josie23

I need to get a car in ireland. I need an automatic and need to choose from a Nissan Micra or a Opal Astra. I am not familiar with either of these cars.

There will be 2 adults with 2 large suitcases and 2 carry on's.

The Micra says 4 adults/3 small suitcases. I may sound naive, but does that mean it fits all that or does that mean you can choose from 4 adults OR 3 suitcase but not all?

Also another thing I noticed; when I go to the car rental's US site to get a car in Ireland they do not automatically include CDW and TP insurance and when you add that on the price is extremely high. At the rental companies Irish site they automatically include the insurnce with the quote and it was over $100 less per week than using the same companies US site? Am I missing something or is that just how it is?

Thanks for your help
J

JP

I'd take the Astra. Japanese cars I've rented in Britain (I assume it's the same in Ireland) have the position of the turn signal and windshield wiper switches reversed from their U.S., British and European standard positions. It takes me weeks to get used to it that way, and then weeks to get used to my car again after I get home. In the mean time I drive around signalling when it rains and turning on the wipers when I make a turn.

Patrick

josie, I'm trying not to laugh cause I know you're serious. But if the choice were 4 adults OR 3 small suitcases, picture how crowded the four adults would have to be fitting in the space that would only take 3 small suitcases. I don't know about your friends, but most of mine are larger than a small suitcase.

Yes, it means the car can hold BOTH four adults AND 3 small suitcases.

Shar

We have rented cars a few times in Europe. We found the best luck with agencies that actually "lease" you the car - they are always brand new and everything is included - insurance as well as on the road protection like a AAA policy. It works best if you are planning on having a car for more than 12 days so I'm not sure what your plans are. Try Europe by Car if you are interested.
the 4 adults/3 small suitcases means that the car will hold 4 adults (2 font and 2 in back)and only 3 suit cases - small.
If there are only 2 of your, I don't hink you would have problems as you can utilize the trunk as well as the back seat.

julia_t

An Astra is actually quite a bit larger than a Micra. I would call the Micra a tiny car and the Astra is a medium sized car (for the UK).

I have driven both, and would go for the Astra every time, for the luggage space and legroom in the rear seats. I would not like to be travelling much in the back seat of a Micra.

ira

Hi J,

> At the rental companies Irish site they automatically include the insurnce with the quote and it was over $100 less per week than using the same companies US site? Am I missing something or is that just how it is?<

Are you looking at www.autoeurope.com?

If so, it pays to shop their sites. We saved about $300 by going through their UK site vs their US site for a car in France.