How to Choose a Suitable Car for Rental

In Singapore, renting a car makes excellent sense. With one of the world’s highest population densities, pollution and congestion are a major problem. With so many people and so little space on this small island, it is clear not everyone can own and drive their car. The car duty is an eye-watering 150% of the market price of a car. Then there is the permit to drive known as the Certificate of Entitlement (COE). And with space at a premium, there is still the problem of where to park your dearly beloved car. Considering all this, it really does make sense to consider renting a car instead.

But how do I choose a suitable car for rental?

When renting a car there are a lot of variables to ponder.

The first thing to consider is your budget. Car rentals in Singapore, as elsewhere in the world, offer the discerning customer a range of choices in ascending order of cost: small, medium, large, premium, people carriers and SUVs. If your budget is limited, the most suitable car is likely to be either a small or medium car.

However, if you can afford to splash out a little more, you could be experiencing the comfort of a premium car. It isn’t just about getting from A to B after all; it is not the destination alone that counts but the journey itself and why not travel in style?

For the safety conscious driver, driving an SUV makes good sense. Firstly, you are sitting higher up with a better view of the road. Secondly, you are in a better protected vehicle in the event of a collision. There is no price too great to keep you and your family safe, right? Yes, SUVs do have a bad reputation for being gas guzzlers, but think about it: in the event of an accident would you rather be a sitting duck or sitting in a tank?

Have you thought about the fuel economy of your car? How many miles does it do to the gallon? Usually, small cars are more fuel efficient, all things considered, so not only are they cheaper to rent but cheaper to run.

Driving a big car is great till you try to find a suitable parking space. Choosing a short car, such as, the Smart car makes life a whole lot easier when nipping around the busy city streets and trying to find a suitable parking space. The beauty of small cars when it comes to parking is pretty obvious: small cars simply have far more options when it comes to parking.



Would you feel more comfortable driving through the traffic rush hour in a small rented car or a large one? Some feel safer in a large car, whereas others feel that they are less like to scrape the side of their car in a tight space.

When deciding on a suitable rental car, it is well worth reading the rating and reviews of the car rental companies left by previous customers. Would you rather rent a car from a company with a poor rating or a high rating? The chances are the previous customers are always right.

Bear in mind when renting a car, that you don’t always get the car you have chosen. Why is that? It comes down to those car categories mentioned earlier: you may have chosen a car in the medium car category and if the car you have chosen is not available, the car rental company may offer you the equivalent in the same category.

This happened to me on one occasion. I had rented a Volkswagen Golf, only to be handed the keys to a Toyota Corolla Altis. This can come as a shock but in most cases you will get a car that you will be equally pleased with. Again, by checking the car rental reviews you can avoid disappointment by choosing car rentals with a higher rating and a better reputation for customer service and satisfaction.

Choosing a make of car you are familiar with or have driven before makes good sense. You will be comfortable driving it: the pedals will feel right, you will know your way around the controls and you can work the radio easily.

However, you may like to choose a make of car you have never driven before. Yes, it will take a bit of getting used to, but it is not every day you get a chance to drive a different car. Why not explore a new car for you when you are exploring Singapore?

Do you want to drive a car with a manual or automatic transmission? Some people much prefer a manual drive, but it all depends on personal preference.



Do you want to drive a two door, a four door or more? If you and your loved ones are young and sprightly, you may not be bothered to climb out of the back seat of a two door car. However, if comfort (and elegance) is more of an issue than cost, then a four door or more may be your better option.

There is also the question of how many people you need it for. If you have a large family, then it is likely you will need a medium to large car at the very least. But do you have many luggage cases? Are you bringing your extended family too? Perhaps a people carrier may be more appropriate if you answered yes.

Another consideration is your own comfort zone. Piling eleven people into a small car may not be your idea of comfort. You and your partner may like the reassuring feel of roominess a large car gives you, and then it is also nice to know you have extra space if the need arises. Bear in mind how many is traveling with you and allow room for comfort.

Seating space isn’t everything either. What size is the boot space? If you are arriving in Singapore on holidays, it is worth considering can you fit all your baggage in the boot in your rented car.

Always make sure you read the small print. Ask yourself: does the car come with theft protection and a collision damage waiver? Does this come free or is this a hidden cost? It pays to check this out in advance.

Whatever you choose, drive safely and enjoy your trip!

Things To Remember When Finding Car Rentals

If and when you are out looking for a car rental company, you'll need to put some factors into consideration. Maybe you need a private ride to enjoy your vacation, or you are on a business trip and need a professional transport service. Regardless of all that, you must keep some things in mind. That said, here are some things to remember when finding car rental services.

1) Do you know how to drive?
This is a major factor you should keep in mind before you think of renting a car. Since it will be documented under your name, you might be needed to present your driver’s license. Prove to the rental company that you can drive well to avoid any future penalties.

2) Who else will drive the car?
Car rental companies tend to have specific policies that are related to the person driving the vehicle. If you plan to add one or two other people to drive the car, it will cost you more money. The best way to save on the costs is to handle the car on your own, mostly if the journey is not too long. Also, remember that you will have to take care of the damages yourself if someone else is involved in an accident when driving the car.

3) Why do you need the car?
Are you on a personal tour or you need to use the car for a family trip? You might also need the car for a business trip, which is a factor that you should keep in mind. The car rental companies have various cars for you to choose. The executive vehicles are mostly dedicated to business persons, and they can carry a maximum of four passengers.

On the other hand, if you are out on a family vacation, you will need to go for a bigger vehicle to cater to your needs.



4) Are you insured?
You must have an insurance company that covers you whenever you are out with the rental car. This will mostly come in the name of a personal auto insurance company. It will be helpful if you intend to go with the car on a long journey.

However, keep in mind that your credit card can still cover you when you are going for a car rental. Whether you choose to stick to your credit card or rely on your insurance company, there is no need for purchasing another insurance cover.

5) What is your budget?
This is another factor you must keep in mind before you seek any car rental services. The budget range will determine the type of car and how long you will stay with it. Once you have set up the budget, check with the rental company to help you choose the suitable vehicle.

6) Where is the rental company?
The location of the car rental agency is another factor that you need to keep in mind. Agencies located at the airport or the center of a city tend to be extra costly. The best strategy to use is to choose a rental company that is located near you. All in all, ensure that you weigh the options of different rental companies and go for the one that is the most convenient. The convenience here is in terms of the cost, accessibility, reliability, and availability.

7) Do you have a favorite car rental company?
This is yet another factor that can be helpful if you intend to rent a car. The best thing is to stick to your regular car rental company. However, if it’s your first time renting a car, you might want to weigh your options. The first rule of the land is to go for reputable and recognized car rental agencies. Never rent a car from a new company, especially if they are just starting up with less than five vehicles.

Not every new rental company is good and not all of them are bad. Some companies are new in their name, but they are a part of a rental company that has existed for many years. Ideally, do a background check on the rental company before you rent their car. Alternatively, just stick to your regular rental company if they serve you right.



8) When do you need the car?
Reputable car rentals agencies tend to have a lot of orders from different clients. For that, you will be needed to make an order ahead of time. If you happen to go on the same day that you need the car, you might be disappointed in the end. Even though you will end up getting a car for the day, it might not be the exact car that you preferred, or you might be behind by even three hours as you wait for a car.

Ideally, sign up or book your preferred car a few days before the date that you need it. This will also give you enough time to examine the car for any damages or errors. Never start driving the car if you haven’t checked if it is in perfect condition.

9) Where will you go with the car?
Well, you might think that this is not a big issue, but it actually is a factor to consider. The type of terrain you access will determine the overall cost you will pay the rental company. Suppose you want to access the off-road terrains, you might want to purchase a suitable damage waiver. Alternatively, you can choose a strong 4x4 vehicle that will stay strong on any terrain. The car rental agency that you choose should help you choose the perfect car that will be suitable for the roads you wish to access.

When it comes to the car rental service, you must be keen to follow all the necessary requirements to avoid hefty penalties in the end. Never forget to return the vehicle at the agreed time. Every car rental company will offer its vehicle with a return date and time. If you go beyond the specific time, you will be charged a fee. Also, remember to choose a rental company that is reputable and professional enough to assure you of reliable services.