Car hire in Malaga - any recommendations

[KevF]

Going to pop over to Spain beginning of August and instead of using our usual hire company (who havent seemed to replace any of their fleet over the 8 years we have used them) wondered if anyone had any recommendations at Malaga Airport?.

Ideally a company on the airport site would be good. Looking to hire a 4x4 or estate to cope with 2 adults, 3 children plus the usual luggage (including kitchen sink)

Ta

Kev

[CAPP0]

There is a place just on the roundabout as you leave the airport, looks a but run down but was recommended by a few people on here. Used them last year with no drama. Their big USP was to do with not doing the petrol deposit/refund thing where you always end up getting turned over.

ETA - Google Maps comes up trumps, Niza Cars!

Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 28th May 15:14

[Eversleigh]

Yep +1 for Niza cars, when you book they say you can get a transfer to their place but its a 5min walk from the airport. Having also booked from Avis etc in the actual airport with Niza there is almost zero wait and they are rather relaxed approach to things.

Careful of the crazy Scottish chap walking around Malaga airport, he always is there claiming to have just missed his flight!

[LuS1fer]

So Niza Cars offer you the option of a full-full fuel policy but for £40 extra. Hmm, I see a flaw in that concept.

On top of which, Economy Car Hire (used recently and with whom I got a used but dependable enough Kia C'eed)charge £181 for a "Ford Focus" for 10 days and Niza charge over £300. I think I'll pass.

[hogansghost]

Tony's rent a car - name needs a bit of work bit they've been great with us for a few trips to Malaga.

Used Carjet and niza in the past but got really pricey with the cost of a tank...

[RISK]

Not sure if it is still available but try Avis Preferred.

Free to join, instant upgrade / cheaper choice, no queuing. It has served me very well in Spain so far. Although you get some snotty looks from the people queuing as you just waltz up to the Preferred part of the desk.

[Original Poster]

This year we rented with a company called Marbesol, cost us 110 euros for 10 days, pick it up on Monday

[LuS1fer]

Original Poster said:

This year we rented with a company called Marbesol, cost us 110 euros for 10 days, pick it up on Monday

What class of car?

Then again....maybe one to avoid.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187438-i33...

Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 31st May 12:09

[Mosman]

Eversleigh said:

Careful of the crazy Scottish chap walking around Malaga airport, he always is there claiming to have just missed his flight!

Is that the one who hangs out on the walkways to the carparks and train station?

[LuS1fer]

I have had good experience with Centauro and note that they also do a Focus size car for £181 for 10 days.

It sometimes pays to avoid the agency bookers as inevitably, you get to the airport and YOUR window is chokka and every other hire outlet is empty...

www.doyouspain.com seem cheaper than most at £130 for the 10 days but are also agents.

These are end of August prices BTW.

Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 31st May 12:20

[Joyrider1]

Steer clear of Gold Car, and my biggest recommendation is to keep a close eye on your luggage when in the car park....this is what happened to me in that car park last Summer:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Vixpy1]

http://www.benalmadenacars.net/

[LuS1fer]

Joyrider1 said:

Steer clear of Gold Car, and my biggest recommendation is to keep a close eye on your luggage when in the car park....this is what happened to me in that car park last Summer:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have found Goldcar good on many occasions. To be honest, you can't tar them all with the same brush. I've had 3 very good cars in Mallorca and one good and one more worn and dented at Alicante. Never had a truly bad one save a realatively shabby Altea from Autoreisen in lanzarote.

I think much depends on the type of car you choose. The more popular ones are bound to be more used and abused.

[KevF]

We have used these previously

http://www.autosflores.com/

Tended to be because parents use them all the time when they go out to their apartment. But wanted to see if there was better out there..

[Silver]

We've used Malaga Car for several years and never had a problem. They have a shuttle bus from the airport.

http://www.malagacar.com/uk/contact-car-hire-malag...

[Original Poster]

LuS1fer said:

What class of car?

Then again....maybe one to avoid.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187438-i33...

Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 31st May 12:09

Glad I read that!

Cancelled and went with Avis Preferred.

[LuS1fer]

I've booked with DoYouSpain as they are much cheaper. Worth noting that Centauro do 5% discount code on Facebook and you can pay 9 Euros for express book-in (I've used this before and you just go to the car park and my, was it ever express - liocence, good, keys, off you go).

However, the DoYouSpain was 100 quid cheaper so I'll queue....

I note I've been allocated a Firefly car again (Firefly are a subsidiary of Hertz) and I recently had a Kia Cee'd at Barcelona from them - high miles and a few scuffs but did what it said on the tin plus they seem to deal from a little office on the parking lot and there was no real queue (though it was out of season). It will be interesting to see what I get this time as I've opted for a load-lugging Berlingo/Kangoo (a bargain £148).

Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 3rd June 08:41

[Original Poster]

That's fair, I paid twice the price with Avis compared to the original company but worth it for removing all the hassle!

[sfp]

Vixpy1 said:

http://www.benalmadenacars.net/

+1

[HereBeMonsters]

DoYouSpain are good, but will constantly hound you with emails for years afterwards.

We've used MalagaCar before as they have an interesting selection of vehicles (we've had a Berlingo, a Medium Cooper and a New Beetle off them in the past) but they do have some dodgy practices like making you pay for a full tank of fuel up front etc.