[suzer]

we're thinking of renting a car and driving down (from auckland) to wellington, christchurch, and queensland over xmas and new year's for about 2 wks. any suggestions on rentals?

[swissmissdesigner]

Ezy

[SarahEDH]

I found Go Rentals to be pretty good -- you might check with their Remuera office.

[suzer]

Cool will do, thanks. Just need a small automatic...best price, w/o lots of extra hidden charges. Do car rental companies here give you unlimited miles?

[Howie]

I've used Omega a couple of times and although they don't have the nicest cars, they're pretty cheap. I would look into picking up another car on the South Island rather than taking it on the ferry. Might work out to be cheaper.

[IanW99]

Cool will do, thanks. Just need a small automatic...best price, w/o lots of extra hidden charges. Do car rental companies here give you unlimited miles?

Most rental aggrements for cars appear to be for unlimited Kms, also found that there are a lot less hidden charges than other countries.

Ian

[Carey]

Ace Rentals, good value and changed car at our convenience when discovered car locks broken!

[migratory birds]

(See also the thread on car rentals I started just a few days before your thread - there are some reccomendations there that didn't come thru on this thread)

Just the other day I made flight plans into NZ to visit communities/schools before the big move in January.

I thought I would just meander from Auckland to Dunedin in 2 short weeks...but as I was planning, I talked with a friend in NZ who sugg'd I fly some of the greater distances rather than drive (ie Auckland to Welly is 8 hours, Nelson to Dunedin is 10 hours). I'm traveling with a kid and if it's just the two of you, you could cover more ground in a day than we can.

I'd also heard from a few others that NZ roads aren't exceptionally relaxing to drive on for those accustomed to driving on the right hand side of the road at higher speeds (unlike American interstates with speeds of 65+ MPH/105+ KMH where many typically drive 75 MPH/120 KMH in the US).

Consider tacking onto your flight plans a flight or two to cover one or more of those great distances if you're only going for 2 weeks. AirNZ just had an offer of 3 extra stops for only $75 USD extra. We took it because it'll enable us to stay for longer in some of the locations we're considering living in as well as one where I'm hoping for some awe and R&R.

But the purpose of your journey may be entirely different than ours - we're looking at neighbourhoods, schools for the kid, perhaps meet with some realtors to get a sense of who to work with on arrival or even put to work in the 6 weeks before we arrive...I figured I can do the sightseeing when we arrive and I'd have greater peace of mind knowing where to focus our housing search and what school my kid will walk into two months after our trip if I did it this way.

Best on your journey!

[Oregonkiwi]

We had a good experience with Metropolitan
http://metropolitan.co.nz/

[suzer]

Thanks Oregon Kiwi. I'll check out that rental.

[beccy]

I found a cheap and very friendly place to rent a car is ACE rentals in Parnell, 39 The Strand, (0800 502227) I managed to negoiate a good price from the one advertised and whilst the car i have is hardly the sexiest thing in the world it does the trick and has saved me the pennies and gets me from A to B!
:nice1

[suzer]

I didn't even think to negotiate...that's a good tip thanks:) I forget that is done here...bonus!!

[suzer]

Now we're flying to CHC and driving down to Queenstown and back. Is $39 a day incl taxes, unlimited mileage and insurance a good deal for an economy car? Hubs thinks it's too much:/

[Smiler]

I think thats a good deal. :nice1

We usually go with Ace or Apex if we fly drive and they are around that price for a pretty decent car.

Hertz or similar company will be more expensive.

[suzer]

Is it typical that they won'r guarantee an automatic.

[NoelMC]

Just read you are now flying to Chc, however for anyone else going north to south......
Taking a car from North to South island can be costly, if you are not bringing it back.
A friend of ours (about 3 years ago) found it cheaper to leave his rental car at Welly and hire another at Picton. Seems the hire firms don't like the messing about to get the cars back.

Noelmc

[Smiler]

Just read you are now flying to Chc, however for anyone else going north to south......
Taking a car from North to South island can be costly, if you are not bringing it back.
A friend of ours (about 3 years ago) found it cheaper to leave his rental car at Welly and hire another at Picton. Seems the hire firms don't like the messing about to get the cars back.

Noelmc

Some companies also offer a much cheaper rate if you just take a car one way South to North. I've seen the rate as little as $25 a day during the summer season.

[newkiwis2]

We have used Scotties in Auckland twice now and they are really good.