Car rental-Do you need a trunk?
Aug 7th, 2006, 04:36 PM
#1
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Car rental-Do you need a trunk?
We are headed to Portugal for 16 days in Sept. and will pick up the car on arrival in Lisbon. Then travel to Algarve for a week stay (a traded time share) and then will spen 9 days going to Evora, Marvao, Alcobaca, Nazzare, Fatima and other areas. My question is: Is it OK to leave luggage in a hatchback car when touringin these places or should I rent a car that has a trunk in which luggage can be hidden?? I have read about theft and crime etc. and am wondering about this. Thanks
Aug 7th, 2006, 05:22 PM
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The hatchbacks I rented in Ireland and France had sliding covers that concealed the luggage completely. Of course, it would have been easy for a thief to guess that there might be luggage "hidden" there. A trunk makes things a bit more secure.
Aug 7th, 2006, 06:00 PM
#5
Either a hatchback or sedan will be fine - Every hatchback I've rented in Europe over the last 8 or 10 years had a cover for the back.
Just get which ever car is the best size/price for you. And jus to make sure once you've decided on a model, check the manufacturer's website to confirm there is a cover.
Just get which ever car is the best size/price for you. And jus to make sure once you've decided on a model, check the manufacturer's website to confirm there is a cover.
Aug 7th, 2006, 06:08 PM
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I agree; every hatchback we have rented has had a cover. But do check.
We also take a cable and lock, twist it all through the luggage and through the hatchback door, side, whatever has a hole. I know that this isn't a foolproof deterrent, but it can help if a thief is interrupted while struggling. Or so I tell myself. We would do this with a trunk, too.
I also theorize that our cheap little hatchback rentals may attract less thieves that a bigger, fancier car. But who knows? I've been known to spray the car with holy water, too.
We also take a cable and lock, twist it all through the luggage and through the hatchback door, side, whatever has a hole. I know that this isn't a foolproof deterrent, but it can help if a thief is interrupted while struggling. Or so I tell myself. We would do this with a trunk, too.
I also theorize that our cheap little hatchback rentals may attract less thieves that a bigger, fancier car. But who knows? I've been known to spray the car with holy water, too.
Aug 7th, 2006, 07:57 PM
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I'd make sure I had a trunk or at the very least something that will cover the luggage so that it's not visible.
There are few countries (including my own) where I'd feel secure leaving any hint that I have valuables in the trunk. My trunk was broken into in Florence, probably because my car had an American forces license plate; in Copenhagen I foolishly left some camping equipment on the floor of the back seat and lost it as well.
There are few countries (including my own) where I'd feel secure leaving any hint that I have valuables in the trunk. My trunk was broken into in Florence, probably because my car had an American forces license plate; in Copenhagen I foolishly left some camping equipment on the floor of the back seat and lost it as well.
Aug 7th, 2006, 08:05 PM
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If you can get a car with a trunk, so much the better--but they're hard to come by these days unless you are willing to pay for something like a Mercedes. Almost all the other rentals have covered hatchbacks now.
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