1st time car hire advice.

[a_hobden]

Hi guys, I will be renting a car for the 1st time in orlando next year, so looking for ideas on where to find the best price? and also what kind of car to go for, there will only be 2 adults so would the smallest be ok or are they really small? will be goin may 2nd untill may 18th if that helps

 

[wayneg]

A bit early yet as not all rental companies have released prices for next year. Its usually one of the last things I do, book 1-3 months before going unless I see a bargain.
16 nights rental will cost from about £230 for smallest car, probably be just big enough, personally I never go for anything so small, I like full size minimum, will cost you about another £60-70 but well worth it IMO.

Do a search on Netflight.com they are always competative. Prices are less 5% if you book via Quidco. I would wait until they release all prices though.

 

[a_hobden]

cheers for that wayne, i'll hold of for a while, what would a full size medium be compaired to in the uk? so i have a rough idea of what it would be like.

 

[disneyholic family]

when it's just two people i go with the smallest car, which is more than big enough for two people...

the smallest car is about the size of the mazda 3 or the ford focus...

if you go with alamo, they'll try to convince you to upgrade at the check in desk..
they'll tell you that the small car is too small..

and then you'll get out to the lot and see the littlest car and the next size are all in the same row and you can pick any car from that row for the same rate..

 

[wayneg]

cheers for that wayne, i'll hold of for a while, what would a full size medium be compaired to in the uk? so i have a rough idea of what it would be like.

Click on this link to give you an idea of cars in a class.
http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/en/cars/index.html

You would probably manage with smallest but some have a small boot, for a few £ more I prefer the comfort of larger cars, I am on a holiday costing £1,000's I don't see point in saving £60-70, bigger the better for me, in Feb I had a 7 seater Chevy Tahoe

A few I have had in Full size class. I always try get a Dodge Charger, they are quite basic in features compared to other cars but I love driving them.

Chevy Impala

Pontiac Grand Prix

 

[disneyholic family]

the boot certainly must be bigger in a full size car, but i like driving smaller cars (at home i drive a honda jazz)...even though i did drive a town and country on this trip, definitely not a small car!! i wish i could have taken that minivan home with us!!!!! really nice drive!!

 

[penlanspice]

The car is one thing we just try and get as cheap as possible! we always go for just the compact car when it's the 2 of us, I can't see the point in wasting money, but it's personal preference. On our next trip it's costing us a small fortune but I gave DH the option of having a compact or 4 wheel drive and the price difference was £80, he said save the money!

 

[a_hobden]

I do really like the look of those Chargers I think I might just have to take the plunge and get one of those!!

 

[wayneg]

I do really like the look of those Chargers I think I might just have to take the plunge and get one of those!!

Only problem is you cant guarantee a car, they all say or similar. when we collected last month there was a row of about 12 cars to choose from, only the 1 Charger. They are not a car they stock like they used to.

 

[wdwfan101]

You might try Thrifty if you're interested in a Dodge Charger. Of all of the rental agencies in the US, Thrifty carries the highest percentage of Chrysler products. I recommend not renting the compact or "standard" class car from Thrifty as you might get a Dodge Caliber or Dodge Avenger. The Dodge Charger has been significantly upgraded for the 2011 model year and is much more refined with a higher quality interior and new 292hp V6 engine.

Tips:

• You might want to run a query on the US travel sites such as expedia.com to compare prices between rental agencies. Thrifty was one of the lowest priced agencies for a "full size" class vehicle on expedia.

• If you are an AA member, you might want to check if discounts are available on US rentals. Also check allears.net for rental discounts.

*Disclosure: I usually rent through Hertz in Orlando -- the US AAA discount makes Hertz's prices competitive.

Examples of vehicles by class:

• Economy car class - Chevy Aveo.

• Compact car class - Ford Fiesta or a Nissan Versa (Renault Megane). Be aware that these cars may be sedan versions instead of hatchbacks. Luggage room isn't that great as in the hatchbacks. Ask at the rental counter.

• Mid-size class - Toyota Corolla / Mazda 6 / Ford Fusion / Dodge Avenger.

• Standard class - Chevy Malibu (a cousin to the Vauxhall Insignia). Some agencies include a Ford Mustang in this class. While a sporty car to drive, it doesn't have much luggage room. The Malibu has almost as much passenger space as a Chevy Impala but with a somewhat smaller trunk.

• The "full size" class are like those mentioned above as well as the Ford Taurus.

• The "premium full size" class includes cars like the Ford Crown Victoria. While the trunk is huge, it drives like the 30 year old American rear wheel drive sedan that it is.

 

[Bexandnij]

Sorry to hijack, but does any one know - we are considering hiring a car for a day or two to go and do Busch Gardens etc. We have just moved house and as a result our driving licenses have our old address on the paper part, but there isn't enough time to get them sent to be changed before we go as we can't guarantee we'll get it back in time. Will this be a problem?

 

[a_hobden]

cheers 4 the advise guys... 1 more thing, with it being my 1st time driving over in orlando, is there anything I should know, orlando laws etc....? dos and donts?

 

[wayneg]

More or less same as driving here(only on other side of road)
You can turn right on a red light unless it says otherwise, you will see a sign above the light if you can't.