Autoeurope car rental question
 

Looking at cars to rent from Autoeurope at CDG.
Nissan Terrano 4X4 with ac Automatic FullSize (FFAR)4 Doors, A/C $2509
Volvo V70 wagon with ac Automatic Premium (PWAR)4 Doors, A/C $2526
Volvo V70 with ac Automatic FullSize (FDAR)
4 Doors, A/C $2626
Chrysler Voyager with ac Automatic FullSize (FVAR) 4 Doors, A/C $2798

What does FFAR, PWAR, FVAR mean? Will this explain why the 2 Volvo v70's have different prices?

Thanks, annieladd

I'm sorry, I put those prices in without an explanation, they are for 2 weeks and 5 days.

But, in general I'm just trying to figure out the differences in the cars.

Looks like:

1st letter:
F - full size
P - premium

2nd letter:
F - SUV/Truck
W - Wagon
V - Van
D - Standard car

3rd letter:
A - Auto
M- Manual

4th letter:
R - A/C

The reason the two V70s are different are mostly because they're considered differently by the two actual agents. For example, Europcar may say it's a PWAR (Premium Wagon), while Hertz may consider it the same as a full-sized car.

I think if you must have a wagon, you need the 2nd letter to be a "W".

Those initials describe different car categories in the rental fleet.
FFAR - Full-size 4-wheel drive with Automatic Transmission
PWAR - Premium (Station)wagon with auto
FDAR - Full-size (Se)dan with auto
FVAR - Full-size Van with auto
Most popular European rental cars include:
ECMR - Economy 4-door with manual transmission (stick-shft) (e.g. VW Polo, Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta)
CCMR - Compact 4-door manual (e.g. VW Golf, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 307)

These categories are broadly comparable among major companies, but differences with individual models can occur, so an identical model may be listed under different categories (and prices) by different rental firms.

The last letter is usually R, as most rental cars nowadays are fitted with aiR con (if it isn't - for a mini car - it will have N).

annieladd,

Just to toss in something else...why don't you look into the lease/buy-back with Kemwel, Auto Europ and even Idea Merge.

I think you might find it a better deal..brand new vehicle..100% covered in every way etc. Check them out.

annieladd, are you positive that you need to rent a car/van with an automatic transmission? You could save a fair amount of euros driving a car with a standard transmission.

If I understand correctly, AE (as well as other companies) will not promise you a particular model car. You specify a category, such as compact, mid-size, etc., and you may get any of a variety of models, depending on what's available on their lot at the time.

I agree with Robert. If there's any way to you could learn to drive a stick before your trip, you could save lots of $$$.

According to http://www.renaultusa.com/, a Nissan Pathfinder automatic would cost $2273 for 19 days in July. So you might actually get a savings through the buy/resell program.

Thanks for all the info.

Yes, we want a standard transmission, and don't mind spending the extra $$.

I've checked kemwell, which does seem to have slightly better price than autoeurope. I'll give all the recommended sites a look, thanks again.

Does anyone know if any of these agencies have an age limit (on the older side)?

Also, somewhere else I think I read that some of these agencies don't charge extra for a second driver, is that true?

annieladd

Sorry, I think automatic is the way to go. Enough stress finding your way in foreign cities/countries, don't need a stick shift problems on top of that. Besides, with all the city traffic, you'd spend more time shifting than being able to see what's going on around you. I'd suggest getting a car that runs on diseal. Cheaper to drive.

Yikes, I meant to say yes we want an automatic transmission and are willing to pay the extra $$. annieladd

Hi annie,

Check with www.autoeurope.com and http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/

You can call both at the US 800 no.

On our last rental, they didn't charge extra for the 2nd driver.

I think that they let people in their 70's drive.

((I))

Generally the age problem is only if you are too young!!

Thanks for the explanation!