Car Driver Rental

I am going to India for the first time and have been given a quote -which seems very reasonable- for a car/driver for 20 days from www.carrentaldelhi.com

Does anyone have experience with this company?

That's Bobby Thakur. He's had both positive and not-so-positive reviews here.

If you put his name into the search function (top right of the red nav bar at the top), a string of threads comes up which discuss his services.

I hope that helps!

Mod Note: I am moving your post into Buses, Automobiles etc. Forum, CanJR

Perhaps if you mention the amount of the quote, members might be able to give you an idea if it is reasonable. Also what type of vehicle will you be travelling in?

Thanks for the quick reply.

The cost is all inclusive, no mileage limit, 2o days, car and driver for a Tata Indica for 700$.

I would not recommend the Indica. Firstly it's tiny and not very comfortable for a long trip- I've done 16 days round Rajasthan in one- uck. Secondly, they are prone to breaking down. I've hired or been driven in an Indica (er...different ones, I mean) three times, and every time they've broken down. I know an an Indica owner who has constant trouble with his, and Nick-H (long time IndiaMike member and moderator) had nothing but grief with his.

The Indica's big brother, the Indigo is MUCH more reliable and comfortable, and has more luggage space. It will cost you more, though.

I agree re Indigo - a slightly more spacious, up to date car and I doubt if it is costing a lot more either. Is that in American dollars your rate?
If it is, for the length of time, the rate seems reasonable to me.

Yes, the rate is quoted in American Dollars. The resaon that I was looking at a small car was that I will be travelling alone. Therfore, I thought a small car would suffice. A small car is also easier to push- if it should break down.
However, if a car is unreliable, maybe it would be better to go with another type of vehicle or take the train/bus.
The reason that I was looking into a car was because, inorder to learn/see/experience as much of a country as possible, I feel that one also has to visit as many small/rural/out of the way towns as possible- if only for a brief time. Doing this is so much easier if you have a vehicle/driver.
Perhaps, if I do go with an Indica, I should make a provision in the contract for paying less if the car breaks down and cannot be repaired within an hour. Is this reasonable for India?

P.S. This is my first trip to India.

I have just been given a quote from Gajra Travels for the following route;

15th: from Delhi to Mandawa (arrive late evening)

16th: after sightseeing in Mandawa leave for Bikaner

17th: Bikaner, visit Deshnok

18th-19th: Jaisalmer (via Falodi and Kicchen)

20th: Jodhpur via Osian
21-22nd: Bhadrajun Fort (small village, you can make a jeep safari, visit villages around, temple and make a night safari)
23-24th: Udaipur via Ranakpur and Kumbalgarh
25-26th: Pushkar via Ekling ji (temple) and Ajmer
27-28-1st of March: Jaipur
2-3rd: Ranthambore
4th: Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
5th: sightseeing Agra and night train to Varanasi (arrival on 6th early morning)

Hiring Ambassador AC and driver for a 19 days tour like described above will cost 36000 INR total, all things like fuel, toll and interstate taxes, driving to and from sights, parking fees included.

I think the original rate is better, and if the Indica is newish it would be fine. When ours was new I thought it was a good car. Now 6 years later i don't think much of it at all! It is not the same vehicle - drives more like a truck these days, I don't like it. But it was lovely for the first couple of years and never broke down. I would prefer an Indigo to an Ambassador - I don't like Ambassadors because I think they are too bouncy but this is just a personal preference of mine.

<<crossposted with Aishah- I prefer the Indigo to the Ambassador too>>

Your post made me smile!

If you're going to out of the way little places, how could anybody guarantee the car would be fixed within the hour? If you're out in the desert in Rajasthan somewhere, how could it be done? Having said that the ingenuity of drivers (and skill of mechanics) should not be underestimated!

To go there forewarned that the Indica is unreliable and then penalise the company if it breaks down seems a little unfair to me- it's not their fault the car's badly made, and you were warned! (I know a lot of drivers, so bear in mind I'm horribly biased...and of course the company offers the things for hire, so ok, maybe I am just being really biased). Perhaps, given Aishah's comments, ask for the age of the vehicle before deciding?

Please note that it's not cars per se that are unreliable, just the Indica. I might be inclined to feel differently if it was another car breaking down, although even then I personally would just shrug if off- breakdown is a risk when you take car tours. You probably wouldn't demand money back from Indian Railways if your train was delayed. I'm pretty sure from reading reviews of carentaldelhi (I don't know the other company) that the vehicles are properly maintained; it's not some fly-by-night outfit.

Yes, do hire a car and driver for some of your journey if that was your original plan- it does give you freedom to stop and start whenever you like, and is also, crucially, a gentle way to begin exploring India. A good driver makes things much, much easier for the first time visitor, giving you time to find your feet. But it costs you no more to leave the car halfway through and start taking trains- a different, more social experience that opens you up to Indian life a bit more.

I hope I'm not overwhelming you with info- and do remember we all have our biases!

to be honest would like to say something what you been quoted for 19 days. this seems a bit more than what it should be. more or less as far as i know this might not be more than 31000 INR.
prior to my departure had vary no. of quote among those one of the person quoted me for the 15 days. all i can figure out now. the price would be much loer if go for small car like indica or indigo but i would sugges you go for indigo rather than indica.

try some other places as well.compare their prices with one you have right now and go with the best.

cheers up.

d.

I just heard from Bobby Thakur, that "they do NOT use any cars which are over 3 years old."

So CanJr
who did you go with for your tour and how was it ?
I also plan to do the same in Dec/09.

Merci
Ciao

I did go with carrentaldelhi.com. I was happy with their service-nice driver and no extra fees/hidden costs.

this price 31000 ($740.00 Can) , no hotels was included I guess ?
I have a quote for 21 days with hotels 3 stars all breakfast , for Rajasthan and Varanasi, but I have to add the two train tickets for $3400.00 Can.

So ?