I'm planning on setting aside some time to drive on the Autobahn between Berlin and Hannover on an one way rental, and while I usually use Hertz in the states, I'd like to know what's the best option for renting in Berlin. I must drive an automatic since learning to use a manual to drive on the Autobahn without some practice before seems unsafe, but I'm not wedded to a specific make, size, or fuel choice either.

Is there a specific reason for wanting to DRIVE (as opposed to taking the train)?

I love driving.

Seriously, it's because I'm a roadgeek, so it seems foolish to waste a chance to drive on the Autobahn given that it's unique by global motorway/freeway standards. I've more keen on doing this stretch because it has a sizable stretch with no speed limits, and while it's slower than the train, going to Hannover reduces wasted time as I was going to travel there to film some of the trams there.

I think you'll be disappointed. The notion of a German Autobahn being in any way "unique" is just a myth.

True, there is no national speed limit, but...

- there are speed limits on many individual stretches of Autobahn
- even when there is no speed limit you'll rarely be able to do more than about 90 mph because there is so much traffic
- you should also be aware that if you do more than 130 kph/80 mph (the "recommended speed limit"), and you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident, then the fact that you were exceeding the recommended speed limit will count against you insurance-wise

Drive by all means... but if you're expecting something special or different you'll be disappointed.

Although i�m not too familiar with the A2 i suspect there are few daytimes where you can drive "fast".

And be aware:
We have a lot of individual speed limits and even more road works with speed limits down to 80 kph (~ 50 mph) and frequently 60 kph (~ 38 mph)

Regarding car rental: try Sixt

I'm aware of speed limits and the recommended 130 km/h speed limit. Admittedly, other than maybe one small push at reaching maximum speed safely, I'll probably stick with speeds in the 120-130 km/h range. I've driven at similar speeds here in the US, so I'd feel comfortable and at ease while driving at those speeds, and it's better for fuel consumption when compared to even higher speeds. Regardless, it's still nice to drive at those speeds in areas where it's legal to do so, something that isn't common in region of the US.

I'll check out their prices and give them a try.

Getting back to the point of your original post: the best option for renting in Berlin. Quite simply, it's just a matter of getting on the car rental websites and doing your homework. No one on this Forum can answer your question, as asked, because only you know what kind of car, dates, car size, price you're willing to pay, etc. Also, things are constantly changing at those websites, so no one can tell you anything with any degree of certainty.

Maybe I�m the only speed-lunatic here and my co-FT-member shake their heads on my opinion.
Still I love having a powerfull car and giving full throttle, as long as the traffic-situation allows to do so.
And where else on the globe than here in Germany are you legaly able to do so.
So I understand your point completely !
Get yourself a nice car with reasonable horse powers and enjoy your speed ride with taking enough care for other car-drivers.
Avoid rush-hour times !

Have fun!

I'm leaning toward using Sixt, but I'm curious, and I'm wondering what constitutes a "CDAR" and "IDAR" rental. They show a Peugeot 307 with auto transmission for the former and a BMW 1 Series 5-door for the latter. What else would qualify for those respective categories?

Thanks. I wish I could afford the high end luxury stuff with lots of horsepower, but a small, fuel efficient engine will have to do. It's not much different than what I drive now, except it's different and newer.

Out of curiosity, when is rush hour Germany?

As always - it depends ...

But generally monday to friday 6.30-9.30 and 15.30-18.30 (3.30pm-6.30pm)

Some of us learned to drive the Autobahn by practicing on the 'good' portion of the A8 in a 2CV (And earned their only speeding ticket ever on a country road in said vehicle, but that is another thread)

OP, Hertz sometimes yields some very good rates but you do need to fiddle around a bit between the .de and the .com sites, and log in or don't log in. If you have the time and/or the patience you can often find some very good prices on an automatic. Expedia.de also yields decent rates sometimes, but there is a cancellation fee involved there. A small car with Hertz is often a Mercedes A class, or an Opel, sometimes a Ford, or very rarely a VW Golf or Polo. In my experience the A class has less power and less fuel economy than one of the VW options, and I recommend asking for diesel.

Sixt also offers a lot of discount programs; their 'Ladies Program' seems to give quite good rates, for instance.

Re the 'thrill of the Autobahn' I find that the biggest difference with driving in America is the left lane rule. Drives me crazy to have people not move to the right in the American states where that is permitted. And I like not having to 'shoulder check' on the Autobahn.

Having recently lost a very dear friend because of the actions of a "speed lunatic" I am indeed shaking my head...

BTW, my first car was indeed a old-style "K�fer", which offered very small power :-)

My condolences to your loss.
Still I believe fast driving is possible without bringing others in danger, as long as you are responsible enough to not speed up when traffic situation or wheather ... don�t allow to do so.

There is more than one Karmann Ghia in my past Not quite the poor man's Porsche in terms of speed, but a very nice alternative at the time.

And last year as I was cursing the A class diesel with its poor power on the last hill of the A8 before the border, what passed me but an old timer K�fer! A little to my embarassment, but proof that my choice to be loyal to VW has a reason.

OP just be aware that your desire to drive at high speed may not be entirely compatable with an economy rental, as most vehicles in that category are not that high performance. I did have a 3 series BMW from Hertz last year but that was the only upgrade I can ever recall from them at MUC and I have top tier status. I believe that Sixt may be a better option for somewhat decent performance.