5 Tips for Choosing a Rental Car

In general, most rental car agencies offer similar vehicles in various classifications. The number of categories has increased over the last couple of decades. The era of simple choices between subcompact, compact, mid-size and sports cars is over. Now your options might include everything from mini cars to luxury SUVs.

What is it that you need? A luxury car might sound nice, but if you're not spending a lot of time in the vehicle, it may be a wasted expense. You might be tempted to rent a convertible, but if the weather isn't nice or you have a lot of luggage, it's not the most practical choice. An honest examination of what you'll need while on your trip will help guide your choices.

The earlier you determine what you need from your rental car, the more flexibility you'll have when shopping around for the right deal.

A compact in the United States isn't the same thing as a compact in Europe. European cars tend to be smaller than American vehicles. For that reason, it's a good idea to take into account the size of your party and the amount of luggage you'll be carrying if you're planning to rent a car in Europe. You may want to ask for a vehicle one -- or even two -- sizes larger than what you normally rent.

On the other hand, many of the roads in Europe are narrower than streets in America. Some roads date back to medieval times, when the most common vehicle to travel down the lane was a horse-drawn cart. Try to find a balance between a car that will comfortably seat your party and one that will let you navigate through tight streets without causing you too much stress in the process.

Large cars tend to consume more fuel. They're also usually more difficult to maneuver, particularly in cities that have narrow roads or limited parking. Mid-sized cars tend to be the most popular rental vehicles in the United States. Most have better fuel economy than larger cars, and they tend to be less expensive to rent. You may even find that when you reserve a compact or subcompact car, you'll often receive a free upgrade to the mid-size category. That's because most rental agencies only keep a few smaller cars in their fleets.

Remember, of course, that you aren't guaranteed an upgrade -- you may get exactly what you asked for. If that makes you nervous, try to choose a car that's large enough for you. Avoid upgrades to big SUVs or other large cars unless you have a real need for storage space. But there's nothing wrong with renting an SUV if that really suits your needs. Large families with lots of luggage should pick a vehicle that will provide a safe and comfortable ride.

In the United States, the majority of rental cars have automatic transmissions. It's not hard to understand why rental car companies made this choice anyone who knows how to drive can drive a car with an automatic transmission. But if you prefer manual transmission, you should mention that to the rental car agent when choosing your car.

In other parts of the world, manual-transmission vehicles are the norm. If you're an American traveling abroad, you may want to ask the rental car company if you can rent an automatic vehicle. This could be particularly handy when you visit a country like Ireland or England. In these countries, the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle and the driver operates the manual gear shift with his or her left hand.

Be aware that the rental car facilities may only have a few automatic vehicles available for rent, so it's a good idea to put in your request as early as you can.

At the end of the day, you may not have much choice in your rental car. Ultimately, your choices depend upon what's in the rental car company's lot at the time. Most of the time, you should be able to get a vehicle in the size category you desire. But you might not be able to choose between two different car models.

Call ahead to various car rental agencies to find out what kind of cars they have in their respective fleets. If you have a preference for a particular kind of vehicle, choose an agency that has lots of those cars available. It still won't be a 100-percent guarantee that you'll get the car you're looking for, but it'll improve your chances.

Choosing your rental car requires a combination of planning and remaining flexible when it's time to pick up your car. If you keep that in mind, you should have a smooth experience before hitting the road.