Back to Contents...the
Student Sourcebook 2002
International School of Painting, Drawing,
and Sculpture in Umbria, Italy
Next | Previous
So many people have asked how to get an inexpensive car for the summer that we assigned our top researchers to the problem. While the information on renting cars in the Sourcebook is still valid, this new information on leasing looks very promising.
Marc,
You asked the other day about resource information on "short term tax free auto leases in Europe." We rented ours, a lease-purchase, through Kemwel Holiday Autos in New York. The cost is around one-half of the standard rental price from companies like Avis or Hertz.
There are four companies that I am aware of that offer such leases, and all of them are so-called "wholesalers" and also offer regular rental contracts and at more reasonable rates than can be found through the major rental companies. (I've listed web addresses below, and all can found on the Fodor web page [ http://www.fodors.com/ ] under "Resource Center / Auto Rentals.")
Advantages in addition to price of a lease/purchase: someone will meet your plane at the airport with a cart for your luggage and will whisk you past customs and out to your waiting automobile - and these are always brand new cars. Some possible disadvantages: cars rented in Italy must be returned in Italy, and can only be returned to Rome or Milan. And the contract (which includes all insurance) must be paid in full some number of days in advance - I believe it was thirty days. And someone planning to keep such a car for the enter summer should be aware that they will be responsible to get it to a proper dealer for a ten-thousand kilomter inspection. Otherwise, it seems like a pretty good deal, and even better deals (free upgrades, special prices) are frequently offered on their web pages for those who have access to the internet.
Back to Contents...the
Student Sourcebook 2002
International School of Painting, Drawing,
and Sculpture in Umbria, Italy
Next | Previous