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Post by Martin on Sept 19, 2023 14:01:51 GMT
We’re in Malta for just over a week and I figured that we wouldn’t be driving far (will prob be sub 150 miles), a small car would be better but we’d need space for the 3 of us plus luggage, so a small SUV was booked. Sixt have let me down. I book with them as they have always had cars with decent spec, although it has only been BMWs up to this point (3/X3/X1), but this is as a really basic model. No screen/CarPlay, no parking sensors, manual rear window, clear glass (not ideal as it’s 33c and cloudless), manual aircon etc. The positives are it has the 90hp diesel engine which is ideal for this sort of car and a fairly comfy ride, but the clutch / gearbox are horrible and the seats aren’t great. Malta however, is great. For lots of reasons, but they don’t hate the car which makes a pleasant change. The roads are good and I haven’t paid for parking anywhere, in the picture below it is right outside the hotel on the harbour wall (Senglea) and we’ve been to several towns, always plenty of parking, all free on the street or car parks.  |
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Post by Big Blue on Sept 19, 2023 14:48:55 GMT
I loved Malta. One of the few places you get a decent cup of tea.
My dad spent some time there in the late 50s / early 60s so when we went there and came back with photos he regaled us with navy tales based on each one.
Yes: they love a car but we used the old owner-operated buses which are now replaced by an Arriva provided actual service.
Must go back.
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Post by Martin on Sept 19, 2023 15:05:52 GMT
I don’t often go back to the same place twice as the world is a big place, but we’ll visit again. Most flights are from Gatwick, but we flew with Air Malta from Heathrow and they were excellent. European Business is normally a waste of money but it was only a couple of £hundred more for all 3 of us and worth it imho.
I’ve got a good hotel recommendation if you do visit.
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 19, 2023 16:07:35 GMT
I have been looking at car hire for Italy and notice that Sixt now list, as a extra, 'Comfort Features, including Bluetooth, parking sensors etc'. This is an extra £2.58 per day. Perhaps their standard offer is now a more basic car?
Meanwhile, Hertz have priced thier insurance upgrades at such a ludicrous level that they clearly want customers to make their own independent arrangements for excess cover.
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Post by Martin on Sept 19, 2023 16:20:15 GMT
I have been looking at car hire for Italy and notice that Sixt now list, as a extra, 'Comfort Features, including Bluetooth, parking sensors etc'. This is an extra £2.58 per day. Perhaps their standard offer is now a more basic car? Meanwhile, Hertz have priced thier insurance upgrades at such a ludicrous level that they clearly want customers to make their own independent arrangements for excess cover. That’s interesting. It wasn’t an option when I booked. I’ve got annual worldwide multi trip excess cover, well worth it if you rent for 1 week+ a year and that’s before the £20 Topcashback I got this year. |
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Post by ChrisM on Sept 19, 2023 19:07:58 GMT
The pool car where I work is a 69-plate C3 Aircross petrol auto. It's missing its parcel shelf and judging by the way it is treated, it's standing up quite well... but then it's only done about 9000 miles. It took me a while to work out how tyo get the cruise control to work, and the clock insisted it was about 7 hours out even after a manual alteration. Turns out someone had set the home location to a weird timezone but I've got it sorted now. I suppose you could say it's typical old-style Citroen with soft suspension making for a reasonably comfortable ride but overall it is unremarkable.
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Post by Martin on Sept 24, 2023 8:45:42 GMT
Despite visiting all four corners of the island, we did a grand total of 98 miles in the C3. It was fine for that level of use on roads where the highest speed limit was 70kph, the only problem was a slightly dodgy clutch and despite filling up with the most expensive diesel I’d seen because it was at the airport, it only cost 17 Euros / just under £15. That’s 32mpg, but the computer said 47.9, so I assume it was some way off full when I picked it up. I was going to say never again and back to something better next time, but we’ve just booked Malaysia which includes 10 nights in Penang and I’ve currently got a Honda City booked. The only ‘better’ option was a Proton Exora….  |
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Post by ChrisM on Sept 24, 2023 13:50:00 GMT
As Penang is where my mum was born, if you need any local info we can try to help. I was last there in May 2019 with younger daughter and with the North of the island being very much a tourist area, we understand it's suffered significantly under the pandemic. Where are you staying?
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Post by Martin on Sept 24, 2023 14:27:44 GMT
As Penang is where my mum was born, if you need any local info we can try to help. I was last there in May 2019 with younger daughter and with the North of the island being very much a tourist area, we understand it's suffered significantly under the pandemic. Where are you staying? Thanks Chris. I do like to explore so any tips are welcome. We’re staying at the Eastern & Oriental (Heritage Wing). |
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