France Car Rental (Type) Recommendation, Please
 

Just hubby and I roaming France for about a week. Looking at cars through Autoeurope. Any recommendations between: Citreon C2, Citreon C3, Opal Corsa, Renault Clio? All four are small, cheap and manual.

Thanks!

I prefer the Clio to the Citroën or the Peugeot which you do not mention but might be another option (I have driven all three over the years). I liked the seating in the Ford Escort we had last summer, but the passenger side was not adjustable (up or down) and my wife did not find it ideal. The C3 might be somewhat bigger than the Clio.

Shop around in the states before you go as the prices are often higher if you don't book ahead of time. Keep your car small so you can fit into parking spaces and keep your luggage covered, if you have a hatch-back. I've rented with most of the chains and haven't had any trouble with any of the cars.

Hi mel,

If autoeurope is still offering free upgrades book any of the above and get a Renault Megane or a Peugeot 307.

You also want a diesel. Fuel is much cheaper.

((I))

Thanks, all. We rented a Peugeut on England last fall and liked it very much, but it's about $80 more at Autoeurope on France.

Ira, the Autoeurope Web site includes France in the upgrade deal but, when you click on it, France isn't included in the list. I called Autoeurope today and they said France wasn't in included, but couldn't explain why it was advertised on the site. hrmphh!!

Any other thoughts?

This past summer I thought I was getting a Megane and ended up with a VW Golf. (Remember the "or equivalent" phrase). Frankly the Golf was great. Compact, fun to drive and very zippy. Pleanty of room for our luggage. I'd ask for it again if I could. Whatever you end up with will be fine - enjoy!

You can;t really pick a car in advance - just a level - and they give you whatever they have.

We never go for the small cars for two reasons:

My beau is 6'3" and is sinply not comfortable in anything under midsize for more than an hour or so

We both hate to try to get up to highway speed in anything with a 3 chipmunk engine (many european small cars have incredibly small engines - I've seen 1.3 liters)

So - if you're doing mainly local roads that may not be an issue - but if you're doing highway driving - check on the pick up and top speeds

Hi mel,

Too bad about the free upgrades.

For $80, I would go for the compact.

If you book the car now and they offer free upgrades before you pick it up in France, you can always change to the cheaper option.

Also check on
http://www.auto-europe.co.uk/

It's the same firm. Sometimes you get a better deal through the UK site.

((I))