Automatic rental car in Germany - why so expensive?

Question

I want to rent a car in Germany, but I am on a tight budget and looking for the most basic economy car. However, it must be an automatic, and, so far, the only automatic cars I can find appear to be moderate to luxury models only and pretty expensive. Is there a reason for this? Do you know of a car rental place in Munich where I can rent an economy vehicle with automatic transmission? Thanks!

Answer 1

Automatics are less fuel efficient than cars with manual transmissions. With the upper end cars fuel consumption is not as great of a concern as with people who buy the cheaper cars who do not wish or can not afford to pay the fuel prices that we have in Germany.

I did a quick search and I could not find a small car to rent with and Automatic. When I rent I normally rent from Sixit, they have a number of automatic cars. I suggest visiting http://www.e-sixt.de/main/content/autove... or calling them I imagine they might be able to help you. tel [phone] someone always speaks english.

Answer 2

That's because in Germany, as in most European countries, only well-off, or elderly, or handicapped people drive an automatic car. And this sort of people prefers more comfortable cars in rentals either.

Answer 3

Nobody drives an automatic over there.  DON'T scratch it - they'll try to charge you $1,000 to $2,000 for the tiniest cosmetic blemish and the parking spaces are ridiculously small to get itno.

Answer 4

Parking in cities is a pain in Europe.  Public transportation is very good.  Consider not renting a car and just taking trains, subways, or buses for where you need to go.

To answer your question, automatic transmissions are more expensive to build and maintain so the cheap cars don't have it.  Since there are no cheap cars with automatic there won't be any to rent either.  

If you really need one look for car rental places next to US Military bases that are not Hertz or Budget or some other big car rental company.  In Heidelberg there is a Ford dealership that also rents out cars.  Since they are next to a US Military base they have a lot of automatic car rentals and they do have economy automatics.  Ford KA and Focus.  I find rates though still expensive compared to USA pricing ($1,000 for a month with GPS without the tax with the tax $1,190).  You won't find USA pricing in Europe because cars and insurance are much more expensive.

Answer 5

This is true all over Europe;  most people drive a manual transmission because the gas is so expensive.  I have used Hertz and Auto Europe and have had no problems.

Answer 6

You can try by Europe car. They have automatic small cars and the prices is 150-200  Euro in a week. Automatic is always expensive here in Germany and also we are paying now 19% taxes for everything started Jan.2007.

Answer 7

Cheap cars in Europe are all going to be manual transmissions.  Good advice above  ^ about scratching it...before you leave the rental place, you will be given a drawing of the car to note any chips to the paint, scratches, etc.  Mark down everything (and I mean eveything) that you see.  Some rental agencies are worse than others about trying to s***w you on "scratches".  Hertz is the best and they are very reasonable and give you the benefit of a doubt.  I had a very bad experience with Budget rent a Car.  Be careful.