Singapore has excellent public transportation. But that doesn’t mean it is always the right option for you to get around. Some situations, such as exploring entire Singapore in one day, may call for a private hire car rental. Here is how to determine whether you should get a rental car or look for something else:
1. You need a private car but cannot afford one
Because Singapore is a small nation in terms of land size, it is easy to congest it. It’s one of the reasons possessing private cars is quite expensive. The authorities are trying to discourage the purchase and use of additional private cars. A small SUV in Singapore can cost you an average of SGD 100,000 (USD 74,000). Some vehicles may cost you much more than that.
The amount of money you may need to buy a car, even a used one, could be more than what your budget can accommodate. You would be better off getting a private hire car when you need it. It is a much more affordable option.
2. You need a car for a limited time
Considering how good the public transportation system in Singapore is, there may not be many places you want to go to that will require a private car. Instead of buying a car that will cost you so much money, it’s a better option to rent it when you need it.
It costs anywhere from SGD50 to SGD950 a day to rent a car. The price tag depends on the vehicle brand and size. But regardless of how high some of these price tags may seem, they are a small fraction of what it would cost to have your own car.
3. You have no idea of what you want in a vehicle
Even if you have the money to buy a private car and maintain it, you may be in a situation where you aren’t sure what you want to own just yet. Rather than spend a lot of money on a vehicle that may end up making you dissatisfied within weeks, you should consider using a private rental car.
To get a feel for how each car will be like, you can rent out different cars on a daily or weekly basis until you determine the right one for your needs. That way, when you are satisfied with the performance of the car you prefer, you can buy it with the assurance you are getting what you want.
4. You need many cars for a one-time major event
Suppose you have a major event coming up like a wedding, and you want to ensure your guests find their way to the venue, what should you do? Should you let them fend for themselves, or should you use private cars to chauffer them there?
Well, considering that the average cost of getting married in Singapore is SGD76,000, it’s only fair you get many of the things you desire. If these include transporting your guests in style to your venue, then so be it. However, to accomplish that, it would make more sense to negotiate a discounted deal for multiple rental cars for your special day. That way, you end up saving some money.
While many situations allow you to use the public transport system in Singapore, some situations would call for a private car. Knowing when you need a private car and being able to determine when a rental car makes the most financial sense will help you save money. So, take the time to analyse the situation before spending thousands of dollars on a car that you may only need for a time.
