[i30manUK]

I've just got back from 2 weeks in North Portugal and of course logging on here is the first thing I've done after making a nice cup of tea. Hi guys & girls!

We hired a 'compact' car for the fortnight because they're cheap and they're small enough to negotiate the very narrow, steep tracks to the villa.

The car they gave us this time was a... HYUNDAI GETZ - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh - what a nasty little worm of a tin heap it was too. Although it didn't let us down and was very good on the petrol, the handling was diabolical and there was no power whatsoever under the hood. Not a pleasant experience. My daughter and her b/f were also lumbered with a GETZ - it started perfectly every time - at the 4th attempt (sometimes the 3rd, if they were lucky).

This prompts me to ask if anyone has experienced a GOOD holiday hire car - or to give us a laugh with their Holiday Hire Car from Hell story  

[bikejockey]

We had a holiday in Tassie some years ago (sorry Daz) and hired a car. To be fair it wasn't from one of the big companies but from a friend of a friend who ran a car yard in Launceston and hired cars as a sideline.

It got off to a good start when I noticed the rego had run out. I pointed out that the car would be uninsured and the guy said, it was OK, he'd register it if we had an accident. I convinced him it would be a good idea to be proactive about this.

We were just driving into St Mary's (not a huge distance from Launceston) when the brakes failed. Completely. We put up for the night at a local hotel (a bit basic but actually very nice) while the guy bought us a replacement vehicle and then drove the old one back to Launceston. With no brakes.

The rest of the holiday went smoothly (a beautiful place Tasmania) until we got into the Asbestos Ranges NP, north of Launceston where the exhaust of the replacement car fell off. I had to steal a piece of wire off a nearby fence to fix it.

It did add a certain something to the holiday.

[Dazzler]

Hi BJ don't apologize.. nice little story... 8-)

[EymaTeapot]

Hi i30manUK,

I have to agree with Dazz, i think you might be being a bit harsh on the Getz. I have twice hired one, once holidaying at the Gold Coast and again only 12 months ago up in Cairns. Both times it was with the family and even fully loaded, we could'nt fault the little car. Sure, its built to a price and lacks the refinement of the i30, but it still a great little car and excelent value, they are selling here from as little as $12990 drive away.
What size engine was the one you hired? Here they come in 1.4 and 1.6. I have driven both andthey both go well but the 1.6 is particuly zippy, even on the hills around the Daintree, (top end nth Queensland).
Also, dont forget, the getz is a pretty old car now. Its been around since around 2002 and is starting to show its age compared to newer models like the Suzuki Swift or Mazda 2 but still competes well in the light car segment.

[Lakes]

I've just got back from 2 weeks in North Portugal and of course logging on here is the first thing I've done after making a nice cup of tea. Hi guys & girls!

We hired a 'compact' car for the fortnight because they're cheap and they're small enough to negotiate the very narrow, steep tracks to the villa.

The car they gave us this time was a... HYUNDAI GETZ - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh - what a nasty little worm of a tin heap it was too. Although it didn't let us down and was very good on the petrol, the handling was diabolical and there was no power whatsoever under the hood. Not a pleasant experience. My daughter and her b/f were also lumbered with a GETZ - it started perfectly every time - at the 4th attempt (sometimes the 3rd, if they were lucky).

This prompts me to ask if anyone has experienced a GOOD holiday hire car - or to give us a laugh with their Holiday Hire Car from Hell story    I'm like the rest the Getz is fine by me, it does the job of geting you from point a to point b. Just have to remember rental cars have a bad time with the worlds worst drivers useing them and very poor service life i would expect.

[Dazzler]

The Holden Epica Auto I hired in Tweed Heads earlier in the year was O/K (Better than expected) Quiet, comfortable and relatively economical.. Rented a Toyota Tarago (The nice roundy one) some years ago when in Western Australia and was also impressed with its driveability at the time.. Twenty years ago I rented a Mitsubishi Colt and that was a bit scary on the Hume Highway with big trucks playing chicken with me  

[i30manUK]

Oh man i would love to go to Portugal! if you come to Sydney i know a place that hire's new Lamborghini's  it's on Spit Road Mosman, just bring your money with you  - Thanks for the 'welcome backs' Lakes - and I would LOVE to visit Sydney - especially now you've mentioned the Lambo hire. Maybe one day Sand and I will make the effort to come and see you i30peeps! - and you and me can hire one for the day  

Here's where we stayed in Portugal - http://casadomonte.com