Buying Petrol in Ireland

Chuck · Member

Buying Petrol in Ireland

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I agree with your recollection, and I'll add my own observation from our 16 June - 3 July trip. I drove a Diesel VW Passat and I saw prices of 1.04 - 1.08 Euro per liter for diesel in the Republic and between 96 and 98 PENCE (Sterling) in Northern Ireland and Scotland (though I didn't drive or buy fuel in Scotland.

Bob

Dude · Guru

Hey, Bob, how did it go with the Passat? Room for three adult women and a couple small suitcases plus shopping for each of us? Did you request the diesel or was it just what they had? From whom did you rent? I'm shutting up now.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dude -

I've just begun working on a bare-bones --"Just The Facts, M'am" -- trip report that I hope to have posted up by mid-week, next. I plan to follow THAT up with my usual, long-winded, overly detailed and heavily annoted commentary, some time after that, but BEFORE you leave on your trip.

However....

I rented from Europecar, through Auto Europe. We picked the Passat up at the Dublin Airport on the morning of 20 June and returned it to same on the morning of 3 July. We racked up 2,487 kilometers, total and had no accidents, mechanical problems or tire trouble worth noting -- 'Bumping' a curb or two, without injuring the tire DOESN'T count! I also 'ticked' the side-view mirror on another car once, but the resultin scratch rubbed off.

We had two 30+" rolling duffle bags, two backpacks, a 27" 'fold up' duffle that we used for our 'overnight bag, PLUS, at any given time we usually had one Large shopping bag filled with gifts, pamphlets, etc. -- All of which fit comfortably in the trunk. The car was roomy and comfortable. It came as a diesel and included AC -- which came in handy -- mostly, for its de-humidifying capabilities!

Fuel economy SEEMED quite good, but I didn't analyze it as we picked it up full (more or less) and HAD to return it EMPTY (Don't get me started on THAT INANITY!!!! furious

)!

The Murray/ EuropeCar lot in Dublin had a BUNCH of these Passats (mostly in any color you wanted, as long as you wanted BLACK! biggrin

I BELIEVE that they were all diesels.

As to room, you could comfortably seat four largish (not that I'm presuming or implying that ANY of your party might be described as such) adults of any gender, with a bit of room to spare. So, if you rent the Passat, you could actually bring along ANOTHER sister. Or, if you three are willing to cover the cost of a plane ticket, you MIGHT COULD use it to hire yourself an Itallian Chauffeur to drive you all around ...... yawn

--- As if my wife would let me go to Ireland without her!!!!! cry

I have a NUMBER of issues with EuropeCar / Auto Europe, but NO complaints about the Passat.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 00:06, 2007-07-19

Dude · Guru

You do know that there are a number of people waiting with worms on our tongues for your trip report, don't you?

Thanks for the info on the Passat. We three sisters are heftier than we should be, but not as large as some, so should be quite comfy. I'll ask the "girls" if we can hire you, subject, of course, to your wife's approval. You'd have to sleep in the car as our accommodations are all booked, which should ease her mind somewhat.

We're renting in and returning to Shannon this time. Booked with EuropCar through Kemwel. Decided to spring for the Super CDW through insurance4carhire.com so no worries with tires, etc.

Today marks 60 days 'til liftoff.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

What are your issues with Europcar? I have used them (through Kemwel) for the past several years but at Shannon. They have treated me fine there. However, I will be dealing with Dublin next time. I'm interested to know what they are up to there.

Michele

Chuck · Member

Dude,

I rented my vehicle through Dan Dooley and purchased the the CDW with a $1000 deductible through them. Like you I also bought the Super CDW from Insurance4carhire to cover all of the tires or anything else that might cost me up to the $1000 deductible. However, Dan Dooley required me to "temporarily" charge my credit card for the $1000. They told me that they would not submit the charge unless there was a problem when I returned the car. Fortunately I had no damage to the car and when I returned it to Dan Dooley they gave the $1000 charge receipt back which I destroyed.

By the way I rented a Ford Fiesta (standard transmission, no AC) and it worked great for me and my wife. It was a four door and seated us comfortably in the front seats. I would think it would be a bit cramped for two adults in the back seat but it was great for our backpacks, snacks, maps etc. The trunk held two large suitcases, a large computer bag, and a dufflebag for dirty clothes.

As small as the Fiesta is I can remember places where I wish it were even smaller; especially on some of the backroads. It may have just been good timing but we found traffic to be lite on the smaller roads and there were only a few instances where we had to stop and pull over.

Dude · Guru

One of the trips when it was just my daughter and I we had a Fiesta and really enjoyed it. It was just perfect for two. However, I think my sisters and I will need a little more elbow room and a lot more shopping acquisition room. The Passat sounds perfect. In late September we probably won't need a/c but I think the Passats come with it. I think I hope it is a diesel, and that the improved fuel mileage overrides the lack of get-up-and-go. My sisters are terrified at the idea that the Inishowen 100 is a road race and we will all die, so they probably want me to drive slowly and sedately anyway.

That Ford Tourneo we had for the five of us last time was a dream, but can't justify the cost or the size for just three of us. If I had enough euros I would spring for a Land Rover.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dude:

After 36+ years of marraige, wife has no fear about sleeping arraingements. She DOES however have major concerns about me going to Ireland in September, as she, as a school teacher, can NOT take time off, to go. It's more of a "If I can't -- You can't" kinda thing! biggrin

We actually foud the Passat's Turbo desiel to be QUITE 'Peppy'. We had no dificulty cruising the Motorways, nor climbing the road up to the upper car park at Bunglass (Slieve League).

Michele:

My booking invoice from Auto Europe quotes a discounted price of $264.64 for a 13 day rental of the Passat, with the cdw waived, less my booking fee of $59.44, leaving a balance due of $205.20 (Not counting the "fine print", EXTRA charges .....

When I picked up the car, I was charged $607. There was the Road Tax, The Airport Pick Up Premium, $36 to enter Northern Ireland, $95 for the initial Tank of fuel AND the 13 day charge for Theft coverage as the desk clerk informed me that Europcar had decided to no longer ACCEPT the MasterRental coverage for Theft, as they (Europcar) had "had too many cars stolen, that MC wasn't paying enough".

Add to THAT, Europcar's ASSININE "Pick it up FULL / Return it Empty" Scheme and you have my litany of "ISSUES" .... furious

I had anticipated that the "EXTRAS" would drive the price up to about $500, cry

but the rather, um, SELECTIVE dismissal of the MC Theft Protection really did suprise and annoy me. furious

I REALLY wish the Tourist Board would impose some sort of STANDARD. Auto rental really is THE single biggest negative of traveling to Ireland.

Was the Passat worth the REAL price paid? Probably. Do I / did I feel cheated and abused? ABSOLUTELY. Did it ruin my trip? Not at all. Will I NOT return to Ireland because of this? Of COURSE I'll go back, but how many others WON'T, or worse yet, will talk their friends and relatives into not going? Between the whole car rental fiasco AND the prevalance of DCC, how long will it take before Ireland gets a reputation for being a 'Rip-Off' destination? For a country that has so large a part of their economy anchored in tourism, that kind of image could potentially be VERY damaging.

End of Rant...

Bob

Dude · Guru

Aw, Bob, sure I was just joshing ya! I've been married 43+ years and the other sisters 31 and 22 years, and each of us to just one man apiece. We marvel that there are men on this planet who can stay married to a Jones girl for that long. In fact, the only reason I don't go live in Ireland (besides the obvious money issues) is that I'm so fond of Himself.

I can certainly sympathize with your wife's attitude. I can't imagine cheerfully waving goodbye to a family member who was swanning off to Ireland without me.

Looking forward to our Black Diesel Passat!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Thanks for the Europcar update. I am aware of all the various charges with the exception of the additional theft charge. That is a new one since I was there in April/May. I think the car rental companies are trying to "nickel and dime" us to death. I am with you on this. Renting a car is the biggest trial in planning a trip to Ireland. And returning a car's petrol tank empty - what a joke!

Google "rip off ireland" and you will find a lot of interesting sites.

The tourist board will not and does not impose standards on car companies. That would be up to the Irish government. Unless there are a whole lot of articles, letters and negative publicity that really knocks them in the head there will be no changes. Rules and laws only change when absolutely necessary. Care to start a letter-writing campaign?

Michele