mariana

Glad to see so many positive responses for Auto Europe. We have had wonderful experiences with them and don't know why <BR>anyone would rent with anyone BUT Auto <BR>Europe. The friendliness, the prices, and followthrough (always a standard <BR>shift...nothing else in Europe make <BR>any sense) are wonderful. It's a good <BR>feeling to know that in case of a problem, one can phone 24 hrs. a day <BR>to the USA for help. Auto Europe is a <BR>broker company , and give the lowest price from <BR>whatever rental company they can get. <BR>

John

I lost my left leg from the knee down due to cancer when I was 14. I've never been able to handle a clutch well tho' I've been forced to a couple of times in Europe. Frankly I think people who aren't used to a clutch are a menace in Europe. I've done it, but it was not very safe for anyone out that day. I'll wait to see how many of you suggest I just stay home. People have reasons for wanting an automatic. They should not be promised one if the promise can't be kept.

Deb

I must admit I have been a satisfied AE customer many times. My dad is a travel agent who regularly books cars for his clients using AE; he even uses AE when he does his own personal travel. <BR> <BR>I am using them again this fall in Wales and Ireland. Usually I'm fine with a stick but I am going to be by myself and don't want to risk being navigator and driver while on the opposite side of the road. <BR> <BR>It sounds like the service wasn't up to AE's usual but every company has had bad service one time or another. I would recommend AE any time. <BR> <BR>Deb

kay

OK, I've read all these comments carefully and I still can't make up my mind whether to use AE for a week in England (outside of London) in early October. Anywhere but England, I love driving a manual transmission car. But not there. I've been to England many times but have never driven. Neither my husband (also a good manual transmission driver -- so no brickbats, please)nor I wish to endanger ourselves or anyone else whilst we learn to drive on the left side of the road. So, should we use AE for the cheaper rates, or not? Suggestions, please, and thanks.

Brian in Atlanta

I find automatics boring to drive, but I'm not sure I'd want to try shifting with my left hand either. <BR> <BR>Just curious: in Britain, is the clutch on the left or right of the accelerator?

Maggie

Brian, <BR>My recollection(two years ago) is that the clutch remains on the left of the accelerator----recollection soon to be renewed when I try it again in Ireland in a few weeks!!! I sure hope I'm correct!!!

Karen

We have used Auto Europe in the past; however, when we checked rates for September of this year they were substantially higher than Hertz. Auto Europe wanted to charge over a $400 drop off fee, whereas Hertz was less than $100. I was very disappointed with Auto Europes quote and attitude when I tried to discuss the situation with them.

jim

hopefully another satified AE customer here. booked a mid-size car for touring france in october, and got a VERY reasonable rate with no drop fee for a drop in belgium! other agencies were much more, from what i found. now, as long as i can get through paris on my way out of the city...... (and yes, i LOVE driving a stick)

alam

I'm really shocked at your story. We have been using Auto Europe about 10 yrs now and have never encountered the rudeness or inneffective serice yoy've encountered. We have had some problems with the rental companies directly but Auto Europe has always been responsive and refunded the difference. In France the charge was greater than AE and when we got home we were refunded the difference. In Vienna we ran into the same problem you did, no automatics were available and were given a standard, after an initial response not unlike yourself we drove off in it. I am usually navigating and my wife drives, this time I drove and she navigated. We drove into Hungary and had a great time. When we got home we called AE and they refunded the difference and apologized. We have driven all over Eastern Europe and rented from AE inBudapest 2 yrs ago with no problem. This year we are picking up the car in Vienna again. Automatics are becomming more popular in Europe. We have also learned to pick up our rental at the airport, where there is a larger selection. I wait all year for our vacation and something as simple as type of transmission is not going to ruin it. I currently have a VW Passat at home which come with a tiptronic transmission and when I'm driving I'll shift it into manual mode, it makes for a lot more fun than an automatic anyway. alan

kim

Sorry to hear about your experience. We used Auto Europe this summer and will use the company again. We took copies of ALL our reservation confirmations and quoted prices for hotels, cars, restaurants, etc. There were times during our trip when these came in very handy.

doug

brian <BR>the pedals and the shift patterens are set up exactky like the states. the only problem you may have is getting into first gear. when i picked up my car in bath half way back to the b&b i was wondering what that smell was, the clutch! oh well. in the last two years i've driven over 4000 + miles on the "right side of the road" britain and ireland speaking. you get use to it pretty fast, the problem you may have to watch out for is when yhou get home.

Raleigh

I am very surprised by your experience. My wife and I have used Auto Europe for our last three trips to Europe and we have had no problems. Service has been great and the prices fantastic. <BR> <BR>Judging by the other comments, you probably met up with a lousy person. Like most companies, it just takes one to screw it up for everybody. Hope your next experience is more positive!

Joann

I used AutoEurope for my last two trips to Italy - Oct. 1998 and May 1999. The service was excellent both times. I would not consider renting from any other company. Your experience was a fluke.

Art

Interesting. First if you rent an automatic, you should get it. Second if you do not know how to drive a stick, you do not know how to drive. Most of the world doew not have the accomidations that we are so used to. You should be aware of this whenever you travel. <BR>

Barney

A couple of years ago we toured Europe with a brand new Renault under their lease/purchase program. It included insurance and there were no taxes. Cost was about $17 a day for the 6 week rental. This only works for 3 or more weeks. <BR>

Lynn

This is a travel forum designed for travellers to share info.in a helpful civilized manner. It never ceases to amaze me why Americans using this service so often resort to name calling and rudeness toward others. No wonder you're disliked abroad, you can't even get along with each other on a travel website!

Denise

Dear Lynn, <BR> From your comments, I take it you haven't read some of the postings from residents of the British Isles and Australia. Quite an eye opener!!!!

Ginny

Mike, I'm surprised and embarassed that so many Americans didn't assume that persons requesting automatic transmissions might be HANDICAPPED!! Lots of folks have had knee or hip surgery.

Elizabeth

My,my such harsh words. In my opinion if someone wants an automatic and was TOLD they would recieve one, then what is the problem with being upset if you didn't get what you were promised. <BR> <BR>What I really want to know is did Len every get a refund or further response from Mr. Imad Khalidi, president of AutoEurope? <BR> <BR>We have reservations for our trip next month with AutoEurope. Their rates really seem to be the best and their staff is always very friendly. I will be anxious to see if we get the special request we have made for a vechile at a particular location which they usually do not have there. We were told they would be able to transfer the vechicle from a lot in another city. <BR>I'll let you know when we get back how it went.

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