Car Hire

Just completed arrangements to go out to Condado on 4/1/09 for a week - groan.....yet more shopping.........!!

However, managed to get a very good deal on car hire at San Javier airport. Trouble is I've never heard of the car ..... a Citroen Berlingo and it looks kinda strange. Anyone driven one? All helpful comments appreciated - including the ones that say "get an upgrade quick, it's a glorified skip on wheels!!"

Or maybe I've got a bargain - for once?

Yours, in trepidation,

Peter

You should be fine, its a bit like a van and has the advantage of lots of room to fit all those things in at Ikea! 

Not sure if you take the excess insurance but we're just back and I paid 22euro extra on collection of my car for the excess insurance - I was worried as I'd only driven once abroad.  Since returning I've found out you can actually get a yearly policy to cover the excess on any car hires made for around £40/50 - just google car hire excess insurance and a few come up. 

Pamela. Jardin 2, Naranjos

Bless you Pamela for the reassurance - there must be more than enough room for the golf clubs then............

Looks a bit like a popemobile!!

Lisa

Yes! That's it!! I knew it reminded me of something - couldn't think what.

I'm off now to practice my wave - not too keen on ground kissing bit tho'

Hi Peter,

At least you know you'll be able to fit a deck chair in the back  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa

Hi peter,

lets put it this way, if you were driving it in this country you would be using a paper bag over the head but as you are not i wouldn't worry, just don't be trying any hand brake turns or trying to beat the car  next to you at the traffic lights, it just won't happen.

Good luck

Ali

Hi Ali,

Couldn't  have put it better myself !  Well at least nobody knows you in spain (or do they?).

Lisa 

I'm out 6th to the 13th of Jan and have got myself a Ford Fusion for £57 + fuel (bring back empty) for the week.

Have booked an Astra Estate for £80 + fuel (bring back empty) for a week in Feb as well.

Chrismg managed to get busted in his Berlingo so am steering (geddit) clear of boy racer cars like it

Hi Peter,

We hired a Berlingo when we completed. Have to say we had no problems with it at all, except that it doesnt come with paper bags  I'd say it probably the best car you could get for shopping, LOTS of space!! Hubby drove and he said it was fine and does have a/c!

Tamsin & Alan

Thanks everyone - I do have a sense of humour - which by the sounds of it will come in handy. But I'll be watching out for any of you out there with cameras. My "street cred" could be ruined.

Just as well I've got a leisurely week - it doesn't look like I'll be speeding round Murcia in this contraption. I may just by a flat cap and cardy - to complete the "old man" look,

lol

Peter

Shampers,

Who did you use for the Car Hire in Jan.  We are next out between Christmas & New Year , so am looking for Fusion / Astra size vehicle.

Regards

Nick

We  hired a Berlingo and would do again - it was excellent and not uncomfortable, managed to get a table( flat pack) and chairs (4 full size garden chairs) 2nd table and 4 chairs (flat pack) tons of bedding and kitchenware items, two padded sun beds in one trip. Easily fit in the shower screen and assorted bathroom bits and pieces plus 3 flat pack chest of drawers. Drove around endlessly for a week back and forth to Leroy Merlin and Ikea- several times, into Churra for the tv, to Mazarron and into the Port too, to San Javier and Dos Mares and various EROSKI stores and only had to put an extra 10 euro's in the tank the late afternoon before we left.

Nick

Try Economy Car Hire Spain

I have ordered a P207 Diesel for the 10th Dec until the 13th Dec from San Javier. It was £29! There are numerous options for cars and dealers. If you use them 10 times you get a % off the price. I thinks its 10%.

Graham

Nick

I used the car trawler thing on EOS.

Dickmans (+1/2 tank) won in October and Solmar (+ full tank) have won for Jan & Feb

Dave

Hi

Try carjet. com I used them for many years and found that they were very good.

Endpeg

Shampers,

Give us a clue.....I am in the Motor Trade (Manufacturing) but cannot rumble "Dickmans" or "Solmar"

Nick

Skell - don't know Dickman's, but Solmar have a desk in the airport.  I am using them for Fusion over Christmas, have used them a number of times and find them very good.  www.solmar.es

Ted

Cheers Ted,

Have you used "Gold Car".....from San Javier airport.  Finally I booked with them......really cheap for the amusing Berlingo!!    €60.00 for 4 days at Christmas.   Can't be bad for that can it?

Nick

Hi all

I too have used Goldcar but found that if the hire was over 5 days you had to bring the car back empty.

I now use Centauro who let me bring it back with full tank for a full refund.

The reasons for prefering full tank return are both financial and safety.

A year or so I found myself trying to return a goldcar back to Alicanti with minimal but what I thought adequate fuel. It was dark, raining and in the rush hour and the motorway had little or no hard shoulder, the thought of running out of fuel in those conditions made me look for a fuel station. Needless to say it was miles before I found one. Yes you could say it was my fault for being so mean (careful with money) but I eventually returned the car with a substantial amount of fuel unused.

Lessons leaned, I now only use those who will allow a return full policy.

Roy