Car Rental - Lots of Questions

I'm a bit surprised about the results of your search. I did a quick search on www.Autoeurope.com right now in the compact class (plenty of room for 2)and got e.g. a Alpha Romeo 147 diesel with AC and manual transmission for US$724. Diesel is a good choice as it'll keep your fuel costs a bit lower.

That's a good rate - better can probably be found. Definately get diesel.

We always get a trunk - usually an Alfa Romero. They get excellent milage.

We always put a local, current newspaper in the back window too.

I'm not sure if Italian rentals can be ID'd. We have never had a problem. (knock on wood as Hubby is in the air right now headed for Rome and a rental car!!!! )

Good luck - get the insurance and be sure your valuables are insured here - just in case.

thats only $100 a day, not bad.

I just edited my original post - I put the wrong date to start! It is the 8th. Sorry!!

I use gemut.com, who in turn goes through Auto Europe. I have found with all of the autos I have rented, that Andrew Bestor @ gemut gets me a rate even lower than the rate quoted on the Auto Europe website. Not sure exactly how that happens, but it has always worked out well for me. You can either email Andrew or call and he returns the call or message in a very timely manner.

Check out Maggiore Car Hire, Italy. We had a smallish Alfa Romeo from them in 2006 for 11 days, for well under C$500. Can't remember exact price, $417, maybe?

I have used Europcar with luck. As far as security goes I have never had a problem, but I never leave anything in plain view anyway. The last car I rented (a 4 door hatchback for lack of a better description) had a cover to pull down over the rear area so you could easily hide anything that would be in the "trunk". I beleive all cars come with some sort of basic covering nowadays for that very reason. I have rented quite a few cars in Europe and I have never had a problem. Once I left a local newspaper in the car too - probably saw that idea in this forum - but it cannot hurt. I have not seen any obvious labels identifying the car as a rental.

Ford Fiesta's are very common here and very similar to the Fiesta model in the States. They come in 2 & 4 door versions.

Almost all Euro economy cars are hatchbacks with a "cover" to hide your goods from sight.They should be able to handle your backpacks. Unfortunately in Europe rental cars are often easy to spot. Most will have a "parking" meter card on the dash or windshield WITH the rental company logo... hard to hide that. Also, my last Fiat Punto (from Avis I believe) had a sticker on the GAS DOOR that said in big letters: DIESEL. Not too many locals would drive a car with that on it.

Stealing rental cars is big business in Italy and theft insurance, often an option, IS REQUIRED in Italy. It will be factored into your rate. That said, be careful where you park and what you leave in view and you'll be fine! The worst areas are train stations or any long-term parking areas... and of course those parts of town you probably ought not be in anyway!

Just be careful, cautious, and alert and you'll be okay! Good luck!

Ciao,
Ron

Thanx for all of the information. I am still perusing. Got one very cheap rate for car www.car-rental - italy.com with Riccardo. It is a company in Austin Texas supposedly. Has anyone heard of them? Now I am worried it is TOO cheap - don't usually get something for nothing except a big headache. It says it is renting through SIXT rent-a-car. Anyone heard of them? He was also suggesting a 2 door which I am not sure will hold enough luggage.

How are the Cinque Terre overnight lots for security? Are they supervised? Would be nice to actually have a car to return when we go back to Rome. :)

I have also used gemut.com a couple of times and have been more than pleased with their service and rates. Their website has some good articles on car rental advice along with other informative stuff. I have always gotten a better rate with them than anywhere else. Customer serice is excellent. Also, Bob Bestor was able to get me a refund of an overcharge by the car rental company. Had I dealt directly with the car rental company I don't know that I would have gotten the refund and definitely not without some hassle and time on my part. He took care of it with one call and had the refund credited to my c-card. That said, I have rented each time in Germany which is cheaper for renting cars than in Italy. How their rates compare in Italy with other brokers or car rental companies I do not know. That is why it is good to compare rates. The one good thing is they will quote you a rate in U.S. dollars and will hold that rate for you if the dollar declines. If the dollar strengthens against the Euro just call them back and try for a better deal. Check out rates with the companies mentioned by others here and in a lot of cases one will match or beat the others rate. Most of the cars do have a hidden trunk to keep your backpacks out of sight. A Peugeot last trip and VW Golf before that and both had a sliding cover that came down when you lower the hatchback lid. I would not advise leaving anything in the trunk overnight if you can avoid it. Breakins could happen anywhere and anytime but I would think night time would be the worst. Left ours for 3 nights at a train station in Cortona and nothing happened to it but it was a Peugeot and not an Audi so maybe that lessened the temptation by a would be thief. One thing more, it is always a good idea to inspect the car when you pick it up and note any scratches and report them before you drive off. Also, take photos or a video of the car when you turn it in just in case they come back and say you scratched or dented the car.

Carol, there is a parking lot just above Vernazza. Not sure if that is where you are staying.We felt it to be secure but again we did not leave anything in the car overnight. It is a narrow, curvy drive to get to it however. If you go during the week your chances of finding a vacant parking place would be better than on the weekend. September should be a good time to find a vacancy there. It was 12 euro per night in May 2007. There are other places to park as well just out from CT. BTW, a gps would be great to have for driving over there. If you want a taste of what the drive is like to get to the Vernazza lot copy and paste the link below.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ProfileGallery-i17920788.html

I did not park in the open lots in CT (I had private parking) but the one I saw in Riomaggiore did not appear to be a secure lot.

You should check out leasing options. They are available through Renault and Pugeot. Leases include full CDW, you get the exact car you want with the exact options (you want the GPS or bring one from home). Usually they cost a fraction of a rental even with the extra charge for picking up and dropping off in Italy.

We leased a seven passenger car for our family of five. It was a diesel with standard transmission (the best gas mileage option) but sadly we didn't do the GPS and regretted it.

The only downside to leasing is it must be for a minimum of 17 days, which works for you.

Leaving stuff unattended in a car is almost an invitation to theft. We never had a break in but were careful to park in relatively safe areas (no broken glass or loiterers around) and keep the car empty. Our car didn't have a trunk. It had a pull over "awning" for the luggage area that I didn't use, I wanted to make sure people saw there was nothing inside.

Our last trip we had a Ford Focus wagon and it was plenty big. As for price, we are renting from Sept.16 to Oct. 2 and are paying 1.078.00 plus a drop off charge.(we are picking up in Rome and dropping off in
Frankfurt) also with Avis through autoeurope. I was told that they are charging more for the smaller cars now. You might want to check prices for other size cars. Good luck!

Try 1car1 car rental agency - office in New York. ETBD sometimes uses them and my husband I rented from them in England. I felt we got a very good deal for the 2 weeks we needed a car. If ETBD uses them it must be okay. That's why I contacted them. We had a small car and don't think they charged more.

i'm traveling with 3 other people from salerno to siena - is it worth it to rent a car to bypass rome, for a faster, more headache-free trip? we'll spend a day in siena and know we can't have a car there, but we also want to tour the countryside one day. should we rent a car for or will bus & train suffice?

excuse my naivete but who in the heck is ETBD?

Since diesel fuel is much more expensive here in Wisconsin, I'm surprised to see people recommending it here. Is it actually cheaper in Italy? Kris

Currently diesel is running about 3-5 cents higher per liter than gasoline. Many diesel cars so get better mileage!

Ciao,
Ron

Diesel technology is more efficient than regular gasoline. Period. About 20% better. A former owner of a diesel like myself can confirm that. Cost of fuel is another story altogether.

Diesel technology is more efficient than regular gasoline. Period. About 20% better. A former owner of a diesel like myself can confirm that. Cost of fuel is another story altogether.

I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it’s not about the individual but it can be with everyone.
Car Rentals

Hi Carole. You are on ETBD, girl! Europe Through the Back Door is Rick's company.

Are you a member of AAA or do you have AMEX points saved up? You might check into that to save on your rental. Also, with this much time before your trip it might be worthwhile to ask a travel agent about this portion of your trip.

To the previous poster who said they "obviously" wouldn't drive to Siena, we drove & parked in Siena last May with no problem. Just because it's touristy didn't necessarily mean it was difficult, so you may want to give it a try.

My in-laws joined us in Italy but had rented their car in Geneva (because they were staying longer and going to Switzerland & Austria) and their rental in Geneva was far less expensive per day than Italy. I think it's just the cost of being the #1 European tourism destination for Americans. Good luck and have fun!