Rental Car Experiences?

fintail

I just guess and check. I have driven BMWs before, so I am not completely unfamiliar, and some things are intuitive. My biggest issue is hurried gear shifting - I am used to a column shift after so many years in the fintail, and a few years with a modern column shift MB, that I naturally reach for the stalk. On this car, that's the stalk for the wipers. Mildly embarrassing.

The car has a manual and a quick tips tutorial built into the ICE.

Mr_Shiftright said:

I guess you're pretty used to BMW controls, or did you need a tutorial on anything?

fintail

Best rental car experience yet of the trip - the nav decided to take me through downtown Geneva instead of around it (I am staying outside of the center). That was fun. Torino was also fun in the morning rush, definitely a make your own rules kind of place.

I washed it today, it was looking pretty gross, I am just too OCD to deal with all the bugs and grime.

ab348

My ATS is in for service so I was given a rental car to drive, a 2014 Malibu Eco LT. I am guessing it is the "mild hybrid" GM came out with when the car was first introduced. I have not driven this generation of Malibu before, though I drove several of the prior generation.

It seems a bit odd. It is built on the same platform as the Buick Regal I used to have but it feels bigger. It feels a bit roomier up front than the Regal did though. The dash and IP is not its strong suit although it has the color screen for all the connectivity, etc. Has a rear view camera but it appears to be mounted low and seems harder to "read" than the one in the ATS. Don't like the plastic trim on the dash, the previous Malibu had a better dash design than this IMO. Fake woodgrain is awful. Seats seem comfortable. Lots of headroom. This has the same mail-slot smallish sunroof that my Regal had. Power seems OK though there were a couple of times at low speeds where it seemed to be already in a higher gear and the accelerator pedal was a bit dead spot when you pushed on it. I'm hearing more tire noise than I'd like. Nice wheels. Trunk seems roomy enough.

Funny thing, after driving the ATS for a year, this car seems rather big and bulky to me even though it is about the same size as my old Regal. There is certainly a feel of quality in the Cadillac that is lacking here, as you would expect. But not a bad car overall if the price is right.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

My ATS is in for service so I was given a rental car to drive, a 2014 Malibu Eco LT. I am guessing it is the "mild hybrid" GM came out with when the car was first introduced. I have not driven this generation of Malibu before, though I drove several of the prior generation.

It seems a bit odd. It is built on the same platform as the Buick Regal I used to have but it feels bigger. It feels a bit roomier up front than the Regal did though. The dash and IP is not its strong suit although it has the color screen for all the connectivity, etc. Has a rear view camera but it appears to be mounted low and seems harder to "read" than the one in the ATS. Don't like the plastic trim on the dash, the previous Malibu had a better dash design than this IMO. Fake woodgrain is awful. Seats seem comfortable. Lots of headroom. This has the same mail-slot smallish sunroof that my Regal had. Power seems OK though there were a couple of times at low speeds where it seemed to be already in a higher gear and the accelerator pedal was a bit dead spot when you pushed on it. I'm hearing more tire noise than I'd like. Nice wheels. Trunk seems roomy enough.

Funny thing, after driving the ATS for a year, this car seems rather big and bulky to me even though it is about the same size as my old Regal. There is certainly a feel of quality in the Cadillac that is lacking here, as you would expect. But not a bad car overall if the price is right.

Check under the hood to see what it is. I thought they cancelled the hybrid in 2014.
Check the build date on the door sticker. I thought they started putting the ECO stickers
on the trunks of 2015 models with the 2.5L engine with auto start stop. I believe the ECO
tag is on the left of the trunk, which the ECO tag for mild hybrid models in 2013 and maybe
early 2014 models is on the right side of the trunk? Just going from memory on that
side business meaning different things. My 2014 does NOT have an ECO tag.

ab348

This has the Eco tag on the left side of the trunklid. When I returned it I checked under the hood. Couldn't tell much, just a 4-cyl with an ECOTEC engine cover. Build date was 04/14, in Fairfax. This didn't have auto start/stop as far as I could tell. I found it odd that it seemed to have a lot of equipment, but didn't have a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Sandman6472

Drove a '15 SLK 250 and really really liked it, nice vehicle. Can definitely see a MB, BMW or Audi as my next ride. Probably a cpo unit but they seem to do cpo the best. My Golf has spoiled me and now, I want more!!

The Sandman

fintail

Saw a questionably driven rental Jetta wagon with Texas plates this morning. I wonder if VW will due a fleet dump due to sales impacts of the Dieselgate hype. Also saw what I am pretty sure was a rental Genesis.

carboy21

I drove a MB GLA diesel in UK last summer. Europe car refused to rent me unless I took out full insurance. Cost me 1300 GBP for a 14 day rental !! Almost 100 punds a day. Never again will I rent a MB from Europe car at Heathrow airport.
The GLA is a very dinky car, I would never drive again. It is for midgets or small women.

kyfdx

fintail said:

Saw a questionably driven rental Jetta wagon with Texas plates this morning. I wonder if VW will due a fleet dump due to sales impacts of the Dieselgate hype. Also saw what I am pretty sure was a rental Genesis.

They are already moving incentives around (lowering some). I think the big incentives have propped up sales. Of course, it's expensive for VW, but they have to keep their dealers in business, until they have it straightened out.

Sandman6472

Saw a bunch of new '16 Jetta S's at the intake area in Ft. Lauderdale this week. Some have the 17" alloys while others have 18" ones. Both were nice styles though I have to question as to why they didn't just get the S's with hub caps like in the past? Bet that most if not all of these units will be going to sales once they get to a certain mileage, probably under 20K or so. Both alloy styles were very nice and would love to have the 17" style on my Golf!

The Sandman

fintail

Maybe they had a batch of unused wheels. Hubcap cars are becoming pretty rare in the US market.

Sandman6472

Maybe, but there was a separate line item adding in the price of the rims, something like $950. Still. was surprised because they are all entry level "S" vehicles and usually see alloys on the "SE" and "SEL" models. Have always liked alloys over hubcaps on all my rides. Remember I got my first set of bolt on hub caps for my '88 Corolla FX. After that, bolt on's became the standard for many manufacturers. With my '96 Corolla, used to go to the local Hubcap Heaven every year or two and swap them out for other Toyota hubcaps. Just would get bored with the look and want something newer and fresher. Always found a great set and got a good trade-in deal since I always keep my rides pretty clean and waxed. Back then when I was younger and healthy, I would do it all myself but now, I rely on others to wash and wax my rides and get it done every 3 months or so since the South Florida sun can be brutal on a vehicles paint. Plus it rains a lot and hate for my rides to look messy for too long!

The Sandman

iluvmysephia1

Back then when I was younger and healthy, I would do it all myself but now, I rely on others to wash and wax my rides and get it done every 3 months or so since the South Florida sun can be brutal on a vehicles paint. Plus it rains a lot and hate for my rides to look messy for too long!


sandman, you only wash your rigs once every 3 months or so? Wow...I try ta at least wash my Kia Soul every 1 1/2 ta 2 months. When it really needs it more often, yep.

henryn

I hand wash both of mine at least once per week. And wax at least once per month. Good exercise.

fintail

Well, on the sticker, but I bet it costs like $100 to actually make those wheels - if that. If a style changed or they made too many, they might put them on cars as a "free" option.

I wax every couple months, and wash more frequently - every week or two at most. I also use spray detailer or spray wax when the car is washed.

sandman_6472 said:

Maybe, but there was a separate line item adding in the price of the rims, something like $950. Still. was surprised because they are all entry level "S" vehicles and usually see alloys on the "SE" and "SEL" models. Have always liked alloys over hubcaps on all my rides. Remember I got my first set of bolt on hub caps for my '88 Corolla FX. After that, bolt on's became the standard for many manufacturers. With my '96 Corolla, used to go to the local Hubcap Heaven every year or two and swap them out for other Toyota hubcaps. Just would get bored with the look and want something newer and fresher. Always found a great set and got a good trade-in deal since I always keep my rides pretty clean and waxed. Back then when I was younger and healthy, I would do it all myself but now, I rely on others to wash and wax my rides and get it done every 3 months or so since the South Florida sun can be brutal on a vehicles paint. Plus it rains a lot and hate for my rides to look messy for too long!

The Sandman

tjc78

I used to be once a week.... now with two kids.... once a month if I'm lucky! I do shake out the mats every few days and clean the dash, etc much more often. I couldn't take it otherwise.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, when putting my new hubcaps from Wal*Mart for $29.97 on I need to also wipe the interior down, especially the dash/console area of my 2011 Kia Soul. Been too cold and Sunday is not gonna be any warmer than Saturday, either.

I am just getting over a flu/cold and now Mrs.iluvmysephia1 has it. And our Kia Soul is parked on a city street, we have no off-street parking whatsoever here.

Sandman6472

I meant that I get them all waxed every 3 months but more often for a regular wash. The Audi gets free wash/vacuums at the nearby dealer so it goes in every other Saturday and I have a prepaid card for my VW at a local car wash joint I frequent so it stays somewhat clean. I just physically can not do the wash/wax part anymore or I'd be in bed for a few days or so, my spine just can not take all the movement.
There's nothing like a freshly waxed vehicle and mine goes for one this Thursday. My son and his lady are down for the weekend from Chicago so am waiting till after they go to get it waxed and detailed. Not off till Thursday so will be there by 9 a m, my Golf is that blue color that really shows the metallic specs when freshly waxed and it has been about 3 months so it's due.

The Sandman

slorenzen

You guys have it all wrong.

The dirt PROTECTS the paint...

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

iluvmysephia1

I meant that I get them all waxed every 3 months but more often for a regular wash. The Audi gets free wash/vacuums at the nearby dealer so it goes in every other Saturday and I have a prepaid card for my VW at a local car wash joint I frequent so it stays somewhat clean. I just physically can not do the wash/wax part anymore or I'd be in bed for a few days or so, my spine just can not take all the movement.
There's nothing like a freshly waxed vehicle and mine goes for one this Thursday. My son and his lady are down for the weekend from Chicago so am waiting till after they go to get it waxed and detailed. Not off till Thursday so will be there by 9 a m, my Golf is that blue color that really shows the metallic specs when freshly waxed and it has been about 3 months so it's due.

Gotcha, sandman. I figured a car guy would get his rigs washed fairly often. So much for putting the hubcaps on today. It's snowing fairly hard in SW Kansas. I seem to have picked a 4-season strong weather sort of place, where in winter you do get...winter.

Sandman6472

Have used that liquid detailer, still have some I think. The best wax I ever used I got at the Harley-Davidson cycle shop, forgot the name of it, but it was just awesome and super easy to apply and remove. Last time I used it though was right before my accident in 2005 and miss the whole procedure of washing then waxing. Always had the radio on and would make an afternoon or morning of it. One of my most favorite sites is a freshly detailed vehicle though I do not like the shiny stuff put on the dash that turns sticky...prefer the less glossy style that lasts longer. Especially with our hot South Florida sun, some dash protection is a necessity and need another fold up windshield protector since my kid took mine from my Civic for her Accent...it didn't fit my Tucson and now, she won't give it back for the Golf. She loves that it blocks the suns rays and cools the car down.

The Sandman

bjohansen

If you're having trouble when renting a car, you're either overthinking it or dealing with a shady business. It's a pretty straightforward process. Don't give your money to a business you don't feel good about. Pretty simple.

berri

So I fly into Milwaukee to visit in Wisconsin and Chicago. I reserve a small SUV in case of Midwest winter. Go over to my Hertz Gold board and they stick me with a Dodge Journey. No one around to swap it out. The vehicle is a 2WD rwd setup - makes lots of sense in the snowbelt during winter. The car is a stripper too; no rear back up camera, no auto lights, etc. I swear they just took it out of their Thrifty/Dollar inventory, but charged me the premium Hertz rate. I've been Gold for a long time, but I'm seriously thinking about going back to National. Hertz seems to be offering less and less for their premium rates.

As for the Journey, I found it quite the mediocre vehicle. Cheap plastic, choppy ride, fuel guzzler but mediocre performance, mediocre driving and handling experience and rather uncomfortable seats. I'm trying, but I really can't find a single positive trait. I guess FCA sells them on rebates and price promotions, otherwise I really can't see any appeal to it.

suydam

We got something called a Dodge Caliber a couple of years ago. Awful car. Very primitive compared to the competition.

kyfdx

I think the base Journey is FWD, but I feel your pain.

We rented one in Colorado for a ski vacation. Four full-grown males. Nice loading capacity for that, and we had AWD. But, lackluster acceleration and braking was not up to mountain driving.

Typical for a Chrysler product.

fintail

I think the Journey is realistically fleet-only now. I've never known a private party who owned one.

The Hertz Charger I rented earlier this year was just as basic - the lack of bluetooth still amuses me, as even my sister's Sonic has it. Thank heaven for the engine.

Sandman6472

Hertz is getting new iron into our fleet especially down here in Ft. Lauderdale. Was over by the intake area again today for work and still many many vehicles to pdi, register and get on the road. All makes and models so a good thing!!! Have driven my fair share of Journeys at work and agree, they are kind of mediocre vehicles to be sure, but some folks really don't care that much to be honest. All I tell folks is that if you are not satisfied, just go back inside and swap for another one. End of story. They will make it right!!

The Sandman

tjc78

I've never swapped out a rental, but several times have had to tell the person working the counter NO! For example you book a full size and get offered an Accent. I've had that happen a few times. That is why I loved National's Emerald Aisle. You reserve an intermediate and pick out whatever was on the aisle, get in and drive to the window. Out you go.

suydam

I have swapped several times especially if the car smells smoky. That smell permeates everything. I've also had a few where the upholstery was ripped or there were actual mechanical problems. Dollar had the choose and go when I was in LA a year ago. I really like that option.

berri

All I tell folks is that if you are not satisfied, just go back inside and swap for another one. End of story. They will make it right!!


Except, it seems more and more that there is no one in the Gold area and so that often can entail a lengthy walk down and around to the regular Hertz counter while hauling your luggage. Hertz charges premium prices. There shouldn't be a stripped Dodge Journey in their fleet to begin with, let alone in the Gold concourse. Those things belong in their Dollar and Thrifty fleets only.

stever

~11 days ago we rented a 2014 Prius from Enterprise. We have limited rental options here since we don't have scheduled air service - Hertz and Budget are the other choices. We had reserved a mid-sized Jetta or similar but all they had other than subcompacts were a Cherokee and the Prius. We're interested in buying a Prius so we jumped at it.

Clean car (the agent did a last minute detail on it for us), not too much hassle getting it rented or returned.

Returned it this morning after putting 1943 miles on it. Cost was $314. Could have had it for 3 more days for another $30 but we didn't need it longer. Got the second spousal driver free without having to join something, like Hertz's Gold Club. Used our VISA and waived the insurance riders (not completely sure, but it seems that VISA has better rental coverage than our MC that we use for our main card).

We could have been in a mess if all the mid-sized cars were gone. Plan B was to drive to Tucson and rent there. The local shop had tons of cars before Thanksgiving but a hail storm a while back took a lot of them off the street. Surprised me to see the amount of demand at the local agency, busy place.

There was a Sixt agency at the hotel we stayed at in Santa Monica.

suydam

A really good test drive. Are you still interested in it?

stever

Yeah, liked it pretty well. And after playing with the interior, we are a bit more interested in it than the Prius V.

Toyota has lowered the seats by ~2 inches for 2016 and raised the headroom. If the seats will crank up that shouldn't be an issue but we're used to a higher seating arrangement. Visibility out the back is poor - wish they'd lose that split rear window. That wing gizmo often blocks the turn signals of the car behind you.

Still wanna revisit the Soul and Encore. "Soon".

We live on the gravel and the back way in can be a bit gnarly. Ground clearance is always a concern but I managed fine through the little washes without ripping the front skirt or puncturing the oil pan going home that way yesterday. We did hit that skirt a few times on curbs on the trip, but we did that a lot with the Quest too. Scooting onto the "main" gravel road with the PWR button on was fun - managed to trigger the Traction Control light. Ah, rental cars.

The "eco" tires were poor stopping on the damp. Managed 46mpg, lots of that going 80+ on the Interstates.

Sandman6472

Drove a lot of brand new iron today, all with the plastic still on the seats and outside. In no particular order...Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Kia Soul, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Sante Fe, Nissan Quest and a few others that have slipped my memory right now...it was a long 10 hour day with just a 1/2 hour lunch break. Luckily am off tomorrow but start back again on Friday doing the same thing.
I work at an HLE location, not at the airport where things are different...especially the price. Hard for us to get a certain vehicle but if we can, we surely will do it but we never know what's coming back or when or where we're going to go to pick up our vehicles from run to run. Management tells the lead driver all the details which are then relayed to us drivers. All I need to have are the keys and the destination I am going to. After that, I am off on my own to get there in a reasonable amount of time so we can go onto the next run. Love that I never know in advance where we are going until we leave and not knowing what I am going to drive until handed a set of keys. My lead usually gives me certain models he knows I really enjoy and since I enjoy driving, all is good with the world at work.
Trying to decide about if I should re-apply to my old company for those few days when I am off or try something like Lyft or Red Cap. Just not sure but would like to earn some more $ and use some of that free time I've got now. Would be the best of all world's if I could get around 30 hours at Hertz and have been pushing my boss and his boss to make this a reality. That would solve the extra $ part and the down time issue. So, we sit and wait to see if anything will come to fruition here!

The Sandman

henryn

stever said:

Yeah, liked it pretty well. And after playing with the interior, we are a bit more interested in it than the Prius V.

Toyota has lowered the seats by ~2 inches for 2016 and raised the headroom. If the seats will crank up that shouldn't be an issue but we're used to a higher seating arrangement. Visibility out the back is poor - wish they'd lose that split rear window. That wing gizmo often blocks the turn signals of the car behind you.

Still wanna revisit the Soul and Encore. "Soon".

We live on the gravel and the back way in can be a bit gnarly. Ground clearance is always a concern but I managed fine through the little washes without ripping the front skirt or puncturing the oil pan going home that way yesterday. We did hit that skirt a few times on curbs on the trip, but we did that a lot with the Quest too. Scooting onto the "main" gravel road with the PWR button on was fun - managed to trigger the Traction Control light. Ah, rental cars.

The "eco" tires were poor stopping on the damp. Managed 46mpg, lots of that going 80+ on the Interstates.

The whole "front skirt" thing is becoming a bit ridiculous. My new 2015 Ford F150 (which sits VERY high for a 2 wheel drive truck) has scraped the front skirt a few times when entering / exiting parking lots. Yeah, yeah, I know, they are really trying to lower wind resistance to get that extra 0.1 mpg, but this is ridiculous, a half ton pickup that scrapes the ground going into parking garages!

stever

I keep zip ties in the car now. Used one last month to fix a piece of plastic that was sagging under the front bumper on our friend's Cruze.

carboy21

stever said:

I keep zip ties in the car now. Used one last month to fix a piece of plastic that was sagging under the front bumper on our friend's Cruze.

I used it once to tighten a lose radiator hose on my old SUV till I could get a proper replacement. Zip ties are a NOBEL prize winning invention

Mr_Shiftright

I even used one as a bandage holder while hiking. Very handy indeed! Hopefully your rental car won't need one, although I have occasionally rented cars that could have used a piece of duct tape here and there.

berri

Sandman - be careful on that Uber Lyfte stuff because your car insurance probably won't cover you without an additional cost rider

Sandman6472

Yes, have heard that too. Just tossing some ideas around here about making some extra income. I do have a few points now, don't ask, and the West Palm place wants 0 points so am negotiating with them a bit since I never actually quit, took a leave of absence to rest my injured spine which I told them. Some days I think hell, I hurt so much so just stay with Hertz and be done with it. My wife and girls are on board with this idea because they want me to be as healthy as I can and when the back is really out, I just go into this dark place and just lay around. But I would like to get back on the road a couple more days of the week since I have Wednesday and Thursday off as well as the weekend. And just seeing my other crew at the airport makes me want to go back on a limited basis.
Such is my dilemma here and if I could just get another 6 or so hours at Hertz, I'd be super happy to just stay there!!

The Sandman

andres3

Parents rented a recent model Camry SE; nothing really positive or negative to say about it.

They did mention Sixt had closed its doors in San Diego. Was surprised, but not entirely; seemed like a slightly poorly run location despite the very good cars they always had.

berri

Camry is today's 1960's Impala and that's why they sell so well. Reasonably priced, generally reliable and fairly comfortable and economical.

carboy21

berri said:

Camry is today's 1960's Impala and that's why they sell so well. Reasonably priced, generally reliable and fairly comfortable and economical.

Like the Whirlpool washer dryers you get at Home Depot.

Mr_Shiftright

No, I like the Whirlpools are only 2 speeds. Also, the Prius isn't top loading, at least not yet.

carboy21 said:

berri said:

Camry is today's 1960's Impala and that's why they sell so well. Reasonably priced, generally reliable and fairly comfortable and economical.

Like the Whirlpool washer dryers you get at Home Depot.

stever

I'm pretty sure the 2016 Prius will have an opening sunroof as an option, in addition to the fixed pano roof.

Mr_Shiftright

Zowie...put that Prius in "sport" mode and let your BAD out!

fintail

I bet it is "grounded to the ground".

henryn

berri said:

Camry is today's 1960's Impala and that's why they sell so well. Reasonably priced, generally reliable and fairly comfortable and economical.

I think your characterization of the 60's Impalas is accurate for the first half of the decade, but not the second half. My brother bought a new 1968 Impala, and it was a true (expletive deleted). And I have heard many similar stories from others.

I do believe modern day Camrys are more than just "generally reliable". Most Toyotas and Hondas are ridiculously reliable, and hold an unbelievable amount of resale value.

stever

Rental cars weren’t covered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration - until the Houck law finally passed.

"Houck parents found a recall order had been issued a month before the crash for a faulty power steering hose that could cause a fire and lead to loss of steering.

Enterprise had rented out the vehicle the Houck sisters died in three other times that month. And there was nothing legally prohibiting Enterprise or any other rental company from doing so, or requiring the companies to tell consumers about the car’s status."

One mother spent a decade after her daughters' deaths changing car-rental laws (LA Times)

Mr_Shiftright

Drove a friend's 2015 Camaro convertible rental car today. From the perspective of comfort and carrying capacity, it's totally useless. To be fair to the Camaro, this was of course, a base model, so the interior is blah and looks cheap. Visibility and headroom are virtually non-existent. Top down, V-8 and manual transmission are obviously the only way to go.