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Car hire or purchase?

Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:23pm
5 replies274 views3 members subscribed
Samm68

Posts: 3

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 4 Apr 2021

I have just brought a villa in Arboleas which I will be using as a holiday home.

I am planning eight visits in 2022 and so have been looking at the best way to get a car while i am in Spain.

Hiring a car seems like an expensive option and I am thinking of buying a car and parking it long term near Almeria airport.

Has anyone done this and is it expensive.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

rt21

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:44pm

rt21

Helpful member

Posts: 197

221 helpful points

Location: Chirivel

Joined: 20 Jul 2015

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:44pm

After hiring cars at Alicante airport for the last 14 years, I decided to buy one because of the substantial increase in the hire rates.

I bought the car from FWR Euro Cars which is based just outside of the airport. It is owned by a British national who organised all the paperwork for me

After reading some mixed reports about companies offering long term car parking at the airport I plumped for Claus Parking, who have been in business 23 years. They offer outdoor parking for 300 euros per annum or 600 euros for indoor parking. We went with the indoor parking and have used the company twice since buying the car. On each occasion the service was excellent. They collected us in a mini bus at the airport on arrival and took us back to the airport on departure   

The insurance for the car from memory was about 300 euros.

I suppose it depends upon the frequency and duration of your visits as to whether buying a car is more cost effective.

Other advantages of buying your own car are 

1  you do not have to wait in long queues for the hire of a car 

2  you avoid any additional costs that some car hire companies apply through dubious practices

3 If for any reason you have to extend your stay at short notice then it is easier to do so with your own car than with a hire car.

I am sure others can add or detract from what I have said

Richard                                   

Samm68

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:47pm

Samm68

Original Poster

Posts: 3

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 4 Apr 2021

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:47pm

rt21 wrote on Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:44pm:

After hiring cars at Alicante airport for the last 14 years, I decided to buy one because of the substantial increase in the hire rates.

I bought the car from FWR Euro Cars which is based just outside of the airport. It is owned by a British national who organised all the paperwork for me

After reading some mixed reports about companies offering long term car parking at the airport I plumped for Claus Parking, who have been in business 23 years. They offer outdoor parking for 300 euros per annum or 600 euros for indoor parking. We went with the indoor parking and have used the company twice since buying the car. On each occasion the service was excellent. They collected us in a mini bus at the airport on arrival and took us back to the airport on departure   

The insurance for the car from memory was about 300 euros.

I suppose it depends upon the frequency and duration of your visits as to whether buying a car is more cost effective.

Other advantages of buying your own car are 

1  you do not have to wait in long queues for the hire of a car 

2  you avoid any additional costs that some car hire companies apply through dubious practices

3 If for any reason you have to extend your stay at short notice then it is easier to do so with your own car than with a hire car.

I am sure others can add or detract from what I have said

Richard                                   

That you that is really helpful.

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Alicia 11

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:29pm

Alicia 11

Super helpful member

Posts: 2098

1774 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 30 Sep 2019

Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:29pm

used car prices are not cheap here in Spain and you must also consider how you will manage to get the car Itv'd when needed.

rt21

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:13am

rt21

Helpful member

Posts: 197

221 helpful points

Location: Chirivel

Joined: 20 Jul 2015

Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:13am

Alicia 11 wrote on Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:29pm:

used car prices are not cheap here in Spain and you must also consider how you will manage to get the car Itv'd when needed.

Alicia's post reminded me that Claus do offer other services at a cost which includes ITV testing if you are unable to arrange this yourself. 

They also disconnect your battery FOC if you are leaving your car with them for any long period of time

Richard

Terryarmstrong

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:13am

Posts: 31

12 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 5 Nov 2018

Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:13am

We also have a holiday home in Arboleas and had the same dilemma with very expensive car hire charges 

Second hand cars are very expensive in Spain as compared with the UK but work out much cheaper in the long run. Insurance and fuel costs are cheaper here

We bought a second hand car from Autofex in Arboleas and can fully recommend them. Their prices are non negotiable but do include full service, 6 months guarantee and recent ITV

For long term parking we use AA parking. Their prices are very competitive and you can select either covered parking or open parking which is even cheaper. They meet you at the Airport and take the car from you and return it to you when you come out of the terminal. They even wash the car (included in the parking price) before you     arrive. If you pay for an annual period you can use the service as many times as you like with no restrictions. For extra charges they will arrange for ITV tests and services whilst you are away. They also check your tyres and battery before returning your car. They also speak English 

Hope this help

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