economy versus compact car
 

We will be traveling with two 25-26 suitcases Italy in September. Should we rent an economy or compact car? There will be two of us traveling. We prefer not to have our luggage visible although we have no plan on leaving them in the car while sightseeing.However we may stop for rest breaks on the way from Lake Como to Tuscany and from Tuscany to Rome airport.

We always get a compact wagon for that reason. Ask for that or a 'hatchback' which I believe is available in the economy class. Ask for diesel also.

I always get confused about the size, but here are some photos that will who you the trunk of the two cars we rented this summer. From that you might be able to find out which size car you need. I recommend to get the smallest size possible because of narrow roads and narrow parking spaces.

http://tinyurl.com/yrlcw9

get the "next step" up from whatever the smallest car is. We have done this on several trips to Europe and it has worked with our luggage. BTW, our favorite was a mercedes hatchback in this same car category. We rented it in Florence through autoeurope.

TuckH, if you rent a wagon, is your luggage out of sight?

You can ask for all this but you won't necessarily get it.

Hi Y,

Two large suitcases won't fit in the trunk of an economy car.

((I))

two large suitcases might not fit in a compact car either. I'd try to downsize your luggage.

We rented a compact, which in our case was a VW Golf - same model as sold in the US. We were 2 people with a 22" suitcase each, a small dufflebag, and a daypack each. Our stuff fit fine in the trunk, but I don't know how it would have been if the suitcases had been 4 inches longer. We didn't have a lot of extra room in the trunk. We couldn't quite manage to pack everything we needed in the 22" suitcases, which is why we brought the duffle rather than larger suitcases. This was good for packing the car because it was more flexible. You might consider that if you can't pare down your things to fit in the 22" bags only. That way you can get away with renting a compact rather than a larger car - that way you wont spend as much on the rental and have an easier time parking.

>>TuckH, if you rent a wagon, is your luggage out of sight?<<

Yes, it is.

BTW, we've had the compact VW Golf - great car! And I believe your two large pieces will fit rather easily...

the compact VW Golf!!!!