buying/private contract leasing a car when new in country

I suppose this question is more geared to my fellow yanks who have been transferred here for work.

How did you manage to rent/buy a car when first in country?

Hubs' job has provided a car allowance - BUT - we can't find anyone to write a contract for us until we have been in country for 18 months.

Are we stuck paying Enterprise rent-a-car's very inflated rates for the next year?

Or, did your company provide the vehicle as part of the package....

I was provided a car allowance but I didn't use it for a car; I just took the money.  I would think your husband's company would be the ones to ask about this.  My company had a leasing program available to employees.