Renting passenger van in Italy - help me decide...

[quokka77]

Hi all. I'm the designated driver for 2 grandparents, 2 parents and 2 kids on an upcoming Italian 11 day Umbria trip. Staying in a country villa. Flying in and out of FLR. Have booked 2 rentals, now time to cancel one.

Chrysler voyager auto for 1030 euro through Budget (independently owned franchise). Kid seats +100 euro.

Mercedes Vito (probably manual) 890 euro through Dollar. Kids seats +35 euro.

Price is much cheaper on the Merc, but haven't driven manual for 12 years (partner is only licenced for auto so that is what we drive).

Also, I'm thinking of declining the super CDW and personal insurance based on Platinum Charge policy... Any thoughts or cautionary tales? Thanks Q

 

[mannej]

You are keen driving in Italy - that's my pearl of wisdom for the night!

 

[Ric]

Last year I got a Merc Vito from Avis in Florence through Argus car hire.
It was an auto diesel. Very economical and enough power.


A word of warning though.
Many restricted parking areas but signs were in Italian so I was hit with a parking fine a couple of months after I returned. It was charged to my credit card from Avis.
On Thursday I received another fine for driving in a restricted zone!!11.5 months after the deed! Apparently under their laws, they can issue fine up to 360 days! Again, I don't read Italian so...
Both in Pisa.

in 2012, got hit with driving in a restricted zone in Florence! IIRC, >EUR300!! Ouch!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Get all the insurance you can. Piece of mind can be bought!!!

 

[quokka77]

So, all done and dusted. Got slugged with airport surcharge by Budget FLR when their phone agent had specifically told me this was included in my quote (Dollar's quote had it separately itemised in their quote, so I should have gone with them). Also, when I picked up the vehicle the only passenger van they had was the larger Vito, not the smaller Voyager they had quoted on. Also there was damage to the under body when I picked it up (at night in the rain) not listed on the condition report, so I was a bit stressed they were going to try to pin it on me at drop off. In the end they didn't notice it, so at least I avoided that pitfall. On a brighter note, the driving wasn't that difficult (I parked at the edge the centro storico of each of the old towns we visited and explored on foot).