Rental Car Experiences?

fintail

My first sighting of a new style Camry on the road being a rental says a lot to me. Toyota, Nissan, and Hyunkia seem every bit as prevalent in fleets as GM (rightfully) got flack for 15 years ago.

imidazol97 said:

I've walked through the parking area for Hertz at local airport inside the garage. I don't recall any previous generation Impalas in the fleet. I saw maybe 1 or 2 newer Impalas among a sea of toyota and nissans parked in the Hertz slots and in an alley which must be their return drop.

Sandman6472

Renting through Hertz next month, Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale. Being an employee, hoping to get a one-way rental with a Florida based vehicle needing to get back home. Timing might be a few weeks too early as season doesn't really start till November 1st. Hoping for a compact vehicle with as much tech as one can get since my wife will be driving also. Going to sight see a bit on the way down as we've never been to Nashville or Louisville.

The Sandman

berri

Compact; you've got an employee discount and it is a long drive from your residence - Go comfort and enjoy!

fintail

You should try for the nicest car possible, sandy. Besides comfort, a Hertz compact rental with tech higher than power windows is probably rare.

Speaking of nice cars, a report from yesterday of the nicer offerings at the station I'll be renting from in Germany:

S5
750d
F Type und F Type S
X4 30d, X4 M40i
Mustang Cabrio normal und 5L
Volvo V90 D5 Inscription
530d

andres3

fintail said:

You should try for the nicest car possible, sandy. Besides comfort, a Hertz compact rental with tech higher than power windows is probably rare.

Speaking of nice cars, a report from yesterday of the nicer offerings at the station I'll be renting from in Germany:

S5
750d
F Type und F Type S
X4 30d, X4 M40i
Mustang Cabrio normal und 5L
Volvo V90 D5 Inscription
530d

If American rental car companies carried nice cars like S5's and S4's, it sure would be a lot easier to argue with an Insurance company about getting an "equivalent" rental when someone in a Lexus wrecks your S4.

Someone suggested you tell them you go "up to the snow" a lot, and need the AWD.

fintail

I suspect S cars exist out there somewhere, but in specific prestige fleets (just like how Hertz has some AMGs), and they probably will have sparse options. You might have to rent from a busy airport to get one.

RS however, I have my doubts for some reason. But in Germany, I am pretty sure they exist.

In Seattle, if you said you needed an AWD car, you'd get a Subaru.

andres3 said:

If American rental car companies carried nice cars like S5's and S4's, it sure would be a lot easier to argue with an Insurance company about getting an "equivalent" rental when someone in a Lexus wrecks your S4.

Someone suggested you tell them you go "up to the snow" a lot, and need the AWD.

Sandman6472

Unfortunately, the wife wants to do a good part of the driving and wants a specific size vehicle. I’d prefer a “fun” vehicle a bit larger but have to keep her happy here so...you married guys get where I’m coming from as the aggravation ain’t worth it, especially on a lonnnngggg drive back home!!!! Just ain’t worth it!!!

The Sandman :@

Michaell

sandman_6472 said:

Unfortunately, the wife wants to do a good part of the driving and wants a specific size vehicle. I’d prefer a “fun” vehicle a bit larger but have to keep her happy here so...you married guys get where I’m coming from as the aggravation ain’t worth it, especially on a lonnnngggg drive back home!!!! Just ain’t worth it!!!

The Sandman :@

Sandy, I fear that you may be disappointed by what you get in Chicago. I rent through Hertz and on my last trip where I had reserved a similar sized car to what you have set up, I got a Hyundai Elantra. It didn't have as much, feature-wise, as the 2013 Elantra GT I had leased.

berri

It is not much more to move up to the Sonata. More room, better driver and small enough to handle and park pretty easily. Much belter trunk space. Similar mileage in reality as well. Hertz has lots of Sonata's and Altima's. Both of your backs and legs will be thankful. Remind her you're on an approximate 2000 mile one way. People don't realize that MIA-ORD is around 3 hours flying time. They almost always under estimate the distance.

fintail

What is it they say, happy wife, happy life? The flipside is no wife, happy life. Make the most of what you have

Personally, I would prefer the larger car for a long road trip, the difference in price will be minuscule, but the comfort will likely be significant. I think the odds of a better equipped car might also increase with a higher/larger class.

suydam

I'm with you there on the larger size. Not huge but more comfortable. I usually rent smaller cars but we are generally only driving an hour or two at most on any day. I would worry about your back in a small car. I don't even have back problems and my old Civic killed me if I had to drive it more than 4 hours. When I switched to the Maxima suddenly I had no issues at all! I think a Sonata is a good choice. We had one once -- really basic -- not even keyless entry -- but it got good mileage and was very comfortable.

fintail

Saw a rental Juke on the road today - obvious rental with out of state frameless plates, barcode, and a QR code. Oddball.

And in Germany, a couple of people rented luxury class from Sixt, and both got nicely equipped new 5ers. Kind of different from the cars one would receive here:

Sandman6472

Called Herta today and even with my employee discount and being a Gold Member, it's still quite expensive for a one way rental. Will try some other companies and see what they'll charge. Flying is definitely easier and more economical but she's not interested. So we'll see how this plays out. Hertz gave me a confirmation number so will talk with my boss at work and see what's up! But around the $600 number they gave me seems like highway robbery!

The Sandman :@

kyfdx

Make sure you aren't picking up from the airport. Using an in-town location will save you at least $100 off that bill, assuming a 5-day rental.

Also, Hertz Gold isn't much of a discount program. Being an AARP or AAA member will get you that. Are you sure you are getting an employee discount?

Getting your boss to book it for you is probably your best bet.

fintail

There's got to be a local plated car somewhere that you can return home. One ways can be pricey, but that seems kind of insane - I can get a pretty awesome car for a week in Germany for that, and the one way fee will probably be under $30.

suydam

Try Expedia or Kayak. We got the best price using Costco rental.
Hertz is one of the most expensive rentals even with discounts. Try other companies like Budget and Dollar (using Expedia) and see what the competition offers.

Sandman6472

Talked with the big boss and gave him my info. He said he’d go online and see why it’s so much. He also thinks they screwed up my employee discount. Picking it up at a HLE office near our hotel in Chicago, just like the office I work at. The airport is always more expensive to rent at. Very happy that the big boss is getting involved here as am sure he’ll get me a much better price. Renting for a week but probably give it back on day 6, all depends if I can get the body shop to keep the Golf for 13 days. If they will, will go ahead and get it done while we have the rental as I don’t want to rent again if I do it at a later date. I can wait if necessary until next year, only issue is it can’t go through a car wash because the back of the mirror is holding on with clear duct tape. Have to wash it by hand now which is a bit difficult with my spinal issues.
Staying outside of Louisville the first night and then onto Nashvile for a couple of days. Then stopping in Macon before the last leg into Lauderdale. Praying my spine doesn’t give me any flack but with the right size vehicle and a few stops to stretch things out, things should be good. And the wife wants to do most of the driving but we’ll see.

The Sandman

fintail

Are you returning to an airport, sandman? Maybe they will have you return a Corvette or something

Another glimpse into the parallel universe of German rental fleets. Sixt now has the new style E cabrio - check out the odd wheels, not offered in this market:



A diesel cabrio, yes, it's a thing:



I'd be thrilled with a loaded new style E coupe as my upcoming rental.

Someone else got this forbidden fruit - C43 wagon:

ab348

fintail said:

Another glimpse into the parallel universe of German rental fleets. Sixt now has the new style E cabrio - check out the odd wheels, not offered in this market:

I've seen that style of wheel on something else, but can't recall exactly what it was.

imidazol97

sandman_6472 said:

. Praying my spine doesn’t give me any flack but with the right size vehicle and a few stops to stretch things out, things should be good. And the wife wants to do most of the driving but we’ll see.
The Sandman

Hope you get a good suitable car, Sandman, and get a good price.

There should be a lot of cars that came north before the hurricane. Heard a lady mention her son and family was near Orlando when the hurricane moved in. They got a call from Hertz about the car they had from there. They were closing the office and they did not want the car brought back there. They told the family to drive it to their destination, Dayton, at no charge or no extra charge, and drop it off up here. So they drove instead of flew back home.

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Are you returning to an airport, sandman? Maybe they will have you return a Corvette or something

Another glimpse into the parallel universe of German rental fleets. Sixt now has the new style E cabrio - check out the odd wheels, not offered in this market:



A diesel cabrio, yes, it's a thing:



I'd be thrilled with a loaded new style E coupe as my upcoming rental.

Someone else got this forbidden fruit - C43 wagon:

It hasn't gotten any prettier.

berri

Let's just call it Teutonic functionality

fintail

If you want pretty cars, you'll need to shop for vintage cars - cars haven't been "pretty" for a long time.

berri

What if you are into Anime

ab348

This is what the E Cabrio wheels reminded me of from 2011:

fintail

I can see the similarity. I see those derived from the ~03 A8 (Schreyer):

kyfdx

To me, they look like the aero wheels off of any number of hybrid models.

fintail

I find angled spokes seem to be a thing on several hybrids, maybe to make it look more dynamic and exciting.

kyfdx

Final report on my rental in Seattle, earlier this month.

5 days.. picked up downtown, and dropped off at SEA-TAC.
Hyundai Elantra. About 500 miles, total.
$191 including all taxes/fees.

fintail

Sounds like a decent deal for this area, where rentals are notoriously expensive. Would it have been 50% more at Seatac?

kyfdx

fintail said:

Sounds like a decent deal for this area, where rentals are notoriously expensive. Would it have been 50% more at Seatac?

Yeah, pretty close. Worked out well, as we were staying downtown, and didn't need it until the day we were leaving for Portland.

fintail

Recent highlights from the German forum:\

Sixt Tegel:
BMW X5M
BMW M2
BMW M3
BMW M4
BMW i8
MB GLS
Audi S6
Abarth 124
Golf GTD

Sixt Hamburg Reeperbahn:
Mustang 5.0
440i Cabrio
520d Lim
Touareg
750Li
S-Class with biturbo badge
Alfa Spider

And locally to me, choose your color of Sentra/Altima/Corolla/Camry/Elantra/Sonata. Oh, I saw a rental Mirage on the road recently.

fintail

Spotted a pair of rentals in the workplace parking garage - Taurus Limited, and something odd, a Passat R-Line.

berri

Taurus Limited ...as in its appeal

fintail

Production is probably Limited to the amount of fleet buyers who want one - I can't imagine there are many retail sales anymore - a Fusion will be just fine for most people.

Sandman6472

Drove a VW Tiguan rental today at work and was surprised how well it's 2.0T engine drove. No turbo lag whatsoever like I feel on my Golf 1.8T engine. It pulled nicely away from each stop with no drama and was fun to stomp on that gas pedal and just go! Deep down in my gut, I knew it's what I should've bought back in 2013 but the price kept me away. Looking back, pretty foolish on my part!
With both hurricanes coming so close, rentals are very hard to come by right now. A few folks came in without reservations and they were turned away as we just don't have extra's. State Farm customers come first as they are one of our biggest clients. And then those who've already made reservations come next. Hopefully once everything settles down and folks either get their damaged vehicles back or purchase new ones with the insurance money, then I think the supply will go back to normal. But right now, things are tough out there!! Glad I made my reservation at a good time.

The Sandman

fintail

I find it weird to imagine people just saunter in to a rental car agency without a reservation. I've never done that, never thought of it. I guess there can be emergencies, but I bet some people don't plan.

berri

Tiguan might be a good road trip option for your journey Sandman. VW tends to have good room and seating.

andres3

fintail said:

I find it weird to imagine people just saunter in to a rental car agency without a reservation. I've never done that, never thought of it. I guess there can be emergencies, but I bet some people don't plan.

I think I did that once, probably a bit out of procrastination, but also knowing there was an Enterprise just 2 blocks from the body shop I was going to. Won't do it again as I think I paid $40 all-in for a Versa (or similar like) automobile.

Mr_Shiftright

berri said:

Tiguan might be a good road trip option for your journey Sandman. VW tends to have good room and seating.

Tiguan is a very nice vehicle, and under appreciated in the marketplace.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:

Tiguan might be a good road trip option for your journey Sandman. VW tends to have good room and seating.

Tiguan is a very nice vehicle, and under appreciated in the marketplace.

It is huge compared to the previous generation.

Sandman6472

Definitely enjoyed the one I drove this week and like I said earlier, should've bought one years ago. On a side note, drove a 2017 Jetta S today from West Palm back to our office. It accelerated so much better than my Golf again with zero turbo lag at all. Just wondering which engine it had and why my Golf doesn't drive so spritely?? When I needed to pass on the highway, just hit the gas and it took off like a bat outta he'll, truly enjoyable. Should I just be leaving my tyranny in "S" mode the whole time now???

The Sandman

suydam

We have had. 2017 Jeep Renegade for the last 4 Days. It’s a very solid vehicle. Very comfortable on the highway. Kind of bulky for driving around town. Decent gas mileage.. A few things are surprisingly hard to figure out, like wiper switches and the auto headlights. It’s got push button start which is a plus, but no blind spot warning or other safety features. Definitely not as nice as my Encore, but a decent rental experience. A good vehicle for 2 people.

andres3

Where can I find a Viper ACR in the rental fleet?

fintail

Probably nowhere. If it does exist, it would be in an independent/specialty fleet, likely in a place like Vegas or Miami, with a hefty rate. Definitely not in a corporate fleet, and I am not aware of any corporate fleet having a Viper of any model.

berri

suydam, give me an update when you get one with somewhere around 40K on the odometer. That seems to be the point where rental Cherokee becomes a pile, but with the Renegade on a different chassis perhaps it will hold up better?

berri

I'm not even sure if you can get a Chrysler 300 with a hemi as a rental anymore?

Michaell

berri said:

I'm not even sure if you can get a Chrysler 300 with a hemi as a rental anymore?

Last year, I convinced my boss to select a Charger with a Hemi from National. That was fun to drive.

fintail

Kind of on-topic, I saw a previous gen S4 being used for Lyft duty today.

suydam

berri said:

suydam, give me an update when you get one with somewhere around 40K on the odometer. That seems to be the point where rental Cherokee becomes a pile, but with the Renegade on a different chassis perhaps it will hold up better?

We had it 5 days. It was a good choice. I think it had 19k on it. It was in very good shape. I think it's more a crossover kind of Jeep than the Cherokee which suited me fine. I think we put 300 miles on it. Cost $169 which I think is decent.