Car rentals in New Zealand?

Question

Does anyone have any comments on Ace and/or Omega rental car agencies in New Zealand? I will be taking a car from Auckland to Queenstown. The local agencies seem to be much cheaper than the big three (Hertz, Budget, Avis) but I am concerned about reliability. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I haven't heard of the one you listed, Me and my girlfriend rented a car from Nelson to Christchurch (all around the south Island) from Pegasus.

The car survived the journey, but it was a old Nissan Sunny, the local companies will probably have older cars, but should still be in good working condition and have road side assistant. Just make sure you check it over for marks, stratches and cracks/chips before you take it off the renter.

Answer 2

I've heard of them - I've used them, both are OK.

What happens in NZ is the big 3 buy new cars in bulk (cheap) and run them to about 45 or 50 000 kilometres. They are then sold off. As they have a COF and not a WOF, it's a good practice for the other rental companies to buy them. They then run them up to 180 to 200000 lm then they sell them off to anyone who'll buy them.

Every car for private use has to be tested every 6 months to obtain a WOF - Warrant of Fitness.

A vehicle used commercially as is a rental car, has to get a Certificate of Fitness which is a far more stringent test. So these cars are well maintained, reliable, clean and thoroughly safe (which is just as well because a lot of rental car drivers aren't).

The cheapest way to drive from AK to QT is to leave your car in Wellington and pick up another in Picton from the same company.

Then you pay only as a foot passenger on the ferry, which could save as much as $200.

When you book the car, tell the company you wish to do this, and they regard it then as a complete hire; one car right through, and not as 2 separate hires.

I think I've done this before with both of these companies.