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Buy-back leasing in Italy

Posted by (Nebraska USA) on

Has anyone has recent experience with leasing a buy-back car while in Italy? I have looked into AutoEurope and Europe by Car, and am getting confused. One company claims the other one is only a rental and does not have the same all-inclusive coverage as the other one, which guarantees a brand new factory delivered car. They have a "sale" now which reduces the pick up and drop off fees by 50% and gives you 13 free days on a Citroen. The cost for my 62 day lease is quite pricey, but the way I plan on seeing Italy requires an automobile. It is not if I rent/lease, it is from whom I rent/lease. The last thing I want to do is put a payment down only to find out there are extras fees at pickup.

Another question is probably a personal decision, but there is also a difference in manual and automatic, gas and diesel. I know how to drive a stick, but am wondering as I maneuver out of Rome and into Milan, will a manual just be a nuisance in frustrating situations. Gas vs diesel? Apparently the prices are similar, but diesel is supposed to be more economical.

Then the GPS, I can load Italy's maps on mine for $78, and ordering the car with GPS would make a $122 higher difference. The only reason I might do that is I will be traveling very light, a carry-on backpack and every little thing will make a difference.

Any and all suggestions will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Posted by
792 posts

I just got back from Italy where I leased a car from AutoEurope for 65 days. It was a brand new Peugeot 308 stick shift with diesel engine. GPS was built-in. Zero-deductible insurance. The price they quote you is exactly what you will pay, not a penny more. I flew into Milan and was picked up at the terminal and driven to the lot for the car. Automatics cost more. Manuals are easy, fun, and very peppy. Diesel is way more efficient and cheaper at the pump. I had my drivers side mirror smacked by another car on a tight road in Tuscany. When I returned the car they just noted it on a piece of paper and that was it. Didn't cost me a dime. They then drove me to the hotel before my flight back. I heartily recommend AutoEurope.. First class operation.

Posted by
1092 posts

I leased a Peugeot through AutoEurope in 2013. I paid $0 extra, everything was exactly as stated in the AE site. We used it primarily in Italy. I did pick up and drop off in Geneva because it was convenient for us and saved the extra fee to pick up / drop off in Italy but the fee was not high enough to make that necessary. We were headed to Switzerland first and last anyway. I chose diesel and manual and had no issues with either. I have 20 years' experience with a manual car of my own though. Every gas station has both types of fuel. The Peugeot was great to drive. It had a built-in GPS so we didn't take one nor rent one. You might check if your model does too before paying for a rented one.

I have used Auto Europe repeatedly both for short term rentals and leases in Europe and wouldn't do it any other way when I need a car.

I have no experience with Europe by Car so can't help with comparisons.

Posted by
1817 posts

I've done long-term leasing several times, and it's the way to go. On the tourist side, they are based on a special French law for non-EU residents - so you'll only see Peugeot, Renault, and Citroen cars (all of which are good). Of the companies Peugeot is by far the most active. However, unless your lease originates and ends in France, a delivery charge on the order of $350-$400. will be included in the price. In my case, we start and return to Nice on our Italy trip. It works well as Nice is just about 5 hrs. to Florence and there's lots to visit in between so it's easy to make a good itinerary.

Leasing is more relaxing than renting as there is true no deductible insurance, and any Peugeot dealer can help you since it is under warranty ( unlikely to be needed). I priced everything last August and Kemwel (a subsidiary of AutoEurope) had the best price at that time. On Kemwel (http://tinyurl.com/kemwel ) it is called a 'Buy Back Car' and you click the upper right where there's a photo labeled 'Peugeot Open Europe' On AutoEurope ( http://tinyurl.com/autoeurope-it ) look at the top where it says 'Long Term Car Rentals'. Allow some time as it takes several weeks to get the paperwork all approved.

Diesel is the way to go as it is significantly cheaper. It think bringing a GPS that you are familiar with is better. The GPS in my car was okay, but the learning curve made it much less useful (and the manual was French). You can also download Google Maps for offline use now, and there are other Apps that people here have recommended.

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