Car Rental in the UK

discombobulate

Just wondering if anyone knows where i'd get the best deal on car rental in the UK for renting a car from Heathrow?

Also any advice on what kind of car to go for? Budget would be around €140 for 4 days. A quick look and the following seem to be around the price bracket:
Golf
Astra
Focus
Megane
Fabia

Also looking on Expedia an Insignia or Passatt come up too http://www.expedia.ie/pub/agent.dll?qscr=card&piid=b45d0075-26c3-41e2-a92e-8b1d78552541

discombobulate

I'll be heading straight out up to Swindon and around the surrounding area for the week so won't be going into London.

Henry Ford III

Argus Rentals is always worth checking, as is Ryanair's linkup with Hertz.

discombobulate

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Argus Rentals is always worth checking, as is Ryanair's linkup with Hertz.

Cheers. The Ryanair one doesn't have Heathrow as an option presumably because they don't fly there. Golf or similar coming up for 30 a day on Argus. Presume it'd be a 1.6 petrol but doesn't say.

corktina

Swindon? consider flying to Bristol instead of Heathrow. Easier and could be cheaper, and very near to Swindon.

I always hire the smallest cars and hope for an upgrade (usually works...) Ford Galaxy instead of a Daewoo Matiz last year and a Nssan Note in place of a Corsa this year.

discombobulate

corktina wrote: »

Swindon? consider flying to Bristol instead of Heathrow. Easier and could be cheaper, and very near to Swindon.

I always hire the smallest cars and hope for an upgrade (usually works...) Ford Galaxy instead of a Daewoo Matiz last year and a Nssan Note in place of a Corsa this year.

Not much of a difference in the distances. Only works out 10 mins longer according to Google maps. The flight times for Heathrow suit me better and its for work so doesn't really matter about the cost of flights. Can't go overboard on the price of car though. There for 2 weeks so probably try a different model both weeks for the experience.

discombobulate

OSI wrote: »

It'll probably be a 1.2TSI

Would be ok with that. As long as its not the standard 1.4 I wouldn't be too disappointed. Would prefer if you actually knew what car you'd get though instead of them saying or equivalent.

Mar4ix

i used arguscarhire.ie car hire broker when was in UK for 4 days, descent prices, and cover lots companies, just get full insurance, itll cost a bit, but way less hassle.
Also, youll never get car what you after, cos always youll see like " vw passat or similar car ".
Last time i was after skoda oktavia, ended with brand new vw golf car rentals give you what they have in stock at the minute, when you appear on front of them with credit card.
if they dont have car what you was after, they will give you similar car in that class group(like you was looking for vw golf, they can give you skoda or vice verca) or better car for same money.

who_ru

make sure your license is not out of date or you won't be able to hire the car.

trust me i know.

discombobulate

Mar4ix wrote: »

i used arguscarhire.ie car hire broker when was in UK for 4 days, descent prices, and cover lots companies, just get full insurance, itll cost a bit, but way less hassle.
Also, youll never get car what you after, cos always youll see like " vw passat or similar car ".
Last time i was after skoda oktavia, ended with brand new vw golf car rentals give you what they have in stock at the minute, when you appear on front of them with credit card.
if they dont have car what you was after, they will give you similar car in that class group(like you was looking for vw golf, they can give you skoda or vice verca) or better car for same money.

Thanks for the advice. Checked again and they have the golf for 96 now for the first week i'm there so will probably just go with that.

BailMeOut

try Nova. I have great luck with them. They are a broker service that have deals with loads of the regular rental car companies.

Mar4ix

discombobulate wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. Checked again and they have the golf for 96 now for the first week i'm there so will probably just go with that.

In my understanding , when booking car, rental company doesn't promise car what you after, so in case if you order golf, bet getting offered renault, or skoda, ask them, might they will have better car, if you pay extra. rental companies are pretty flexible.

Mint Sauce

Last time we hired a cars (out of Exeter) we were expecting 2 ford focus', wasn't doing the driving so wasn't paying much attention at the desk.

Walked out to the car park, and seen 2 Alfa Romeo Giuliettas. Straight away reqretted not talking on the driving.

corktina

discombobulate wrote: »

Not much of a difference in the distances. Only works out 10 mins longer according to Google maps. The flight times for Heathrow suit me better and its for work so doesn't really matter about the cost of flights. Can't go overboard on the price of car though. There for 2 weeks so probably try a different model both weeks for the experience.

your call but it will take you much longer to get out of Heathrow via the bus transfer to the rental area etc.

colm_c

corktina wrote: »

your call but it will take you much longer to get out of Heathrow via the bus transfer to the rental area etc.

Not to mention the biometric security crap they now have in Heathrow, definitely worth avoiding if at all possible.

discombobulate

colm_c wrote: »

Not to mention the biometric security crap they now have in Heathrow, definitely worth avoiding if at all possible.

I've been going over for the last few years and just have a complete hatred for Bristol airport as i'm in it up to 6 times a year so try avoid it when I can. This is the first year i've been able to rent a car on my own license as I only the passed the test early last year.

I'd agree the bus out to the parking lot is the annoying part of Heathrow though but it gets me back about 2 hours earlier on the Friday with flight times so works out much better.

Amazing the price differences between some cars i'd have thought were in the same price bracket or close. A Golf coming up for €100 for 4 days and an Octavia €220!