Renault Eurodrive Car Lease Buy-Back Program

If you need a car for at least three weeks when traveling in Italy or Europe, the lease buy-back program is an excellent alternative to car rentals. You see the exact price when you book, including any extras you may want to add on (like car seats or ski racks). You don't have to worry about insurance coverage, it's all included with no deductible. Your spouse can drive the car with no extra charge. The cost if normally less than a rental. Best of all, you have a brand new car, exactly the model you choose.

I've done lease buy-back programs many times when traveling in Italy and Europe. If I'm traveling for at least three weeks, I always choose the lease buy-back program.

The Renault Clio diesel is my favorite - it's small (making it easy to drive and park in Italy) and gets excellent gas mileage. If you're traveling with lots of luggage or four adults, you'll probably want a larger model.

Delivery charges apply outside France so I often choose to start or end my trip in France. Picking up in Nice for example is very convenient for driving to Italy. Other times I've paid the extra fee for the convenience of picking the car up at Rome or Milan airport.

The only difficulty I've encountered it that some of the drop-off locations are difficult to find. Of course, if you pick up and drop off in the same location, you'll avoid that problem.

When you book your car, there are specific instructions to follow on arrival. Usually you make a free call to the pick-up center and they come very quickly with a van. Paperwork is already completed so the pick-up is usually quick and hassle free. The agent explains the car's features and answers any questions. You'll have to fill up with gas quickly but you can return the car empty, no worrying about filling up before your drop off.

If you need assistance, there's a 24 hour toll-free number you can call. The car has its new car warranty and is well insured since they plan to sell it as a used car when you return it. It's a good deal for everyone.

Why do they do this? In France there's a 20% VAT on new car sales. By leasing the brand new car to a foreigner, buying it back, and selling it as used the tax can be avoided. Read more in Europe Travel's Buy Back Car Lease article.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with discounted services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.