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El Cheapo car hire Barcelona
Hodor - 14/6/15 at 07:50 PM

Going to Spain in the near future and need to get car hire for 9 days. Looking on Holidayautos.com there is a big price difference between the well known companies (hertz, avis, europcar, sixt) and the lesser known ones (Goldcar, Solmer, Firefly - which sound like Chinese car makers to be honest). But we're talking up to £100 difference. Anyone had experience of using the cheaper ones? My imagination has them all a 15 minutes minibus ride to some industrial estate, opposed to the on-site big name ones. Any thoughts?

cliftyhanger - 14/6/15 at 08:06 PM

Check out the fuelling policy, it can stitch you up like a kipper if you don't take care. And it can save a load of cash if you get hire car insurance over here.

MSE is te site to get the advice......

ian locostzx9rc2 - 14/6/15 at 08:08 PM

I have used gold car before in lanzorte cars where at airport car was ok ,all I'll advise is check there fuel policy and the small print for what's covered on the insurance on all the companies that your looking at then decided .sometimes the cheapest is not the best !!

gremlin1234 - 14/6/15 at 09:05 PM

you should also note that uk driving licences have changed. the 'counterpart'** is now electronic!

see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33052251

quote
"The paper counterpart shows a driver's record, including offences and endorsements, but all that information is going online instead. "
and
"holidaymakers who hire cars abroad will now need a special temporary code as proof of convictions. "

(**old paper only ones haven't changed ;-)

edit, bold

[Edited on 14/6/15 by gremlin1234]

Hodor - 14/6/15 at 09:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
you should also note that uk driving licences have changed. the 'counterpart'** is now electronic!

see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33052251

quote
"The paper counterpart shows a driver's record, including offences and endorsements, but all that information is going online instead. "
and
"holidaymakers who hire cars abroad will now need a special temporary code as proof of convictions. "

(**old paper only ones haven't changed ;-)

edit, bold

[Edited on 14/6/15 by gremlin1234]


Thanks for the reminder. I remember seeing this when it came out, it's completely inane, having to obtain a code! Wtf is wrong with hertz or whoever punching your licence number into this thing called a "computer" which then talks via the "internet" to another "computer" in Swansea which can tell them what they want to know. Sounds like a case of "bloody hell boyo, with the paper part being ditched, we better find a job for all us lot. What's that Taff? create a coupon scheme for anyone wanting to hire a car, brilliant idea". (No offence intended to my Celtic brethren, Taff's a lovely guy).

Can you imagine the carnage this is going to cause this holiday season, what percent of punters are going to be unaware of the code thing? Hope I don't get stuck behind one at the hire desk.

simonrh - 15/6/15 at 09:30 AM

In Lisbon recently the goldcars desk had a queue about a mile long full of people who obviously never rent cars and so where really taking their time where all the others where only a few people long. Wouldn't have wanted to get a off a plane to face that for the sake of a couple of quid!!

gdische - 15/6/15 at 10:50 AM

Our experience with Goldcar in Portugal was not good.

In general, think about how far you will be driving - if you are not going far the full tank of fuel option may not make sense.

Geoff

Dingz - 15/6/15 at 06:19 PM

I have used 'Carjet' in the past with no problems.

splitrivet - 17/6/15 at 12:56 PM

I used these guys NTDWM link
On a trip to San francisco and Portugal couldnt find anyone cheaper and the service was good use promo code 5NOW to get 5% off in June.
Get your excess insurance here though an annual policy works out the best deal.
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 17/6/15 by splitrivet]

Hodor - 17/6/15 at 01:52 PM

Thanks. Have ended up going with the most reasonable of the "named" brands, Budget. Just because two families needing two cars and minimal hassle (I hope).

Took out excess insurance with Questor-insurance.co.uk