We are leaving for Italy on the 9th of September and are renting a car for the first week to tour Umbria and Tuscany. Novacarhire.com is quoting us the lowest rates. Has anyone had experience in renting from them? They are quoting us a price for a Fiat Panda Mini. Never having heard of this type of car have no idea how large it is. We are just 2 adults, each with a backpack. Should we upsize? I do not know what I would have done w/o the help given by fellow Fodorites!

We had a Fiat Panda once and loved it. I like a little car -- and it will certainly hold your two backpacks! Or is the mini different from the regular Panda?

Here's a pic:

http://www.novacarhire.com/images/Our_Cars/Large/10.jpg

I've used them in Crete, Italy and Ireland and never had a problem. They really act as an agent for various car hire companies.

Thank you NeoPatrick and DuffbeerFan for your help. We are going to go with Nova.

We used them last year for a France trip and I have nothing but good things to say about them! I had to call to make a change in our dates because I couldn't figure out how to do it on the computer and the customer service could not have been better.

I made my reservations many months before our trip in late May 2007. I was given such a fantastic rate, that AutoEurope could not even touch it, much less beat it. They said that NOVA had their winter rates still on their website, and that if I could get them to honor the rate, I should go for it!

So I did.

Then I arrived in Rome, and attempted to get the car. They refused to honor the rate, and then proceeded to charge me double. Also, they did not have the type of car NOVA said we would get.

The good news is that NOVA made good on the rate after I got back. But it did require several emails, and two refunds (that added up to over $500!), and I would not have gotten it at all if I had not pursued it. But they were pleasant to deal with, and I did not have to rant, rail, beat them over the head, nothin'!

I would not depend on getting the exact type of car they quote at the onset. They are only a broker--they do not own the rental car companies they use. You will be at the mercy of whatever car agency they hook you up with and what cars they have available at the time you arrive.

Good luck!