Car hires for 21 year olds!

Matwilliams91 · 04-11-2012, 10:13 PM

Going on a holiday start of next year with my girlfriend, and am looking at hiring a car. We are going to Queensland to visit family, and the dates at set in concrete due to work, but now we just need to work out transport.

Some hire agencies let 21 year olds hire cars, but you must have your full licence.
Does anyone know of anywhere on the Gold Coast I can hire a small manual car to use early January 2013.

I know the costs involved will be higher, but a car is necessary as family is 3 hours away from the airport.

Thanks to anyone that can help!!

Matwilliams91 · 04-11-2012, 10:14 PM

Should of stated, I have my Green p plates in Victoria, minimum age you can get off them is 22.

XR Martin · 06-11-2012, 10:46 PM

Hertz will rent to you as long as you've had your licence for 12 months or more.
Under 25 surcharge is $32, plus full cover at $30ish (you'll want it as your liability is $7700 without it) plus the rental.
So you'd be looking at nearly $100/day

PM me and I can get you a decent rate.

Yellow_Festiva · 06-11-2012, 11:00 PM

That's a high excess! Are there lower levels because one other option is to choose the excess that matches what travel insurance covers (generally $3-3.5k).

If you do it like that, and you are hiring for a while you will save some money.

I assume your girlfriend is younger than you?

Matwilliams91 · 06-11-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That's a high excess! Are there lower levels because one other option is to choose the excess that matches what travel insurance covers (generally $3-3.5k).

If you do it like that, and you are hiring for a while you will save some money.

I assume your girlfriend is younger than you?

Haha no! She is older, a few months, but she has no licence hence I'll be doing all the driving.

Matwilliams91 · 06-11-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Hertz will rent to you as long as you've had your licence for 12 months or more.
Under 25 surcharge is $32, plus full cover at $30ish (you'll want it as your liability is $7700 without it) plus the rental.
So you'd be looking at nearly $100/day

PM me and I can get you a decent rate.

Thanks a lot for your help!
Just a few questions, I am assuming that is $32 and $30ish a day, plus car?
At the moment we are looking at arriving on the 2nd January at 9.30, departing 1 week later on 9th January at 5pm.

Just checked out the hertz website, I saw a little Toyota Corolla manual for roughly $315. Assuming this is for the week?

First time doing this alone (without parents) so in after all the help I can get.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

XR Martin · 06-11-2012, 11:12 PM

Vehicle excess is $3300
If the accident is a single vehicle accident theres another $2200,
If you are under 25 theres another $2200 excess.

Even with the full cover the under 25 excess still applies.

I think you'll find all the companies would be much the same.

XR Martin · 06-11-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matwilliams91

Thanks a lot for your help!
Just a few questions, I am assuming that is $32 and $30ish a day, plus car?
At the moment we are looking at arriving on the 2nd January at 9.30, departing 1 week later on 9th January at 5pm.

Just checked out the hertz website, I saw a little Toyota Corolla manual for roughly $315. Assuming this is for the week?

First time doing this alone (without parents) so in after all the help I can get.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Technically thats 8 days.
I can get it down to $275 for you...
Make sure you've got a credit card also

Yellow_Festiva · 06-11-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Vehicle excess is $3300
If the accident is a single vehicle accident theres another $2200,
If you are under 25 theres another $2200 excess.

Even with the full cover the under 25 excess still applies.

I think you'll find all the companies would be much the same.

So, the way I read that, there is no way to remove the under 25 excess by paying a surcharge?

Matwilliams91 · 06-11-2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

So, the way I read that, there is no way to remove the under 25 excess by paying a surcharge?

Isn't that original excess? Or I have read wrong.

Matwilliams91 · 06-11-2012, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Technically thats 8 days.
I can get it down to $275 for you...
Make sure you've got a credit card also

Sounds great!
Is a MasterCard the same as a credit card? I know they are different but can a MasterCard be used?

XR Martin · 06-11-2012, 11:31 PM

Yeah even with the Max cover option you will still have a possible liability of $2200 for being under 25.
Without it, $7700...
Mastercard is fine.

Matwilliams91 · 06-11-2012, 11:37 PM

Yeah definitely, happy to pay for the safer option.
Cheers, will be in contact via p.m

flappist · 06-11-2012, 11:40 PM

Why don't you just drive up from Victoria. It will not take much longer, will not cost as much by the time you rent the car and would be very good experience.

XR Martin · 06-11-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Why don't you just drive up from Victoria. It will not take much longer, will not cost as much by the time you rent the car and would be very good experience.

Certainly be a good test of the relationship

Matwilliams91 · 07-11-2012, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Why don't you just drive up from Victoria. It will not take much longer, will not cost as much by the time you rent the car and would be very good experience.

Thought about this, but as we only have 1st - 10th off work we figured flying would be quicker, with more time to see family.
If we were driving, I'd be the only one driving as the girlfriend doesn't have her licence, and I don't fancy driving that far alone.
More time to relax with family the better!!

Plus my 2000 Fairmont Ghia wouldn't be too keen haha.

flappist · 07-11-2012, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matwilliams91

Thought about this, but as we only have 1st - 10th off work we figured flying would be quicker, with more time to see family.
If we were driving, I'd be the only one driving as the girlfriend doesn't have her licence, and I don't fancy driving that far alone.
More time to relax with family the better!!

Plus my 2000 Fairmont Ghia wouldn't be too keen haha.

Where in QLD?

Assuming you are in Melbourne and are going to 3 hrs from Bris it will take you at least 8 hours to fly and maybe 17 hours to drive.

Matwilliams91 · 07-11-2012, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Where in QLD?

Assuming you are in Melbourne and are going to 3 hrs from Bris it will take you at least 8 hours to fly and maybe 17 hours to drive.

Going direct from Melbourne Airport to Gold Coast airport which is roughly 2 hours last time I did it.
We have family in Brisbane, and in Noosa, so flying and hiring a car is the plan.
Seems easiest, will probably cost a little more but will make the trip a lot easier.

Yellow_Festiva · 07-11-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Yeah even with the Max cover option you will still have a possible liability of $2200 for being under 25.
Without it, $7700...
Mastercard is fine.

So in that case I would still suggest you get travel insurance MatWilliams91 as this will also be covered in the event you have to pay it for whatever reason.

Just did a quick online quote with TID.com.au

$49 will cover you as the driver for up to 4 grand hire car excess. (As well as all the other benefits).

Well worth it. Remember, with hire car companies they will generally charge you the excess regardless who is at fault and then sort it out afterwards.

Of course, read the PDS for full details, or just call them in case they also have age restrictions.

Matwilliams91 · 07-11-2012, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

So in that case I would still suggest you get travel insurance MatWilliams91 as this will also be covered in the event you have to pay it for whatever reason.

Just did a quick online quote with TID.com.au

$49 will cover you as the driver for up to 4 grand hire car excess. (As well as all the other benefits).

Well worth it. Remember, with hire car companies they will generally charge you the excess regardless who is at fault and then sort it out afterwards.

Of course, read the PDS for full details, or just call them in case they also have age restrictions.

Yeah will definitely go with hertz, XR6MARTIN has helped me out a lot and can do a great deal which is exactly what I am after.
Just got to book flights and accommodation and get the ball rolling!!
Thanks for your help also, much appreciated, be sure to send me a pm if you ever need any help (i do panel beating/spray painting/mechanic work) but can also get some tickets to V8 events Australia wide, if you're interested let me know!
Cheers

flappist · 07-11-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matwilliams91

Going direct from Melbourne Airport to Gold Coast airport which is roughly 2 hours last time I did it.
We have family in Brisbane, and in Noosa, so flying and hiring a car is the plan.
Seems easiest, will probably cost a little more but will make the trip a lot easier.

Yes it is 2 hours on the plane plus 1 hour at the airport before plus 1 hour at the airport in GC plus 4 hours to get from GC to Noosa in the holiday period.

There are easier and cheaper ways to do this but you seem to have your mind set so have fun.

SLO247 · 07-11-2012, 08:33 AM

Have a look for the cheaper car rental companies too. Some have cars that are much older, should be cheaper.

Not sure why an AU Ghia wouldn't make the trip? Any car should as long as nothings wrong with it. My AU still goes everywhere.

Matwilliams91 · 07-11-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO247

Have a look for the cheaper car rental companies too. Some have cars that are much older, should be cheaper.

Not sure why an AU Ghia wouldn't make the trip? Any car should as long as nothings wrong with it. My AU still goes everywhere.

My AU will make the trip, they are great cars, I would just prefer not to spend 4 oF the 8 days of holidays I have driving to and from QLD, seems like a waste of holiday time. I'm happy to pay that little bit extra to get a new car in QLD, and only drive a few hours here and there to see family.

Matwilliams91 · 07-11-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Yes it is 2 hours on the plane plus 1 hour at the airport before plus 1 hour at the airport in GC plus 4 hours to get from GC to Noosa in the holiday period.

There are easier and cheaper ways to do this but you seem to have your mind set so have fun.

Will definitely have fun.
But how would you do this holiday, what would your plan be?
Just interested to see people's opinions.

flappist · 07-11-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matwilliams91

Will definitely have fun.
But how would you do this holiday, what would your plan be?
Just interested to see people's opinions.

Have done this sort of thing many times some in cars far crappier than a AU.

Before trip:
Plan route to avoid heavy traffic, include interesting sights and ensure multiple fuel options.
Up leg and down leg would be on different highways to increase sight seeing.
Vehicle serviced and tyres inc. spare checked for pressures and remaining tread.
Motel approximately 10 hours up the road and another 10 hours from your nothern departure point booked and confirmed. It is tourist season DO NOT assume there will be ad hoc vacancies.

Day 1) Leave at first light. Travel for 10 hours driving time with fueling every 2-3 hours including drinkies and 5 or 10 minute break. You have your GF on board so you will probably find you make several more pit stops. Spend time looking at sights as required but make sure you are at or at least very close to motel before dark. Eat proper meal at pub/restruant, sleep in nice bed.

Day 2) Leave maybe 1 hour after first light after eating nice breakfast at cafe (not motel room crap) and doing a quick predrive check of fluids and pressures. Continue to fuel every 2-3 hours and see whatever sights. You will arrive at Brisbane before dark.

Day 3-8) Be a tourist and spend HUGE amounts of money at all our tourist traps. Please note it is perfectly ok to go into extreme debt doing this as when you leave it is no longer our problem and we have all your money

At the end of day 8 do another check of the fluids, pressures and tyre wear.

Day 9-10) Reverse days 1 & 2.

If you are doing Brisbane first and Noosa second I would come up the New England and go down the Newell. Stay away from Sydney and the coastal roads, they are full of city nutters in 4WDs with suicidal tendencies at this time of year. You should cross over to/from the Newell at Tamworth/Coonabarabran.

Nett result:

You get 6 days with the rellies, 4 days of sight seeing and country/long distance driving experience and are totally flexible with what and where.

That is how I would and have done such things over the past 30 years in all states and territories of Australia as well as New Zealand, USA, Canada & Mexico although the latter were in long term rentals.