Sunday, January 3, 2010
Rental Car Question
From Cori's post we know we have a choice of renting two small cars or one big eight passenger Toyota Quantum bus. The Toyota uses diesel fuel and seems to meet our needs for space and safety but will cost over $3,000.00 for the duration of our visit. What do you all think. I am now thinking of leaving South Africa one day earlier on June 23rd. I could book my return flight from Durban rather than Joburg, turn in the car at the Durban airport and save one long days drive back to Joburg.
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Picking up the Toyota Quantum at Cape Town on June 4 and dropping off at Durban on June 23 would cost $2,900 if we paid in advance online. The minivans are all sold out and this seems to be our only option for a larger vehicle. Renting two intermediate size cars would be even more expensive -- a Honda Civic during that period is currently renting for $1,698 -- but renting two tiny economy cars would be a lot cheaper -- they rent for about $600 for that period. Is it accurate to say we have five definites (Nate Aaron Larry Brent Cori), one probable (Lisa), and two possibles in Matt and James? The answer to this problem depends a lot on who is really coming.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing -- I see we might be able to get a mid-size SUV for right around $2100 for the 20 days. How many people does a mid-size SUV hold? I could sit in the way back! I see some Ford Explorers, which is an "elite" SUV, fit 7 passengers. Most seem to fit 5. It would be fine for you guys once you dump Brent and me in Johannesburg.
ReplyDeleteDo you think I care that I'm the only commenter to this post? FWIW, there is also now available a Nissan intermediate size SUV that supposedly holds 5 people for $1,960.96. That may not be as practical as a big car, though, as the Toyota Avensis holds 5 people and seems to hold more luggage in the trunk, AND has an automatic transmission, all for only $1478.
ReplyDeletehow long will a typical trip be, do we think? If we're going to be in a car for a long time maybe we all want to be together, but if it's just a few hours at a time, two small inexpensive economy cars may be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteAnd how much is gas going to be?
ReplyDeleteI think diesel is about $4 a gallon if my conversion is any where near correct. As for driving distances the Port Elizabeth is about 600 miles. I like the big car for the day or two that we have to tour some game parks.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, the game parks. um.
ReplyDeletehow much were the hummers?
damn, $4 a gallon? Are there like, trains or something? At least for the trek to Port Elizabeth...
ReplyDeleteDude, battlecat, sweetheart, that's the Garden Route, the beautiful Garden Route. I will pay for the gas!
ReplyDeleteyeah we want a car for the garden route, but the karoo (from port elizabeth to joburg), how long is that? shouldwe consider flights or something?
ReplyDeleteYou're always worrying about the Karoo! It is 557 miles from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg. Like DC to Grand Rapids roughly. South Africa Airways has a $252 one-way flight. The regional airlines don't seem to have flights -- Mango doesn't fly out of Port Elizabeth and Kululu said the earliest flight it has from Port Eliz to Joburg in July 2. We can look into the train, but if we are hoping to go off the beaten path and see some animals during that week, or even get to Kruger, we would certainly need a vehicle. Not sure if Kruger is doable.
ReplyDeleteHere are some more accurate driving miles for our journey. Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is 477 miles. Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg is 668 Miles. Johannesburg to Durban is 365 miles. Like Coco said the trip to Joburg is just like driving to DC from GR. Don't mess with the Karoo!
ReplyDeleteYer more accurate. I was referring to how the crow flies, obviously.
ReplyDeleteWhat are folks envisioning for those days between the first and second games? Is it realistic, Dad, to think we could get to Kruger? That looks far.
ReplyDeleteI think Kruger is a bit far, but there are a lot of private parks closer to our venue.
ReplyDelete