Car hire costs at the moment outrageous - Page 3

GrahamG, I assume you've had bad experiences with some hire companies? I have used Centauro for over two and a half years, so probably rented 14 or 15 cars from them over that period. This time £38 for 17 days, so slightly more than the two euros a day you have mentioned. We don't use their insurance (we have our own) and have never had a problem with them. Always nearly new cars, once it was literally brand new. They haven't gone bust in two and a half years, let alone a few weeks. I always speak as I find so that's why I'm guessing you are doing the same?

Just checked with Centauro, €239, 19th to 31st December. As it covers Xmas I don't think that's bad.

Thank you that's most helpful.

Dear all thanks for all your comments which I have found most helpful. 

I have done a check on Centauro and found that for a2 week period costs are still circa 260 euro which still seems high compared to the 60 euro we paid last year. 

Just to clarify I am looking at their 'smart' price not the basic cost which requires a large deposit to be left. Are these the conditions that people are hiring under please. 

Thanks for your patience. 

Yes, the prices will be higher, for the next few months, its supply and demand and demand is high, because of large numbers of cars trashed in Los Alcazares, virtually every car outside the 5,000 or so flooded houses.

But honestly, if that is the worst thing that happens to you, as a result of that devastation, thank your lucky stars.

Jeallybea, not really had any problems just don't like leaving the excess, your price is almost 2 euros a day cant get any closer, I rather have their insurance, I pay about 18 euros a day, usually includes another driver and no mileage restrictions also get Express car pick up, not a bad deal. I know people who have had basic car hire and been stung with money taken off their excess. If you've been hiring cars for just over 2 euros a day good luck to you.

Thanks Jane thank you just Illustrated the same problems that we have been having in trying to hire cars in the Murcia area. 

As I said at the outset of this post when we stayed last year January to February we found car hire prices to be around €60 for a period of of two weeks the maximum that most car companies would hire for. 

Now this figure is about 4 times higher ex 250 to €300 and I think that this is the same to hire for the summer. 

I do understand roberto's point of view you that maybe we been used to having car hire very cheap on the other hand car hire companies certainly have remained in business during lean times by lowering their prices on the basis that it's the only way to get some business, so my my feeling is that something else is going on and maybe be as a reaction to other things they are trying to maintain higher prices in the oncoming season. 

This is a long post sorry. 

of course what will happen is that many people who come to Spain during the winter because of the great climate but also lower living costs including car hire will be put off and overall there may well be a big drop in the level of tourism not only brits. 

we are in the fortunate position where we can cancel our flight and accommodation and are now thinking of this unfortunately. 

Pretty sure car hire companies don't read these sort of posts but I do hope that the message gets through in some way so that things aren't spoilt for everybody not only the tourists but also the Host country. 

Hope this all makes sense. 

I've had some cracking deals using DoYouSpain, but you must remember they are simply a booking agency, nothing more. Car hire companies have thousands of cars and they don't earn anything standing still. Some will sya they con you over 'damage'. Not if you do things right. I always leave the car with a full tank, you'll pay the refuelling charge, but that's how they make some money, when you you only paid 15€ for a week!

I always do a search deleting the companies I don't want to use and see what comes up. If you book a car with free cancellation, you can always change it at the last minute. I've found prices vary over time just like the airlines, and I've cancelled and booked the same car for a lot less. I've had several brand new cars and some not so, but you're only hiring it, not buying it. Look at the T's and C's for length of hire. With DYS it's usually 30 days, but if it's cheap you could hire another on at the same time for the following month and just swap over.

I've never booked direct, always found the price much higher, and do take out your own excess insurance. It's all a game really!

You have said you hired last year Jan to Feb but now surprised at the increase for Dec which as it covers Xmas, obviously there can be no comparison to the demand due to the festive period. This is similar to the increase in flights, hotel prices, holidays etc due to the special time you want to hire. If a Xmas visit is not important to you then suggest you change your dates away from the festive period with its high demand. We too noticed a big increase in carhire prices end of last year for 90days this March to June and put it down to Brexit (expected end of March), so bought a cheap 1000€ car within a week of arriving, paid 300€ insurance put it through its Itv in May(45€) and will cost 54€ in tax next year(arranged now by dd from bank). Yes initial cost was big even though car a cheapie but over next few years dont have to hire and worry "what if" the carhire Co. charge us exorbitantly for a damage we didnt cause, nor spend hours searching for best hire prices. We did this as our plans for visits starting this year have changed to 90days, March to June and 90days again Sept to Dec to fall in with Shengen rules. Our decision was based more on the anxiety of hiring from companies who scam over damages more than the cost of the constant hiring. We are here now and its been a delight not to have that worry.

Regards

Pauline.

Hi. I was thinking of doing the same and buying a cheap car and cut out the hire altogether. Where do you park when not there?