Rental Car Options . . . In Europe?

lupinsea · 01-30-2007, 10:18 PM

Hi all,

My wife and I are heading to Scottland this May for a friend's wedding. Then we're catching a flight over to the continent to see Germany, Luxemburg and Belgium. While in continental Europe we'll be renting a car and since some of that driving will be on the Autobahn I thought it best to check with those here to see about the European market cars available since I know very little about them.

We'll be picking the car up in Brussels and dropping it off in Frankfurt. For a 10 day rental with unlimited milage these are the following rates (in Euro, couldn't find the Euro key so I used the $) and cars:

Volvo S40 1.6L
Manual, 5-door
$404 / 10 days

BMW 320 2.0L
Automatic / 5-door
$411 / 10 days

Ford Mondeo 2.0L
Automatic / 5-Door
$445

The BMW is appealing, especially for the German segment but it is only available in an automatic. I'd kind of like a manual since they tend to be a bit more fun but also to be able to hold gears longer and get as much power out of the engine as possible.

And the Ford Mondeo. . . . well, I've never been in one but I've heard the European Fords are actually not bad.

Thoughts?

Oh, there is also the Ford Ka 1.3L, manual, 3-door for $197.

nate · 01-30-2007, 10:20 PM

I would pick the Volvo.

BahnBaum · 01-30-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate

I would pick the Volvo.

Boring.

I'd get a Peugeot or something you'd otherwise not get a chance to drive.

Alex

bren · 01-31-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahnBaum

Boring.

I'd get a Peugeot or something you'd otherwise not get a chance to drive.

Alex

I like that idea. Although, I'm not sure I'd want one of these -

3LOU5 · 01-31-2007, 03:03 PM

If you're going to do a lot of driving, I'd suggest a compact car with a stick because:

1) Gas is expensive,

2) Some of those roads are extremely narrow (at least in Ireland, anyway),

3) Parking in some cities may be limited,

4) Nothing like winding out a motor on a rental with a manual (remember, "If it's a rental, don't be gentle").

5) Gas is expensive, hehe.

We rented a Nissan Almera last summer. It was a 4-door hatch, and was roomy enough for my g/f and I. Lots of these type cars were on the road because imo, they are so versatile........and fuel-efficient.

equ · 01-31-2007, 08:58 PM

I rented an almera in S. Africa. Perhaps it was made specially bad for that market, but it was one of the worst cars I've ever driven. I refused to drive it so my gf had to...

I don't like the smart idea one bit. The clio, peugeot 2ers & (as I'm reminded by my gf) vw polo are nice to drive though.

equ · 01-30-2007, 11:11 PM

Go as small as you can go. I personally enjoy driving renault clios & peugeot 206s.

lip277 · 01-31-2007, 09:30 PM

I had a Euro Ford Escort wagon and some similar sized Opel wagon when I was in Italy for work for ~3 months back in 1996. Both those cars were actually really slick and scooted along nicely.

When I was in Denmark for 2 weeks in 1993, we rented a Ford Sierra and also loved it. It had NO TROUBLE at all getting out of its own way.

I'd recommend trying to get a car you can't get a version of here... Just for the heck of it. Other than that... You're at the whim of the rental company anyway at the time you get the car regardless of what you've "reserved".

My thoughts anyway.

Pinecone · 02-03-2007, 06:46 AM

I have had a Mondeo a couple of times in Scotland as a rental. Nice car, actually big for Europe. Basically the same car as the S Type Jaguar (IIRC, but the little Jag). Both times there more than 2 peope, so the larger car was nice. But NOT fun driving in the cities with the larger car.

As has been said, gas is expensive. Public transportation is great on the continent. I take trains.

armaq · 02-03-2007, 12:22 PM

I actually like the Euro Mondeo a lot. I think it shares platform with the Jag X type.

Don't know if the new Mondeo (as seen in Casino Royale) will be out by May, but that's a good looking car.

01-30-2007, 10:18 PM	#1
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Rental Car Options . . . In Europe? Hi all, My wife and I are heading to Scottland this May for a friend's wedding. Then we're catching a flight over to the continent to see Germany, Luxemburg and Belgium. While in continental Europe we'll be renting a car and since some of that driving will be on the Autobahn I thought it best to check with those here to see about the European market cars available since I know very little about them. We'll be picking the car up in Brussels and dropping it off in Frankfurt. For a 10 day rental with unlimited milage these are the following rates (in Euro, couldn't find the Euro key so I used the $) and cars: Volvo S40 1.6L Manual, 5-door $404 / 10 days BMW 320 2.0L Automatic / 5-door $411 / 10 days Ford Mondeo 2.0L Automatic / 5-Door $445 The BMW is appealing, especially for the German segment but it is only available in an automatic. I'd kind of like a manual since they tend to be a bit more fun but also to be able to hold gears longer and get as much power out of the engine as possible. And the Ford Mondeo. . . . well, I've never been in one but I've heard the European Fords are actually not bad. Thoughts? Oh, there is also the Ford Ka 1.3L, manual, 3-door for $197.

01-30-2007, 10:20 PM	#2
nate Oh, are they? Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: S4 Location: H-town Posts: 10,279	I would pick the Volvo. __________________ "People keep saying I'm crazy as hell, but sooner or later they're going to realize I know what I'm talking about." - Charles Barkley

01-31-2007, 09:30 PM	#8
lip277 The old cranky SOB.... Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many.... Location: Near Seattle Posts: 4,798	I had a Euro Ford Escort wagon and some similar sized Opel wagon when I was in Italy for work for ~3 months back in 1996. Both those cars were actually really slick and scooted along nicely. When I was in Denmark for 2 weeks in 1993, we rented a Ford Sierra and also loved it. It had NO TROUBLE at all getting out of its own way. I'd recommend trying to get a car you can't get a version of here... Just for the heck of it. Other than that... You're at the whim of the rental company anyway at the time you get the car regardless of what you've "reserved". My thoughts anyway. __________________ *Kevin* 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i

02-03-2007, 06:46 AM	#9
Pinecone Carmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,717	I have had a Mondeo a couple of times in Scotland as a rental. Nice car, actually big for Europe. Basically the same car as the S Type Jaguar (IIRC, but the little Jag). Both times there more than 2 peope, so the larger car was nice. But NOT fun driving in the cities with the larger car. As has been said, gas is expensive. Public transportation is great on the continent. I take trains. __________________ Terry Carraway 2002 Topaz E46 M3 2000 Dakar M Roadster 1995 Alpine E36 M3 LTW 1990 Red/White Spec Racer

01-31-2007, 03:03 PM	#5
3LOU5 Slacker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,724	If you're going to do a lot of driving, I'd suggest a compact car with a stick because: 1) Gas is expensive, 2) Some of those roads are extremely narrow (at least in Ireland, anyway), 3) Parking in some cities may be limited, 4) Nothing like winding out a motor on a rental with a manual (remember, "If it's a rental, don't be gentle"). 5) Gas is expensive, hehe. We rented a Nissan Almera last summer. It was a 4-door hatch, and was roomy enough for my g/f and I. Lots of these type cars were on the road because imo, they are so versatile........and fuel-efficient.

01-31-2007, 08:58 PM	#6
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	I rented an almera in S. Africa. Perhaps it was made specially bad for that market, but it was one of the worst cars I've ever driven. I refused to drive it so my gf had to... I don't like the smart idea one bit. The clio, peugeot 2ers & (as I'm reminded by my gf) vw polo are nice to drive though.

01-30-2007, 11:11 PM	#7
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,587	Go as small as you can go. I personally enjoy driving renault clios & peugeot 206s.

02-03-2007, 12:22 PM	#10
armaq Jaded Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 1984 Schwinn Madison Location: NYC Posts: 532	I actually like the Euro Mondeo a lot. I think it shares platform with the Jag X type. Don't know if the new Mondeo (as seen in Casino Royale) will be out by May, but that's a good looking car.