Tangier to Andalucia bus or car
 

I will be ending a group tour in Tangier on May 3d and plan to take the ferry to Algerciras for 2 weeks going to Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Jerez,Cadiz, Tarifa and also spending time in the white hill towns, Sierra Nevadas, rural drives etc. My trip must end in Tangier for my onward journey.

I want to rent a car to have flexibility but previous postings make me think a car is a bad idea anywhere near Granada, Seville and elsewhere.

1. Are there budget hotels just outside the city limits with parking and use a bus for day trips?

2. Should I take a train/bus from Alegcires to Granada-Cordoba-Seville for a week and then get a car for the other destinations and the rural areas after? Or is that too much backtracking

3. Car parking costs on the websites are almost as much as the per day car rental! Anyone found good parking solutions?

Last year I leased a car in France for 3 months and navigated fine in all the towns - even Paris. But postings seem scarier for these cities.

Any comments or suggestions? Car, or train/car combo. I'll be travelling alone.

I have gone by car to all of the places mentioned and it was OK. The only place that took a bit to find parking was is Seville the first time I went by car. Other times were no problem. Having said that, your itenerary is a lot for 2 weeks. Concentrate on Seville, Cordoba and Granada with the white hill towns and other rural drives thrown in. I have spent time at the US base at Rota so have had lots of opportunity to visit Cadiz and also Jerez and IMO your time would be better spent in other places.

The casbah in Tangier is interesting and fun but I can't say the same for the rest of the city.

I liked Gibraltar, have been there thrice, and so did my kids. However, there are a plenty of folk who don't care for the place. If you go, be sure to park on the Spanish side and walk in. It can be a real pain leaving Gibraltar by car.

We've done a couple of road trips of Andalusia and had no problems at all. In fact, it's most convenient since you're not stuck waiting for buses.

Caveat: You have to be used to driving a car in tight quarters and parallel parking in a space just bigger than the car - and on both passenger and driver side of the road (since many streets are one way).

Cadiz is more of a Motorcoach hub for Comes SA. You should be able to get a bus from Algeciras to Cadiz, Jerez de la frontera or Sevilla. Buses are air conditioned and pretty comfortable.
BTW
The Comes SA Buses between Sevilla and Cadiz (incl. el Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez de la frontera, etc.) use the Prado de San Sebastian Bus Station. Other Companys may use the Plaza de Armas Bus station.

Cadiz also has a Train station for Trains serving Sevilla. Most of the trains are 2nd Class commuter-type carriages that don't have room for bulky luggage, just overhead racks. Buses have cargo storage below the Passenger compartment.
P.S.
I stayed once at a 3-star hotel in Sevilla with a fenced-in parking lot in back. The Hotel name: Monte Olivos, on c/Monte Olivet very close (500m) to Santa Justa Renfe station.

If you've driven all through France, then Andalucia will be easy. No question the car will give you way more freedom and flexibility, but an auto is a big liability in the pedestrianised cores of the cities; you'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth it to keep the car and eat the cost of parking.