In October I will be traveling for the first time to Italy. I want to rent a car in Florence for a three-day tour of Tuscany. I have looked at both Auto Europe and Thrify. I have read horror stories about people going to pick up their reserved car and finding none available. Does anyone have a recommendation for an agency?

www.novarentacar.com and www.autoeurope.com

>> I have read horror stories about people going to pick up their reserved car and finding none available.<<

I'm sure this happens, but I suspect that for every one of these, there are ten-thousand or more pick-ups with "no problems". I've rented perhaps 30-40 cars in Europe without a hitch at all. The only "no car" situation I have ever encountered, was here in the US.

>>Does anyone have a recommendation for an agency?<<

AutoEurope. Do a search on their name to get some discussions about their service.

Stu Dudley

ttt

Generally problems are few. You are most likely to encounter problems if you need a specific car (large automatic for example) and come to pick it up late at night - or in a small rental agency.

We always pick ours up frst thing in the AM (or as soon as we get off the plane) to be sure of the largest choice/most options.

http://www.fastcarhire.com

Ira, what is ttt?

sizard2: see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34759848 to learn about "ttt" (and yes, there is a reference within a reference there)...

Best wishes,

Rex

ttt is to the top.

We had a glitch ordering a car. I ordered automatic so I could help drive. No such luck when we went to pick up the car. Fortunately my husband drives stick.

<< I ordered automatic so I could help drive. No such luck when we went to pick up the car. >>

How many times have I mentioned this possible occurrence, here on this forum!?

It is NOT urban legend!

Sorry Rex, must have missed that post or
either I just had too much faith in my rental company! They billed us for an automatic too...but that issue was resolved to our favor.

My husband broke his foot 3 weeks before our France trip, so we had to have an automatic. These people guaranteed us one and by golly, we got one. I highly recommend them. Wonderful service and great prices.

Again:
http://www.fastcarhire.com

I've always wondered why people never learn to drive a stick? It's a good thing to know - not just for traveling in Europe, but in case of an emergency.

Just my opinion...

Becaue in order to learn to drive a stick you have to have a friend with one who is 1) willing to teach you how to use it and 2) not mind hearing you grinding the gears while you learn.

(In the US many of the cars with sticks are sports cars - and owners are not happy to endanger their beloved to teach someone else to drive. Drivers ed courses have automatics only - and the driving test assumes an automatic. Perhaps some driving schools - besides the "racing" schools have sticks - don;t know for sure.)

That is very true nytraveller. After years of badgering, my husband finally let me try out his beloved Mustang stick. After about 3 tries of not being able to even make the car move, he pulled the plug on that operation and has not let me near the thing since.

Guess I was very lucky then to have a patient Dad who taught me at 16 to drive the 1964 1/2, 3 speed Mustang that was our family car (before it became a classic). I've loved shifting ever since!

Most of the cars sold in the US are automatics, like 80% at least.

Even sport cars like BMWs are mostly sold as automatics in the US.

>>Most of the cars sold in the US are automatics, like 80% at least.<<

Most of the cars sold in Italy are manual, like 80%. They get better mileage, and drivers claim that they have more control over the car. Most of the cars sold in Italy are diesel - because of the better mileage also.

Fewer SUVs in Europe also, because of the mileage.

Is there something Americans can learn here?????

Stu Dudley

Well my point was that Americans don't learn stick any more because of all the autos sold here.

And actually, there are now autos on some models which get better mileage than manuals. Some of them are European, like the Audi A3.

As for diesel, better mileage and high torque but dirtier. Yes there are "clean diesel" technologies coming, in time to meet higher emission requirements.

But tell the children who develop asthma from living near the port of Long Beach because of diesel emissions from all the trucks which go to the port how great diesels are.

Actually, studies have shown that in actual driving conditions most drivers actually get better mileage with automatic transmissions. Why? Because too many drivers using manual transmissions don't use them properly.