Avis - Automatic Transmission Cars in France

Am planning to rent a car for a week at Toulouse and returning to Bordeaux. I am amazed that there is only one car (of many available) that has an automatic transmission. As I plan to do considerable driving on winding roads, a manual transmission would be unacceptable. I am concerned that with only one type of car with automatic that there is a good possibility that when I show up at TLS they are going to say that only manual transmission cars are available. Has anyone had problems in this regard when renting in France?

The fact that an automatic car is available is amazing. It's very rare.
I've rented in France a number of times. I generally get better rates elsewhere, but have used Avis with no problem. Make sure and check the car for any dings.

You might want to try SIXT. I have rented from them in France before and they have a few automatic cars and prices are not too bad.

I hope this isn't a silly question, but-- if I get a car in France with a navigation system, will it (or can it be set to) speak the instructions in English??

If the vehicle has a modest sized engine for its size (and with petrol prices in Europe I would assume that to be the case) , AND you are going to be driving on winding (hilly?) roads.. you would surely be much BETTER off with a manual wouldn't you?? :confused:

If the vehicle has a modest sized engine for its size (and with petrol prices in Europe I would assume that to be the case) , AND you are going to be driving on winding (hilly?) roads.. you would surely be much BETTER off with a manual wouldn't you?? :confused:

I don't like stick shift cars. And on winding, scenic roads I find shifting to be a distraction.

If the vehicle has a modest sized engine for its size (and with petrol prices in Europe I would assume that to be the case) , AND you are going to be driving on winding (hilly?) roads.. you would surely be much BETTER off with a manual wouldn't you?? :confused:
That's asking for a world of cultural differences to be changed ;) BTW I completely agree with you. Driving an automatic on roads like that is awful.

I hope this isn't a silly question, but-- if I get a car in France with a navigation system, will it (or can it be set to) speak the instructions in English??
If it is not already set to English, then in 99% of cases you will be able to change it to English. Or ask the rental station agent to do so if you cannot navigate the foreign-language menus to find the English option.

If the vehicle has a modest sized engine for its size (and with petrol prices in Europe I would assume that to be the case) , AND you are going to be driving on winding (hilly?) roads.. you would surely be much BETTER off with a manual wouldn't you?? :confused:

Beat me to it - but Americans don't seem to understand that, as a general rule.

SIXT has been great in France with their prices and choice of autos. You can become an elite with them if you are a HH Diamond.

Each Avis France airport location has several Mercedes C-class cars with automatic. I've gotten upgraded to them a few times, but I prefer manual. However if you reserve an automatic, you will be paying a lot extra.

Any ideas on how to avoid delays when picking up a car with automatic transmission?

Are you asking if there might be additional delays for picking up a vehicle with automatic transmission vs. one with manual transmission? Don't think there'd be any.

However, if you're asking about the efficiency of picking up an Avis vehicle at CDG T2 in general, that's hard to judge. You'll have to go to the car rental pickup desks on the lower level between T2A/C & B/D, and then wait in line, if there is one. They might have elite level check-in area, but I'm not sure. Generally, in my experience, it doesn't take too long, but YMMV.

I would practice my stick skills. Renting an automatic in europe wil cost you out the .ss. If you go for luxury or prestige its one thing, but if you go for midsize or something like that you will get an underpowered 4 cylinder car with about 90hp and pay the price of a mercedes or BMW. Only people who would rent this would be americans who dont know how to drive a stick. Then you pay the price big time. Bonne Route^

The way to avoid delays is to sign up for Avis Preferred. You just walk to your car and drive out! They even have this at smaller airports in France like Lyon now. ^