When I did lots of travel in the US I always reserved the smallest car they had and found that I often was upgraded because they don't have the smallest car. You can always put customers in a larger car then they reserved, but you can't but people in a smaller car or they scream bloody murder. Does it work like that in Italy? If I reserve a Fiat Panda, am I likely to get the next size up (or larger) or am I likely to get an actual Fiat Panda? We are two people with 1 small suitcase each, and we only have the car for 3 days. If we got a Panda I don't think the world would come to an end. I'm asking this question to figure out if I want to pay $60 a day or $70 a day.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
Actually in Italy a small car is better than a big one. Don't let them upgrade you. I know this sounds odd but given the size of village streets, parking spaces, narrow hairpin roads etc. small really is better. Only on what we would call a freeway is a large car a bonus. Least this was my experience.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
The Fiat Panda... well, the good news is that you have the car for three days because 0-60 in a Fiat Panda takes... 3 DAYS!!! No, we've rented the Panda and it was fine for my wife and I, and we've actually been in even smaller cars. Unless your suitcases are huge, you can fit them in there. They just might not be out-of-sight. Truthfully, the Panda is very long to get speed up so do be careful as you enter the autostrade. As far as what you'll get? Well, you'll get the Panda... because no one else wants it either! No, really, you'll get what they have on the lot - so it's just like the States in that respect. DO NOT let them charge you for the upgrade. Adamently demand your Fiat Panda. (they will talk about you for days!) But then if they say they don't have one, say I'll take an alternative but I'm not paying for it (They WILL understand that!) Good Luck!
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
We've rented a cars in Italy for years and was only upgraded once and at no extra charge. The smaller cars are easier to navigate the NARROW streets of some towns. In my parents home town of Nicastro we must fold the mirrors in to drive through the old section. Buon viaggio,
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
Hi Ted, Just thought I'd share our experiences renting cars. We've only rented cars in Germany (7 times since 2001), but have never received the car we reserved/paid for. We reserve the economy class and always get a compact class car (4 door hatchback). Never an extra charge. Most cars we've rented had a 1.4 litre engine and we never wished we had something bigger. Paul
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
We also rent our cars in Germany and often times have been upgraded either to the next class or a larger car in the same class. Very seldom do we get the exact car that we've reserved online. We have noticed that there are more cars available at the airports. Therefore, if you request a diesel, you may be able to get one there.
Posted by
Washington, USA
24 posts
My wife and I just got back from driving throughout Tuscany. I'm 6'3" and we got the smallest stickshift car available (it was supposed to be a Fiat Panda, but we got something else that was comparable). We're glad we had the small car since we ended up inside one of the small hilltowns and I don't think we would have made it through in something bigger. The small car was just fine and very maneuverable for us. Go with the smallest possible. I strongly suggest getting GPS, though. We would probably still be in Tuscany as lost as ever if we didn't have the GPS. Our GPS was Garmin and it was excellent in guiding us around even on the winding and mazelike country lanes. (Don't drive in or near the big cities, though.) We had a great time!
Posted by
Oregon
47 posts
I have a question about this one if I may....
Is is worth it to rent a car with a trunk to store your bags versus a cheaper hatchback?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17578 posts
I would answer Audrey's question about truck vs, hatchback with a "yes" IF you anticipate leaving luggage In your parked car at some point. As for Ted's question, we have not re eived an upgrade in two rentals in Italy. Both times we got exactly what we reserved. Small cars are fine in Italy except when on the autostrada, where we felt a bit vulnerable in a Fiat Punto.