Fun Cars and Free Love: Rent a Beetle

Fly through Cape Town in a classic car rental that’s as cheap as it is colourful.

Looking to hire a car in Cape Town at an affordable price? Why not get behind the wheel of "the people's favourite car" - the Volkswagen Beetle?

Since 1938 this curvaceous pop culture pin-up has crawled into many a heart across the world; and to date it’s the most manufactured and longest running single design in automobile history.

The classic car has achieved cult status over the centuries, and the car rental industry in Cape Town is no exception. Budget Beetle car hires are all over the roads, and interns, holidaymakers or simply those looking for a reliable vehicle that won’t leave the bank account in shambles should certainly consider cruising the streets of the Mother City in stand-out style.

We talked to the owner of Fun Car Beetle Hire Deon Goosen to find out more about the pros and cons of renting a classic car, like the VW Beetle, in Cape Town.

CPTMag: How did Fun Car Beetle Hire get started?

Deon: I was shocked by the lack of affordable car hire in Cape Town. There really weren’t many options, and I wanted to do something about that.

CPTMag: Why did you choose to centre your car hire business on the Beetle?

Deon: The Beetle, or the baby Porsche as it’s often called due to the engine similarity, is reliable and easy to fix. Ninety percent of the car is reparable; it’s a real old-fashioned work horse. So, it just made sense when it came to thinking realistically about opening a car hire business.

CPTMag: Why do most of your customers choose to hire a Beetle during their stay in Cape Town?

Deon: The decision to hire a Beetle in Cape Town falls somewhere between needing transport and wanting an experience. My customers come in all shapes and sizes, from models and interns to older German couples who want to relive their youth; to tourists and foreigners owning holiday houses in Cape Town.

Driving a classic car, like a Beetle, is also just a whole lot of fun. They come in a multitude of different colours, and everyone's got their favourite [BTW: Deon’s is the 1962 baby blue Beetle that he’s nicknamed Ouma, which is Afrikaans for grandmother]. From Fun Car, customers can choose a sexy silver Beetle Cabriolet and cruise down the Camps Bay strip, or harp back to the days of yore by hiring a retro rustie Bug.

CPTMag: How do the Bug’s fare for longer distances?

Deon: Look, the Beetles are really reliable, and I’ve got an 82-year-old engineer who keeps them in good shape, but they are predominately town cars. For those looking to journey outside Cape Town I would recommend one of my Mazda Stings, Citi Golfs or VW Polo 1s.

CPTMag: Any advice to Beetle drivers?

Deon: Don’t expect to go anywhere too fast, or too quietly for that matter; but do expect to have a lot of fun driving. Also, have some empathy with the car, take it easy – that’s why you’re in Cape Town, after all.

If interested in hiring a Beetle in Cape Town visit www.funcar.co.za or phone 073-442 4273 for more information.

Specials and discounts: Don’t forget to ask Deon about discount opportunities, the man loves to haggle. He regularly grants “special prices” to those who can pay for three months of rental up-front in cash, and he’s agreed to give CapeTownMagazine.com readers 10 percent off between May 1 and 31 August!

Free km: Fun Car offers unlimited mileage within a 150km radius of central Cape Town as well as 24-hour roadside assistance.

Cape Town VW Beetle hire prices

Cabrio & SP1600 Beetle (Prices are per day and rental must be for a minimum of 3 days):

1-6 days Beetle hire = R190
1-10 days Beetle hire = R178
1-13 days Beetle hire = R163
1-21 days Beetle hire = R137
1-25 days Beetle hire = R131

*Long-term rentals at R3250 per month, including a CD player.

Regular VW Beetles for rent in Cape Town (Prices are per day and rental must be for a minimum of 3 days)

1-6 days Beetle hire = R150
1-10 days Beetle hire = R137
1-13 days Beetle hire = R126
1-21 days Beetle hire = R112
1-25 days Beetle hire = R105

*Long-term rentals at R2800 per month, including a CD player.

Other Budget Rental Cars in Cape Town

Fun Car also offers modern models, for people who want to drive longer distances. The Volkswagen Polo is a practical car that is popular with foreign and local students, and contract workers who don't want the hassle of buying a new vehicle. The car boasts air conditioning and power steering.

1-6 days VW Polo hire = R200
1-10 days VW Polo hire = R187
1-13 days VW Polo hire = R170
1-21 days VW Polo hire = R143
1-25 days VW Polo hire = R137

*Long-term rentals at R3400, including a CD player and air-conditioning.

Alternatively, the Mazda 323 is reliable, practical, fuel efficient and tends to run much more smoothly than the Volkswagen Polo. Or, for the feeling of driving a 'real car' as opposed to newer, smoother models, opt for the Citi Golf.

1-6 days Mazda 323 /Citi Golf hire = R170
1-10 days Mazda 323 / Citi Golf hire = R158
1-13 days Mazda 323 / Citi Golf hire = R147
1-21 days Mazda 323 / Citi Golf hire = R126
1-25 days Mazda 323 / Citi Golf hire = R120

*Long-term rentals available from R3100, including a CD player.

There are also some 4x4 models available for hire, perfect for cruising down to the beach.

1-6 days Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery = R270
1-10 days Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery = R250
1-13 days Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery hire = R230
1-21 days Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery hire = R193
1-25 days Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery hire = R185
Monthly Jeep Cherokee / Landrover Discovery hire = R4600

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