CAR RENTAL FROM AUTO-EUROPE

has anyone recently rented a long term lease from Auto-Europe(Peugeot) and traveled throughout Europe? if so your "pros" and "cons" of doing so. thanks for your input GB

I never rented "long term" from them, but very many times I rented for from 3 to 10 days with them, and I was completely satisfied. They are also excellent for solving problems and even getting refunds when necessary. They have a huge amount of clout with the rental companies, who probably need them to survive, at least at holiday destinations.

thanks for the information kerouac2

Hi,
I haven't used Peugeot but I've done the TT (lease/purchase rental) with Renault and all the French car companies are
handled by the same agency at the de Gaulle airport....so the system is the same.
You prepay in US$ a certain period of time before your arrival (the car you select will be prepped at the factory for you--
and you only). I really liked this (did it 3 or 4 trips)because it meant a major cost was behind me so I had a better idea of what I had to spend. It covers everything: the car, full insurance coverage (save flats or running out of gas). It can be arranged online with contracts, etc. signed and exchanged that way. You'll have copies which you'll show to the people in the TT office (they'll have their own there), show them your passport, driver license and the car is yours.
While I usually selected a Renault Twingo or Clio model I didn't request any special packages (like upgraded music systems, etc) but the car I received was the same model but a much nicer version!
The car when I received it had less than 10km (usually 5) on the odometer, the distance they drove it to test all the systems. Because it was delivered by truck, there's only a couple of liters of fuel in it (I always ordered a diesel model for better mileage, and it drove like a gas fuel injection in terms of pickup) so you'll need to stop for fuel (they'll give you a map, it's easy.
When you arrive at CDG you'll go to a special phone (Terminal 2, downstairs) and call. A van will be sent to pick you up
and take you to the TT offices. It's 10 minutes from the airport, at the most. When you return the car, they take you back to the airport. Couldn't be easier.
There is a 24 hour toll free number with English speakers available.
I had gotten Renaults when I had rented cars before so it was natural for me to select that car company when I could finally get enough time off to qualify for the extended time necessary for their leases.
I have a classic 1971 VW Beetle so I'm used to the stick shift and small size; the two I rented were an easy transition and
were as good on the peages (pay highways) as in the mountains (Pyrenees, Massif Central, etc). I'm sure Peugeot will
have cars will similar attributes.
A safety kit will be provided in the passenger seat footwell; it MUST stay there. It's a safety vest and reflector set-up
for breakdowns. Failure to have it readily available means an automatic fine (never gotten one but I think it's about 100 euros in France...
I don't know what state you're from but things to remember in France:
NO right turn on red
Far left lane is for passing only....
Buy fuel at stations at or next to a supermarket (save 10c per liter over highway charges...)

I think Renault does more advertising in other countries (US, Canada, Australia, Asia) and have offices in those
countries. It makes sense for Peugeot and Citroen to use Auto Europe as an agent. As Kerouac2 has said, he's had
success with them...and I know he's taken a number of trips. He has photo essays on a wonderful website about
places he's been in France:
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/board/24

Hope this gives you a better understanding of the program and if you have more questions, let us know...
(and have a great trip!)

thank you so much for the great information about the car lease program----GB

I was wondering about the maintenance agreement--did you have to have the car brought into a repair shop before you dropped off the car?

daughter rented one no worries it was a standard shift diesel liked it

If you drive over 5,000km you may have to pay to have an oil change but other than that, no.
When you turn in the car, it is taken back to the factory for a thorough going-over and then it is sold in France
(not for export, French only) as 'gently used'. I know a family in France that only buys these cars. Says they can
be a great bargain and because they've had a good running-in, AND been gone-over (new tires, belts, fluids, everything that can be flushed is, or cleaned, undercarriage steam-cleaned...
His one regret: the buyer has to accept the color available. The license plates are EU...no nationality but they also don't have anything to identify them (stickers, etc) as rental cars usually do. He said most people don't know about the EU plates, said I could try to pass myself off as someone consulting with the EC...(and laughed...'they don't consult with anyone!').
You might want to look at the Renault USA website, they give complete information...and I'm sure the programs for the other car companies are the same...Renault just does more US/Australia outreach.
There are other options as well (but they cost). You could fly into Madrid, explore Spain then catch a train to Toulouse and pick up the car there. I forget what the charge is for the delivery to another location, depends on the location for one thing...I checked Renault....there's no extra charge for most locations in France...couple hundred dollars for locations in Spain, Belgium...
Not that I suggest you should go to Nice (not my favorite place) but you could fly there and pick up a car at the airport (no extra charge) then drive through Italy (BUT STAY OUT OF CITIES< ESP SMALL ONES) then come back and continue your tour. Buy an open jaw ticket and turn the car in at de Gaulle when you fly out.
Also looks like they may deliver the car with a full tank...nice!

How long is "Long Term?"
I can thoroughly recommend AutoEurope to you. We've used them three times in the last four years in both France and Italy. Each hire was for a period of about 30 days and we dropped the car off in a different city from the pick up point. There has never been a problem and their prices are about 30% less than if you hired directly from Avis or Europcar.
Several years ago I also had a long-term - five weeks - lease from Peugot. Collected the car in Bordeaux, returned in Rome. Again it was easy to arrange and return the car but there was a hefty surcharge for returning in another country. Use a train if crossing borders and hire again elsewhere.

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