Why Are Small Automatic Rental Cars So Hard to Find in Italy This Summer?

lifebeginsat50

I’ve been searching loads of sites for an economy/small automatic car for 35 days in Italy this summer, but most results seem to be intermediate-size cars and there are very few smaller automatics available.

Does anyone know why there seems to be such a lack of availability for small automatic cars in Italy at the moment? Is it just high demand, limited supply, or something else?

Also, can anyone recommend a rental company that might help me?

Thanks in advance!

flaneurs_lobster

Can't help specifically but just a bit of experience to pass on.

Suzuki Swift automatic - just don't.

daveyjp

Italy is a big place, so it will be a combination of where you want to pick up, dates and the length of hire. A 30 day hire from Rome in July shows a choice of dozens of automatics through Zest.

lifebeginsat50

Thanks. Pisa July-Aug. Just looked at Zest. Eye watering prices. Intermediate cars I've found are £1,300 but I'm keen to have a smaller car.

Jemma01

Not a useful comment for you 😅: When I went to Barbados, they had no concept of manual cars 🤔 I ended up taking out an automatic car and practicing on it. I ended up finding an expensive one but they cancelled the week before I arrived saying "we never one, it was an error"!!! Never driven one or shown what to do. It was great after the first day, but I really didn't want to practice on someone else's car. I had booked 8 places one night each to go around the island, so not having a car wasn't an option.

ellenvan

Just recommending Zest. Always competitive pricing and excellent customer service.

Not in Italy but Spain I have found car hire over 30 days to be very expensive. Too get round this we hired car for 2 weeks, took car back, stayed in Málaga for a couple of nights. Then hired another car for 3 weeks.

All still working out cheaper than 5 weeks car hire.

So maybe try under 30 days or split car hire .