Rental Car Experiences?

ab348

Sandy, the Toyota Yaris IA is what @iluvmysephia1 has been entertaining us about on Cars & Conversations. He'd be happy to hear your endorsement!

imidazol97

ab348 said:

Sandy, the Toyota Yaris IA is what @iluvmysephia1 has been entertaining us about on Cars & Conversations. He'd be happy to hear your endorsement!

I thought of hiim when I was reading that review.

I enjoy reading Sandy's reviews of his drive times in various cars. The only variable is that the equipment
is different from model level to model level, and the rental units are the lesser equipped.

fintail

From my experience, at Hertz especially.

imidazol97 said:

I enjoy reading Sandy's reviews of his drive times in various cars. The only variable is that the equipment
is different from model level to model level, and the rental units are the lesser equipped.

iluvmysephia1

Enjoyed that Toyota Yaris iA review, sandman. We oughta both pick one up. I like Toyota's Pulse (red) for my copy. Would you get the CVT! Huh? Not that schnickerly Mazda 6-speed?

Sandman6472

Not a CVT lover, my oldest has one in her Nissan Versa. Works well enough though. The new Corolla and Civic take the CVT and make it more user friendly. Real happy with my VW Golf still, still makes me smile after three plus years of ownership and hoping to keep it till at least 60K or so, something doable unless things go south on it. Just not ready to give it up at this juncture!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Have driven a few Volvo S90's at work lately and they do drive nicely. Unfortunately, the HVAC and infotainment systems take some real practice getting used to. Ample acceleration but think there's better choices out there.
Very impressed with the Infiniti's we have though. Comfortable, great acceleration and not too difficult to learn the essential controls and such. Have yet to try the small X30 hatch which I could see owning in the future. Basically a cheaper GLA 250, just more affordable. Sizewise, know it'll fit on my side of the garage with some room to spare.

The Sandman

Michaell

At LAX waiting for my bag. Supposed to ping Silvercar when I get on the shuttle. 

Fingers crossed this all goes well. 

kyfdx

Michaell said:

At LAX waiting for my bag. Supposed to ping Silvercar when I get on the shuttle. 

Fingers crossed this all goes well. 

Eight hours later.... Did you get a car?

Michaell

Sorry for the delay. Yes, a 2017 A4 is now parked in my moms drieway. 

It it was a pretty good experience. Once I got to the parking structure where they are located, I found about 15-20 cars parked together. No sign of anybody around, so I wasn’t quite sure what to next.

Fortunately, a concierge pulled up at that moment. He offered me a 20% discount if I took a 2015 MY. I declined, and he led me to a 2017 with 5800 miles on it. A quick walk around to check for damage, a few more minutes for an orientation inside, and I was off. 

Since it was late and I had about an hours drive, I haven’t had a chance to play with all the features. I plugged my phone in to get CarPlay, which I’m familiar with. I also got about 33-34 MPG on the drive home. There was 10 minutes of idling as I got familiar with things, then about 95% of the rest of the trip was highway at 70MPH. 

More to come as I run errands today. 

Sandman6472

Whenever we go to MIA, we pass the Silvercar location and always see about 10 vehicles outside plus some parked going into the garage. Just wonder if their prices are affordable enough for folks to pay the premium to go with them in the first place.

The Sandman

fintail

That 2015 MY thing is weird, never had anything like that happen before. I wonder if there's something weird in their business model making them keep the older car. For a mere 20% off, I probably would have passed on the offer too, or tried to negotiate 50% off.

Michaell

My ride for the week. 

andres3

Michaell said:

My ride for the week. 

Everything looks very solid and tight! I like the look of the new Audi A4.

I'd of probably caved in for 30-33.3% off on the 2015 A4.

Michaell

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

My ride for the week. 

Everything looks very solid and tight! I like the look of the new Audi A4.

I'd of probably caved in for 30-33.3% off on the 2015 A4.

Nope, I liked the features that came with the car I had. My son actually connected to the in-car wifi one day while we were touring the fire damage in Ventura.

Even with the smaller wheels and tires, it was a great handling (and riding) vehicle.

fintail

Someone just got this from Sixt at Palma de Mallorca:



1000 Euro for a week

kyfdx

Under $200/day.

I wouldn't spend that to rent a car, but that's not a bad deal.

Michaell

I got an email from Silvercar - they are now offering the Audi Q5 in addition to the A4.

suydam

I’d want a MUCH smaller car in Mallorca. Some of those roads are just paved goat paths.

fintail

The car also has a 1200km limit for the week. Mallorca seems like a place where you wouldn't have a ton of fun in it, other than slow or very slow cruising. Still, a lot cheaper than it would be on this side of the pond.

fintail

A friend of mine is in Tucson, reserved a "premium" car with Budget, received this:



An upgrade due to waiting in line for an hour, according to him.

Sandman6472

Sweet!!!!

The Sandman

Michaell

@fintail - is that a new gen GLE? Hard to tell from the angle of the photo.

fintail

Yep, GLE

Michaell said:

@fintail - is that a new gen GLE? Hard to tell from the angle of the photo.

andres3

Just ran a rate comparison for Silvercar in Phoenix since my Parents will be flying into that City next month. I compared it to LAX for this exercise.

For some reason, AZ and PHO add on a lot more fees, charges, concessions, and add-ons resulting in a rate of about $55/day for a week rental (first-timers 30% discount), whereas LAX was a much cheaper $45/day average. Part of the difference is also just their pricing.

andres3

Here's the breakdown since no one commented on the craziness of Arizona (AZ) and Phoenix (PHO). Crazy, even by rental car and Airport standards:

• $79/day rental for a week = $553 (without first-timers 30% discount).
  
• Personal Coverage Option = $0
  
• Facility Charge = $42
  
• Concessions = $41.64 (that's a lot of hot dogs!)
  
• Transaction Privilege Tax = $67.48 (whichever gov't bureaucrat came up with this name should be hanged).
  
• Vehicle Rental Tax = $31.83
  
• County Surcharge = $20.69
  

On the bright side at least with Silvercar you get guaranteed free:

Navigation/Sat radio
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Quattro AWD
Toll Tracking
Leather & Sunroof
Car Seat upon request

Gas is reasonable $5 +$5/gallon (although in AZ this isn't a good deal if you elect to save yourself a gas station visit).

kyfdx

Over $100/day?

I rented a Dodge Charger from National at the Mesa airport, last year. My total cost was under $50/day.

An Audi A4 is not a big enough upgrade to basically double my rate.

andres3

kyfdx said:

Over $100/day?

I rented a Dodge Charger from National at the Mesa airport, last year. My total cost was under $50/day.

An Audi A4 is not a big enough upgrade to basically double my rate.

Agreed! However, with the first-timers discount I ran the numbers on their website, and it makes the deal worth recommending!

$544.62/week = about $78 per day. Now your talking, especially if you'll be driving (they will be, as they are meeting us in Sedona flying from Sacramento (they could fly directly into Sedona, but apparently there are no non-stops and/or it's prohibitively expensive).

He said he had reserved a "Camry or similar" originally. I'm betting it was about $50/day too. He didn't know or remember though.

The week does cover the "holiday" weekend in February, so that might be boosting prices a bit.

kyfdx

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

Over $100/day?

I rented a Dodge Charger from National at the Mesa airport, last year. My total cost was under $50/day.

An Audi A4 is not a big enough upgrade to basically double my rate.

Agreed! However, with the first-timers discount I ran the numbers on their website, and it makes the deal worth recommending!

$544.62/week = about $78 per day. Now your talking, especially if you'll be driving (they will be, as they are meeting us in Sedona flying from Sacramento (they could fly directly into Sedona, but apparently there are no non-stops and/or it's prohibitively expensive).

He said he had reserved a "Camry or similar" originally. I'm betting it was about $50/day too. He didn't know or remember though.

The week does cover the "holiday" weekend in February, so that might be boosting prices a bit.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Sedona has scheduled passenger service.

$544/week would make me throw up..

kyfdx

Just checked... Saturday to Saturday weekly rental at PHX, starting Presidents Day weekend.
$296, including all taxes and fees.
Emerald Aisle at National, PHX Sky Harbor Airport.

andres3

kyfdx said:

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

Over $100/day?

I rented a Dodge Charger from National at the Mesa airport, last year. My total cost was under $50/day.

An Audi A4 is not a big enough upgrade to basically double my rate.

Agreed! However, with the first-timers discount I ran the numbers on their website, and it makes the deal worth recommending!

$544.62/week = about $78 per day. Now your talking, especially if you'll be driving (they will be, as they are meeting us in Sedona flying from Sacramento (they could fly directly into Sedona, but apparently there are no non-stops and/or it's prohibitively expensive).

He said he had reserved a "Camry or similar" originally. I'm betting it was about $50/day too. He didn't know or remember though.

The week does cover the "holiday" weekend in February, so that might be boosting prices a bit.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Sedona has scheduled passenger service.

$544/week would make me throw up..

I think you'd throw up less when you realize a Camry would cost you over $350 anyway. Of course, I'm sure there might be better deals out there if your willing to settle for a common car.

fintail

Are those fees in the $553 or on top of it?

$100/day, wow. The F-Type in Germany cost less than that, including full $0 deductible insurance and 19% tax. However, it was an off-airport/train station location - in Germany, these carry a significant tax, I think an additional 19%.

andres3

kyfdx said:

Just checked... Saturday to Saturday weekly rental at PHX, starting Presidents Day weekend.
$296, including all taxes and fees.
Emerald Aisle at National, PHX Sky Harbor Airport.

Camry or similar? Which I suppose is like Charger or similar in some circles.

andres3

fintail said:

Are those fees in the $553 or on top of it?

$100/day, wow. The F-Type in Germany cost less than that, including full $0 deductible insurance and 19% tax. However, it was an off-airport/train station location - in Germany, these carry a significant tax, I think an additional 19%.

I remember getting a rental in Vegas for like $5/day, of course, the real cost was still pretty normal once all fees were added (from Airport).

The costs at Silvercar for Friday to Friday 16 to 23rd of Feb were $757 for 7 days (all-in w/o discount), and $545 (all-in w/ discount). So the 30% savings seems to be accurate.

fintail

I think a Camry might be a "full sized" car now, Charger a "premium", at least Hertz does it that way.

I had a Hertz "premium" Charger once, one of those weird virtually zero option cars that don't seem to exist other than in fleets.

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

Just checked... Saturday to Saturday weekly rental at PHX, starting Presidents Day weekend.
$296, including all taxes and fees.
Emerald Aisle at National, PHX Sky Harbor Airport.

Camry or similar? Which I suppose is like Charger or similar in some circles.

fintail

The discount price seems OK for the location and a premium car, the normal price is pretty wacky.

Sometimes from mainstream carriers, you can book a cheaper car and negotiate a paid upgrade, but it can be hit and miss, and Audis are not common.

andres3 said:

I remember getting a rental in Vegas for like $5/day, of course, the real cost was still pretty normal once all fees were added (from Airport).

The costs at Silvercar for Friday to Friday 16 to 23rd of Feb were $757 for 7 days (all-in w/o discount), and $545 (all-in w/ discount). So the 30% savings seems to be accurate.

berri

Rental rates vary hugely based on the discounts you are eligible for. Mesa cheaper than PHX makes sense because I believe PHX has some big airport upgrades to pay for and concessions like rental cover some of that.

kyfdx

Well, that last $296 quote was PHX. I rented from Mesa, last year.

Emerald Aisle varies. Mustang convertibles, Chargers, Explorer, Escape, Camry. Decent, roomy transportation.

If I’m paying 75% more, it’s not going to be for an A4.

The Jag F-Type, Mustang GT, or something else I don’t normally get to drive. Not for a 3-Series, A4 or C-Class. That $200 would likely buy our drinks for a week! (please don’t ask me to prove that).

andres3

kyfdx said:

Well, that last $296 quote was PHX. I rented from Mesa, last year.

Emerald Aisle varies. Mustang convertibles, Chargers, Explorer, Escape, Camry. Decent, roomy transportation.

If I’m paying 75% more, it’s not going to be for an A4.

The Jag F-Type, Mustang GT, or something else I don’t normally get to drive. Not for a 3-Series, A4 or C-Class. That $200 would likely buy our drinks for a week! (please don’t ask me to prove that).

Something to be said for having a guaranteed loaded premium luxury model sedan though. The "or similar" clause other rental places use can be taken liberally to the customer's disadvantage.

Unless you like the spontaneity of being surprised! Is the fact I know I won't be swapped a 320i for the 252 HP A4 quattro worth a 75% premium? Probably not, but it's worth something. Could be worse than a 320i too. We need a car that can hold 4 adults and 1 child comfortably. I think the A4 does that job well; especially the '17 model (though that isn't guaranteed.

The AWD will come in handy if we encounter some of AZ's unpaved roads.

fordfool

andres3 said:

Here's the breakdown since no one commented on the craziness of Arizona (AZ) and Phoenix (PHO). Crazy, even by rental car and Airport standards:

• $79/day rental for a week = $553 (without first-timers 30% discount).
  
• Personal Coverage Option = $0

Is this their way of letting you know that the insurance "option" isn't really an "option,"
but that they are ramming the charge down your throat by including the insurance charge
in the $79 per day charge? :@

andres3

fordfool said:

andres3 said:

Here's the breakdown since no one commented on the craziness of Arizona (AZ) and Phoenix (PHO). Crazy, even by rental car and Airport standards:

• $79/day rental for a week = $553 (without first-timers 30% discount).
  
• Personal Coverage Option = $0

Is this their way of letting you know that the insurance "option" isn't really an "option,"
but that they are ramming the charge down your throat by including the insurance charge
in the $79 per day charge? :@

Oh no, you can opt to pay way more than $79/day if you'd like! I think they are using the rental car pricing standard scheme that if you don't get 25% or more off, you are overpaying by 25% or more

Other insurance options are "corporate/business insurance" and of course, Silvercar Insurance.

fintail

Here's an Andres dream car rented from Audi on Demand in das Vaterland:

fintail

Saw what looked like a highish spec Corolla rental today - HIDs, wheels, sunroof - roof is rare on US rentals of that size.

Also saw a first gen Infiniti FX in Lyft service.

Sandman6472

Think Toyota came out with a 35th Anniversary edition Corolla, a bit gussied up. Still not loving their CVT tranny in the Corolla. Honda did a much better one in their Civic and if I hadn't known it was one, would never guess it did. Shifts like a normal auto tranny and even the tach moves like it should. Would love another Civic but must have Sirius/XM, leather seating surfaces and a digital readout for the speedometer. Would also like 17" wheels and tires with at least a 60 series tire.

The Sandman

andres3

fintail said:

Here's an Andres dream car rented from Audi on Demand in das Vaterland:

HMMMMM, not sure if I dig the flat black contrasting front lip spoiler on the front fascia. I prefer the TTS all body color method. Pick a paint color you like, and put it just about everywhere.

But that could be fixed, or lived with! Just put my OZ wheels on that baby, give her a good detail, and I'll make room in my garage.

fintail

TTRS is quite a rare bird here, isn't it? I don't recall seeing any on the road here yet, and I live in a place where they'd sell.

andres3 said:

HMMMMM, not sure if I dig the flat black contrasting front lip spoiler on the front fascia. I prefer the TTS all body color method. Pick a paint color you like, and put it just about everywhere.

But that could be fixed, or lived with! Just put my OZ wheels on that baby, give her a good detail, and I'll make room in my garage.

fintail

I wonder if the anniversary edition is a way to try to make sales meet production - special edition stuff used to be trick to help sagging sales. Corolla shouldn't need help, unless there is too much capacity. For all of the flack GM took about rental fleets, I see an awful lot of Toyota and Hyunkia rentals around here, while Honda rentals are quite rare.

sandman_6472 said:

Think Toyota came out with a 35th Anniversary edition Corolla, a bit gussied up. Still not loving their CVT tranny in the Corolla. Honda did a much better one in their Civic and if I hadn't known it was one, would never guess it did. Shifts like a normal auto tranny and even the tach moves like it should. Would love another Civic but must have Sirius/XM, leather seating surfaces and a digital readout for the speedometer. Would also like 17" wheels and tires with at least a 60 series tire.

The Sandman

andres3

fintail said:

TTRS is quite a rare bird here, isn't it? I don't recall seeing any on the road here yet, and I live in a place where they'd sell.

andres3 said:

HMMMMM, not sure if I dig the flat black contrasting front lip spoiler on the front fascia. I prefer the TTS all body color method. Pick a paint color you like, and put it just about everywhere.

But that could be fixed, or lived with! Just put my OZ wheels on that baby, give her a good detail, and I'll make room in my garage.

All TT's (TT/TTS/TTRS) are rare birds now. I think 2-door coupes have gone the way of the sedan?

Everyone wants an SQ5 or SQ7 now. Maybe the S5 Sportback baby S7 look.

The only reason I've seen a current generation TTRS on the road is during club/group drives/cruises/track events. No random sightings.

andres3

The "Launch" edition of the TTS when the 3rd generation first came out was a pretty good deal and equipment level. It was limited, and sold out fairly quickly I'm told. Only defect was you had to want a metallic black pearl car.

I was told I couldn't "order" a Launch Edition TTS (you had to be an early adopter). Of course, I don't have Bill Gates money to test that theory.

fintail

From another forum, current cars in stock at the Sixt branch where I rented in November:

BMW 550i
Audi A6 Avant
Audi S6 Avant
BMW 540i Touring
Numerous 5ers waiting for registration
7er waiting for registration
Numerous smaller cars

An amusingly different world from the sea of Hyunkias and Nissans in most American fleets.

Michaell

I've got another trip to CA planned for March. Silvercar sent me a promotional code, so I'm paying $48/day for this rental.

If I'm asked if I want a 2015 for an additional discount, I think I'll take it this time.