Okay, so it has been a few years since we've been to Italy but this time we are taking the teens and are tossing around the idea of renting a car as opposed to train travel. (I've done the train as a 20-something -- hubbie has only rented cars) I prefer the car but the problem arises with the total influx of manual rental cars.

Basically the car rental would be to show the guys Tuscany. I am researching car rental and have found that the major rental companies have gone over to manual transmission (which i don't drive) otherwise the cost is very expensive for an automatic.

Does anyone have a source for an automatic car rental in Italy. Have used autoeurope (a bit more reasonable than Hertz for Automatic) and have used the biggie American companies back in the day but what now.

Please suggest alternative Italian rental car places that rent automatic cars for reasonable prices.

Itinerary includes the basics of Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice (trying to eliminate Milan and fly to from Rome -- still in the planning stages) and of course points in between Florence and Rome.

Thanks for your assistance.

I have rented automatics in Italy many times; lately I have been using Kemwell, with good results; for example, we decided to keep our car an extra day last September and they did not charge us anything..

www.kemwell.com

The only real question is cost--it will be about 30% more for auto. This may help:

DRIVING IN ITALY & SOUTHERN EUROPE

Q. SHOULD WE DRIVE IN ITALY?
A. Of course you should if your driving skill & confidence would allow you to drive a rental car in Vermont, Colorado or California. But, be advised of these tips:
* Avoid driving in the major cities except for picking up or dropping cars
* Have good maps—study them in advance—and have a GOOD NAVIGATOR.
* Stay in the right lane except when passing and use your rear view mirrors

Q. WHAT CAR SHOULD I GET AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
A. It is best to rent your car before you leave for Europe. The best source we have found is AUTOEUROPE [800-223-5555] who is a broker for several car vendors. They will quote you prices to include the variables that are often omitted by others, such as unlimited mileage, full mandatory insurance coverage, and VAT taxes. The best model will depend on your needs, but for best value we suggest you select a compact car with manual transmission. Automatics are available but will cost you about 30% more and may limit your model options & pick up locations.

Q. ARE ITALIAN DRIVERS AS CRAZY AS I HAVE HEARD?
A. Yes & no! They are certainly aggressive, but they are also more skilled than many USA drivers—both are a function of necessity. Italy is one of the most crowded countries in the world and the drivers have evolved these characteristics
* They are notorious tailgaters. If that bothers you, pull over and let them past.
* On the AUTOSTRADE they will drive fast, but will stay in the right lane except when passing and will use their blinkers when passing—YOU SHOULD TOO !
* They will often pass on 2-lane roads with traffic coming. Frankly, they expect you, and the oncoming car, to adjust to the shoulder and make 3 lanes of traffic.

OTHER ROAD TIPS FOR YOUR DRIVING SANITY:
1. Learn the meaning of the sign “ SENSO UNICO” and take heed [ONE WAY ].
2. Be sure to get your ticket when you enter the AUTOSTADA system & be prepared to pay the toll when you exit it [ rule of thumb—300 km=15 Euro]. You can use your credit card in the VIA lane at the toll both, or buy a debit VIACARD in advance.
3. Do NOT attempt to follow road numbers—that will frustrate you. But, do pay attention to the directional signs that point to your destination [ TO MONTALCINO]. And, be aware if that road leads eventually to a larger city [ ROMA—SIENA ETC.]
4. Unless you have a diesel car, you will want to fill the tank with benzina from the green pump. Most stations will pump gas for you and will take credit cards.

NOTE: As of 2005, an International Drivers Permit[IDP] is required in Italy.
You can obtain them from your local AAA office. You will need a valid US driver’s license, two passport photos, and $10. The photos can be taken at the AAA office.

<i><font color=blue>&quot;Please suggest alternative Italian rental car places that rent automatic cars for reasonable prices.&quot;</font></i>

If by alternative, you mean local, some small local rental agencies do exist in Italy (depending on the city) and they may have an automatic (but not many) and you may get it for a little less than AutoEurope's price. The only problems: 1. The rental agents will speak Italian only; 2. The contract will be written in Italian and will most likely not be the same contract that you would get from AutoEurope (most local rental shops don't offer unlimited miles); 3. The local shops don't offer online services, which means you have to call and speak Italian to reserve a car. So, honestly, is the $70 savings (not including your long distance phone bill) worth the aggravation?

No matter what you read, no matter how much you research, no matter what anyone tells you: the only way to get any kind of deal (and, believe me, there's no such thing as a cheap automatic car rental in Italy), you have to pre-pay and book the car during a sale period with AutoEurope and catch that sale at least six months in advance.

And do take a moment to purchase an Italian newspaper or magazine and leave it prominently displayed in the front seat. Makes it look less like an inviting tourist rental.

OOP...seems like the glitch in Log-in has discombobulated me! Clearly the above needs to be re-posted.

Try Sixt rental. We have used them on several occasions and have had no problems at all.

&lt;&lt; I am researching car rental and have found that the major rental companies have gone over to manual transmission&gt;&gt;

&quot;Gone over?&quot; What on earth...? It has ALWAYS been the case, in Italy and everywhere else in Europe, that the vast majority of cars are manual transmission. There hasn't been any change in that.

Yes, the cost for an automatic is very expensive. That's because there are so few of them, and rental companies have to haul them around from place to place to meet the needs of folks who can't drive a stick shift.

AutoEurope has always been my mainstay for rentals. They've always given me the same or better deal if I can find a lower price, and their customer support has always served me well.

I doubt you want to go the route of renting from some small Italian company, for all the reasons NYCTS outlines above; also, it's been my (granted, limited) experience that renting from an in-country agency has been more expensive than through a US company or broker.

But do check Kemwell, the sister company of AutoEurope.

In both Italy and France, they have offered me a better price on automatics than AE. As noted, AE will match competitor's prices on most occasions.

Most car rentals in europe have always been manuals - since that's what locals drive ( better gas mileage, which really matter with what they pay fo gas).

But there have always been plenty of automatics available - esp in large size cars, which you will need with 4 full size people and luggage. Yes, prices are higher - but are they really much different than trains when you consider all the hassles you avoid - and the ability to explore any town you want on your own schedule.

There are not &quot;plenty of automatics available&quot; outside of airports or the largest cities.

Start now and learn to drive a stick. Borrow one from a friend, or rent a clunker. Really not that hard, but do it now before you get to Italy.

Well - we've never had a problem. But we always rent either at the airport (if we're leaving immediately) or city center (from the first city).

Just like in the US if you rent from a small office in an obscure town you have to take one of the few cars they have available. This isn't a function of Italy - or even europe - it's just the same in the US (except all care here are automatic, since our gas is so cheap, and many people never learn to drive a manual car).

I've rented automatics from so many places in Italy and France..many of them were not large cities. (Rapallo was the most recent place, in Italy)

But you often do need to book ahead if you want one.

But if you plan to go to cities only, a car will be more of a hindrance than a help. Parking is expensive, you can't drive in Venice at all nor in the historic center of Florence. And driving in Rome is a bit hairy.

You could stay in the outskirts but then you lose time commuting in and out. And I think you lose some of the experience. Happening on a Roman temple as you walk to and from your hotel, for example.

Also remember you are required to buy CDW when renting a car in Italy and to have an International Drivers' Permit.

Trains go from city center to center. They're frequent, comfortable and not very expensive in Italy.

Now if you want to explore Tuscany and Umbria a car is a great thing.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
That's because there are so few of them, and rental companies have to haul them around from place to place to meet the needs of folks who can't drive a stick shift.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

many europeans CHOOSE to drive an automatic...it's not just about meeting the needs of those who CAN'T drive a manual.

it is bizarre to think that automatic hire cars are only for visiting tourists who can't drive manual cars.

most large, more expensive cars in europe are automatics....almost all small, cheap cars are manual. this split is about the same in hire cars.

americans may find manual cars oh so european, but in general, we increasingly associate them with cheaper cars (exception for sports cars, of course). larger luxury cars are usually not manual transmission...perhaps news to some.

I'm glad to hear that--I always feel so gauche asking for an automatic!

<i><font color=blue>&quot;many europeans CHOOSE to drive an automatic&quot;</font></i>

Depending how someone defines &quot;many,&quot; statistical analysis offers a more accurate definition of the word. According to Dual Clutch Transmissions Facts and CSM Worldwide, &quot;As of 2008, 75.2% of vehicles made in Western Europe were equipped with manual transmission, versus 16.1% with automatic and 8.7% with other.&quot;

It is easier to find luxury cars in Europe with automatic transmissions. Wealthy people can afford them. Car rental companies offer these cars at a premium price. But as long as gas remains high in price, the majority of Europeans will cling to manual transmissions (and less expensive cars). A Mercedes taxi cab is common in Europe and I don't recall ever sitting in one that had an automatic transmission. (I'm sure some exist, though.)

There is talk about the growth of CVT transmissions since they are supposed to be equal to manual in fuel efficiency and do away with a clutch. There is an 18% downturn in automobile sales expected in Italy in 2009. The future of transmissions and the subject of fuel economy are topics of discussion on all corporate tables these days. The auto industry is changing everywhere.

thanks for the lesson on european culture and product preferences travelsnob. i suppose visiting newyorkers can get a good idea of european driver preferences by riding in taxis and googling stats on cars MADE in western europe (many are exported from w europe and we drive cars made elsewhere too).

merc taxis are often low spec and/or old and their drivers hardly represent regular drivers (many are non-european and they have different needs- taxis are configured for the comfort and prestige from the passenger's point of view - not for an executive driver making his way to work in the rush hour).

although your logic is flawed on using the percentages for cars MADE in w europe, it probably is just about right by chance. i never said that the majority of cars were automatic. what i said was that in my experience (which extends far beyond visiting and riding in taxis) most people buying new, large luxury cars prefer automatics. most europeans do not drive luxury cars but many people do.

i stand by my statement that it's bizarre to think that tourists who can't drive manual cars are the only ones being catered for when car hire companies offer automatics. many europeans would not be very happy if they hired a large merc or bmw and it was a manual...might as well not have any aircon and a cassette player instead of a CD.

Many people that reserve automatics arrive to find they aren't available and are given a manual. Learn to drive a manual, it's not that difficult.