Hi, All.
Just wondering if anyone has rented either of these two vehicles (or similar), or has any other suggestions!
We'll be four adults traveling in Ireland, and putting lots of miles on it, so a good ride would be nice. One of us is BIG, and one is BIG and TALL (looong back, so headroom = a plus, leg room usually ok).
Only carrying luggage to and fro, so not as much of a concern there.
We kind of like the scenic for the big windows, since we'll be driving a lot.
Any input appreciated!
I'm somewhat of a tall guy - a bit over 6'4". I've rented in Ireland twice - both time and Opel Zaphira (one auto, one manual). Both times - I was comfortable. Not quite the interior room of my Armada - but good enough.
Don't be fooled by the description of passenger and luggage capacity on rental websites. The Zaphira is a 7 person "people mover," but cannot carry 7 people or their luggage. In my opinion, the Zaphira is a good size for 4 adults and luggage.
This year, it was me, my wife, and our 3 kids (11, 9, and 6) - and we fit in the Zaphira with not a whole lot of room to spare.
The Citroen Xantia has not been in production for many years, so you are very unlikely to get one as a hire car. It was a standard European hatchback car, possibly a little smaller than some of its rivals, so you would probably get its current equivalent. Don't forget that you are never guaranteed a particular model, and the illustrations on websites are just examples.
The Scenic is made by Renault, not Opel. Opel have a similar design, the Zafira, and Citroen, Ford and Volkswagen also have similar models. They are more upright, so tend to be more spacious, and you get a better view out. The Scenic would be my choice, but then that is the type of car we drive.
Thanks Bob. That's great info. The web sites kept saying, Xantia or similar - but when I googled it, I couldn't find any new ones! LOL
That's what we though about the Scenic too - only $50 more (for the week), and looks like a great 'touring' car for Ireland.
Do you think it's OK for Ireland's roads? It didn't look too wide at all.
Thanks!
Chris
Chris.
I have never driven in Ireland, but I have driven on plenty of very narrow roads in Britain, France and Spain. It is only in Italian hill towns that I have noticed a large proportion of very small cars being used. Most people in Europe drive cars the size of the Scenic or VW Golf, and the cars with Irish licence plates that I see in England are the same models we locals drive.
Driving on narrow and winding roads is slow and requires concentration, so it is tiring. That is the major difference between Europe and the North America. I am always surprised by drivers in American films who turn to look at their passenger when talking. It is not a practice I would recommend over here.
Last year we ended up driving a Mazda 5, which is similar to a Zafira, Scenic, C-Max etc. and it was absolutely perfect. It was big enough for 5 adults incl. luggage and small enough for Ireland's streets and roads. I would book that size car again in Ireland.
Thanks Andreas!
Thanks all! We reserved the Scenic/Zafira or similar through Europe by Car.
$366 for the rental (Sat-Sat in May)
$65 extra driver
$221 insurance (ouch, working on that one)
I might just apply for a World Mastercard... LOL
