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Renting a Car — Brooklynian

Renting a Car

axel foley
axel foley
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights
I am trying to rent a car to go to New Jersey for about 40 hours between Friday night and Sunday morning. I have a Zipcar account, but after doing some digging it seems that the more traditional companies like Avis are actually cheaper for this stretch of time. Does anyone have any recommendations about rental car companies that are both affordable and have locations in or around PH?

Comments

  • daver
    daver
    I always just go to one of those travel sites like travelocity.com or something and put in the address I want to be near and take the best price.

    FWIW.
  • bkchickie
    bkchickie
    We've been finding that Zipcar is actually cheaper than a traditional company, once you include the cost of gas and insurance.

    That said, I like Enterprise on Livingston, but they aren't open on Sundays. Try Hertz. I think that their location is in the BK Marriott.
  • axel foley
    axel foley
    BKChickie wrote: We've been finding that Zipcar is actually cheaper than a traditional company, once you include the cost of gas and insurance.

    That said, I like Enterprise on Livingston, but they aren't open on Sundays. Try Hertz. I think that their location is in the BK Marriott.
    Crikey, forgot to factor in the gas cost, which is obviously considerable. Thanks for the tips.
  • lincolnannex
    lincolnannex
    Hertz sucks. I used them for a while, as i had a AAA discount, but they charge you a 27$ surcharge - per day - if you reside in BK/BX. Last time i rented it cost me 400$ for an economy car for 3 days - not including gas. Enterprise is better, but they are more anal about pickup/dropoff times and they really push you to get insurance (scope the consumerist website, they tell you which credit cards will cover insurance on a rental) and are closed on Sundays (so they can charge you another day on the rental).
    Enterprise is the lesser of two evils and is closer (best Hertz is on E. 13th in Manhattan).
  • bohuma
    bohuma
    I've rented from both Hertz and Avis. LincolnAnnex is right that Hertz surcharge the residents of the outer boroughs. Avis do not. I tend to bite the bullet and rent at La Guardia because it's much cheaper than the in town rates. If you have the right credit card you probably don't need to take their insurance. My American Express card has an insurance policy that is $24.95 per rental (up to 30 days) that covers everything. Works out much cheaper than the per day rates that the car companies offer. Book online.

    Hertz and some other companies surcharge BK/Queens/Bronx residents because under NY state law, if there is a car crash, not only the driver, but the registered owner can be sued. Apparently civil juries in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx are a lot more generous with the punitive damages than juries in other counties in NYS. They're trying to recoup some of the additional liability costs.
  • littlekates
    littlekates
    whatever you do, don't rent from the avis on atlantic. HORRIBLE customer service, confusing pricing, and lots of hidden fees, not to mention my car was dirty and wet inside when i picked it up. seriously one of the worst car rental experiences i've ever had. i rented the cheapest economy car they had for less than 24 hours to go to a wedding in jersey, and after all was said and done it somehow ended up costing $160.

    enterprise is worth the hassle, and if the slightest thing goes wrong, they make it up to you by giving you upgrades, free gass, etc. on your next rental.

    whatever you end up doing, good luck!
  • pureistheword
    pureistheword
    I use the Enterprise in Bensonhurst, I have found them cheapest in Brooklyn.
    I think rates recently went up but usually I reserve with a coupon code online and pay like 45/50 bucks a day
  • axel foley
    axel foley
    Well, after all that, a friend who I didn't think was going to come through is giving me a ride to the Southern wilds of New Jersey. But thanks for all the advice, and should I actually need to rent a car in the future, I'll take it to heart.
  • bkchickie
    bkchickie
    Axel Foley wrote: Well, after all that, a friend who I didn't think was going to come through is giving me a ride to the Southern wilds of New Jersey. But thanks for all the advice, and should I actually need to rent a car in the future, I'll take it to heart.
    The best deal of all!
  • chris
    chris
    Speedy Car Rental on Union in Park Slope is the best. They don't take weekend reservations, but if you get there early its not a problem. They are half the price of Enterprise et al and the cars are 3-5 yr old Tauruses, etc. In the end, it is by far the best deal... even better than zipcar.
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