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Renting a Car in Europe

(or on Being the Right Size)

wellman@domain.elided (Barry Wellman) writes:

   But one warning to North Americans who haven't done much spirited Euro
   driving holds. Roads are narrower in countryside & streets & they
   twist more. Therefore, small & nimble is an advantage over a freeway
   cruiser. IMHO, even a "5'er" is too big off-freeway.

You aren't kidding.  Even a 3'er is too wide for some of the streets
in the mediaevel town centers, that is, the wider streets you are
allowed to drive on.  (Just a hint: roll one side of the car onto the
sidewalk. :-) Ferry ramps and ferry car decks, parking spaces and
parking garages are also quite a bit shorter and narrower than in
North America.  Twisty country roads, however, don't seem to be much
of problem for a BMW as long as its driver remembers that on some
roads you must make room for oncoming trucks.

If there are no more than three of you and you plan to head into town
occasionally, I think a 3'er compact might be an attractive car to
rent.

- -John
(93 318i)

- -- 
John Firestone, Alfred Wegener Institut   jfiresto@domain.elided
 fuer Polar- und Meeresforschung             +49 (471) 4831 174 
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