Car from Jucy Rentals in NZ

We waited until we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, to book our rental car in February ’10 and we’re so glad we did.

Because we did not want to rent two separate cars to cover both the North and South Islands, a local tour office suggested an independent rental company operating in both Australia and New Zealand: Jucy Rentals (2-16 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; phone 0800 399 107 or, toll free from the US, 800/650-4180, www.jucy.co.nz).

Jucy was one of the very few companies allowing customers to take the car on the ferry from Wellington to Picton, which eliminated our struggling with luggage and waiting for a new rental car after the crossing. (They also rent RVs of different sizes, and we saw several of their motorhomes on the roads during our trip.)

Jucy supplied exactly what we requested: a mid-size “automatic” with a trunk large enough for our luggage. For the 17-day rental, we paid NZD1,075 (near US$768), including taxes and full insurance. There was no dropoff charge when we turned in the car in Christchurch, South Island.

The car was problem-free. The employees were young and enthusiastic and actually seemed to enjoy taking care of their customers. There was no attempt to talk us into a more expensive car or to add on charges. It was the best experience we have ever had in renting a car in any country.

DOREEN KENNARD

Diamond Bar, CA