Discussion
No, not the argument that’s raged forever about PCP / Lease, but actual real world hire cars.
I’m likely to be in and out of the UK quite a lot in the coming months, compared to normal where I spend more time elsewhere. Three years ago I sold my UK vehicles (not overly exciting ones), as I realised they were spending more time sitting in a garage each year than being used. The last few times I’ve been back I’ve hired cars and been shocked at the fairly hefty prices I’ve been paying, so was expecting a similar reaming this time and considering buying something again. The problem with that is the ongoing running costs of insurance, road tax etc.
I was seriously shocked at how cheap they are. A fairly rubbish low group choice can be had for £10 a day, collected and dropped off at an airport from at least one of the major players. Even a half decent SUV (e.g. Volvo, although no doubt that will bring some hate) is around £15 a day. I’m certain I was looking at £50+ a day last time I needed a car for any length in 2023.
Anyone here seen similar, or is age messing with my memory?
I’m likely to be in and out of the UK quite a lot in the coming months, compared to normal where I spend more time elsewhere. Three years ago I sold my UK vehicles (not overly exciting ones), as I realised they were spending more time sitting in a garage each year than being used. The last few times I’ve been back I’ve hired cars and been shocked at the fairly hefty prices I’ve been paying, so was expecting a similar reaming this time and considering buying something again. The problem with that is the ongoing running costs of insurance, road tax etc.
I was seriously shocked at how cheap they are. A fairly rubbish low group choice can be had for £10 a day, collected and dropped off at an airport from at least one of the major players. Even a half decent SUV (e.g. Volvo, although no doubt that will bring some hate) is around £15 a day. I’m certain I was looking at £50+ a day last time I needed a car for any length in 2023.
Anyone here seen similar, or is age messing with my memory?
That last rental was probably a covid price. I rented a van under the covid period since it was half the price (of the inflated) car rental cost.
Prices seem to have dropped to pre-covid rates again now. I too return to the UK a few times per year and rent a car for a week or so. I've got a 'medium size' rental for a Mon-Mon at about 150 quid, in a couple of weeks time. I'm a Gold member too so that gives me a free upgrade.
Prices seem to have dropped to pre-covid rates again now. I too return to the UK a few times per year and rent a car for a week or so. I've got a 'medium size' rental for a Mon-Mon at about 150 quid, in a couple of weeks time. I'm a Gold member too so that gives me a free upgrade.
rhamnousia5 said:
bobtail4x4 said:
they usually make their money by finding "damage" and reaming you for it,
They’ll be reaming my annual excess insurers then. Greenmotion is one company with ultra cheap rates - but one named and not covered by many excess insurers a because they are so scammy.
vikingaero said:
They won't. Most hire car companies won't deal with them. They'll charge you first and it's up to you to get the money back from the excess insurer.
Greenmotion is one company with ultra cheap rates - but one named and not covered by many excess insurers a because they are so scammy.
I tend to go more with names I recognise, than the ones that have the absolute headline grabbing cheap deals. However, putting that aside, I’ve never once had any hire car company try to claim for damage that I know didn’t exist. I did do some damage to a van once (scraped the drivers door down to bare metal after an awning fell onto it whilst I was setting it up), even then they charged me a reasonable smart repair price for the fix, although it’s likely they didn’t bother doing the repair. Greenmotion is one company with ultra cheap rates - but one named and not covered by many excess insurers a because they are so scammy.
Off topic but...
When I was about three or four years old my dad's car had to go in for some repairs and he said he was going to collect a hire car. In my mind I pictured some sort of hot rod, with jacked up rear suspension, so you can imagine my disappointment when the Hertz Ford Escort arrived, no higher off the ground than usual.
When I was about three or four years old my dad's car had to go in for some repairs and he said he was going to collect a hire car. In my mind I pictured some sort of hot rod, with jacked up rear suspension, so you can imagine my disappointment when the Hertz Ford Escort arrived, no higher off the ground than usual.
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