by "pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
Published 04/08/2017 at 22:30
by "pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
Published 04/08/2017 at 22:30
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STARS: 2
I’ll be in Amsterdam and Rotterdam next week. Knowing that there are some Dutch Oppos on this site, do any of you have any suggestions of car-related things to do, such as auto museums/events, or something reminiscent of Singen’s Auto Salon, for example?
My itinerary is seemingly packed at the moment, but I would like to squeeze in something “auto enthusiast-y”.
Thanks!
P.S.: Anyone have any experience with Sixt in the Netherlands? I’m curious as to the option levels that the cars have, of all things. Would I be more likely to get a base model (as in America), or a more decently-equipped model (as in Germany)?
"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
04/09/2017 at 00:09, STARS: 2
Last time I rented a car in NL, it was from Avis. I got a Skoda Octavia 1.2 with a manual, but it had A/C and nav, so I was pretty happy.
Car taxes are expensive in NL, so you are more likely to get the smallest possible engine available. They won’t skimp out on equipment the way it is done in the US.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/09/2017 at 03:00, STARS: 1
Not sure about equipment levels you get in the Netherlands (I only rent abroad) but it’s certainly not like what I witnessed in the US (big honking engine, third world level everything else; 2016 Impala Limited). You will probably get a small turbo engine, gas or diesel, and some options.
You will get a manual transmission as default, unless ordered differently. It might be slightly different if it’s a company that caters to American tourists specifically, but the for-Europeans rental agencies do manuals as default and automatics as an option on more expensive rentals.
"DutchieDC2R" (dutchiedc2r)
04/09/2017 at 05:19, STARS: 1
Im in Rotterdam myself, in Rotterdam, there’s not much auto-stuff to do, however, in Den Haag, which is only a 20 minute drive from Rotterdam, you have the Louwman Museum, which is absolutely worth a visit.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/09/2017 at 06:33, STARS: 2
The Louwman museum in The Hague is one I really would like to recommend, they have an amazing collection, ranging from the pre-brass era cars, all the way to group C racers. http://louwmanmuseum.nl/en
The Hague is quite close to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so it should be doable to it fit in. The Louwman museum is also some sort of Oppo holy ground, since the first meeting of European Oppos happened there.
On the topic of rental cars, most cars rental cars I’ve seen in the Netherlands were quite decent, not top spec, but definetely not base spec, with the exception of the extremely cheap entry level cars maybe.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
Thanks. That was my question. Since it’s only for 3 days, power is not much of a concern. Also, the car class we’ve rented in is BMW 1er or similar, so I’m pretty sure that we’d have >100 horsepower. Of course, our daily driver has more than double of that amount, but one of our other cars (Sentra) is fine on the highway at only 130 or so horsepower, so no qualms there.
What I was really hoping for was a higher equipment level, i.e. integrated navigation, split-folding seats, a sunroof, etc. At least your Škoda had nav, so that comforts me a bit.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 0
I’d actually prefer small engines and some options, while a manual is good too. Thanks!
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 10:16, STARS: 1
Thanks for the idea! I hope to check it out!
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/09/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 1
You’ll get split folding seats for sure, can you still get cars without this? You’re probably not going to get a sunroof though. Nav, probably. You picked a BMW or similar, so I bet it’s not going to be too bare bones.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 1
I’m hoping to go to the Louwman museum, but we will also go to the Kinderdijk that day. Because both are in the opposite directions... we’ll have to figure something out. Also, from what other commenters have noted (as well as you), the equipment level of rental cars there is decent, which is what I’m hoping for (nav, split-fold rear seats, maybe a sunroof even). Thanks!
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/09/2017 at 10:23, STARS: 1
There was an oppo meet there last year. http://liveandletdiecast.kinja.com/teutonic-tuesday-traveling-torchbug-edition-1781965657#_ga=1.39164071.581000958.1465883420
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 10:30, STARS: 0
Ha! The BMW 320i does not come with folding rear seats as standard in the U.S. But I am primarily hoping for nav.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/09/2017 at 10:35, STARS: 1
That’s a sedan, a BMW 1 is a hatch. Hatches without split rear seats? Anyway, wouldn’t you be able to ask the company if it has nav? You could download an offline nav app in advance if it doesn’t.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
To get nav, I’d have to pay an extra $30, which I don’t think would be worth it if most of their fleet is decently-equipped and would have it already. And I’m thinking of downloading HERE maps for offline nav on my phone, in case the car doesn’t have it.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/09/2017 at 12:17, STARS: 1
That’s a great backup solution.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/09/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 1
Funnily enough, I have never been in Kinderdijk, but I’ve been told it is quite the view with all the windmills that close together.
Anyway, enjoy your stay in the Netherlands!
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 16:07, STARS: 1
Haha! I’m getting excited already! Thanks so much.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
04/09/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0
Thanks. I also decided to download Maps.Me, another offline navigation app, just in case. :)