I think you are right - I had trouble with Europcar they changed their mind when I said I had photos and checked it with their representative! I also mentioned I was coming back in a few weeks and would get the police involved!
Driving in the shade was always the joke in Malta, the holes in the road didn't get filled because they didn't have road tax or rates.
They have started routes all over now so you don't need to head for the terminal at Valletta anymore.
There's plenty to do - Places worth a visit (not bad for a island 122sq km) I recommend Tarxien Temples, Tarxien but you need to book this on the world heritage website months in advance as they only let in 100 people a day
Valletta
Museums
Manoel Theatre Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts...
Depends where you stay and when you go.
Theres loads of greenery just not during July- Sept
Its a rock the size of the IOW in the middle of the Med you need to go to Gozo or the north for beaches -
Problem with hiring a car in Sliema, St Julians is parking - worse than brighton!
Also be careful about where you park - carefully read the signs and markings however faded or bad they are.
The buses are ok but not as good as the old ones they used to have - they were wrecks but ok and fun...
If you hire a car watch the old damage trick, when you pick it up get them to check off every mark and scratch and photograph it. When you take it back do the same and make sure you give the keys to someone - don't just hand them in.
What made me laugh is that because my girlfriend didn't go to the presentation because she was sunbathing they wouldn't let me go on it.
I was genuinely interested and they stopped me going.