We are going to the Amalfi Coast in August and are thinking about renting a car so we can tour several cities. Is this a good or bad idea?

A car is a great idea but probabably not in August unless you don't mind tons of traffic on windy roads.

In August the road is mobbed- think 10 mph. The best way to get from one town to another is by ferry - more picturesque too.

Take the bus or ferry.

It is a bad idea. We just came back from there. It is very dangerous to drive on those roads. There is a lot of alternative transporation. As suggested above, take the bus or the ferry. Ferry is the fastest and offers nice views of the coast but the views from the bus are also stunning. I would suggest to alternate bus and ferry.

I forgot to mention that you will also have to worry about parking the car if you rent it, which may be another headache.

I usually prefer to drive the Amalfi Coast, but not in August. I agree that the ferry is your best choice for views and speed since the busses will be in the same slow traffic that you would be in had you drove. Also, the views from the bus are spectacular but only from the side facing the water where most people will rush to first.

Which cities did you want to tour? If you mean the coast towns, they are all walkable if you are ok with hills and stairs.