We need to rent a car in Avignon (TGV station)for two weeks in June. We are four adults (none of us are tall or overly large). We will each have a suitcase or large duffel on wheels as well as small carry-ons. We need to be able to cram everything into the car only to travel between the TGV and our rented house, which will be our base for two weeks, so we don't care if luggage is piled into the actual car with us as well as the trunk.<BR><BR>I think I have been to every car rental site, but still am not sure about which model is best for us so I thought I'd go to the Fodorites and ask if anyone has actually travelled as a foursome with everyone's luggage?<BR><BR>I just want to get to the house with everything fitting, but don't want a larger car than necessary for our various day trips as I know what a hassle the parking is everywhere.<BR><BR>So...any thoughts about actual car makes and models? Any comparisons between the Peugot 406 and 607? How about the Mercededs A170? Other suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

Gayle,<BR>We rented from Avis at the Nimes TGV station in October. The model that was shown on the website was a Renault something or other. What we actually got was Ford Focus 5 door Hatchback. It was large enough for 4 adults. I think that with the hatch you could get most of the luggage in the wayback and probably the carry-ons in the back seat between the two passengers. Other than being a little cramped with the luggage this vehicle would work well for your group. <BR>JoeG

Hi<BR><BR>you can read (in English) about European car models here : http://www.aimoo.com/forum/postview.cfm?id=409079&amp;CategoryID=110996&amp;s tartcat=1&amp;ThreadID=499747<BR><BR>Worth remembering :<BR><BR>Diesel is up to 30% cheaper at the pump and gives up to 50% more mileage. And available everywhere. A golf (rabbit ?) sized diesel should give about 50 mpg imperial (say 43 mpg US).<BR><BR>Autos often only available on larger cars<BR><BR>Europe was built before cars. Unless you want to drive long distances, smaller is probably easier. Virtually all European small cars can do 100+mph, and tackle mountains with no problem.<BR><BR>Europeans would see 406 as a large car for 4 people, and the 607 gives very little extra luggage space.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>

On a trip to Spain last month we were upgraded by Europcar to a Renault Scenic diesel. There were just 2 of us, but we commented on how this would make a marvelous car for a group of 4. The mileage was fantastic, and the size was very manuverable through the villages in Andalucia which had the narrowest streets we have seen on any European trip. You might want to see what group this falls into.

try calling auto europe...they are very nice and will probably be able to answer your questions and also will give you a good value

Thanks all.

mpprh-I went to this URL but there was nothing on this formum about car models??

Julies-I'll look into the model you suggested. Thanks.

rhkkmk - AutoEurope has very high deductibles and their prices were much higher than all others, perhaps because they're a broker?

Still researching...

Some cars in Europe are not sold in some other countries so it creates confusion. Why not compare the cars that you know with these proposed rental cars.

You can use a search engine to get to the car company's website. Yahoo Autos has good information for cars sold in the US.

For comparison, some cars found in Europe are also sold in other countries, including your country. For example, Ford Focus, Mercedes Benz C class, Volvo S60, VW Beatle, Honda Accord (worldwide version is an Acura in the US), etc. Look at these cars in the parking lot then you can compare these cars with the rental cars.

I think a Peugeot 600 series is about the same as a Ford Taurus, Mercedes Benz E class, Volvo S60. I think a Peugeot 400 series is smaller, maybe like a Honda Civic. I am not a car expert and don't know all the models.

Gayle--interesting. The brokers like autoeurope and nova rentacar are usually much less expensive than the others. What others had the lower prices?

It's all so confusing. Auto Europe quoted $670.70 for a Renault Laguna, termed a midsize but I understand it's the size of a Honda Civic.

Avis quote $430.56 for the same car.

Europcar quoted $547.43 Euros for a Peugot 406, which I think is about the same size (hard to tell).

I reccomend Europecar, used them in France 2001 and Italy 2002. We were 3 large and 4 large people with a ton of luggage. The most common car ans affordable,for 3 to 4 persons in France is the Reneault Scenic and we always ask for Diesel. We asked for that in Italy and got a Volvo Wagon also a Diesel. Both would be fine for your group. However you need to drive a stick for both these models.
Europecar is in all the major airports and train stations in France.

Hi

Oops, sorry I made a mistake.
The link should have been : http://www.whatcar.com/default.asp

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Hi Gayle,
We just rentedf rom Europcar in France, and reserved an intermediate size car. They upgraded us to an automatic, and gave us a Renault Vel Satis. It fit 4 of us and our luggage really comfortably. It also had a navigaton system, and that was terrific. I have no idea what category this car is usually in, but we were quite happy with it.

Gayle we are in a similar situation but will be spending more time driving with luggage. We usually rent from Autoeurope but like you, we found their deductibles to be very high and the rental price was higher than expected for this trip. We are renting thru a company I had seen in England called Sixt. We are getting a Ford Focus Estate Wagon to accommodate 4 of us and luggage. We have rented a Renault Laguna before and it is larger than a Civic, more like an Accord and it was very comfortable but that time there was just two of us. Good luck, I know what a pain finding the right car is having gone thru it for our trip in May. Have a great time. Deborah

We've leased or rented a Renault Scenic for the past two years and found it a great car for four people with luggage, and easy to drive either in small towns or on freeways. We drove for over a week in France and then on to Tuscany and back to France, and put almost 3000K on the car. Nary a problem, and this senior woman did all of the driving.

FLJudi

we are renting a Renault Scenic Megane for 4 tall people with 2 large and 2 small suitcases and 4 carrryons. Do you think we can fit everything and everyone into this car for a 6 hour trip? After that we'll only be sight seeing in it ( no luggage).The boot size looks small on that website!

I knew the Fodorites would come through. Thanks to everyone for your specific model and company recommendations. Happy trails everyone.