Hello, I have been looking around the internet for car rental deals and found what appears to be a great deal but wanted to check if I was missing something...I went through www.goireland.com (Ireland tourist board site) and found a subcompact manual for 2 weeks in October with unlimited mileage, 3rd party liability insurance, CDW theft insurance, tax and 24 hour breakdown service for $286.88. Is there anything else that I need? Is this a decent/good rate? I haven't rented many cars before so I thought I would ask before hiting the "rent" button! Thanks in advance to all your help!

If that rate includes taxes and CDW it is a good deal. Double check that it includes VAT (Value Added Tax)<BR><BR>You are basically talking $20 per day - a good rate. It will be a very small car - But that is a good thing for some of the narrow roads.

That's a good rate. The only other thing to consider is whether you want to rent an automatic. It makes driving on the left much less stressful if you're a first-timer. It is more expensive, so you have to weigh that up.

Ann, just because you are chicken don't infect Lisa. She already said it is a stick, so obviously she knows how to drive one. A standard transmission is easy for any competent driver. If you are incompetent to drive a stick, perhaps you should not be driving at all

xyz:<BR><BR>Please go away. For first time drivers on the opposite side of the road, it is common to recommend an automatic. Most guide books dealing with a wide range of travelers do so. Please don't be an abusive idiot. I have never owned anything but a stick shift and I drive them very competently, but was thankful to have an automatic on our first trip.<BR><BR>You are probably not only an incompetent driver but are also socially incompetent with nothing better to do than abuse people to help yourself inflate your already over inflated ego. <BR><BR>Ann's suggestion is a good one.<BR>

I think that rate is "too good to be true".

Lisa,<BR>I would recommend an automatic car, it is much easier to navigate in Ireland.<BR>Have you tried Dan Dooley. They have a web-site and a toll-free US phone number I've rented from them with decent rates.

Lisa: You might also ask the age of the car you are renting. We got a good rate, too, but the car was atleast 10 years old. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise - toured dirt roads, fields, and other places we wouldn't have gone in a new vehicle. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice (but please no fighting!)

Ok...I just went to autoeurope.com and found a great deal but I wanted to ask if CDW insurance is a must have when renting a car in Ireland. If we already have car insurance does that cover it? Also, I just checked Dan Dooley and the website quoted double what I have found already. Autoeurope quoted me $249.98 for 2 weeks inlcuding VAT tax, fire insurance???, unlimited mileage and mandatory public liability insurance....but to include CDW it almost doubles in price. <BR><BR>Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks again to everyone who responded before!

Lisa, based on my research I would say that CDW is a must in Ireland.<BR><BR>Platinum cards often cover primary CDW in a different country...however, most exclude Ireland and Italy. To me, that says a lot! I know Platinum Mastercard and Diner's sometimes covers it.<BR><BR>Read the fine print on your renters agreement! I know with my Dan Dooley quote, CDW was "included". However that meant collision with a deductible. I chose to purchase the super-duper-extra-cautious CDW which has a $0 deductible and covers tires, hubcaps, and sideview mirrors (apparently the biggest victims!). I wanted to make sure I could walk away from the car worry free. <BR><BR>Check with your insurance company anyway. But as I said, I personally would rather buy the car rental's insurance in a place where I'm really concerned about my driving abilities!

Lisa:<BR><BR>Sorry I had to get snippy with xyz. Yes, you would be crazy not to have CDW. I did the research last year and a gold or platinum MC will cover your CDW in Ireland with no deductible for up to 15 days. It is covered through MC and not the bank that issues the card, so you will have to contact MC directly to double check.<BR><BR>The other thing you would want to check on the 286 price with CDW, is what the deductible is. It can be as high as $1000 and they may have a tendency to nit pick when you return the car. I went through Murrays Europcar and got a good deal, but their reservation page is all hosed up now. All you get is the html.<BR><BR>Hope this helps<BR><BR>Bill

Keep in mind that the CDW deductible is PER OCCURRENCE!

www.irelandcarrentals.com is the way to go. I've rented from them before. My husband is renting a manual Ford Monedo from 26 Sept. to 30 Sept. and it is costing him $95.88. <BR><BR>I just went on www.goireland.com and the same car would cost $140. Big difference.<BR><BR>We paid $426 for 10 days in May for an automatic.

ireland car rentals must not like me as much. I always hear about these deals and when I go there, it doesn't seem to work out as well. In fact, I put in the same dates as Molley, for the same car with no CDW and got a price of $127.44<BR><BR>Bill

I've had great luck with O'Scannlain/Hertz:<BR><BR>www.oscannlain.com/Ireland

Bill - I'm sorry - he's leaving on 9/26 and arriving on 9/27. So the rental is actually 9/27-9/30. Now check www.irelandcarrentals.com again.

Thank you all so much for your help!

Just returned from a 4-day drive around the SW part of Ireland. It was terrific - even drove Connor Pass but I strongly recommend an automatic and the first thing you do is pull in the passenger mirrow. After I broke ours, the driving went very smoothly.<BR><BR>Your rate sounds terrific - I had insurance coverage but ended up adding $10/dl for mirrows, tires, etc. which I thought was covered - it wasn't.

Thanks again to everyone who replied to my initial email. I got a car and now I have tom ake a nother decision when I get there about it and wondered if anyone had any opinion regarding fuel options. Here are my choices:<BR><BR>Fuel Policy <BR>Our policy is to supply all cars with a full tank of fuel. We have two fuel options available when your hire a Sixt Irish Car Rentals vehicle.<BR>Option A: - Peace of Mind Option<BR>The majority of our clients avail of our Discount Petrol offer where you pre pay the initial tank of petrol at a very good discount price. This method eliminates the need for you to refill the tank before returning. Please be aware that we are unable to give a refund for unused fuel. <BR>Option B: - <BR>You receive the car with a full tank or petrol and are charged the normal Premium petrol rate that is available around Ireland. A EURO15 Petrol Service levy is imposed at this point. You will receive a refund on return only when the car is completely full. We require you to refuel your rental car within 5kms of the Sixt return location. (Please note in Option B there is no refund unless the car is returned completely FULL) <BR><BR>So if anyone has any recommendations as to which one to go with please let me know! Thanks!<BR><BR>Lisa