Car rental UK vs US
Discussion
I am planning a team meeting for my crew and need to cost it out, UK vs US, one thing that struck me is the cost of car rental. Ignoring small hatchbacks as four adult males and associated kit wont fit comfortably in, can have a Chevrolet Malibu which I have had before in the US for £172, cheapest comparable car in the UK is an Insignia at £439 !
In fact the Insignia and Malibu are the same thing underneath I just read.
In fact the Insignia and Malibu are the same thing underneath I just read.
Edited by J4CKO on Tuesday 8th May 11:46
Both those rates seem high... have a look at http://www.carrentals.co.uk to compare for the US rental. I'd expect to pay around £155 for a full size.
In the UK, Enterprise want £167 for an Insignia for a week - but maybe not during the Olympics. Have a look though, as you might be surprised.
Oh and the Malibu is based on the slightly older version of the Epsilon platform - it's a rebodied Vectra, but the 2013 Malibu is an Insignia underneath (and much more similar inside). An Insignia is actually sold there, with a 2.4 litre, 180hp engine, as a Buick Regal, which is usually a premium group in the rental companies.
Oh and cars aren't especially cheap in the US... a Malibu is around $22k new, a Regal around $26k. If UK VAT applied, that would be £17k and £20k respectively, and while you can get some discount on that, we'd probably get more off on something like an Insignia.
In the UK, Enterprise want £167 for an Insignia for a week - but maybe not during the Olympics. Have a look though, as you might be surprised.
Oh and the Malibu is based on the slightly older version of the Epsilon platform - it's a rebodied Vectra, but the 2013 Malibu is an Insignia underneath (and much more similar inside). An Insignia is actually sold there, with a 2.4 litre, 180hp engine, as a Buick Regal, which is usually a premium group in the rental companies.
Oh and cars aren't especially cheap in the US... a Malibu is around $22k new, a Regal around $26k. If UK VAT applied, that would be £17k and £20k respectively, and while you can get some discount on that, we'd probably get more off on something like an Insignia.
Edited by CYMR0 on Tuesday 8th May 12:08
J4CKO said:
I am planning a team meeting for my crew and need to cost it out, UK vs US, one thing that struck me is the cost of car rental. Ignoring small hatchbacks as four adult males and associated kit wont fit comfortably in, can have a Chevrolet Malibu which I have had before in the US for £172, cheapest comparable car in the UK is an Insignia at £439 !
Just a tiny thing - You are getting quotes from uk site for US rental aren't you?Getting a quote on a US Site for rental doesn't include all the insurances you need from memory.
B'stard Child said:
J4CKO said:
I am planning a team meeting for my crew and need to cost it out, UK vs US, one thing that struck me is the cost of car rental. Ignoring small hatchbacks as four adult males and associated kit wont fit comfortably in, can have a Chevrolet Malibu which I have had before in the US for £172, cheapest comparable car in the UK is an Insignia at £439 !
Just a tiny thing - You are getting quotes from uk site for US rental aren't you?Getting a quote on a US Site for rental doesn't include all the insurances you need from memory.
You can get CDW/LDW insurance from UK broker which cover North American rental cars at a fraction of what the rental companies charge. It's quite common for US & Canadian credit cards to include this insurance, so the companies are normally quite accepting when it's declined. For instance, an annual premium of £120 sees me fully covered for rentals up to 30 days.
The only time I've had trouble was with a British booking when the rental company wouldn't accept my own insurance.
The only time I've had trouble was with a British booking when the rental company wouldn't accept my own insurance.
downthepub said:
You can get CDW/LDW insurance from UK broker which cover North American rental cars at a fraction of what the rental companies charge.
Unless you're renting regularly it's probably not worth it due to the risk that, if anything happens, you're liable in the first instance and then have to claim it back. You could have to pay the whole cost of the car if you write it off.If you book through a UK agent, or even the UK site of one of the US hire companies, the £172 mentioned by the OP sounds right for an all-inclusive price.
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