I take it comfort wasn't an issue with your supermini Renault Clio, so it must have been the cost. It's a decent city car, easy to park, but I would never get out on a highway with such a beast.

"the Peugeot 107 or VW Polo, both of which are categorized as super minis - not a category we have in the US" They are not available in the US because they have yet to meet the safety requirement, although the Polo might show up in the near future if the price is right It's close in size to the Fiat 500. The trunk on the Polo is large enough for a small carry-on, but hardly anything else, and not meant for touring.

I'd be more concerned of safety and accident protection than the price if you are, as Robert says, going out on the highway.

GREAT comments. clearly, it's a sedan for us.

while we're on the subject - i've read varying reports on just how difficult the drive is from Figueres to Cadaques. how daunting is it? should we just take a bus? is there a ferry from Roses? it looks like our base will be in Girona.

ParisAmsterdam - the last time we were in europe we went to...yup, paris and amsterdam :)

The drive isn't difficult but the road is narrow, twisting and often with little protection other than sporadic barriers. If you take steady, you should be fine. Buses use it as well. There are several boats that take passengers along the coast but not cars.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rJ_mbVX2pQ

>>>ParisAmsterdam - the last time we were in europe we went to...yup, paris and amsterdam<<<

Hoping to get to them both again soon but moving house in 10 days and I'll most likely be too tired for a vacation! LOL

Have a fun trip to Spain!

take it comfort wasn't an issue with your supermini Renault Clio, so it must have been the cost. It's a decent city car, easy to park, but I would never get out on a highway with such a beast.<<

I am a high end luxury car owner and found the Clio more than acceptable for comfort, and the manual transmission provided reasonable highway acceleration.

Picked it for the unlimited mile rental & w/70 MPG(diesel) as I drove it everywhere

"I am a high end luxury car owner" Really? Interesting! Yes, you see Clios all over the place, because they are reasonably priced, but still not suitable for a good road trip. And they only come with a manual transmission.

We typically average about 50 MPG in the Audi A4 2.0 Turbo Diesel or VW Passat and don't have to worry about not being seen by that trucker bearing down on you at 110+ KPH.

The only Clio that will average 70 MPG (Fuel Consumption Imperial) is the dCi 90, the least powerful engine in the fleet. The Fuel Consumption in US Gallons is only 58 MPG, hardly an improvement over a larger, more powerful and much more comfortable road car.

Robert, when I go to the theme park and ride the bumper cars, I dont ask for a special one. I drive one that they commonly use especially when its only 1/3rd the cost of a car of what Americans normally drive. Believe me, I was worried about the car because it was $1200 less than the simple Volvo s80 they offered. However, I was pleaed with the Clio. It was fine, and at $9 a gallon, the MPG was great because I saved several hundred dollars in gas too



btw-Im good with a manual, I can easily squeeze out 5-10 MPG more than amateurs

The Volvo S80 and Clio are not even in the same realm. Of course the cost of the Clio is far less than a luxury car. What an odd statement, which brings up some serious questions. I think maybe you should stick with the bumper cars.

The Clio dCi 90, by the way, uses diesel, and the price of diesel in France today is roughly € 1.39/liter, or $5.28/gallon. Not bad at all. The price last year was slightly higher, about $6.84/gallon, so at $9/gallon, I have no idea where you where driving.

107 is a city car so is effectively a 2+2 where the +2 is for emegency use only, Polo is a supermini in the same group as Fiesta, Clios, 208s & Corsas. Next size is family - typically VW Golf

What does it matter? You are only driving the car for a few days out of a life time.
All the OP wanted to know was a super mini a good car for their needs. The answer was no.

US Dollar is a lot stronger now then a few years ago, and the 9(after conversion) was Netherlands(Spain was less). Still, even at $6 (plus conversion costs) I might still do a Clio again

Funny how I complained about gas then but airfare was 35% less than today...go figure

you guys (and i do mean the guys!) crack me up...

thanks again!

Actually most of the tips above are not correct. A supermini is a bigger mini, closer to a medium sized hatchback. For example Ford Fiesta 1.4 CRDi is a super mini. It's ok for 4 people + decent luggage. Hyundai I20 is also a super mini.

I rented a VW Golf via AutoEurope. they had the most convenient location to our apartment in barcelona and matched the competitors price for the same car. considering the good things i've heard about their service in a jam, i went with them. thanks everyone...

Since IIRC you won't be hauling luggage you should enjoy the VW... especially if it's a TDI.