Car rental in New Zealand

Heading to New Zealand and looking forward to getting out on the open road? There's nowhere better for it. But before you set off in your rental car, make sure you know what you're doing on New Zealand's roads.

Renting a car whilst on holiday can be a great experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. And there are few places on earth more perfect than New Zealand for taking to the road and discovering spectacular and secluded sights. However, there are a few things to bear in mind whilst driving down under�

�         Licence- You must have your current valid driver's licence with you at all times when you're driving in New Zealand. If your licence is not in English, make sure you carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit with you. As long as your licence remains valid, you can drive in New Zealand for a maximum of 12 months from the date you arrive using this permit.

�         Stay left - In New Zealand, people drive on the left. If you're an Aussie or a Brit, this is perfect - but if you're travelling from anywhere else, remember to take extra care when pulling out. It's easy to slip into autopilot.

�         Turning right? Give way - At an intersection, give way to all vehicles that are not turning. If you've driven in New Zealand before, bear in mind some of the rules have changed and drivers turning right should now give way to oncoming traffic.

�         No left turn on red - In some countries you may be used to turning left on a red light as long as the road is clear. In New Zealand this is not allowed - red means stop, no matter what way you're going.

�         Look out for pedestrians - When turning at traffic signals, give way to pedestrians - the green man will come on at many intersection crossings at the same time as the lights will turn green for you to turn.

�         Hang up - it is illegal in New Zealand to use a mobile or cell phone whilst driving, unless the device is completely hands free.

�         Travel times - New Zealand may not look that big, but travel times can be long, with many narrow, unsealed and hilly roads to negotiate on your way to some of the country's best sights. Plan your route in advance and think about where you'll stop to rest for the night.

�         Watch your speed - Speed limits in New Zealand are in kilometres rather than miles, with 100km/h being the limit on most motorways and main rural roads. Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit is usually 50km/h in urban or built- up areas.

�         Park wisely - Make sure you park in the direction of traffic flow on your side of the road. You could end up with a fine, or worse, having your car towed for parking on the wrong side of the street.

�         Know where you stand - Thoroughly check your rental agreement and ask any questions before you drive away. What kind of insurance do you have? Are you covered for minor scrapes or unforeseen necessities like windscreen repair? Taking a few minutes to read the small print could save you getting landed with a hefty bill - money that could be spent on experiencing more of New Zealand's spectacular scenery and activities.

Have you ever rented a car in New Zealand?

How To Get the Best Deal on Your Car

If you are ready for a new car, chances are you know exactly what you want. Whether it be a battered old classic you intend to lovingly restore or a brand new sleek sports car; it pays to do some research ahead of time to make sure that you get the best deal possible. Whether you having been squirreling away the pennies for some time or you have secured yourself 0% car finance; there's no sense in wasting your hard earned money by buying a car on impulse. It doesn't matter if the car you want is second hand or brand new, rolling straight off of the production line and onto your driveway; doing some groundwork will make sure you don't get ripped off. After all, when you are cruising around town or meticulously polishing your car you want be able to be that extra bit smug knowing you secured a good deal.

 

Scout Out Second Hand Deals in Other States

As with all significant purchases, shop around. If you are buying a second hand car, you may well want to consider buying one from out of state. Different cars demand different prices in different states. It all boils down to the availability of the particular car you require. This in turn is often dictated by the climate of a particular state. For example, in regions which have a climate which renders cars prone to rust, obviously a second hand car which is rust free will command a higher price. Therefore if you live somewhere where cars start to rust up after their first winter, consider traveling further afield to get a deal on a rust free used car.

The road trip home after collecting your car from another state could be the ideal opportunity to get to know your new purchase. However, make sure you accurately calculate the cost of flying to pick up your car in addition to the fuel costs for the journey home and add this value to the price you are paying for the car when deciding if you have found yourself a bargain. If you are buying from out of state, make sure you do your research into the various tax and registration implications; for example depending when you will get the title and whether the car is registered, you might be required to get an interstate transit permit to make sure you are legal on the drive home.

Be Prepared

Before going ahead with your purchase, do your research and have everything in place. Knowledge is power after all, so you are in the best position to grab a bargain if you have spent some time doing some research. If you are buying a used car, trawl the internet (online auctions, forums and car trading websites) as well as local auctions, classified listings and dealers for a bargain. Once you have found something suitable and at a good price, give the seller a call and fill in the details that might be missing from the ad such as the car's history and specific questions relevant to the make, model and age, e.g. has the timing belt been recently changed? If you are buying brand new, chat to people who already own the type of car you are thinking of purchasing in online forums. This way you can find out which optional extras might be worthwhile additions or which are all looks and no substance. If you are buying from a dealer, see if you can find reviews from people who have bought from them and definitely check out their returns policy.

Whether you are buying new or second hand, you need to set a budget and stick to it. Use resources such as the Kelly Blue Book to see what you should be paying for a new or used car. Calculate running costs such as servicing, fuel consumption, tax and insurance. Again, hit the forums to find out what people are really paying to run your particular vehicle. Once you have your budget ironed out, you need to ensure you have the right finances in place. If you have diligently saved for this day, then make sure the funds are easily accessible. Alternatively, consider guaranteed car loans from a car finance specialist to ensure you obtain the funds you require without any hassle. Having the finances in place ahead of time (and the cash in your back pocket if necessary) will mean you have one less thing to worry about and can swoop in when you see a good deal.

Negotiate

Once all the ground work is complete, bagging yourself a bargain is all about negotiating. Many people shy away from driving a hard bargain and this is what car salesmen bank on. If you have done your research you should have the confidence to go in and negotiate yourself a good price. When buying a second hand car, it is worth taking a mechanic or someone with a good working knowledge of cars (if you don't have that yourself) with you. If they find something requiring expensive work, you can negotiate the price down accordingly. When buying new, often it is worth buying your car towards the end of the month when the cut off for sales targets is looming and staff want to get one more deal in before month end. Similarly, if a new version of the model you are buying is due to be released soon and you are happy with the existing model, you may well find that a dealer is eager to see their old stock sold and may be more amenable to negotiation. However, if you sense that the sales person is not going to go any lower on the price, start haggling over extras; even something as small as a tank of gas or a set of mats equates to money in your pocket.

How To Find Good Family Cars

The buying of cars today has been made so easy. There is need however to understand the current market trends because every so often there are news of manufacturers recalling a model because of a problem that affects its performance. This doesn�t help in painting a reliable picture of themanufacturer in the eyes of the general population. Finding good family cars will therefore involve knowing exactly what you are looking for before going to the website or to the car dealers to ask for a car quote.

Many people will agree that being indecisive when buying something as important as a car might eventually lead them to buying something that they never wanted or needed in the first place. Doing some research, comparing the ratings, the prices, the features and many other features is important. Research can be easy when one has an idea of the class of family cars they want to own and this will definitely help them in getting the right car.

Reviews have become one of the best ways through which many people get vital information to base their decision on. It is highly unlikely that a car which is being advertised as extremely good to own can be bought by many people if the reviews it is receiving from the people who have already owned it are all negative. It is for this reason that many people are going for the established known brands of family cars and at the same time basing their decisions more on what other people say of them.

Visiting the yard for a test drive is a good thing that every person who has settled on a particular car must do. Test drives are generally for short distances but there would be no harm in hiring the car for a day and testing its capabilities at no one�s impositions.  Taking the car for a day helps one to test its practicability, long distance driving comfort, behavior on steep roads etc. All of these would definitely be hard to test if the car was tested with the car salesperson sitting in the passenger seat. This type of drive testing helps one come up with the best type of car out of a large pool of family cars (it�s interesting that the Danish word is familiebiler).

The cost is one of the main determinants of what type of car one can buy or not.In fact, it is the only determinant that dictates what category of cars one should dare look at. This however, does not mean that one can�t get an ideal car based on their needs and family preferences. Having considered all the factors that people consider important, it is not hard to see that there are good family cars in every cost category and all one has to do is compare and contrast the cars� benefits with their needs. Using these tips will most likely make one end up behind the wheel of a car that makes them smile more.

How to Select Good, Trustworthy Auto Repair Shops

Despite the global economic slowdown and rising fuel prices continuing to hit the country, several people opt to keep their cars in good running condition. Even if the car requires major repair work, most people get it done instead of purchasing a new vehicle. Although you save up money by not buying a new vehicle, you will have to spend an additional amount on repair and maintenance work of your old vehicle. This requires you to find a good, trustworthy auto repair shop.

Finding the best and most trusted auto repair shops is very important, particularly at a time when you are stranded on the road with a car that is not at all functioning. At such a time, people generally look for an auto repair shop at the vicinity. However, if there is no good auto repair shop nearby, it is always better to hire a good mechanic, who will ensure that your car is in good running condition.

For those residing in Mitchell, a small township in Australia, if your car breaks down you can look for a service centre Mitchell nearby. Here are a few tips that will help in selecting the best auto repair shops.

� Before deciding to get your car repaired, it is important to ensure that the repair shop you choose is certified. The mechanics must be highly experienced to deal with major repair works.

� Find out if the car repair shop has good references. Know if the car repair shop is reputed by reading reviews in magazines and online. Family members, friends and colleagues will best advice you about their experiences with the shop.

� In order to get the best car repair done at an auto repair shop it is a good idea to find out repair shops offering services at affordable rates. If your car requires extensive repairs, some mechanics ask you to pay a nominal fee. However, most of the mechanics include the fee in the overall repair work. It is therefore always better to enquire about the fees before taking your car to the shop.

� In most cities, car repairs can be quiet expensive and the labour involved in repairs adds up to the cost. In order to get better deals on your car repair you must opt for repair shops offering affordable rates. Car Repair Mitchell is one of the most reliable and affordable repair centres in Mitchell, Australia.

� Extreme heat and cold can cause extensive damage to the batteries of your car. You may end up buying incorrect battery for your car if you do not consult a mechanic. This can damage your car further and is a sheer waste of money. It is always to get your batteries replaced by relying on car repair service.

Car Doc Fee

After so much research, thinking, discussions, numerous visits made to dealers showroom you zeroed down the car you want to buy. Then the D day comes when you went to the showroom to buy your dream car. After hours of negotiation all settlements have been done, you are about to sign the final documents. Within few minutes that shinning twilight purple metallic 4 wheel machine will be yours. But as you read the papers and go down you will spot a fee of $595 which you were not aware with an unfamiliar phrase describing it as �Dealer Service Fee� or some call it �Delivery Fee� or some car dealers charge it as �Document Fee� or �Doc Fee�.

First reaction of yours will be �What�s this is for?� �Nobody told me about this earlier!�
If the dealer from whom you are buying the car doesn�t have a Full Disclosure Policy, will not disclose this fee earlier. It will be introduced at the last moment. Exhausted you after spending half of the day in the showroom waiting for the deal to be closed, car to be ready, will pick up the pen and will sign after little bargain.

But do you have to? Is it necessary to pay this fee? And what exactly is this thing called a �Document Fee?�

It�s easy to answer the second question first. �Doc Fee� is a cost charged by dealers for preparing the documentation at the time of new car buy. To some extent, this is legit. We may not have given attention to it but there are line of people from lower level to high cadre whose job is to see that all the documents submitted dealing in car sale purchase are in correct order and accurate. So this is their labor fee. But being frank it also includes the profit margin of the dealers. In some cases it is huge, means huuuugee!!

Doc fee varies from location to location. In some places it ranges from from $295 to $695 whereas in some other it can cost up upto $2000. So it is clear the ones who are paying such huge doc fee the dealers of that area are earning huge profits. But to my surprise, in some states doc fee is being regulated by the state and can be charged maximum to $50. I am sure there will be some areas where NO �Doc Fee� is charged on new car purchase.
 

But the question arises how the car dealers get away with this? It�s pretty simple if all the dealers in your area will charge the fee. It will be horrible inconvenient for you to go and buy new car from some other state. So customers pay the fees demanded by the dealers.
 

But more important question is. Do you really need to pay this FEE?

It all depends upon dealerships in that particular area. In my experience 99 out of 100 dealers charge it so one left out will start charging it eventually. And if ardent customer refuses to pay that Doc fee, the dealers refuse to sell the car and you have to go home without your dream car. As a customer you can only equalize this not so required fee by doing good bargain in getting discounts from the car dealer. Like ask for $595 discount or equivalent free car accessories to make up for the $595 doc fee which you have to pay.

Now here comes the rider and the hidden cost. If you think you have managed to land an awesome deal for yourself. A deal which may only be break even or cost to cost for the dealer. You may still be required to pay the doc fee and this might be the only fees that the dealer would be earning on the deal. This might be the money that might be allowing him to stay in business and the dealer�s only profit source.  Now you might think that is not a fair business practice and borders on the business ethics as all fees and charges should be disclosed to the customer before closing the deal. The customer should raise his voice for the deceptive tactic used by some. We provide a full disclosure and all charges and transaction costs are laid in front of the customer beforehand so that they do not feel cheated and shortchanged later on when they sign the cheque.

Bottom line is that don�t get caught off guard by this Fee introduced by dealer at last moment. Expect such thing to happen and be prepared to deal with them. Be upfront and ask your dealer for all the prices included in the final cost.
Good luck!

About The Guest Author: 

Sofia Williams writes for Mark Kia. She is a freelance content contributor and likes to write about various spheres like Social Media, technology trends and her secret favorite � cars and automobiles. She is a keen observer and contributor for various auto forums and the online auto space.

 

Business Car Rental Best Practice- Shopping Around in Australia for Good Deals

You can get excellent business car hire deals in Australia if you know where to look. Car hire can be a great alternative to regular car ownership, particularly if you�re doing a lot of traveling and don�t want to carry the costs and risks of wear and tear on your own vehicle. It�s also deductible, meaning you�re making a bit extra on your travels. The trick is to compare car hire deals and actively hunt for the best.

Car hire issues


When you hire a car for business purposes, you need to consider all your needs before you spend a cent. Do you need?

•  A big vehicle for transporting sales materials? 
•  A luxury car?
•  A good reliable car you�ve driven before, just a more recent model?
•  An off-road vehicle?
•  A good city runabout?
•  A car that can double for business and domestic use?
•  A van? 
•  Automatic or manual?
•  How many passengers?

Finding a good car rental site

These basics are really all you need to find your preferred car. Some online searching will find you a range of options, but- You can get a much better deal by being picky. The best business car hire companies in Australia are the major league companies like Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Redspot and Europcar. These companies can provide you with any type of vehicle you need and standardized competitive rates. Now some very good news- The best Australian car rental sites include specialist sites which act as booking agents for the big car hire firms. These sites will give you a range of selections of types of car, prices and car hire companies. The best of these websites also provide a �cheapest� option, and can find the car you want for the lowest price. That�s good for the budget, and it also simplifies your search for the right car. If, for example, you want a luxury SUV with a lot of space for your materials, lots of features and good performance, you select your car from the range of options and the website then checks for the best deals in this range. You can find yourself with a great SUV to drive and a discount offer which cuts a lot off your net outlay. You can also get extras like optional insurance, baby seats if you need them and other features, so you�ve got everything you need laid on, with no need to go looking for these things. The websites also provide customer service, so if you�ve got questions you can get all the answers you need with an email. The national car hire companies have another big advantage- You can pick up and drop off your hire car anywhere in the country. If, for instance, your itinerary is taking you around the country, you can simply arrange to pick up your car from the designated place by your car hire in Melbourne and drop it off in Brisbane and fly home. This is very simple, very convenient, hassle-free car hire at its best. Before you do anything, check out and compare car hire deals. You�ll save time and money, and get the best deals available.

How to get the best deals on car rental

Getting the best deal on your car rental doesn�t have to be difficult. It�s just a matter of knowing where to look, how to compare car hire companies and keeping your ear to the ground about great deals. Here, we�ve listed the sure-fire ways to ensure the next time you hire a vehicle, you�ll be bragging to your mates about what a great deal you got:

Do your research

Knowing what�s on offer and by who is the first step to being able to decide between what is a genuinely good deal and what isn�t. Do some research and find out what each of the car rental companies have to offer. Some may specialise in providing a different range of rental services.


Let others do the work for you

Don�t have time to spend hours looking from website to website? Why not use a hire car comparison website to ?nd out which company is offering what you want? There are now websites that help you compare different car rentals so you can make your choice faster. For the time poor, why not put your faith in the experts?


Don�t leave it to the last minute

Last minute bookings always lead to overpriced fees. Give yourself as much time as possible to ?nd a great deal well in advance to avoid having to settle with an expensive car rental company a few days before you need the vehicle.  


Join loyalty programs


Apart from frequent ?yer points, many car rental companies offer loyalty specials and offers only to those who are registered for their newsletter or loyalty system. This is a great way to ?nd out about deals that aren�t necessarily advertised.



Through Work

Many companies have longstanding relationships with car rental companies. Use this to your advantage. You may be able to get a great discount on a rental car simply by presenting proof that you are an employee of your business.


Ask for a referral from a trusted source

If you have a friend or relative that has recently hired a car from one of the companies offering the best car hire Melbourne has to offer, why not ask them how would they rate their experience with that company? Referrals from friends and relatives are the best way to get a genuine opinion on businesses and their services.


Negotiate

It's not always appropriate, but in some instances you may try to negotiate your rental deal with the car hire company. Remember, all they can say is no, so there is no harm in trying.

Jump on a good deal when you see it

Similar to cheap ?ights, cheap car hire gets snapped up fast so if you are lucky enough to come across a great deal, jump on it before it's gone!
Getting the best car hire deal is easy if you know where to look. I hope our tips on how to snag a great vehicle hire deal has given you some useful ideas for the next time you are in need of renting a car.

5 Tips For Car Window Tinting

Body

Having your car's windows tinted can provide several benefits. These include reducing the amount of piercing light entering the car and limiting ultra-violet rays. Selecting the right mechanics or auto industry professionals to do the job is an important decision. Take time to ponder the process and requirements, in order to make the right choice.

Light Reduction

Having the bright sun shining right into a driver's line of vision is not only irritating, but can also be dangerous. One of the main benefits of car window tinting is substantially reducing this amount of light. Not only can this assist with vision issues, it also helps reduce infrared light and ultra-violet radiation, sometimes almost totally. Some window tinting professionals will have figures on just how much UV rays and the like can be reduced, so it's worth investigating.


Privacy

Window tinting also brings privacy benefits to a car. While the driver and any passengers can see clearly out of the car, those on the outside have great difficulty looking in. This can help reduce theft, by keeping internal contents pretty well hidden. With different gradients of darkness, it is imperative to ensure that the level you choose meets local standards. Law enforcement want to ensure that drivers can see clearly through window tinting at night, when visibility may be impaired. Police officers may also want to identify those in a vehicle themselves.


Installation

While it is possible to apply window tinting by oneself, unless you are absolutely sure what you are doing, you could end up with a sub-standard result. The reason being is that the work can be a bit tricky, particularly with the glass of car windows which is curved and needs special application. Cutting and sizing window tinting film to match properly can be a challenge. Applying window tinting film to car windows poorly can result in bubbled film, or tinting that separates from the glass. Specialised tools are also needed for this type of work, so embark on any do it yourself venture with caution.


Warranty

Should you choose to use the experts, check what sort of warranty window tinting installation comes with. Employing those that install window tinting daily should give a consumer extra confidence that the job will be done right. Some good operators offer lifetime warranties on their work, giving extra peace of mind. This is important, as one doesn't want to be left with a home type job, without any recourse.


Removal

Hopefully most customers are happy with the results of having their car windows tinted, and would never want or need to have it removed. If for some reason it does need to be removed, a few words of caution are required. Just like installation, removal on your own can get quite messy if you are not careful with what you are doing. Some window tinters remove whole plates of glass in order to put on the window film, so removing this at home may be a challenge. One can sometimes remove tinting with a hair dryer and some ammonia, but for a worry free removal, consult the experts.

Window tinting has some clear benefits, and the result looks pretty cool too. Be familiar with the options and regulations before shopping around. Just like with your regular car service, award the job to a reputable operator.