what type of transmission

noshot9 · Veteran Member

what type of transmission

CowboyCraic · Guru

I wouldn't advise on a manual transmission given that you have admitted that it would be a learning experience or relearning, as it were. There is enough other things to concentrate on whilst driving.

I know that the cost of an automatic is higher and of some consideration, to be sure. Still, I always opt for the automatic as it is one less worry and hassle. It is worth the peace of mind that I have in knowing I don't have to retrain my brain for that adventure, as well.

I went through Kemwel to get a cost for a Opel Micra to let in October. For the 19 days I will be there, an automatic was $585, all inclusive, using the link through Michele's site. That is in US dollars. I always the smaller the car, the better and the easier it is to faciliitate driving, even better yet.

Beannachtaí na Fáile Pádraig duit! Happy S. Patrick's Day!,

Bit

noshot9 · Veteran Member

Was that price for an automatic transmission and did it include CDW? Is the car you rented considered an economy, compact, etc. Any advise on the smallest car I could get by with for 3 people and luggage? I am not familiar with some of these car types that the companies list on their web sites and looking at the little pop up windows, I don't see any in the economy or compact range that says they will hold 3 large suitcases?

I hate to admit it, but the last manual transmission car that I owned had the shift lever on the steering column.

noshot9 · Veteran Member

When I go through Michele's web site and plug in all the stuff, the cheapest automatic, all inclusive, number I get back is about $735 for the smallest car they show, which is a Nissian Micro and I am not sure that it would hold 3 people and 3 suitcases. I must be doing something wrong through the web site. Maybe best bet is to call them direct.

Sidz · Guru

There is no way around paying more if you want an automatic. And although a manual transmission is much cheaper, if you haven't driven one in many years, Ireland is no place to relearn it. Just driving on the left side of the road will be enough of a test, without trying also shift with your left hand and keep the car going in the right direction at round-abouts. smile

Pay the extra and enjoy yourself more.

CowboyCraic · Guru

The rates will be less in the fall, which is when I am looking for a rental than they would be in the summer.

What are your dates of travel? I travel lighter than most, taking a small case with enough clothes for 8 days and then dropping my laundry off to be washed and folded on day 8. That gives me less to carry.

I think that the trunk capacity on the Micra is about 7 cu ft or so. It is supposed to seat 5 people. I say supposed to because I have always held a suspicion that these were not "normal" size adults but rather oomp loompahs or leprechauns.

I had a micra in scotland for myself and my two teenage boys. It worked well for us but again, we travel light, three duffles and my camera case.

I hope it helps some.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

I too think you should just bite the bullet and rent an automatic. Unless you can "learn to drive" a manual before going to Ireland and feel comfortable with it, I think that is your best plan.

There are some tricks to the car booking engines. Before starting I always clear my browser history, cookies and Internet cache. This gives you a clean slate to work with as cookies will make the various sites remember you.

Try Kemwel from my site. If it is showing high prices clear the computer again and go to www.kemwel.com then my site. It should be showing the same prices then. You can try that with lots of sites. When you find one with a real low price then go to Kemwel from my car page again without clearing anything. Weird isn't it? Also, remember that Kemwel will match any price you get. Make a reservation then call them and tell them the lower price and that you want them to match it.

If your plans are still for Sept/Oct wait a while and keep checking. I was checking on car rentals myself a month ago. Suddenly they went down. Guess I will be booking soon.

With Kemwel you can cancel any time with no charges or penalties. Some other car companies have charges. Best to read the fine print on all of them before booking.

Hope I haven't confused matters even more. But you can have fun trying tricks with the booking engines.

Michele

noshot9 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the advise on the search engines. I have gone from your web site to Kemwell and also through www.Kemwell.com and I have arrived at the same results as far as price. If you call the various companies direct, is the price going to be the same as shown on their web site using their search engines or will the price be higher over the phone? I wanted to call the companies anyway to make sure what the price includes and what I can expect when I get to the rental counter at the airport as far as add ons, ie. Super CDW, Fuel, Airport charges, cross border driving, road fees, etc. I know some of this you can get from some companies web sites, but there are some companies web sites that don't actually detail this clearly. Example: Price includes all "necessary insurance", but doesn't list what all that insurance consist of.

Thanks for your help.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Kemwel is very thorough both on the phone and usually on their site, as well. I usually book the "inclusive" which covers the basics. None of the auto rental companies cover glass or tires, as far as I know, which is why some choose to get additional insurance.

When you speak to a Kemwel representative on the phone, make sure you mention Michele's website. Renting an auto is, IMO, the most wearisome part of Irish travel.

Something to keep in mind, Kemwel and AutoEurope, their sister company, are the only two I know of that will price match.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

noshot9,

I just looked for an automatic car on Kemwel from my site. It is showing $300 higher for the same car and same number of days in Sept/Oct than in April/May. I suggest you wait a while to book. Check back a few months before your trip and keep checking every week or so thereafter.

Getting a car rental is like booking airfares. The person sitting next to you could have paid twice as much as you, or they could have paid half.

Generally, I find better rates online with the booking engines. But you can try calling too and see what they are quoting.

I agree that not all sites provide the info you need. In that case call them to ask your questions.

Michele

BBaker · Member

Definitely go automatic, it is worth the extra if you aren't used to it. I drive a standard here. At the end of my 9 day trip last week, I was very comfortable with driving in Ireland with an automatic. Even so, at that point I think shifting with my left hand would still be too much, so I was really glad I went auto.

As far as size of a car for three people- We went through Kemwel which booked us to Europcar. We chose the car 1 level up from the Micra. I believe Kemwel listed it as a "2 door Corolla". To the best of my knowledge, there has not been a 2 door Corolla sold anywhere in the world for several years now, so I was curious what I would actually end up with. We ended up with a Hyundai Accent. It was great for 2 people with large suitcases (enough for 11 days each), and would have been fine for 3 people with medium sized suitcases.