Drive Europe
05-08-2005, 02:32 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by gdavis' date='May 8 2005, 04:47 AM
Be aware that many rental cars in Europe have tiny engines and often are lower equipped than most North American rental companies provide. Be sure to be as specific as you can when making reservations about the class of car you want, model and engine size if possible, as some small cars will have 1.? liter engines.
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Most companys have poorly equipped cars with small engines.
But there are others...
Also, you're right, you can only specify the class when you make reservations. That means there is no guarantee to get a BMW... Could be a similar car in its class...
Originally Posted by ryand123' date='May 8 2005, 09:12 AM
Basically, I want a new 545 or 911 to drive.
Also...I'm only 22 and my friend is only 21...so I hope that isn't a problem for renting cars there.
Also...I'm only 22 and my friend is only 21...so I hope that isn't a problem for renting cars there.
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Originally Posted by ULtraPLanet' date='May 8 2005, 01:26 PM
The Sixt rent a car place down the road will have about 30 E60's lined up for the up coming holiday weekend, mostly 530's.? Germany is always a great drive if you can stay away from the urban areas.? France is painful - beautiful toll roads, no traffic and 110kph posted speed limits - run at your own risk.? Italy is a blast!? Takes a bit to get used to the way Italians drive - not too much personal space if you know what I mean.
Don't forget the gas money!
Don't forget the gas money!
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Originally Posted by oubmw' date='May 8 2005, 08:13 PM
I was in Germany when I was 23 and tried to rent a S500 or Porche form SIXT and they would not allow it.? The best I could get was a SLK with a V6.? I called around for 3-4 days looking for a place to rent me a fast car and they all had a minimum age of 25 for the "high end" cars.? The highway between Berlin and Munich was very nice even with a V6 mercedes.
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Originally Posted by kigerka' date='May 8 2005, 09:22 PM
Go for Poland.? Go with a sports car, come back with a wiring harness.
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05-08-2005, 05:11 PM
#12
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My Ride: '05 Jet Black 545i | Sport | Cold Weather | Rear Sunshade | Premium | Logic 7
Thanks for the advice! This may be more difficult to pull off than I originally anticipated.
-Ryan
-Ryan
05-09-2005, 01:43 AM
#13
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For High End cars they usually want those two different credit cards. Maybe they think that with only one You are not honest enough... or something... 
Skaffa
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05-09-2005, 03:38 AM
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The age issue is the biggest problem. I rent a car in Germany almost every month and I alternate between Sixt and Hertz. Both have always upgraded the car reserved to a better one. Last month I got a 320 Cabrio with only 250 km on the clock.
Make sure you reserve a car with Nav. Most sightseeing places are in the city centers and you will need the Nav.
Plan your trip carefully. Most rental companies do not allow the cars to be taken into the former Eastern Block countries. To get to Prague last September, I left the rental car in Dresden and took the train.
Finally, please make sure you know the "rules" for driving on the Autobahn. This ain't like the US Interstate.
Have fun!
Make sure you reserve a car with Nav. Most sightseeing places are in the city centers and you will need the Nav.
Plan your trip carefully. Most rental companies do not allow the cars to be taken into the former Eastern Block countries. To get to Prague last September, I left the rental car in Dresden and took the train.
Finally, please make sure you know the "rules" for driving on the Autobahn. This ain't like the US Interstate.
Have fun!
05-09-2005, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Wilchwitz' date='May 9 2005, 01:38 PM
Plan your trip carefully.? Most rental companies do not allow the cars to be taken into the former Eastern Block countries.? To get to Prague last September, I left the rental car in Dresden and took the train.
Finally, please make sure you know the "rules" for driving on the Autobahn.? This ain't like the US Interstate.
Finally, please make sure you know the "rules" for driving on the Autobahn.? This ain't like the US Interstate.
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And about driving to other countrys... You have to tell them BEFORE you cross borders, even better BEFORE you rent the car.
I can tell you that some of the rental companys have tracking devices in their cars, that are coded to give an alarm if you are driving towards a border (leaving pre defined GPS coordinates). They then track you real time, inform the border and the police and will stop you right at the border. And I mean, the rental company stops you! They just simply shut off the engine, and start the alarm. You will not be able to restart the engine...
05-10-2005, 08:18 AM
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On my visit to Frankfurt a few months ago on business I showed up at the hertz rental at the Frankfurt airport to pick up my premium class car that I thought was going to be a Mercedes or BMW. I was pleasantly surprised when I was given the keys to a brand new Porche cab. My ride on the autobahn down to Sannertz was sweet. 
Better yet were the wonderful country roads of the Rhone. That Porche hugs the corners like a vice grip. 
By the way i also noticed that Hertz also had vintage Porches for rent. Mmmm I may have to rent one of those on my next tripover in a few weeks.
Better yet were the wonderful country roads of the Rhone. That Porche hugs the corners like a vice grip. By the way i also noticed that Hertz also had vintage Porches for rent. Mmmm I may have to rent one of those on my next tripover in a few weeks.
05-12-2005, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by ryand123' date='May 12 2005, 12:51 AM
banker...how old are you?? older than 25?
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Ryan, sadly I have hit the 30 mark a couple of years ago
But on the other hand I must say I am having a great amount of fun at this stage of my life. Plus its kind of nice not to be turned down when renting a high end car. I know how it is for you I was in your shoes a few years ago, hang in there mate you time will come. 
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