KJCherokee

Have a look at Carsales. Buy (say) a 2yo Ford Focus for between $15k-$20k (depending on model) and sell it a year later for around $3k less than you paid for it. It is still covered by the factory warranty so your only other expenses will be insurance, registration, standard servicing and fuel.

Icecube

Renting a car from Sixt at Melbourne Airport (a Nissan Almera / Kia Rio depending on what is available on the day) for $193 per week. Not sure who you are using for $350 pw but I gues you get a lot of FF points etc (and the hire firm charges you for the privilege). I think it would be even cheaper if I took out a longer term lease ie 30 days plus.

I found a similar story in the UK where I took out an extended hire with Europcar (4 months) for a Focus. It came down to GBP 8 pd fully inclusive. So deals are possible.

ABCD......

I just looked at www.sixt.com

I checked long term from Sydney and got this:
Hyundai i20 - $7,126.30 for 3 months, with $330 Excess (same cost as Nissan Almera)

That works out at: $78.31 per day or $548 pw

It can be a lot cheaper, but without the Excess Insurance, and you then run the risk of a $3,300 excess.
That came to $5,041 for 3 months, or $388 per week.

The cheapest I saw from Melbourne was the Nissan Micra at $244.92 for 1 week with a $3,300 excess or $473.84 with insurance ($330 excess)
An extra $230 per week for excess insurance is high.

Your $193 for a week is an excellent quote, but what is the excess, and any other restrictions ?

rabble_rouser

In my experience advertised price and quote are at least a third apart. I have yet to ever rent a car at the advertised price in any country. I know I already said this but it just annoys me so much.

ABCD......

I've used Bayswater Car Rental before, and the price you pay has been what they say. But then again, I only look at final prices, never the advertising, which is always before insurances, booking fees, etc.

I guess then that the $193 pw is just an advertised price ??

Icecube

The Micra I noticed was about $160 pw. The Nissan Almera was better value as a bigger vehicle for not too much more $'s.

Excess for the Almera was $3K with no mileage restrictions. I take out independent insurance to reduce my excess for a year. I think that is a few hundred $'s. Yes renting can be a good option

Icecube

Price quoted was from the final invoice (including a % for credit card fees).

ABCD......

Two examples of actual car hire costs:

Small car, Weekly rate.

Sydney: Bayswater Car Hire: $259 Toyota Corolla with $400 excess, unlimited mileage in NSW.
Sydney: Bayswater Car Hire: $408 Toyota Corolla with NO excess, unlimited mileage in NSW, Victoria and SE Queensland.

Gold Coast: Broadbeach Car rentals: $351 Kia Rio with $550 excess, 150km per day Gold Coast Area, Excess kms are charged at 25c per km.
Gold Coast: Broadbeach Car rentals: $295 Kia Rio with $2,500 excess, 150km per day Gold Coast Area, Excess kms are charged at 25c per km.

Prices, and terms, do vary a lot...

chris955

Just buy something cheap, most modern cars are reliable so maintenance costs should be minimal over a 12 month period.