How to Choose a Rental Car
Even when you’re travelling in a place with excellent public transportation such as Singapore, there are numerous reasons why renting a car may be necessary, especially if you’re planning on making an exciting road trip around the island. Beyond deciding to rent a car, it's essential to know exactly what kind of car you want and where you want to rent it.
In many circumstances, that selection will affect your capacity to travel around and do whatever you want without being hampered. How do you pick the best rental car for your needs? The following pointers should provide you with the information you need to choose the proper automobile and put your fears to rest.
1. Choose a car based on your plans
While it may seem self-evident, many of us hire a car based on the cheapest option. However, in many circumstances, this can result in an unfit vehicle for its intended purpose. It's smarter to choose a rental car that's appropriate for the destinations you'll be visiting.
It is possible to select a rental car that meets your travel expectations by basing your car selection on your personal goals. A bigger car can be the best option if you are travelling with your family of four or with your friends in groups of four.
However, if you plan to spend a lot of time on the highway or to do other long-distance driving (road trip to Johor), a comfortable, good fuel-efficient car would be better. Nonetheless, bear in mind that bigger isn't necessarily better. Clarifying your plans is critical to selecting the right vehicle.
2. Pick a car that you’re comfortable driving
It's not every day that the typical person gets to drive something other than their own car. While we'd like to believe that passing our exam qualifies us to drive in almost any vehicle, this isn't always the case.
If you're used to driving a little compact car, moving to a bigger car will be difficult and slightly awkward. Unfamiliarity with the vehicle you're driving can lead to risky driving, especially if you don't take the time to familiarise yourself with it ahead of time.
Instead, if at all possible, choose a similar car in style and size to your own. If you're more used to driving an automatic than a manual car, an automatic car may be a better pick for a smoother ride. You have the best chance of finding something acceptable for you if you book your car ahead of time.
3. Try it out for size
When renting a car, it's essential to make sure you're getting the correct size. To ensure that there is enough space, consider how many people will be in the car and how much luggage you will have.
Also, consider the activities you are planning to have. Will you be camping at the beach or picnicking by the park? These outdoor activities may require more storage space than you realise.
4. Consider what you would need your car to do
Choosing a car based on pricing or even where you'll be driving ignores the most critical aspect of car rental: safety. The most critical question is: will the car fulfil my requirements?
If you require a lot of boot room to keep luggage, that's something to think about. Being specific is the best approach to finding the ideal rental car for you.
Prioritise functionality and comfort over style and expense wherever you go, and you'll have a far more excellent trip. When it comes to getting the ideal rental vehicle for your unique needs, don't be afraid to dig into the details.
Long-term car leasing vs. buying
For those who fancy the novelty of driving a new car every few years, long-term car leasing is for you.
A car lease offers you access to a vehicle for a set amount of kilometres and months. It's comparable to renting an apartment rather than purchasing a home. Although there is less of a long-term commitment, you must still pay for it. Leasing a car has a cheaper monthly cost than buying one with a car loan. There are, however, a few drawbacks to look out for.
Leasing might help you save money on your monthly payments, but it can become quite costly if you don't read the fine print. If you opt to lease your next vehicle for the long-term, avoid these two typical missteps:
1. Underestimating your mileage & use
Before leasing a car, always be sure of your driving habits to prevent extra fees. Consider how lengthy your daily commute is and how frequently you travel great distances.
You could always request a greater mileage limit if you know you'll drive more kilometres than the agreement allows. However, because more kilometres equals more depreciation, your monthly payment will almost certainly increase.
Daily mileage limits of 20, 50, or even 250 kilometres can be found in some leasing contracts. You could be penalised for each additional kilometre if you go over those mileage limits at the end of the lease.
However most Singapore car rental companies are already offering unlimited mileage basis. Therefore it is important to make sure that you are clear of this term before you start the lease.
2. Neglecting car maintenance
When it comes time to return your automobile to the dealer, if it has damage that goes beyond regular wear and tears, you may be charged additional fees.
Many businesses may consider a scratch on a car that is less than the width of the edge of a driver's licence or business card to be regular use and will not incur a penalty. If the leasing company deems the damage excessive, it has the right to demand additional expenses.
The term ‘normal use’ is defined differently by each dealer. Before you return the car, your leasing company will inspect it for dents and scratches on the body and wheels, damage to the windscreen and windows, excessive tyre wear, and tears or stains in the inside upholstery. Don't expect your inspector to be forgiving.
Before leasing a vehicle, find out what the lease-end conditions are. These guidelines list the types of damage you must pay for before returning your car. Drivers can expect to be charged full market pricing for repairs if the car is badly damaged.
Conclusion
It's critical to investigate the terms and conditions of your rental company, especially when booking online, once you've defined your precise demands and determined the size of the rental car that best suits you. Restrictions and fines are two things to keep an eye out for.
Most rental cars offer unlimited mileage, but it's vital to double-check because if you plan to drive a lot, you could end up with a pricey rental. It's also crucial that you understand the conditions under which it must be returned. For example, if you have a full gas tank and your car is washed, you won't have to pay any further expenses.
Additional insurance is worth considering when renting a car. Most rental agreements include some basic insurance, but you may wish to get additional coverage depending on the circumstances you'll be driving in and the danger of damage to the vehicle.
If you're looking to rent a car soon, these suggestions should help you make the best decision possible. Whatever your destination, the safety of your journey should be your top priority. If you need to ask more questions about which is the best car to rent for your trip, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
