…I have a question.
Would seasoned car hire experts please advise me on the following requirements.
Wife and I will be flying to Cagliari on The 4th of October for a week and will need to hire a car.
Last time I have hired a car internationally was 8 years ago in Florida, so being hardly an experienced hirer.
As it is always the case, you select the car you wish to be driving for the duration of your stay, but upon arrival to the hire firm desk, you are given something that is completely different, as it was the case in Florida.
Now Sardinian roads and streets are known to be tight and quite narrow, so based on that I do not want a huge vehicle that I will struggle to park, get around the bend safely (without having the front end taken off by an oncoming bus/truck, etc).
Ideally I’d like to get something the size of a Golf or Tiguan. Yes I am a bit of badge snob, I do like my VAG products. Anything bigger, might not be clever really.
I really dislike anything overly plasticky and looking like toddlers toy. Example being a Citroën C3 etc, Nisan Juke etc. I don’t mind a Fiat 500, but it be way too cramped for me, not least as these vehicles have hardly any luggage space.
I am tempted to stick with know names in this business, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise.
Cagliari airport has many local companies, who are cheaper, but chances are their cars will be a few years old, covered in scrapes and dings. To simply put it, I am not interested, thank you. Unless of-cause some of you travelers, have had nothing but excellent service and state of the car was excellent and as expected.
Question is, how do I bag a bargain? Is there a secret to this?
I have a Costco membership, so can hire a car through them. Wife suggesting that we hire a Fiat Panda from Avis (or whatever is being offered as an alternative. Cost for a week, £142.00. I do fear, that I will hate driving Panda.
At home I get to drive a VW Polo and my daily driver is a VW Transporter. So an upgrade from Polo would be nice, I hardly wish for a downgrade.
The alternative is a Seat Arona (basically a jacked up Seat Ibiza) that cost £167.00 for a week. The bonus, it being an Automatic. If such an option is available, then I certainly do not want to spend any amount of time shifting gears, when on holiday. The above mentioned Panda, has a manual transition.
So, is there a way to get a better deal from these two companies?
How to blag a free upgrade?
Have you traveled to Cagliari Airport and hired a car from Avis or Budget?
How was your experience?
Were you forced into buying additional insurance?
(Minimum insurance provided in the price is Third Party Cover) Whois this be sufficient, or would you recommend taking out upgraded policy at the time of vehicle hire? Our budget is maximum £200 for a week and for an ideal car. However my personal preference, Is to pay a bit less if possible.
I know the regulars will soon be along to take mickey and by all means feel free. I’ll just skip along said posts that are less than useful.
Thank you.
Ev
Would seasoned car hire experts please advise me on the following requirements.
Wife and I will be flying to Cagliari on The 4th of October for a week and will need to hire a car.
Last time I have hired a car internationally was 8 years ago in Florida, so being hardly an experienced hirer.
As it is always the case, you select the car you wish to be driving for the duration of your stay, but upon arrival to the hire firm desk, you are given something that is completely different, as it was the case in Florida.
Now Sardinian roads and streets are known to be tight and quite narrow, so based on that I do not want a huge vehicle that I will struggle to park, get around the bend safely (without having the front end taken off by an oncoming bus/truck, etc).
Ideally I’d like to get something the size of a Golf or Tiguan. Yes I am a bit of badge snob, I do like my VAG products. Anything bigger, might not be clever really.
I really dislike anything overly plasticky and looking like toddlers toy. Example being a Citroën C3 etc, Nisan Juke etc. I don’t mind a Fiat 500, but it be way too cramped for me, not least as these vehicles have hardly any luggage space.
I am tempted to stick with know names in this business, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise.
Cagliari airport has many local companies, who are cheaper, but chances are their cars will be a few years old, covered in scrapes and dings. To simply put it, I am not interested, thank you. Unless of-cause some of you travelers, have had nothing but excellent service and state of the car was excellent and as expected.
Question is, how do I bag a bargain? Is there a secret to this?
I have a Costco membership, so can hire a car through them. Wife suggesting that we hire a Fiat Panda from Avis (or whatever is being offered as an alternative. Cost for a week, £142.00. I do fear, that I will hate driving Panda.
At home I get to drive a VW Polo and my daily driver is a VW Transporter. So an upgrade from Polo would be nice, I hardly wish for a downgrade.
The alternative is a Seat Arona (basically a jacked up Seat Ibiza) that cost £167.00 for a week. The bonus, it being an Automatic. If such an option is available, then I certainly do not want to spend any amount of time shifting gears, when on holiday. The above mentioned Panda, has a manual transition.
So, is there a way to get a better deal from these two companies?
How to blag a free upgrade?
Have you traveled to Cagliari Airport and hired a car from Avis or Budget?
How was your experience?
Were you forced into buying additional insurance?
(Minimum insurance provided in the price is Third Party Cover) Whois this be sufficient, or would you recommend taking out upgraded policy at the time of vehicle hire? Our budget is maximum £200 for a week and for an ideal car. However my personal preference, Is to pay a bit less if possible.
I know the regulars will soon be along to take mickey and by all means feel free. I’ll just skip along said posts that are less than useful.
Thank you.
Ev
