Hire a car for a weekend

Bargainbabe_2

Not bothered about a fancy car, just need it to get from A to B. Anyone know what the cheapest rental options are???

Thanks!

Bargainbabe_2

Is that another no then

Savvy_Sue

In general I have found that the cheapest option is to avoid the large national chains and find a small local operator. Sometimes a garage will offer this 'on the side' - a few cars which they hire out as courtesy cars or for short bookings.

Of course this only applies if you want to go from A to B and back to A again. If you want to go from A to B and leave the car at B, then there is generally no alternative to the nationals!

Also check the T&C: sometimes small firms limit your mileage.

Suggest you start with the local phone book ...

savvy

Enterprise are dead good, can book online or go into one of their offices. If you go in you get a good chance of bagaining with them, or least I have!

Firefly

I've got a Hire Car from Enterprise while my car is being repaired after a bump. I hesitate to say Courtesy Car because there was nothing courteous about the service I received from Enterprise. The guy who delievered the car was very very intimidating and tried his hardest to get me to purchase the collision damage waiver at £15 a day. I pointed out that it would be cheaper for me to use a taxi to get to work than pay that and he then prodeeded to tell me how the tiniest scratch would mean I lose my excess and how he hopes I don't drive past a tree having a bad day, or upset the neighbours so they vandalise it!!

I can't wait to give it back and won't be going near Enterprise again.

Bargainbabe_2

Thanks all....although i'm still no further in this question! ???

aliasojo

Don't know what area you're in, (we're in Scottish Highlands) so I don't know if this will be relevant or not, but we've had to hire a few cars over the last year or so for one thing or another and we always phone around for prices.

Arnold Clark has always been the cheapest we've found and as we usually book the 'cheapest smallest car they have', we've often found that they haven't had any in and so we've been upgraded to a bigger/better model for no extra cost.

Bear in mind, some companies have limited mileage, and some are unlimited which may make a difference to your eventual cost.

Ted_Hutchinson

Most car hire firms use new or nearly new cars,

http://www.rent-a-banger.com/ doesn't.

If you ask locally someone will know someone in your area who hires out bangers.

Bargainbabe_2

Thanks for the replies, i am grateful. I'm in the Durham (Darlington) area and so far Enterprise seem the cheapest.