Hi Xlimey,

You haven't mentioned Hertz or Avis ?? These are the biggest rental companies in NZ, and have international links. Both have web sites. They also do reduced rates for longer term rentals, and advertise one way hire between particular points, you'd need to check if that applies to your destination..

Dunedinite.

Ezy, Pegasus & Rent a Dent have always been the 3 that I recommend to people for 'budget' rentals.

Would be interested to know what the 'small print' that you are worried about with Ezy is...

I suspect that all companies have very similar Ts&Cs.

Avis/ Hertz etc are a possibility, but will be more expensive as they hire 'new' cars rather than 3-5 year old ones.

Cruise Control is a mixed blessing. I have a car with cruise control but it is very rarely useful, as there are not that many straight roads.

My advise is not to worry about cruise control - the answer to possible temptation to speed is just to keep your wits about you, and take lots of breaks.

I still haven't found anywhere where you can hire diesel cars !!!!

Xlimey, LL is right you rarely get the chance to use cruise control, there are just too many twists and turns in the roads. The Kaingaroa Plains just out of Taupo is the only area I use mine! In the South Island, obviously the Canterbury plains would be another area and on some of those roads on the inland route to Queenstown it would be useful too.

LL; First I want to get back as promised regarding the Great Ponsonby B&B in Auckland. Of course you were right in that they only advertise their cheapest rooms in Wotif.com. We have booked for 2 nights plus get their "Uncle" welcome at AKL airport. Thanks for the tip about not taking no for a final answer.

I have a preconception that Hertz and Avis with their brand new cars will be unaffordable for a 25 day rent. I went back to the EZY rental website and for the price of a Group C Nissan Pulsar with them I can get a 2 liter Camry with ACE. Most likely you are right again about the car rental companies T & Cs but they are generally onerous compared to most other countries. e.g return the car more than an hour later than on the contract and you get charged a whole day. Makes sense to declare a return time an hour before the planes departure, even though you will obviously beat that time by hours. With ezy, dent your car and you have no recourse to arbitration. ACE are a bit more liberal in that they will refund your bond if the insurers find you not to be at fault.

I will do some more research on car rentals today but as I see it the discounts given are :

1: For older smaller cars

2: If the rental company expects a need for cars to be returned north.

3: Forgoing some of the cream puff treatment such as free pick up and drop offs.

4: Older drivers

5: Cost of using the Picton/Wellington ferry.

Hope I havent offended anyone by my negative comments on Ezy.

Have you had a look at Apex?

These are my car rental findings for a 25 day rental. I have not weighted the quotes for ferry assistance or added on fees to remove CDW bond liability. Pickup is at CHC and drop off at AKL airport.

Hertz Mazda 6 1572 NZD

Avis Camry 2.4 1600 NZD

Omega Camry 1725 NZD

Ezy Grp C Nissan Pulsar 905 NZD

Grp E Camry/Capella 1180 NZD

Go Grp C Nissan Primera 910 NZD

Ace Camry/Capella 950 NZD

I am not bothered about how new a car is so long as it has been well maintained and any pre-existing dents and scratches are logged in before taking the car.

Unless someone knows of a reason to avoid Ace car rentals then, to my mind, they are the clear winner for value for money.

Mummygaot; I suspect there are more than just Apex to add to the list. For my 25 day car rental Apex's rates are:

Camry 2.4 1725 NZD

Corolla 1.8 1375 NZD

Nissan Pulsar 950 NZD manual / 850 NZD automatic

Even though Ace's Toyota Camry is an older 2.0L model I still have them on top of the short list.

We are using Apex because we want to take the car across with us on the ferry and not all rental companies allow this.

Hi

There is no reason not to go with ACE. They are definitely reputable, and obviously your research has shown that they offer the best value for what you are wanting, so thats cool !

Don't worry, you won't have offended anyone with your comments, its really interesting to have feedback from someone who has researched the subject so thoroughly.

PS. glad you were able to sort out staying at the Great Pons B&B

Hope you have a great trip

we are goign to be driving around the south island, in november. would a 4-wheel drive be necessary , a nice to have or a total waste? it's obviously extra money.