<D> Car Rental

[moccajava]

Hi,

 

Any guys here got any comments on the schemes available such as the Car Pool by NTUC, Honda DIRACC and Whizzcar and the likes?

 

Is it really cheaper than daily rental rates from those companies that dont come with unlimited petrol usage or is it just hyped up?

[josephsbs]

Guess I may just be the right person to answer your query coz I've been a user of such "Car-sharing" schemes for many years. Car-sharing schemes first started here in 1997 by NTUC, then other companies such as Honda Diracc, Whizzcar and CitySpeed (ceased operation on 01/08/07, NTUC & City Cab merged) came along. Before I go on, let me clarify that I don't work for any of the car-sharing companies.

 

Answering your question:

Yes & No. Car sharing may be cheaper than the normal car rental, depending on your usage pattern (car models, mileage, etc). But it definitely gives you a lot of convenience and flexibility, especially over weekends. It is cheaper when you need the car for a few hours or when you take up the special packages (e.g. business day or overnight plans)

Normal car rentals usually require a min. rental of 1 day for weekdays and 2 days for weekends (they don't open on Sun so you can't return). Pick ups and returns usually in the morning.

 

Personally, I prefer car-sharing for the following reasons:

a) It is difficult for "8-to-5" employees like me to collect and return the cars in the morning, unless I ask for time off or sneak out. For weekend rentals, collection is on Sat morning but return is still on Mon morning. Some companies allow returns before they're open (park & lock keys inside) and some charge a fee for delivery/collection service (not cheap though). With car-sharing, I can collect and return car at anytime within the booking.

 

b) Flexible and cheaper for short use. Apart from returning at any time within the booking, I can book/pay for only the time I need the car. E.g. hourly plan, business hours plan (8am to 7pm), overnight plan (9pm to 6am). Normal car rental require 1 full day rental.

 

c) Convenience of nearer to home. I am lucky as there're car ports near my home, and others at 1 mrt station away. Whizzcar and NTUC have ports nearby. It is more convenient for collections/returns, and at any time.

 

As for my experience with the car-sharing companies, my comments are:

Honda Diracc:

+ Honda Civic Hybrid, very clean and nice to drive

+ port locations in city area

+ can return car at any port

+ digital street directory built in

+ can park free at any ports in the city while shopping

+ car access is using a RFID card (can also be used as a Transit Link card)

- ugly computer screen at dashboard if you don't need the digital street directory

- no ports near my place at CCK or west area

- more expensive compared to the option of smaller cars

- only 1 model to choose from

 

Whizzcar:

I joined under Extra Value Plan (min. monthly usage $60, can carry forward). Cross-sharing services with NTUC Car Coop was discontinued wef 01/11/06.

+ Many different categories/size of cars at different prices to choose from (super economy, economy, executive, MPV, van), depends on the port near you

+ many other ports at residential areas, there’s a port at CCK (near my place) and other ports at 1 MRT station away

+ can book, take and return car at any time unlike the normal car rental

+ very friendly customer service and can book through phone & internet

+ can change booking without penalty

+ can book few months in advance

+ car access is using a RFID chip like a key chain

+ cheaper than Honda Diracc (coz I usually use super economy)

+ have different packages for hourly, weekday business hours, overnight and 24 hours

+ can drive out of Singapore but pay higher rates

- must return at the same port

- sometimes dirty coz more members/users (but can call them and go car wash, Whizzcar will reimburse)

- cars are not as “hi-tech” as Honda’s hybrid car

- have min usage per month for extra value plan with cheaper rates, no min usage per month if on standard plan but higher rates

- no ports in city or CBD

 

CitySpeed: close shop already so no need

 

 

How I used the cars?

I used to work at Suntec City and they have a port at Conrad Hotel. What I did was to take the Honda car after work, do whatever thingy for the night, drive home, then return car before going to work the next morning. This “Overnight” thingy usually cost me about $50 ($18 time charge, plus $0.40 per km traveled); for "pat-tor", social gatherings, shopping, etc.

 

As for weekends, public holidays and weekdays (e.g. on leave), I always use Whizzcar coz it gives the best value. I mostly book the super economy car on 24 hour plan (e.g. Sat evening and return on Sun evening) for about 2 weekends per month so that I could spend quality time with family/friends with convenience of driving, especially activities that are not so convenient by bus or taxi. The 24 hour plan cost $75 (GST not included yet) and comes with 120km free usage (excess charged at $0.40 per km) which I hardly exceed coz I don’t drive out of Singapore.

 

 

Feel free to email me if you wanna find out more.

 

Joseph

[nastrix]

Cool bro. That's a detail explaination.

 

Sounds quite troublesome esp to return the car and if its far away from ur home or workplace.

 

Btw mocca why the sudden interest bro?

[josephsbs]

Sounds quite troublesome esp to return the car and if its far away from ur home or workplace.

 

Yup. The beauty of car-sharing schemes is car ports are in residential areas, unlike the car rental companies. Convenience is very important, can save travelling time/cost. Best to check the operators' websites whether they have a port convenient to you. My friend is so lucky that car port is at MSCP next to his HDB block... collection and returning is as if parking his "personal" car.

 

Whizzcar locations... http://www.whizzcar.com/car_locations.asp

NTUC locations... http://www.carcoop.com.sg/locations.asp

Honda Diracc locations... http://www.hondadiracc.com.sg/ports.asp

 

Cheers

[rayhunter]

Yup. The beauty of car-sharing schemes is car ports are in residential areas, unlike the car rental companies. Convenience is very important, can save travelling time/cost. Best to check the operators' websites whether they have a port convenient to you. My friend is so lucky that car port is at MSCP next to his HDB block... collection and returning is as if parking his "personal" car.

 

Whizzcar locations... http://www.whizzcar.com/car_locations.asp

NTUC locations... http://www.carcoop.com.sg/locations.asp

Honda Diracc locations... http://www.hondadiracc.com.sg/ports.asp

 

Cheers

 

hmm...useful link.

guess carcoop's rate is better compared to whizzcar

[josephsbs]

I also think that NTUC is cheaper coz for $74+ dollars, I can get a 1.5L Vios or Sunny (Cat A manual cars) and excess is charged at $0.30 /km. But if you prefer auto cars or have class 3A (auto only) license, then Whizzcar is cheaper at $75+, provided don't mind a 1.3L Getz or Ignis and don't exceed free kms too much.

 

But most important issue is whether there is a NTUC or Whizzcar near your home. For me, no choice since I'm already Whizzcar member and found out about NTUC port near my place only later. It is unfortunate that Whizzcar members can no longer use NTUC's cars anymore (previously can).

 

[nhyone]

Two bad things about Honda Diracc:

 

1. I don't believe you can prebook more than an hour in advance. Also, you'll be charged the regular rate for that hour of reservation.

 

2. Being able to return the car to any port is a very attractive feature! Unfortunately, it doesn't work that well. You got to specify the return port when you get the car, and sometimes it's not available. This makes it hard to book a one-way trip, say from Bedok to CBD or vice-versa, unless you don't mind holding onto the car for much longer.

[c4ble]

joseph, I checked whizzcar's size but there's no mention of bringing forward the balance. It can be brought forward for how long?

[brack]

can p plater rent the car in the following link given??

 

Whizzcar locations... http://www.whizzcar.com/car_locations.asp

NTUC locations... http://www.carcoop.com.sg/locations.asp

Honda Diracc locations... http://www.hondadiracc.com.sg/ports.asp

[satellite]

harlow!! anyone knows where i can rent a car on sunday23/3/2008 and monday24/3/2008 respectively.. i am 22+ and NO MORE P PLATE...thank you...

[Dafanshu]

see newspaper.

[Kushinagar]

Can try http://www.guyvercars.com.sg/

 

Regards

Andrew

[deathwardens]

harlow!! anyone knows where i can rent a car on sunday23/3/2008 and monday24/3/2008 respectively.. i am 22+ and NO MORE P PLATE...thank you...

 

Try calling/smsing this guy, Alvin. 98502299. Friendly guy and good service.

[scoobydoo]

joseph, I checked whizzcar's size but there's no mention of bringing forward the balance. It can be brought forward for how long?

can p plater rent the car in the following link given??

better to call and talk to the company's sales staff for latest schemes

[scoobydoo]

Latest updates... 2 car sharing schemes left in Singapore

 

NTUC Car Coop = http://www.carcoop.com.sg/

Whizzcar/Popular = http://www.whizzcar.com/

Honda Diracc = packing up n leaving

 

http://www.hondadiracc.com.sg/

SINGAPORE , February 29, 2008 – Honda ICVS Singapore Pte. Ltd. (HICS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will discontinue its Honda Diracc car-sharing service in Singapore at the end of March 2008.

[scoobydoo]

if you foresee yourself renting on a regular basis, then joining a car sharing scheme may be a good idea

 

check this post out... Car Rental Scheme

[EIDTSH]

Latest updates... 2 car sharing schemes left in Singapore

 

NTUC Car Coop = http://www.carcoop.com.sg/

Whizzcar/Popular = http://www.whizzcar.com/

Honda Diracc = packing up n leaving

 

 

 

Lucky I left them last dec.

Decided to buy a van, cost lower then using their services.

They only give 1 month notice .. very short notice IMO

[patriots]

Damn..

 

Waiting for my license to complete 18 months. They just withdrawn from market..

[diddy the patient]

whizzcar seems like limited cars lehhhhh

[scoobydoo]

NTUC is the bigger player... but what's more important is whether the car stations are conveniently located to your place, better still if within walking distance.

 

for myself, whizzcar has a station at CCK central (1 shuttle bus away) with 5 cars (4 types) to choose from... 1x Volkswagon Caddy Van (Manual), 2x Hyundai Getz (Auto), 1x Toyota Vios (Auto), 1x Toyota Picnic MPV (Auto). i book the Hyundai Getz mostly but has also used the MPV on some occasions... met my needs

[Guest tookara]

whizzcar chargest the same for the getz and the mpv?

[diddy the patient]

can go to the website and check the price

[Ev0xiaoboy]

23 years old then can?=(( i am only 18 going on 19.. haiz

[lcw076]

harlow!! anyone knows where i can rent a car on sunday23/3/2008 and monday24/3/2008 respectively.. i am 22+ and NO MORE P PLATE...thank you...

 

Can check out this website http://www.guyvercars.com.sg/

[Guest stages]

see newspaper .......