Car hire options for under 25's

michael_ozzie · 19-11-2011, 11:32 PM

Hey all.

Been looking at hiring a car next year at the Gold Coast, for 3 weeks for my honeymoon. I expected the car to be expensive, but up to 50% of the cars cost is added on by the fact I will only be 24 when hiring.

Is there any of the main companies that I should be looking for, as I am trying to get the car hire cost under $1000. Which means no XR6

Thanks in advance,

nickdl · 19-11-2011, 11:47 PM

Rent a Bomb? You might get an ED XR6? :P

xisled · 19-11-2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickdl

Rent a Bomb? You might get an ED XR6? :P

That made me LOL.

I dont think that any big hire car company's, will hire anything bigger than a 4 cylinder to a person under 25

SteveJH · 20-11-2011, 12:20 AM

Cost me $197 to hire an i20 (auto ;)) in Melbourne from a friday night through to the sunday afternoon. I'm 23.

Good luck hiring a car for less then $1000 for three weeks.

PS. I advise the manual.

XR Martin · 20-11-2011, 01:25 AM

You should be able to scrape under $1500, but not $1k.
Try not picking it up from an airport location as theres usually a 15-18% fee to do so.

Smoke Pursuit · 20-11-2011, 01:56 AM

3 weeks?? for less then a grand?? You're dreaming! Last time I was in Sydney with full insurance it was 600 for the weekend (SV6 wagon).

If I were you I'd be driving up instead, between flights / hire car you will save yourself $2k plus if not more! I can do Melb to Bris or Bris to Melb in a day comfortibly, but having 3 weeks to do it would mean you could do it in 2 days, stop over somewhere and have a good you know what in a dodgy motel room!

Bushbasher · 20-11-2011, 10:22 AM

Another vote for rent a wreck. $40 a day plus fuel is cheaper than your first taxi ride to somewhere and back.

Bushbasher

irdonn · 20-11-2011, 11:33 AM

If you want to save a bit rather than paying for the optional insurance, take out a domestic travel insurance policy. I use Worldcare. They pay the excess up to $3000 in the event of an incident. I believe the most you pay with Budget and Avis in the event of a bingle is $2750, so it works out just fine.

Cheers.

Iggypoppin' · 20-11-2011, 11:45 PM

Drive over mate you have a big enough car for it.

michael_ozzie · 21-11-2011, 08:26 AM

Thanks for all the info guys.

As much as I would be up for a road trip, can't say the other half would be appreciative.

Cheapest I can find was a manual Getz, $798 for 3 weeks, + $17/day age surcharge. Roughly $1155 bucks.

Will try looking at pickup in Surfers Paradise, and rent a bomb as a last resort.

And PANUP, good idea, will make sure that is in place when I head away.

Yellow_Festiva · 21-11-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_ozzie

Thanks for all the info guys.

As much as I would be up for a road trip, can't say the other half would be appreciative.

Cheapest I can find was a manual Getz, $798 for 3 weeks, + $17/day age surcharge. Roughly $1155 bucks.

Will try looking at pickup in Surfers Paradise, and rent a bomb as a last resort.

And PANUP, good idea, will make sure that is in place when I head away.

That's close to your budget. I was going to suggest the same regarding travel insurance. Never pay for the excess reduction, get insurance and you will same more and get more for your money.

michael_ozzie · 21-11-2011, 10:10 AM

Actually found a company that appears to be even better. East coast car rentals has courtesy bus from airport to their depot, and a Getz manual, including surcharge comes to $720.

Will have to ring up and confirm that is not a typo!

RG · 21-11-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_ozzie

Actually found a company that appears to be even better. East coast car rentals has courtesy bus from airport to their depot, and a Getz manual, including surcharge comes to $720.

Will have to ring up and confirm that is not a typo!

It won't be a typo, I was going to mention them as they are cheap and happy to hire to under 25's.

There are plenty of places up there that will hire to you for a decent price and pick you up/drop you at the airport. Stay away from the big names and you'll be right.

Cúl-Báire · 21-11-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_ozzie

Actually found a company that appears to be even better. East coast car rentals has courtesy bus from airport to their depot, and a Getz manual, including surcharge comes to $720.

Will have to ring up and confirm that is not a typo!

Used them once or twice before (over 25), and the missus has used them a few times also while under 25. Their service is good, cars are always in good nick and have found their prices to be quiet reasonable :-)

michael_ozzie · 21-11-2011, 10:28 AM

Thanks RG and Cul-Baire for that.

Looking up some of the reviews, they seem far from favourable. But considering how much cheaper they are, it may be worth the chance.

escort1976 · 21-11-2011, 12:40 PM

or send the missus up on the plane while you drive. just dont tell her its a one way ticket till after 3 excellent weeks!!

kinksta · 21-11-2011, 02:33 PM

Maybe buy a car off of eBay that is around $1000 in the area you are headed. That would be a cool honeymoon story! haha

Possibly This?

XR Martin · 21-11-2011, 03:13 PM

A honeymoon on the Goldcoast is bogan enough, letalone getting around in a $1000 bucket....

michael_ozzie · 21-11-2011, 03:19 PM

Kinksta, bonus points for going the extra mile, would never have found that.

michael_ozzie · 21-11-2011, 03:23 PM

XR6 Martin - each to their own where you celebrate a honeymoon. Personally would rather put the money I save not going overseas, on the house than spend $10k + on a honeymoon.