Exeter has a large choice of hire car companies and with a bit of research you may find one just a short walk from your point of stay. Some might offer to deliver the car to you, others might offer to pick you up and return to the office to carry out the paperwork. As always, you get what you pay for.
It is sometimes very cost effective with families or groups to do a 'one way' rental meaning you can drop the vehicle off at another city, but this service is only available from the bigger nationwide companies. Always, but always, check out the full price and ask what vehicle excess you will have to pay in the event of damage occuring.There is usually an extra cost per day to reduce this to something more acceptable. So do your research to get the best deal.
Some of if not all the bigger companies now accept booking online. If you search the internet yourself, you'll end up spending a long time sifting through the various companies, some are only agents that want your business and you cannot speak to anyone locally.
We are currently researching a list for local companies, which will be added later.