envoyage

What is the best deal you have found for a Car in France?
Leasing?
renting?
and what are the websites to get quotes with your recommendation...
THANK YOU
CDR

Michael

The best deal can only be found by searching. Here's an example:

The best deal I fouind for Turkey was Economy Cars. They also seem to give the best deal if the car is picked up and dropped off at the same place. But if I rent a car on 5-15 in one location and drop it off in another on 6-26, it will cost be $1984. On the other hand, if I take Kemsel's basic (no CDW)prices from 5-15 to 6-12 and from 6-12 to 6-26 (the credit card will not carry the CDW for more than 31 days on a single rental), the price comes to $1098. Kemwel offers a single coverage for $1465.22, but there is a 568€ deductible in case of accident.

My experience with a lease is that it is more expensive than a rental when leasing for less than 45 days. But I rent the smallest car available with standard shift. Others report that the differential between a rental and a lease disappears when renting an automatic.

Surfergirl

We've done the purchase/lease/buy back for longer stays, but generally most companies go through auto-Europe. The most difficult problem I find with them (and other companies) is that you make a reservation for a car and negotiate the price, then once you arrive, things kind of change. There's the inevitable add ons to the price, or my favorite, not the car you selected. Like the Seinfeld situation, they know how to take a reservation, but not how to hold one. For those who did not see that bit, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7uvttu8ct0

We had that very situation at a car rental (Auto Europe) in Nice. The car was supposed to be a manual shift compact Peugeot with a hatch back. We got to the car, and it turned out to be a Dodge Caliber with an automatic gearbox. If you've never driven a car down a tiny street in France, let me tell you, the last thing you want to drive is an SUV that's wider than the street. Not to mention the fuel costs!

Now, I've driven many a mile in France and all over Europe, but I got the shakes trying to pull out of an underground, narrow garage with this elephant. I drove it around the block, navigating one way streets, all going the wrong way, back to the train station, got out and said No Way! They give you the gee, we thought you'd appreciate having a roomy car with the upgraded automatic for the same price. Wrong! My French slang really surfaced in the exchange that followed, and we ended up with a very nice, small, Renault hatchback that even lets you know when you're about to hit something in reverse. Diesel engine, fabulous mileage.

Whole thing cost next to nothing (other than the headache at the start), including a drop off in Avignon.

alan64

Perhaps not the very best rates, but I've been happy getting Hertz rentals using United Airlines CDP discount code.

ira

Hi SG,

>...they know how to take a reservation, but not how to hold one.<

The broker with whom you make a reservation (AE, Nova, Kemwel, etc) tell you up front that you are getting a XXXXX <I>OR EQUIVALENT</I>.

If the car you asked for isn't there, it is the rental agency's fault.

It is a good idea to call the agency the day you arrive to let them know what you rented and when you will pick it up.

This doesn't mean that you will get that car, but it improves the odds.

rs899

As noted above, having an "upgrade" in Europe may be a dubious benefit. You will pay dearly in fuel costs and maneuverability. Smaller is ususally better in Europe (within limits). And diesel is really a blessing if you can get it as diesel fuel prices are usually considerably lower in Europe than gas and fuel economy is better.

dgassa

We leased a new Peugeot through Auto Europe (broker) from the Peugeot lease-buy back program in 2006. We have another one reserved for this April. The first time was for 7 weeks and the upcoming trip is 6 weeks. We got everything we asked for and encountered no problems whatsoever. The lease must be for 17 days or longer and you have a wide choice of vehicles. The price includes full insurance coverage with no deductible and road side assistance. You get a brand new car and can return it with the tank empty. We have never rented in Europe, but did a price comparison with the lease being somewhat cheaper because you don't pay any VAT.

The cost for our Peugeot 207, a small economy car, Diesel, manual shift with air comes to $37 a day. You can pick up and drop off a different locations in France at no charge. there is a charge if you pick up or return to another country.

Michael

dgassa,

My above mentioned rental for 43 days comes to $25 per day, VAT included, for a one way rental within the same country. I probably will pay more per day because I did a pricing search based on the maximum number of days that we would have the car, and the shorter the rental period, the higher the daily rate. It is true that my Visa card carries the CDW with no deductible, but I had no problems being reimbursed when I did damage a car in a previous year.

I wish people would use actual figures so that true comparisons can be made.

Surfergirl

@ Ira,

Yes, I know, and we did all that. Actually, my mom made the arrangements, but because she's over 80, it had to be put in my name and I had to drive (no problem there, I love to drive). I don't mind getting an equivalent, which is ultimately what we got (and what they had). Just wanted an easy to drive compact car.

The actual agency (vs. the broker) was simply trying to pawn off the monster car on some American who I guess they thought would appreciate having an SUV. I'm not an SUV girl.

dgassa

Micheal,

Are you going to get the same price in France?

Michael

My original post is dealing with French prices. To clarify, Economy Rentals was cheaper in Turkey (and in Sicily) but more on a one way rental in France. Thanks for having me straighten out was was unclear in my original statement. That is why I will rent from Kemwel in France, but Economy Rentals in Sicily.