Car rental recomendations in New Zealand?

June 6, 2006 1:35 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations/horror stories for car rental in New Zealand? We're coming from the US.

We'll be driving for about 2 weeks with our 3 and 6 yr old boys, and we'll need a car seat too - and probably a mini-station-wagon - so we probably want to avoid Rent-a-Dent. (FYI - we've rented and driven in NZ before, but not with kids and their associated complications.)

posted by chr1sb0y to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

No particular knowledge but

1. chains you're used to like Hertz will be available
2. it may very well be a whole lot cheaper to get car hire in a package deal through your airline or travel agent before you go

I say, ask about a deal like that and someone in NZ will be able to advise you if you could beat it on the ground.
posted by AmbroseChapel at 1:57 PM on June 6, 2006

I reckon Rent a Dent is the outfit you're looking for.

If you are going to be there for a while you could consider buying a 2nd hand car and selling it before you leave. Used cars are very cheap in NZ - but you would need to schedule some time at the end of your trip to allow you to sell it - possibly leaving you open to a screwing by some dodgy second hand car dealer. Maybe you should just go with rent a dent after all.
posted by urban greeting at 2:34 PM on June 6, 2006

Dunno, but we rented from Smash Palace in Oamaru and I liked that car better than the bulky Hertz car because of the narrow roads in parts of S. Island
posted by edgeways at 2:37 PM on June 6, 2006

oh, and rental horror stories, beware the Kea if you are driving the mountain areas in South Island. They like those soft rubber bits and can be pretty destructive.
posted by edgeways at 2:39 PM on June 6, 2006

We are in Australia and have rented three times from Omega Rental Cars and have been very happy with them every time. We've only rented small cars, so I don't know what their bigger vehicles are like - but their small car prices are very reasonable, and they have free hire of child seats. They have depots on both islands, including Picton, which is handy if you're taking the ferry between islands. I've always found their staff very friendly and helpful, too.
posted by andraste at 3:37 PM on June 6, 2006

The first time I rented a car in NZ it was from Apex car rentals. They are really friendly and helpful and also allow one way drives for no extra cost. Moreover, if you go between islands, they'll arrange a ferry ticket for you, and if you want, you can leave a car at one port and pick up a new one at the other.

Last time, we just used Intelligent Choice (couldn't drop off cars at Dunedin airport, where we were leaving from) to find the cheapest deal. We ended up with Avis, and they were fine.
posted by gaspode at 4:48 PM on June 6, 2006

Where are you driving from and to? And when exactly?
posted by The Monkey at 4:56 PM on June 6, 2006

I rented a car for 3 weeks in December, and travelled 4,500 km on both islands. When taking the ferry over from the North to the South island, you should obviously change cars, as it is much cheaper. In Wellington, I got a flat tire, and the free road service came within 20 min., changed the tire & was very casual about it, even though it was Christmas eve & out of the way.
I rented thru Avis or Hertz or one of the big companies. I was told to take their window-chipping insurance as they often get small stones chipping your front windows. Since it never happened to me before, I didn't. after about 2 weeks of driving, it happened. I think it cost me NZ$250 extra when dropping off the car.
posted by growabrain at 10:10 PM on June 6, 2006

My wife and I rented a car for about 2 weeks on our honeymoon from Christchurch. This is what we learned.

If you're landing in Christchurch, e-mail teddy from anzed car rentals. info at anzed dot co dot nz

site

You wont get his kind of service from the big name car rental agencies. He even gives you a cellphone for the term of the car rental, and all you pay for is your calls.

Otherwise,

1. Make sure you have chains if you're going in the mountains.

2. Dont pull off onto the side of the road unless its solid gravel / pavement. We got stuck in simple grass, because the day before it had rained non stop and we basically sunk in the ground.

Some really nice locals with a winch helped get us out within 30 minutes. There's always someone nice around in the countryside.

3. Most dealers can give you a cellphone with the car, and the minutes just get added to the bill.

4. Ignore dotted lines on the road. There are a few spots, especially on the south island, where even though the dots say you can pass, there is not enough clearance to make a pass. I almost had a headon collision because of this.

Good luck, and stay on the 'right' side of the road.

:)
posted by psyward at 1:01 AM on June 7, 2006