Taupo for PHers.........and decent car hire?
Discussion
Hey Guys,
I'm gonna be spending the next couple of weeks (28th dec- 14th Jan) in Taupo with the inlaws and wondered what Kiwi style PHer stuff there is to do around there?
What are the Taupo track experiences like? Are the V8 supercars worth a go? Any advice or recommendations from those in the know?
Also, we're looking to hire a car for a long weekend for a trip to Welli so would like to get something decent. Would love a full fat Falcon or Commodore, but anything similar with a bit of poke is fine. Is there anywhere that hires out such vehicles or anyone willing to do a private hire? I promise to look after it like it's my own!
Look forward to hearing back. Cheers
I'm gonna be spending the next couple of weeks (28th dec- 14th Jan) in Taupo with the inlaws and wondered what Kiwi style PHer stuff there is to do around there?
What are the Taupo track experiences like? Are the V8 supercars worth a go? Any advice or recommendations from those in the know?
Also, we're looking to hire a car for a long weekend for a trip to Welli so would like to get something decent. Would love a full fat Falcon or Commodore, but anything similar with a bit of poke is fine. Is there anywhere that hires out such vehicles or anyone willing to do a private hire? I promise to look after it like it's my own!
Look forward to hearing back. Cheers
So back from my trip and excellent it was too. Thanks to all you fine Kiwi folk for a great stay in your beautiful country.
Went down to Taupo raceway and had a chat with the guys that run it. They were very helpful and happy to let me take a look around the cars and generally talk petrolhead type stuff.
The cars looked the part but were actually modified standard road cars. The engine/transmission were standard apart from a different chip and free flowing exhaust. Have to say I was mildly dissapointed as V8 supercars they weren't. Nevermind.
Also didn't do too well with hire cars. Hertz had a load of XR6's but were completely sold out for the times we wanted. Ended up with a boggo Camry which did the job but wasn't much fun on your fantastic roads where a car with some decent grunt, especially for overtaking, is a must!
Anyway, there's always next time!
Went down to Taupo raceway and had a chat with the guys that run it. They were very helpful and happy to let me take a look around the cars and generally talk petrolhead type stuff.
The cars looked the part but were actually modified standard road cars. The engine/transmission were standard apart from a different chip and free flowing exhaust. Have to say I was mildly dissapointed as V8 supercars they weren't. Nevermind.
Also didn't do too well with hire cars. Hertz had a load of XR6's but were completely sold out for the times we wanted. Ended up with a boggo Camry which did the job but wasn't much fun on your fantastic roads where a car with some decent grunt, especially for overtaking, is a must!
Anyway, there's always next time!
As regards the car hire, I had both a new XR6 and a Series II Commodore SV6 last month. I think I preferred the Falcon's interior and handling over the Commodore but the Commodore looked the more aggressive. Both had a fair amount of poke, although you can't really use it much.
I didn't like the Commodore's cruise controls, nor the info display since the Falcon allows you to show two lots of info at once (I like a digital speed and range, especially range on the south), but I don't think you can do that on the Commodore, I couldn't find out how to. It did have a nice colour touchscreen, whereas the Falcon had a standard segmented LCD display and buttons.
Either will do you though. I hired the Falcon in Christchurch Airport so that won't help you, and the Commodore at Auckland Airport, both from Avis.
A tip, I found "Just Quality Car Hire" to be a hell of a lot (NZD1000) cheaper than Avis for a three week hire, yet they're operated by Avis, and they're Avis cars, but I booked about 8 months in advance.
Oh, I just noticed you're already back. I am still jetlagged, that's my excuse
I didn't like the Commodore's cruise controls, nor the info display since the Falcon allows you to show two lots of info at once (I like a digital speed and range, especially range on the south), but I don't think you can do that on the Commodore, I couldn't find out how to. It did have a nice colour touchscreen, whereas the Falcon had a standard segmented LCD display and buttons.
Either will do you though. I hired the Falcon in Christchurch Airport so that won't help you, and the Commodore at Auckland Airport, both from Avis.
A tip, I found "Just Quality Car Hire" to be a hell of a lot (NZD1000) cheaper than Avis for a three week hire, yet they're operated by Avis, and they're Avis cars, but I booked about 8 months in advance.
Oh, I just noticed you're already back. I am still jetlagged, that's my excuse
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