Australia: Opinions on Car Rental in Australia

[Genie47]

Hi all,

 

I'm now faced with a dilemma.

 

I'll be going to Melbourne. Went to several online car rental sites hoping to book my car in advance. Pick it up from the airport. FYI, this is going to be a Great Ocean Road trip. I will be going all the way to Warrnambool, up to Halls Gap, then to Ballarat before returning the car back at th airport.

 

I am shown cars from a lot of companies. All rental are for 7 days.

 

At Europecar, I can rent a Skoda Octavia. With excess reduction to AUD350, costs me AUD637.

 

Hertz, Avis, Budget and gave me all gave me a lot of other cars. Excess reduction to AUD350 all cost a whopping 550+ onwards.

 

Then I came to this company. Offered me a powerful V6 Magna wagon (TF) which is used for AUD437 including excess reduction to AUD350, 2 booster seats plus GPS!

 

Wife tell me she like new car. I told her this is a powerful older car. Other cars from richer tourists will have their balls shrinking if I bear down on them with a Magna!

 

Is it worth it to rent a Magna? I assume it is well maintained since it is a rental vehicle. Don't care if it is scuffed or whatever. I'm only going to use it for 7 days.

[Ithunk]

i think if u need to get around fast u need to drive fast...or else it will take forever to reach yr destination

[Genie47]

You can't go fast in Oz. The cops enforce their speeding limits strictly compared to us. I just like a nice large comfortable car cheaply.

 

If I wanted fast, this company can let me hire a 6spd, 18-20" alloy wheel Monaro or HSV, 6.0L V8 for AUD150 a day.

 

I can get this if I really am that siao.

[Ithunk]

okay enjoy yr trip

[Sir8]

There's no need to drive fast you'll be on holiday remember.

 

A bigger car means bigger petrol bill... unlike Saudi, it is not cheap in Oz.

[Newcar]

Dear Genie,

 

Just my personal advise.

Try not to speed over there..! Please save your $$$$.

Please be a good boy there.. okay..!

Another important thing... seat belt is a MUST even for rear...!

 

Traffic offense paid painfully there..!

 

Their traffic junction camera comes with dual features...

Speed trap as well as beating red lights.. My colleagues in Aldelaid was caught in 2 bad exprience lately.

 

Over speed by 24 km/h - Instant fine ticket of A$300.

Beat traffic light & speed above 10 km/h - Fine A$250.

 

My customer & me got a parking fined of A$120 in Melbourne city, last Friday night!

 

If you can, do top up your petrol, starting Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, in Melbourne city.

They always drop their price on above mentioned period.

As for out shirt area, petrol price is slightly higher.

 

It is a very long drives...get some apples with you in car.

Fill your stomach and good for health as well...

Lately, there are newly built freeway toward Ballarat areas...!

 

Try to get a heavy weighted car there.... the cross winds is terrified..!

Especially towards Geelong.

Imagine, you may feel car is shaking while driving a 2.4L camry straight ahead..due to strong wind.

 

Another advise for you.

On returing, drives your car into a big ferry at Geelong, Queenscliff. (Quite expensive but good expereince)

1 hours ride to Victoria most extreme South East coast.

It will bring you to Sorento port... Beauitful sea view there...trust me..!

 

From there, another 2.5 hours of city drives back to Melbourne city.

To avoid toll charge on East Link, just take Neapean hwy....

 

Me had struggled alot of works in Clayton for past 2 wks.

Expecting to fly there again on next sat.

that is why me can remember so much...

 

Weather at coast is chilled... do take care and have a safe trip.

 

 

 

[Genie47]

OK then. I'll rent the Magna.

[Vratenza]

Try to get a heavy weighted car there.... the cross winds is terrified..!

Especially towards Geelong.

Imagine, you may feel car is shaking while driving a 2.4L camry straight ahead..due to strong wind.

 

 

yeah agreed!!!

I was in a Yaris for a day trip when heading down from the city to Philip Island.....the cross wind nearly blew my car off the road...... [sweatdrop]

 

Luckily the rest of the trip I was in a 4L Holden...

[Fcw75]

4L is a fuel guzzler. I rented this Mustang in Vancouver and 1 day half tank gone liao. It's a 4L V6.

 

The guy at the desk asked me if I want the Mustang GT 4.6L V8. Lucky didn't take that.

 

[Nostalgia]

If you're going for the Great Ocean Road drive - get a convertible. Avis should be offering the Holden Astra (equivalent to the Opel Astra) convertible for a reasonable price.

 

You will not be able to speed anyway, so you don't need a high performance sports car, but cruising by the shore in a convertible would be an unforgettable experience. My wife and I used the convertible for a drive from Perth to Margaret River and enjoyed it thoroughly. You may come back wanting to own a convertible here....

 

If more than 2 persons are going, forget the idea and get a nice wagon or MPV. Rear seats of these 4-seater convertibles are not pleasant places to be in for long drives with the roof down...

[Zze121]

Do they have Toyota Avalon?

[Davidklt]

Its just a rental car and only for 7 days..doesnt matter..just pick and go.

[Sunlight]

Bro Genie, dont want camper van liao ah

[Trex101]

OK then. I'll rent the Magna.

 

Don't get the Magna, my brother own one and it's not very comfortable. Get a big SUV like Ford Territory(4L) or Holden Commodore Sportwagon(3.6L), of the 2, Holden Sportwagon would be a pretty good choice.

 

Edited September 5, 2009 by Trex101

[Newcar]

Emm.... Avalon .. not pretty sure..!

 

But, I knew they have Aurion..! Top of Toyota sedan over there..!

 

Lately, Ford came out a superb car which they called it "Aussie Monster"

Imagine, "V8 - Full time Turbo". Its outlook is very decent..gentle.

Was told tat it torbu kicks in at about 2K rpm....!

As wat my customer agreed, " A wolf with Sheep Skin covered"

 

Saw lots of rich cars there,

Lexus - IS-F, V8 twin turbo.... heard almost same category with latest GTR.

Aston Martin - dbs.... twin brake caliper on both rear...!

Volks Wagen - R36 ... Can't imagine how the car can reach 100km/h in 5.1 sec...!

 

Eyes balls almost drop off while viewing their show room... just viewing from outside.

 

Too much rich guys there...!

 

 

 

 

[Trex101]

Can try http://www.thrifty.com.au, i feel their prices not bad.

[Lightbringer]

The Magna is a very very verrry old and dated model.. Mitsubishi Australia introduced the 380 range to replace the Magna about 5 years ago and I'm surprised that the Magna is still avaliable for rent. It sure is darned heavy as well and the engine response is good, but nothing like what you would expect from a 3.5L V6. And yes, fuel consumption is a real bitch. Try to get the 380, especially the 380GT - I drive it all over Australia for over 2 weeks and it was near-perfect. Handles really well, agile and nimble yet providing oodles of torque as needed.

 

The folks here are right about the cross winds; when driving on the Prince highway back to Canberra from Melboune I encountered a really fierce storm. I saw small hatchbacks sliding horizontally along the asphalt in front of me in my own eyes, no joke! Even slighter larger sedans such as the Laser were swaying visibly. When driving across open plains, or in valleys, the crosswinds can be really strong, so do get a solid and comfortable car to enjoy your drive. I would vote for the Ford Territory, no opinions on the Holden Sportswagon.

 

Enjoy your holiday.

[Lingamair]

The Mitsu Magna is an older generation model, phased out already and replaced by the Mitsu 380. Depending on the age, you can get either the 2.6 or 3.5litre versions. Drove all the variants before and well, not terribly impressed with them. The current Aurion or Holden Commodore feels alot more solid.

 

I'm not too sure of your days, but I did a pricing (thru priceline.com.sg) for a week in October with Hertz. An Aurion came out with $365, and $24*7 for your extra insurance. A Camry is just $6 cheaper. Usually, Hertz vehicles are newer so you wouldnt have to worry so much about breakdowns.

 

Also, if you like a Ford Mondeo, Thrifty does have Ford Mondeo's in their stock for the Melbourne office, seen quite a few being rented by Thrifty customers, but not sure which category its in, probably the Camry category.