Would you drive this?
May 8th, 2006, 08:40 AM
#1
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Would you drive this?
http://www.carrentalexpress.com/ERG/...vid=45712&
I was thinking of renting a car to drive ouas far as maybe Cortona or Perugia from Florence.
It's the cheapest automatic I could find. It's probably best for driving within the city or short trips but how about for a couple of hundred miles?
Well it should get good gas mileage and should be easier to park. (would there be an advantage in parking say perpendicular to the curb?).
A regular subcompact auto is about $25 more a day. Probably would give you more peace of mind.
I was thinking of renting a car to drive ouas far as maybe Cortona or Perugia from Florence.
It's the cheapest automatic I could find. It's probably best for driving within the city or short trips but how about for a couple of hundred miles?
Well it should get good gas mileage and should be easier to park. (would there be an advantage in parking say perpendicular to the curb?).
A regular subcompact auto is about $25 more a day. Probably would give you more peace of mind.
May 8th, 2006, 08:54 AM
#2
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What car is it? The link just takes me to the homepage.
If it's a small car (like a smart car), well, my philosophy for driving in Italy is the smaller the better, as the roads are so painfully narrow in the towns. As long as you can fit all your luggage in it, obviously.
If it's a small car (like a smart car), well, my philosophy for driving in Italy is the smaller the better, as the roads are so painfully narrow in the towns. As long as you can fit all your luggage in it, obviously.
May 8th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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It's the A1. WHen you enter dates, it lists all the cars available and it's the one at the top. Only two seats, 3 doors including the hatch.
I thought SMART car was a trademarked name.
The wheels are tiny, seems smaller than scooter tires.
It would be mostly for day trips. I might be tempted to do an overnighter if I'm driving far. Especially since some of these towns are suppose to be better at eves after the tourist crowds have left.
My concern is how it would hold up on a long excusion and when forced to run at say 70 MPH for extended distances.
I thought SMART car was a trademarked name.
The wheels are tiny, seems smaller than scooter tires.
It would be mostly for day trips. I might be tempted to do an overnighter if I'm driving far. Especially since some of these towns are suppose to be better at eves after the tourist crowds have left.
My concern is how it would hold up on a long excusion and when forced to run at say 70 MPH for extended distances.
May 8th, 2006, 10:43 AM
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It is a SMART Fortwo. They are a subsidiary of Mercedes and are very decent little cars. It is basically a city car but I have often seen them on intercity roads in Italy and they were going at least 100km/hr (62mph). The SMART has a full compliment of safety equipment such as air bags, electronic stability control and abs. Some time ago I drove a Citroen AMI for about 25,000 miles over two years. Although a four seater, it was about the same weight and its engine was the same displacement and horsepower (maybe a bit less). I had no problems driving at 60-70 mph for extended periods of time. Once I got to speed, it would hold it except for long hills. It will be very economical. I believe though that your luggage will be exposed.
May 8th, 2006, 09:22 PM
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Well I suppose I would rent this for an overnight trip so I would have to have luggage.
It's $72 for one day but $112 for two days.
Lot of hills in Tuscany so maybe this isn't the best, although with gas prices these days...
It's $72 for one day but $112 for two days.
Lot of hills in Tuscany so maybe this isn't the best, although with gas prices these days...
May 8th, 2006, 10:36 PM
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I drove this Model from Rome to Assissi, around Unbria, and then to the Amalfi Coast where I used it for a week or so all around the Amalfi Coast area, including up in the hills.
I found it had a surpising amount of "Go", was a lot roomier than it appeared to be from the outside, and I loved it. Mine was red, and I dubbed it "La fragolina" (the strawberry) It was fantastic for parking, and a lot of locals on the AC expressed interest in it. Can't remember the exact mileage, I rented from SIXTI, and paid a very low rate.
I found it had a surpising amount of "Go", was a lot roomier than it appeared to be from the outside, and I loved it. Mine was red, and I dubbed it "La fragolina" (the strawberry) It was fantastic for parking, and a lot of locals on the AC expressed interest in it. Can't remember the exact mileage, I rented from SIXTI, and paid a very low rate.
May 9th, 2006, 03:50 AM
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Glad to hear of your experience with the SMART Fortwo. They really are popular in Italy, you see a lot of them in Rome. I drove a SMART Forfour, the larger version, for a few days in the Naples - Pompeii area and both ways on the Amalfi coast road and thought it to be a very nice driver. Even though I had three adult passengers, I had no problems in the hills. I would consider buying one if they were inported to the States.
May 9th, 2006, 05:32 AM
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I believe that Daimler - Chrysler had plans to import them but the plans were dropped. There was (is) also a company call Zar that was to be an importer but I believe that was dropped too. Too bad, I think they would have sold well. The Fortwo gets very high mileage. With the Forfour I averaged about 35-40mpg in mixed driving.
May 9th, 2006, 12:52 PM
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Wow, SIXTI does have dirt cheap prices.
Unfortunately, looks like the closest one to Florence is in Pisa airport.
Did the Smart car you drive have automatic transmission, <b>bellastar</b>? Because typically, automatic cars seem to rent for a much higher price in Italy.
The next step up they have appears to be a Fiat Panda.
Unfortunately, looks like the closest one to Florence is in Pisa airport.
Did the Smart car you drive have automatic transmission, <b>bellastar</b>? Because typically, automatic cars seem to rent for a much higher price in Italy.
The next step up they have appears to be a Fiat Panda.
May 9th, 2006, 07:45 PM
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When I went to the desk, I booked the cheapest. They proudly told me they upgraded me to a Ford Escort. I was not as thrilled, but after driving there, the Ford was generally the best looking thing on the road. GET THE GPS OR YOU WILL BE DOOMED!!!!!!
May 10th, 2006, 06:25 AM
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I reccommend getting someone to do the diriving for you. It's a bit more expensive but much less of a hassle. We used a guy called Marco:
[email protected]
He was great. His English is "perfecto", the driving was smooth (thank God he had air conditioning!). We consider him a friend.
[email protected]
He was great. His English is "perfecto", the driving was smooth (thank God he had air conditioning!). We consider him a friend.
May 11th, 2006, 01:05 AM
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Do the drive, whether you have to get a bigger car or not, it's well worth it to see the countryside on the way and gives you more flexibility than the train/bus.
Smart cars... You will only have room for one bag (small-med). My old office had one and though I think it's a great car, I hated driving it... Found the tiptronic gear knob extremely irritating, suppose you would get used to it. I would also feel very uncomfortable on the highway, if anything happens you could be in trouble.
I live in Geneva and am going this summer for the third time to the boarder area Tuscany/Umbria and I always drive. What a fantastic area!
The first time I took the trip I rented a Fiat Punto and I found it extremely irritating how slow it was (coming from Switzerland) but I think it would be perfect for little trips around T
Smart cars... You will only have room for one bag (small-med). My old office had one and though I think it's a great car, I hated driving it... Found the tiptronic gear knob extremely irritating, suppose you would get used to it. I would also feel very uncomfortable on the highway, if anything happens you could be in trouble.
I live in Geneva and am going this summer for the third time to the boarder area Tuscany/Umbria and I always drive. What a fantastic area!
The first time I took the trip I rented a Fiat Punto and I found it extremely irritating how slow it was (coming from Switzerland) but I think it would be perfect for little trips around T
