Visiting OZ in December - advice on car rental?

[Graphite]

Hi guys - thought this might be an ideal place to get some info on car rental ideas/ dos and don'ts

We are visting in late December this year and will need a car for 4 adults and one child from about 21st Dec (maybe 23rd Dec) to 29th December. Pickup in Adelaide or Melbourne dropping off in Mount Gambier on 29th

Planning to go to Kangaroo Island on the way - We have found that there tends to be trouble with insuring cars for driving at night there... ? - and possibly cheaper to travel on ferry without car and pick up another on the island?

Assuming that a Commodore or Falcon will suit our needs - 5 Passengers + luggage - will all fit in a 2004 Subaru Legacy estate on the way to Manchester airport here - and if I remember rightly the Commodore and Falcon will be significantly bigger than the Subaru... Obviously a more 'interesting' car would be a bonus if anyone has any brilliant ideas

From a first 'looksee' Commodore most common for hire car in that size vehicle and will be about $75AUS a day as a ballpark figure...

Any hints and tips or advice greatly appreciated!

Mick

[champ]

Insurance should be included in your rental, you will just have to pay an excess on claims. And you can pay more in advance to reduce the excess. Doesn't matter if you drive day or night, hire rates are per 24 hours.

The commodores & falcons are bigger than the Liberty.

Have a look at the websites of some of the bigger car rentals companies like
Avis
Hertz
Budget
Europcar
Thrifty
etc, to get an idea of rates & comparison.

[bosc0]

Also if you have travel insurance, which you should!!!! You may find that the excess is covered on the hire car. So don't pay more via the hire company for a lower excess.

4 adults and child plus luggage, you'll want a wagon for sure. I'd be tempted to see if you can find a Ford Territory diesel, or similar SUV.

[cruisn]

Drive it like its a rental........

[bosc0]

Drive it like its a rental........

Really slow and on the wrong side of the road?

[jp928]

Going north from Adelaide towards Alice it can be dangerous driving at night due to kangaroos and emus - difficult to see early enough, and they can freeze in the lights. Both tend to come through the windscreen if you are going fast enough. You should be ok in the southern areas.

Diesel or LPG capable wagon would be most economical.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon.

[cruisn]

Drive it like its a rental........

Really slow and on the wrong side of the road?

Obviously we drive rentals differently.......

[bosc0]

We should have a rental cruise.

[Boostaddict]

The two fastest types of cars are rentals and company cars!!

Drive em like you stole em!!! Only way!!

[bigBADbenny]

In the countryside, dawn and dusk are the primary danger zones for wildlife. Not a great deal can be done to negate the situation, other than going slower etc. as, in addition to freezing, roo's etc can also spear across the road into your path...
Driver beware!

[nytrojen]

Try Redspot car rental. They include full insurance in all their rates

[mynameisdaniel]

Obviously a more 'interesting' car would be a bonus if anyone has any brilliant ideas

Depends what you're willing to spend, have a look for a HSV Grange 325kW

[bosc0]

http://www.jucy.com.au/

[tommartin]

Airport Pickup by Arrangement, Manual & Automatics Available, Utes & Vans, 4 & 6 Cylinders, Insurance included, Baby Seats Available, 24 hour RAA Roadside Service,
People movers –
8/12 seaters
Small Cars - $27 per day
Mid Size Cars - $40 per day
Utes - $50 per day

Vans - $50 per day
Mini Bus - $120 per day
VISIT NOW! AT Car Rental Adelaide

[mynameisdaniel]

Airport Pickup by Arrangement, Manual & Automatics Available, Utes & Vans, 4 & 6 Cylinders, Insurance included, Baby Seats Available, 24 hour RAA Roadside Service,
People movers –
8/12 seaters
Small Cars - $27 per day
Mid Size Cars - $40 per day
Utes - $50 per day

Vans - $50 per day
Mini Bus - $120 per day
VISIT NOW! AT Car Rental Adelaide

Relevant spam???