Making reservations for 12 days early May, and Avis said my rental for an automatic would be $1000 for a mercedes A class and $1500 for a C class. How small is an A class anyway? Does this sound right? I know an automatic is more and we don't really want to be aqueezed into a tiny car, no matter how light we pack...and of course there's shopping to consider!!
Is it really cheaper to rent outside the airport? Where?
Well, thanks in advance for any and all tips!

Try Using autoeurope. We have used them many times and they have always had the best deals. Are you picking up and droping off in the same location?

Hi Nancy,

That's high.

Got to www.autoeurope.com, www.novarentacar.com and www.sixt.com for other quotes.

Had to laugh. I paid $1500 to
<i>buy</i> my first car, a VW Bug. Want to guess the year?

Was it new, Betsy?

that does sound about right in terms of price if that includes all insurance coverage and mileage. I've been getting some car rental quotes for this summer, and they are a lot higher than they were a couple years ago in Provence. Avis should have information on its web site with examples of each class of car. An A-class is probably the Mercedes A140 with is a very very small economy compact car. I think it's a little bit bigger than the Smart Car, but is a very small hatchback with little &quot;trunk&quot; space.

I think it's a little cheaper to rent outside the airport, but I thought that was a one-time fee. I don't know specifics on that.

I would also suggest you use Autoeurope, for information on car types if nothing else. It is really not acceptable for Avis to not tell you what kind of car that is or show photos.

I checked SIXT.com for Nice airport may 7 - 19 for a Mercedes Benz C 180 /A/C (Doors: 4 / Seats: 5) $850.15 all inclusive rental.

Another suggestion to try AutoEurope. And here's a suggestion you may not be willing to entertain - consider getting a Renault or Peugot or something less flashy than a Mercedes. Auto break-ins are pretty standard these days along the C&ocirc;te d'Azur, and an expensive car is asking for trouble.

Jeff, and others who say the quoted rate is high. I'm not saying it isn't, but have the rest of you considered that nancyz is looking for an AUTOMATIC?
In any case, I agree to check with AutoEurope, and I'd suggest doing it by phone!

Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't request the mercedes, I just assumed it was all I could get in an automatic. The last thing I want is a break in...I'm already paranoid about getting a few scratches, from what I've read on other posts. I'll try the other rental companies and compare. By the way this price was with the BASIC taxes, not any other insurance! Does any one know if AC is standard on retal cars in France?

Call 800-223-5555--they will have all your answers. I have rented the A car 3 times and liked it.

bobthenavigator, does the A hold 4 people?

I never said the quoted price was high!
I said I checked with sixt and their price was $850.00 also if you look at the class of car for the quote from sixt
it is an automatic and all inclusive.

That comma after &quot;jeff&quot; was supposed to indicate a separation of your post from those who said the quote was &quot;high&quot; -- sorry that didn't come out clear. Meanwhile I just assumed the quote from Sixt wasn't an automatic since you didn't mention it and that's a pretty major price breaker, which is why I included you in the message.

The A is definitely too small for 4 people with even only 4 carry-ons. It is great for 2, however.

Yes Ira, the car was new

I've been told to request a picasso automatic...does any one have any idea what size that would be?

Betsy &amp; Ira, mine (VW Bug) was $1100, but it WAS a year old.

We've had an A class Mercedes for two adults and three children (ages 5 to 11) and thought it was fine. It was enough space for us, for trips into town, the beach and to restaurants. It's more spacious than in seems, and very easy to drive in some of the narrow roads there. For 4 adults it might be a squeeze to get all the luggage in, and if you are planning to spend a lot of time in the car, perhaps go for a bigger one.

nancyz- I will like to share with you an experience we had in Nice last May as a warning. We were in our rental car stucked on traffic and out of nowhere came these two kids on a moped driving the other direction, one of them jumped out of the moped, open the door on my side and proceeded to reach out for my purse. Fortunately, five minutes prior I had placed the purse on the car floor by my feet. When he attempted to reach further down. I pushed him and closed &amp; locked the door immediately. The kid gave the back trunk latch a try before jumping quickly back in the moped where they took off, again driving in the opposite direction. A WARNING: LOCK YOUR DOOR AT ALL TIMES. ALWAYS HAVE THE CAR DOORS LOCKED. MAKE SURE ALL THE CAR DOORS LOCKS ARE ON AT ALL TIMES.

It was scary and it could had easily ruined what turned out to be a wonderful vacation.