Rental car choice

The Punto is a good car and it's roomy enough for two. On the autostrada it strains a bit over 110 kph, so it's a touch noisier, but not alarming. On the good side, the smaller dimensions are more suited to Italian streets and parking spaces. Ask for a diesel as that makes a difference on hills and in the pocketbook.

I always get a diesel with manual transmission. Not only do they get almost unbelievable gas mileage, the standard transmission allows you to get the most out of the relatively small European engines.

Remember, when renting a car, it doesn't matter what car you choose. There's a good chance you reserve a Ford Focus and end up with a Fiat, Lancia, Chrysler, or some other model by another maker, anyway - and vice versa. For two people with carry on only, a small car will work fine.

I do not see diesel as a choice in any of the rental cars I am looking at. I have driven cars with manual transmission all my life and is my transmission of choice.

What rental company are you looking at? I use Auto Europe. They are a consolidator and usually you have a choice to select either gas or diesel.

I am using Hertz which, because of a discount through my insurance company is much less expensive than AutoEurope. Also, since I am picking my car up in Sorrento, the only AutoEurope choice there is Hertz.

Rick's rule of thumb on diesels is that the break even point on the rental premium versus fuel savings is 2500 miles and since you probably won't be driving that far stay with gasoline. On the other hand what you actually get versus what you reserve is a total crap shoot and if you have a chance to get a free upgrade to a diesel, by all means take it. Most important of all, don't forget to get an IDP.

We use Avis usually and they don't charge different rates for diesel nor can you specify in the reservation. However, they often have both gas and diesel cars available, so ask (or beg) the counter clerk for a diesel when they are choosing which car to give you.

Hi Bob. It seems you asked about Punta vs. Focus, and somehow the replies were mostly about diesel vs. gas. :) If you drive a Ford Focus and Fiat Punta back to back as I did on one trip, you will notice the difference. The Punta will feel slightly smaller, less substantial, and less power. On the other hand, once we got used to the Punta, it was fine; we just adjusted our expectations to lower power, longer time to get up to speed. Enjoy your trip!

The Fiat Punto EVO is fine. My dad had one for many years and I've taken it anywhere with my wife. It's of the same segment of the Ford Fiesta. The focus is one notch above, at the next segment. So go and drive a Ford Fiesta and that is more or less the size. But whichever model you end up getting (no guarantee you'll actually get a Punto) try to get a diesel. Diesel engines drive uphill like there is a tiger in the engine.

My last rental car was a Hertz Ford Fiesta 1.2 liter with about 58 horsepower, and it got about 50 mpg. It was no problem navigating the roads of Tuscany, and will handle the motorways okay.

When renting a car for two people, I'll often get the second smallest car. The smallest would be something like a Smart. They're just a little too small. The Fiesta or Punta would be fine.

And remember that they may say a Punta. You'll get whatever car of that size they happen to have on the lot the day you're renting. Often, rental cars have little control on what's on their lot on a given day.

It's a Punto (ending with an 'o')
If you say a Punta they'll give you a soccer player who plays in the attack, a "Punta".