Avis - Convertibles in Italy

Hi all,

Was hoping for a bit of perspective from the lurkers here before I go charging off on a vendetta.

I booked a convertible for a week in Italy (Pisa) --> Small : Convertible (Example of this range : Peugeot 207 CC)

When I arrived at the counter last night I was given a Fiat 500c. I asked if there were any alternatives, and was given the usual reply.

Now, I am not sure if you have seen this car (google it), it is pretty cool, but you cannot really call it a convertible. The only thing that converts is that a slightly larger than average sunroof appears. The sides etc. remain, and you are still enclosed. It is hardly a convertible experience.

Nothing wrong with that of course, but having booked a car for a premium to get a convertible, is this not a little harsh and misleading? Given that I took the car (I did not know what to expect and it was late), what are the options left open to me?

Thanks for any help

Well, by "slightly larger than average sunroof" you mean that the whole roof is cloth and retracts to the back. But yes, the sides do stay up.

I agree that it's not as good a wind-in-your-hair experience as a 207cc. But a bit of googling suggests that it's been labelled a "convertible" by many automotive publications.

I don't think you're likely to win a semantic argument against Avis, who have probably just spent millions of euros buying a fleet of 500CCs in order to fill their advertised "small convertible" category, by claiming it's not a real convertible. If Car and Driver says it's a convertible, that's reason enough to think that "convertible" is a reasonable description. So I'm afraid the options open to you are to say "ah well, at least I got to spend a week driving around Tuscany in a semi-convertible Fiat!"

Just think, it could be worse. You could be in the US, renting a "Mustang Convertible Or Similar" and getting a Chrysler Sebring! ;)

A Sebring or a Fiat 500C (pics and 360º here (http://www.fiat.co.uk/showroom/fiat-500c/#showroom/500c))? No contest, the Italian wins every time :D

Although it may not give you the true wind in your air experience, the roof beams will provide significantly more stiffness than an equivalent open top car, so what you loose in airflow you'll gain in much sharper and more enjoyable control.

While I agree that a 500c isn't a true convertible (basically an enlarged sunroof if you ask me), I don't see Avis giving in to complaints that it's not "similar." Fiat and all publications call it a convertible, even if it does have pillars that don't retract when you open the top. My opinion: it's still worth a complaint to Avis so they know people that book convertibles don't like it. I doubt they'll do anything for you, but if enough people complain (or refuse the car @ the station), they *might* take the hint when ordering next time.