Holiday car hire
- Thread starter User
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User482
Guest
My Dad had the same thought when we all went to Portugal for a family holiday. He got a nail - a Fiat Punto of uncertain provenance, which was flat out at 70mph. On the upside, they didn't check for bumps and scrapes to the bodywork. Probably because there were so many to start with, they couldn't be bothered to write them all down.
We always go for one of the 'big names' I'm afraid (there isn't any alternative we know of, at Toulouse): never had any problems apart from sometimes a long queue at the desk at peak times. If you buy the flight tickets online and there's a car hire offer linked to the airline, worth looking at, you can get a reasonable discount.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
I use Travel Supermarket to find the cheapest quote, and not had a problem.
The worst experience I had with them was getting a Chevrolet Lacetti from National with about 40 000 miles on the clock. That was a truly awful car.
Got us there and back though, and was well under half what Avis wanted.
Put me off ever buying a Chevrolet...
The worst experience I had with them was getting a Chevrolet Lacetti from National with about 40 000 miles on the clock. That was a truly awful car.
Got us there and back though, and was well under half what Avis wanted.
Put me off ever buying a Chevrolet...
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User482
Guest
I was once given a Lacetti as an "upgrade" to a Fiesta. My god, that was a terrible car.
Does the car run ?
So who cares if it a rust bucket on 3 wheels ?
Having been driving crap cars all my life, I've just been given a two year old one, it the youngest car by at least a decade I have ever owned, the wife and I are terrified of damaging it !
For the first time in years I have cut up !
There is a lot to be said for the sucession of old Landrovers (X2), transits (X3), VW Varients (X2), VW vans (X2), Escorts (X3) ,Volvo's, Morris Travelers, Ford Prefects, and other assorted crap we have had over the years, as people figure "I won't cut him up, as he won't move out of the way and won't even bother to stop to look if I hit him" (and they are right)
So who cares if it a rust bucket on 3 wheels ?
Having been driving crap cars all my life, I've just been given a two year old one, it the youngest car by at least a decade I have ever owned, the wife and I are terrified of damaging it !
For the first time in years I have cut up !
There is a lot to be said for the sucession of old Landrovers (X2), transits (X3), VW Varients (X2), VW vans (X2), Escorts (X3) ,Volvo's, Morris Travelers, Ford Prefects, and other assorted crap we have had over the years, as people figure "I won't cut him up, as he won't move out of the way and won't even bother to stop to look if I hit him" (and they are right)
Globalti
Legendary Member
We use Holiday Autos and they have always given us a nice car, often brand new, from Alamo. In winter they are even fitted with snow tyres, which are fantastic.
Here: http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/car-hire/portugal.htm
Here: http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/car-hire/portugal.htm
pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
I have always used holiday autos and the cars have been good.However beware of the insurance they offer on there site as the hire company try to sell there owwn insurance when picking up the car.The insurance sold by HA means you have to pay for any damage up front and then claim it back from the insurance provider.I am going to try the Economy Car Hire. there web states all new cars and includes all insurance.Rtes look preety good.
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
A little unnecessary in Faro?!!
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
As others have said, Holiday Autos can be recommended.
At Faro, have used a local company and was more than satisfied. Think they are called Zit Autos (yes, an unfortunate name, I know) or whoever took them over. Would have to check if I still have details at home. When are you planning on going?
At Faro, have used a local company and was more than satisfied. Think they are called Zit Autos (yes, an unfortunate name, I know) or whoever took them over. Would have to check if I still have details at home. When are you planning on going?
Word of warning; I used Holiday Autos and hired a car from Faro airport (Mini) several years ago drove the long straight road to the main set of lights out of the airport and the car just conked out. I had no coinage, no mobile, there was no local phones, etc. Had to walk back to the airport and there was no one there. Taxi drivers did not want to know as I only had a high value note. Crestfallen I started walking back to the car thinking I might have to spend the night in it, when fortunately one of the Holiday Auto's staff members drove past and picked me up.
Make sure you have a mobile, international coverage, small change and contact telephone numbers for break downs. Oh and a small folding bike would have been useful.
meenaghman
Guru
Generally go with one of the big names but have my own insurance policy which covers me and other drivers yearly. (I've been using www.insurance4carhire.com for years) sometimes get asked to produce proof it if i get a big car. Normally find that the prices through Ryanair or other sites are cheaper than those quoted off the car hire company sites.. but sometimes they request a flight/booking number. Last time I flew into Liverpool I got given a Kia shitslow or something similar.. it claimed to have a 1.6 engine in it, but I didn't find much evidence. Needed a calendar to plan overtaking.
