small cars left.

Well worth a thought. Although my luck on upgrades is about due to
expire - I've had a fair few lately.

>
> Aside from those actually @ Heathrow, there's Enterprise and Budget,
> both have depots/agencies nearby.
>
> It's probably worth checking with your travel agent - if they're big
> (or part of a big group) they may be offering proper discounts.

3 minutes of google found a better price than the supposedly "sper
discount special offer" that they came up with. :-(

>
> If it would help I'll glady scan the relevant pages from YP/Thompsons/&c.

Thanks for the offer - but by the time I factor in the cost of phoning
the UK numerous times it's probably not worth the effort. I'll see if
anyone here can come up with something outstanding, otherwise I'll
either pay whatever is being asked or try and blackmail a relative into
lending me a vehicle. As is typical they all use my car when visiting
but don't seem keen to reciprocate and as such are quite likely to not
be on my visiting list.

--
EMB
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:04:17 +1200, EMB <[email protected]> wrote:

>At long last I'm actually likely to get to the UK. Can anyone recommend
>a place for me to hire a car for 6 weeks or so that isn't going to
>charge a king's ransom. For reasons of budget I can't afford anything
>with a green oval . :-(
>
>Incidentally, low fuel consumption is going to be vital as I'll probably
>go into shock buying fuel in the UK (I'm paying about 42p/litre for
>diesel here, and about 60p for petrol).

IME Enterprise are the best of them - Hertz and Avis are a bit
pricier. Last time few times I've used Budget (in Ireland admittedly)
the cars were a bit old and smelly.

Some Enterprise places have a slightly dodgy habit of not hiring with
full fuel tanks, so you have to vaguely guess how much to put in. But
they will deliver the car to your address.

Internet will probably get you best prices - but all will haggle
(unofficially). I sometimes have a bit of airport sport when there
are four hire desks next to each other with no queue and I'm in no
hurry! Get them in an auction...

If NZ hire prices are like Australia you'll find the prices rather
shocking over here!





--

Tim Hobbs

'58 Series 2 88" aka "Stig"
'03 Volvo V70
'06 Nissan Navara aka "The Truck"
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 21:42:11 +1200, EMB wrote:

> Thanks for the offer - but by the time I factor in the cost of phoning
> the UK numerous times it's probably not worth the effort.

Dig about on the web, you have plenty of time so advance booking might
get a bit of discount, look at the smaller operators as well as the
biggies like Enterprise, Hertz etc. As mentioned also check with your
travel agent(s) for any fly/drive offers.

> try and blackmail a relative into lending me a vehicle. As is typical
> they all use my car when visiting but don't seem keen to reciprocate

Insurance? www.dayinsure.com but I know nothing about them and I suspect
that getting you added to an existing UK insurance policy is probably
cheaper (or free) assuming you have a clean licence and good driving
history.

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



 
In message <[email protected]>
"Dave Liquorice" <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 21:42:11 +1200, EMB wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the offer - but by the time I factor in the cost of phoning
> > the UK numerous times it's probably not worth the effort.
>
> Dig about on the web, you have plenty of time so advance booking might
> get a bit of discount, look at the smaller operators as well as the
> biggies like Enterprise, Hertz etc. As mentioned also check with your
> travel agent(s) for any fly/drive offers.
>
> > try and blackmail a relative into lending me a vehicle. As is typical
> > they all use my car when visiting but don't seem keen to reciprocate
>
> Insurance? www.dayinsure.com but I know nothing about them and I suspect
> that getting you added to an existing UK insurance policy is probably
> cheaper (or free) assuming you have a clean licence and good driving
> history.
>
It may also worth talking to the contract leasing people - 6 weeks
may interest them?

Richard
--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive
 
In message <fce46c4a4e%[email protected]>
beamendsltd <[email protected]> wrote:

> In message <[email protected]>
> "Dave Liquorice" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 21:42:11 +1200, EMB wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks for the offer - but by the time I factor in the cost of phoning
> > > the UK numerous times it's probably not worth the effort.
> >
> > Dig about on the web, you have plenty of time so advance booking might
> > get a bit of discount, look at the smaller operators as well as the
> > biggies like Enterprise, Hertz etc. As mentioned also check with your
> > travel agent(s) for any fly/drive offers.
> >
> > > try and blackmail a relative into lending me a vehicle. As is typical
> > > they all use my car when visiting but don't seem keen to reciprocate
> >
> > Insurance? www.dayinsure.com but I know nothing about them and I suspect
> > that getting you added to an existing UK insurance policy is probably
> > cheaper (or free) assuming you have a clean licence and good driving
> > history.
> >
> It may also worth talking to the contract leasing people - 6 weeks
> may interest them?
>
> Richard

Thinking about it.....

how about:
http://www.shb.co.uk/

?

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:43:15 +0100, beamendsltd
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In message <[email protected]>
> "Dave Liquorice" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 21:42:11 +1200, EMB wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks for the offer - but by the time I factor in the cost of phoning
>> > the UK numerous times it's probably not worth the effort.
>>
>> Dig about on the web, you have plenty of time so advance booking might
>> get a bit of discount, look at the smaller operators as well as the
>> biggies like Enterprise, Hertz etc. As mentioned also check with your
>> travel agent(s) for any fly/drive offers.
>>
>> > try and blackmail a relative into lending me a vehicle. As is typical
>> > they all use my car when visiting but don't seem keen to reciprocate
>>
>> Insurance? www.dayinsure.com but I know nothing about them and I suspect
>> that getting you added to an existing UK insurance policy is probably
>> cheaper (or free) assuming you have a clean licence and good driving
>> history.
>>
>It may also worth talking to the contract leasing people - 6 weeks
>may interest them?
>
>Richard

Not many places quote prices on the page, but these guys do and will
probably be cheaper than daily rates if EMB needs a car for a solid 6
weeks.

Need to add VAT to the price though I think.

http://www.apexrental.co.uk/long_term_rental/cars/manual/

Whether a non-UK resident would be able to rent on these terms I don't
know.

--

Tim Hobbs

'58 Series 2 88" aka "Stig"
'03 Volvo V70
'06 Nissan Navara aka "The Truck"
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 12:50:42 +0100, Tim Hobbs wrote:

> Some Enterprise places have a slightly dodgy habit of not hiring with
> full fuel tanks, so you have to vaguely guess how much to put in.

I thought that was standard practice will all hire car companys in this
country. Out on hire with 1/2 a teaspoon of fuel in the tank, PITA trying
to return it with just enough fuel to get it onto their forecourt.

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



 
On or around Sat, 22 Jul 2006 15:15:28 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 12:50:42 +0100, Tim Hobbs wrote:
>
>> Some Enterprise places have a slightly dodgy habit of not hiring with
>> full fuel tanks, so you have to vaguely guess how much to put in.
>
>I thought that was standard practice will all hire car companys in this
>country. Out on hire with 1/2 a teaspoon of fuel in the tank, PITA trying
>to return it with just enough fuel to get it onto their forecourt.

depends, the better places send it out with full tanks and expect it back
full, or near-full.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Too Busy: Your mind is like a motorway. Sometimes it can be jammed by
too much traffic. Avoid the jams by never using your mind on a
Bank Holiday weekend.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.
 
beamendsltd wrote:
>
> It may also worth talking to the contract leasing people - 6 weeks
> may interest them?

It does until they discover that I'm not a full time UK resident.


--
EMB
 
Dave Liquorice wrote:

> Insurance? www.dayinsure.com but I know nothing about them and I suspect
> that getting you added to an existing UK insurance policy is probably
> cheaper (or free) assuming you have a clean licence and good driving
> history.

One of my clients is an insurance broking business - I'll have insurance
organised before I leave home.


--
EMB
 
Tim Hobbs wrote:

> If NZ hire prices are like Australia you'll find the prices rather
> shocking over here!

I think that's what's getting to me - the unexpectedly large amount of
money they want for a vehicle. I am used to being able to hire a small
car here for £50 a week inclusive of everything bar fuel.

--
EMB
 
On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:04:17 +1200, EMB <[email protected]> wrote:

>For reasons of budget I can't afford anything
>with a green oval . :-(

If you can make your way here, you can borrow Ziggy (my Series 3) if
you like? I've just stuck him in one of my lockups on a SORN (you'll
probably know what this is by now, hanging around a.f.l!), but if
you're happy to pay to tax it for a couple of months (about 30 quid I
reckon) and insure it for your own use (I'd only do Third Party, Fire
and Theft as it really isn't worth doing fully comprehensive) it's
yours for the duration to (literally) rattle around in. He could do
with a good run - I've put less that 300 miles on him in the last
couple of years and he is (very) well rebuilt.

I'll have to MOT him before you get here, but that isn't a hassle as I
have a "Warren".

Mind, for a lot of travelling in winter, you may be far better (well,
comfortable anyway) with a hire car! :)


--
!!UNOFFICIAL!! http://www.ulrc.net !!UNOFFICIAL!!
!!UNOFFICIAL!! Now in beta :) !!UNOFFICIAL!!
!!UNOFFICIAL!! !!UNOFFICIAL!!
!!UNOFFICIAL!! Join Online Free! !!UNOFFICIAL!!
 
EMB <[email protected]> uttered summat worrerz funny about:
> Tim Hobbs wrote:
>
>> If NZ hire prices are like Australia you'll find the prices rather
>> shocking over here!
>
> I think that's what's getting to me - the unexpectedly large amount of
> money they want for a vehicle. I am used to being able to hire a
> small car here for £50 a week inclusive of everything bar fuel.

What about buying a cheap and cheerful motor for the duration and donating
it to a worthy cause on departure, perhaphs a local technical college to
tinker with or Fire service to chop up.

Probably work out cheaper.

Lee D


 
Mother wrote:

> If you can make your way here, you can borrow Ziggy (my Series 3) if
> you like? I've just stuck him in one of my lockups on a SORN (you'll
> probably know what this is by now, hanging around a.f.l!), but if
> you're happy to pay to tax it for a couple of months (about 30 quid I
> reckon) and insure it for your own use (I'd only do Third Party, Fire
> and Theft as it really isn't worth doing fully comprehensive) it's
> yours for the duration to (literally) rattle around in. He could do
> with a good run - I've put less that 300 miles on him in the last
> couple of years and he is (very) well rebuilt.

Thanks for the offer - I'm giving it serious consideration.

>
> I'll have to MOT him before you get here, but that isn't a hassle as I
> have a "Warren".

I'd like to meet the mythical "Warren" - he sounds a lot like the
gentleman I did my apprenticeship with.

>
> Mind, for a lot of travelling in winter, you may be far better (well,
> comfortable anyway) with a hire car! :)

You're undoubtedly correct, but the psychological comfort of a Series
may well outweigh the physical comfort of a characterless warm sardine
tin on wheels. :)


--
EMB
 
Lee_D wrote:

> What about buying a cheap and cheerful motor for the duration and donating
> it to a worthy cause on departure, perhaphs a local technical college to
> tinker with or Fire service to chop up.
>
> Probably work out cheaper.

If I was visiting for longer I'd do just that, but by the time all the
hassle with insurance and suchlike is taken into account I don't think
there will be much saving for a relatively short trip.

If however a business plan I'm working on comes to fruition I'll be a
regular visitor to the UK and will probably acquire some form of UK
based transport on a long term basis.

--
EMB
 
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