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!
