In Reply to: car hire posted by macka on Tuesday, 19. October 2010 at 12:19 Bali Time:
You are for more likely to get a crappy car if you book ahead. Spend the time (and it's a huge hassle & might take 2 days) looking for a suitable car.
In the past (since '83) husband & I have always rented a self-drive car because we liked the freedom. We didn't like me navigating & the dearth of signs - even to Ubud it's a nightmare now.
Going through the hassles of checking a car out etc & finding lots of things wrong once on the road is irksome. Always an empty petrol tank.
Hubby says in future he (we) will get a driver to take us, say, from Kuta to Ubud & once there we'll arrange our own transport - bike or car. Then a driver onwards. Hotels in many places away from the Tuban-Seminyak tourist strip provide courtesy transport to restaurants etc. Once at a destination it's easy to find whatever form of transport you seek.
Avoid paying for all in advance & be sure you have relevant insurance.