Malaysia car hire

[DocSteve]

Hi,

I have read a few PH reports of cheap car hire in Malaysia but I'm struggling to find any. Essentially, I am flying into KL in November and then driving to Penang for a wedding. I'd like to rent a motor for a week (pick-up and return in KL) - I don't want anything too flashy, just big enough to fit up to three people and some luggage. A Proton or something similarly tasty will do!

Does anyone have any advice? Most of the internationals e.g. Hertz / Europcar are coming up £250-300 for the week.

Thanks
Steve

[Nick M]

Try Mayflower - they might be a bit cheaper, but don't expect any great deals from anyone for just a week.

[DocSteve]

Thanks, will have a look.

Any tips on driving there? Some Malaysian friends tell me that the police sometimes stop and extort western drivers although I've not found much about that anywhere!

[anonymous-user]

You won't find cheap cars on the net, all the cheap cars are 'private' hire they will be on the reception at cheaper hotels, in Malaysia you car is insured third party for any one to drive, so people who have trouble making payments on car loans hire the car out, its ok if you have time to check the car over, reject it for bald Tyree etc, but if you want a arrive and drive stick to the big boys.

[Nick M]

DocSteve said:

Any tips on driving there? Some Malaysian friends tell me that the police sometimes stop and extort western drivers although I've not found much about that anywhere!

I certainly didn't experience that in the two years I was there, but that's not to say it doesn't happen. Just use your common sense and you should be fine.

As for tips on driving there, the following is partly serious, partly tongue in cheek:

- Expect the unexpected - the number of utterly random things I saw was mind-boggling.
- Don't expect people to use indicators - it's a sign of weakness
- Don't expect anyone to let you in if you do use your indicators - they'll simply see them and close up any gap that might have existed
- Create gaps, don't wait for them
- ALL moped riders are mentalists. Bar none
- Drivers have ZERO peripheral vision - they'll change lane without looking
- lanes are optional
- be wary at traffic lights - it's not unusual for people to run red lights quite a few seconds after they have changed
- Have RM50 in your pocket next to your driving licence...
- DON'T laugh at the 'CHIPs' wannabe police motorbike riders, with their Aviator sunglasses and mustaches. They're cool. No, really they are...
- keep the doors locked when driving around the city (KL)
- don't have any bags, etc., visible on the passenger seat

Think of the driving as being more 'freestyle' rather than bound by a strict set of rules and you'll find it's easier to cope with.

See if you can get a 'Touch'n'go' card (from Petronas petrol stations, among others) to pay for the road tolls - you can put varying amounts on it - RM100 should do for starters - but it will save a bit of queuing through the various toll plazas.

Other than that, have fun - it's not that big of a deal.

[anonymous-user]

In 20years I have never headed or seen a single sustainable instance of foreigners being extorted by the Malaysian police, loads of urban legends, but always friend of a friend. If you get done by a camera 300rm no points, if you are stopped by a police man for a traffic offence then you will have done something that would get you time in the uk, no one would stop you for jumping a light or undertaking for example. If you are stopped ask the police man how to pay, 'sorry how do I pay a summons is it like France and I pay you on the spot?' you will then get the menu, 20rm for a Malay 40rm for a Malaysian Chinese 50rm for a resident expat, 100rm for a tourist. If he does go by the book it is 300.
Driving is ok, just remember if a car indicates it means I am turning into a gap that is shorter than my car, if the gap is longer than the car they will not indicate at all.

[DocSteve]

Thanks for the tips. Europcar worked out cheapest in the end, for a Proton Waja or similar. I'm looking forward to the trip, it sounds like the police stories are just that!

[anonymous-user]

You will be ok north south highway all the way, be careful on the hill out of Ipoh, around km mark 275 the road goes very wide with the A road running along side the highway, then a long twisty up hill with tunnels at the top there are speed traps before the tunnel both ways on regular basis as the limit here is 90km per hour, in the wet be careful on the down hill sections there are regular brake failures and skids here, statistically its the most dangerous stretch of road in the country, its ok at normal speeds but the lorries charge down. Try to look at the tires and lights on a few lorries as you pass and you will quickly understand why accident rates are so high in the wet and dark. You did the right thing on car hire, a mate hired a car at his business class hotel a few weeks ago, took 3cars before they delivered one with tires he would accept, you need cash for the toll about 300rm for kl to pennant.

[ilikestellaartoi]

I've been back and forth to KL from Jakarta over the past few months. Given that my work site was in Klang and I wanted to stay in the city and also that all the taxis in the West are cowboys I would rent a car.
This chap here - Khai, works at Silver Kris car rental based at the airport. I would send him a Whatsapp message telling him arrival and expected departure and he'd confirm the price - 150 MYR for a Proton Persona, a loathsome 1.6 automatic.
Once landed I would confirm my arrival and where to meet.
He'd head off to collect the car and meet me outside door 4, easy to spot me there, daft looking white guy wearing whatever t-shirt.

Same deal coming back to drop off.

Also, getting around the motorways of KL is hard work, the signs are tough and it's a bit of a maze. Download Waze on your smart phone, get a windscreen sucker and in car charger and job's a good'un.

Also, driving in KL, is an absolute pleasure having spent the past 6 years in Jakarta.
People do what you expect them to and do have lane discipline unlike the post mentions above. A very pleasant place to drive and I've never noticed any issues with the rozzers. Waze also gives you a heads up of local rozzers so you'll realise why all the other drivers are jumping on their brakes.

[DocSteve]

Well thanks for all the advice. Guy has just picked up my Waja after about 800 miles up to and around Penang then back. The transaction all worked out very efficiently with Europcar and they were cheaper than Mayflower. The car had the brake fluid warning light on the whole time although there was plenty of nasty looking fluid in it!

Driving was interesting although I found staying out of trouble mostly quite possible whilst still making decent progress.

Great country, everyone has been nothing but helpful and the food is awesome. Penang national park a highlight and seemed to be under promoted.

Cheers
Steve