We have a month long trip coming up in March covering various northern and central parts of Spain. We have rented a car from Hertz on two previous trips with little or no difficulty. Being older adults we try to get at least a compact with automatic trans. We know this trip will be expensive but would appreciate any input or recommendations on reliable car rentals. Gracias!

I have usually found Hetz to be one of the cheapest. Pepecars might be cheaper , but its like flying with ryanair, you pay for everything and its more hassle than its worth.
One thing I would recommend is getting excess insurance at home before you go, The car hire places offer this to you at the last moment and the prices are sky high, you dont need to take it, but if you want peace of mind so you dont have to pay an excess fee if something happens, get it at home 1st.

from florida my old stumping ground, try the rates and combination of car rental brokers.
www.autoeurope.com
www.kemwel.com
used them for neons of years and always reliable when coming to europe. they can give you all inclusive packages.

I forgot to add go on the local website Hertz spain Its usually cheaper than going through your won countrys website.
If you want to look at other rental companies , google their name and add es to get the Spanish website.

Careful with Pepecars . We used them . The car broke down in the middle of nowhere en route to Salamanca and they refused to help us when we called them . The Guardia Civil passed by and gave us multas ( fines ) to pass on to pepecars for lack of responsibility . It was a long journey back to Madrid and our train hit a sheep so we we got back very late . That and having to ask a funeral director in the small town we were taken back to , to use the telephone ... It was like an Almódovar film .
The Guardia Civil were superb !

Steve, I'm sure it was not funny then, but your post had me LOL!

Wonderful saga! I'm laughing .... a lot!

yes indeed great story Steve, now be careful with those Pepes hehehehe.

Last installment of this story is : We finally arrived at Atocha railway station Just before 10pm . My friend Juan decided we should buy some bottles of wine and potato crisps and drown our sorrows in my hostal room .
The problem was that we didn´t have enough glasses so I went downstairs and spoke with the kitchen manager . She gave me 4 glasses on the condition that none got broken .
On arriving at the hostal ( in Sol ) we´d met a fellow internee who was travelling with the Dallas Sypmphony Orchestra . He joined us in my room . First thing that happened was that we smashed a glass .. It fell off the table ... I was scared about what the guys in the kitchen would say .
We had a good evening .. Alberto stayed in my room And Juan stayed in this other guy´s room . And next morning there were no repercussions from the staff .
And so endeth an incredible day !

Glad the glass fell off the table and not on your head hehehe just kidding ::)