We reserved a small car "economy" car to drive for 10 days around the countryside (kerry, doolin, connemara).for our upcoming trip in August. The problem is it seems most of the economy cars in Ireland have "hatch backs" as opposed to normal, covered trunks. Our concern is that we may want to drive from one place to another and leave our luggage in our car but if you have a hatch back- it seems pretty unsafe b/c pple can see your luggage/ theft is more likely.

Does anyone have suggestions? the car rental company (thrifty) said they cannot guarantee WHICH car we will get when we arrive/ only the type of car (ie economy) so we just booked it b/c we read so many posts about how crucial it is to have the smallest car possible. Any suggestions from those of you who live there or have experience with this?
I have also read some people say not to worry about the size of the car but then there's those posts about how people were sideswiped. by oncoming cars b/c of the one lane roads etc.. and the oncoming trucks/ buses.. help!

Oh also does anyone know if you have to have a world mastercard or if a regular mastercard will suffice? thanks much!

Some of the "hatchback" cars we have rented in Europe actually have a kind of retractable cover that goes from the back of the back seat and covers the open space of the "trunk".
But take care when leaving your luggage exposed on back seats as this may invite a break in.
In France, my girlfriend and I rented a Smart Car and we actually had plenty of room for our luggage. It had one of those covers.
We always rent the smallest car when there is just the two of us.
Ireland is one of the tricky countries with rental car insurance. Do your homework.

Thank you Sher. I guess the question is how to know if we will have one of those covers. Maybe I'll call the local office in Dublin and see if they can tell us.

Every "hatchback" I've rented in the UK or Ireland in the last 6 or 7 years has had a cover for the back storage area.

You're mixing up hatchbacks and estate cars (station wagons). Hatchbacks open from a top hinge at or near the roof but the boot (trunk) is not visible from the outside

Sheila is right - the luggage in the trunk is not visible because there is a cover. However, the trunk will be small and you might have to put some luggage on the rear seat and this will be visible from the outside. This is one of the limitations if you rent a small car.

Regarding size: Yes, roads are narrow and it is not much fun encountering a truck or bus on a one-lane road, especially on an incline. But in this case, it does not really matter whether your car is one inch wider or not. You have to pull back anyway. When we were with two persons, we always rented a compact car (e.g. Vauxhall Astra) - which is a good compromise between maneuverability and space. In addition, I always like to have automatic gear when I have to drive on the left side of the road.

Every European hatchback and estate car that I am aware of has a cover for the luggage area, so I think you are worrying unnecessarily. Although it is unwise to leave items visible, don't forget that thieves are not interested in your clothes. They want money, credit cards and easily sold valuables. So take those items with you, along with your passport, when you leave the car. Replacing stolen items like that can be a hassle.

As others have pointed out, your luggage will be covered in either a hatchback or stationwagon.

If you are still concerned about theft I have seen a forum member suggest using a cable type bicycle lock and securing the luggage to the car. There is usually some type of frame or support you can thread such a thing through. The idea is this type of thief snatches and runs and will not spend the time required to free your bags from the lock.

No way to tell if this works or not but the theory seems sound.

An important point to avoid theft from a parked car at an attraction is to NOT mess about or put things in the trunk once you arrive. Have things stowed properly before hand. Thieves will often be watching when one parks just to see who stashes goodies at the last minute...

Rob

The other safety precaution that I've used is to back into a parking space when the space is against a wall or barricade of some sort, and back up as close as possible to the wall so, at least, the hatch can't be opened.

Thanks for the reassurance. I think I was confused about the hatch! also a little scared by traveller1959's comment about the driving on an incline with an approaching truck or bus..
are we gonna be hanging off a cliff?! I read elsewhere that we'd more likely be on the side of the wall- which would feel safer to me...

I just don't want to be in a predicament where myself and my friend (we're both new at this and a little apprehensive about the driving on the other side of the road..)- are having panic attacks because we are at the edge of a cliff waiting for a truck to pass us.. that will not be good.
any reassurance out there?!!! we can use it!

Oh also.. what are the the most precarious driving spots from Kerry to Westport so we can be forewarned. We will be driving from Dublin to Kenmare/ Killarney, then Dingle, Doolin Galway, Clifden and Wesport. I read that Connor Pass was a bit difficult. Any other tricky spots? thanks much.

Hello. We are driving with our family of 4 -- 2 adults and two slim teenagers -- in an Audi A3 and while I have looked online at photos, I am wondering how much 19 cubic feet of stowage space in the lift-back area is enough for our luggage. We'll have one larger suitcase 2 mediums and a small carryone. Anyone familiar with the A3? I don't think they sell them in the USA yet ...

Thanks

Regular MasterCard will NOT work. World MasterCard MIGHT. Call your cc company for details. If they cover, verify with your car rental company that they will accept the cc in place of their CDW. If all is ok, be sure to decline, on the contract, all CDW including the super cover; otherwise your cc will not cover. Be aware that if using your cc for insurance, the rental agency might put a sizeable hold on that card. A phone call to the rental agency should clear that up ahead of time.

hamburger:

It might get tight - but you can fold the back seat asymmetrically in order to expand the trunk and you have still two seats in the back. So you will be on the safe side.

BTW, as a general rule: If your baggage does not fit into the trunk, as the rental agency if they have a different model/make in the same class. If this does not work, you can upgrade to a larger car.

Staceylk:
Yes, be prepared that driving will be somewhat adventurous. When you are planning you itinerary, allow plenty of time. Driving will be much slower than you might expect. On small roads, be prepared to back up several hundred yards to the last turnout. And always stay cool and patient. Take your time if you have to back up and let nobody make you nervous.