buying a car through renault - pros and cons

Last time I compared the Renault "lease package" vs. a regular weekly car rental through AutoEurope.com, the lease package was significantly more expensive. There again I have a Hertz discount PIN number picked up as a Hertz Gold Card customer. I just suggest you make complete comparision of the two programs. If the lease is cheaper, go the lease. As far as snow tires, who knows. But some mountain locations might require snow chains. In every major European city, parking is often a $20 daily problem. You'd need to plan accommodations based on if free parking is available.

We've leased a Renault several times and found it very easy and the insurance comprehensive. We've also leased with Peugeot. The price differences with a rental for the same length of time was only a couple of hundred dollars. We had no surprises, no negatives. You get an absolutely brand new car, exactly what you ordered, no up-grade or down-grade because what you reserved isn't in stock. The comprehensive insurance coverage was the deciding factor the times we leased. Glad we had it once when our windshield had to be replaced after it was hit by a pebble from a speeding car in a construction zone. We didn't have to pay anything and had almost no paperwork. Windshields are not covered at any level of insurance in a rental and cost about 500 euros to replace. Several other car parts are not covered by insurance, even if you opt for the highest level offered by the rental companies (which pushes the price higher than a lease). I remember windshields, tires, and a few other parts. We're in France once or twice a year, so have had rentals many more times than leases, and will probably get them again, depending upon our needs. I'd never tell you to do one rather than another. We've always had good experience with the leases and 90% of the time good experiences with rentals. We always get a diesel whether renting or leasing. You get much better mileage. Snow tires are mandatory in Germany and Austria in the winter. Be sure your car has them when you pick it up in Strasbourg. You can specify it when you talk to the US office in New York. You might get them to write it onto the contract.

We leased through Renault but never had any need for roadside assistance or the CDW during our trip. The pickup process (in Amsterdam) went smoothly. The drop-off in Rome less so. In typical Italian style, the person we were to turn our car in to showed up more than an hour late (but insisted he was just waiting in a different spot), all the nearby rental counter people tried to be helpful though. Fortunately, we dropped as we arrived in Rome and weren't planning on catching a plane then. Over a number of trips it seems I can get a better deal by renting if I only need a compact car (especially if I use Amex CDW). Rental prices go up quickly as you request a larger or nicer car; leasing seems to yield a better price when you want larger/nicer.

Hi Tina, I have done the buy back/leased with Renault twice, i only have good things to say, never a problem. Will definetely do it again.

Tina: We have done the Renault program twice and just reserved for our third. Trouble free convenience. The price is great on long term rentals (17 days plus) and the included insurance makes it worry free. Picking up and dropping off in France is a breeze. Pick up and drop off in other countries is done by contractors and can be spotty. I recommend the Renault Eurodrive program to anyone looking for a long term lease in Europe. Have fun.

All these comments have been helpful. Is there an application process like buying a car? Do you pay up front?

Tina, you pay for Renaultdrive agent in US. They might need some additional documents than a typical rental, such as copy of license and passport. When you arrive to pick up the car, it will have your name on the title and insurance policy. Usually a special temporary title valid for up to 180 days. It takes a little longer to get and return the car than a rental, you need to sign couple documents. One advantage of these cars is that, usually (if nothing changed in 3 years), their insurance is more comprehensive than a typical rental company insurance. It will cover what a normal car insurance would cover in Europe.