Rental Car Experiences?

stever · September 2013

A trip out to LA may be in my future in a couple of months - any idea of the best way to lock in a Prius V rental? Assuming I can even find an outfit that rents them, it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't there when I arrive. An off-airport rental would be okay too.

Hm, one in Beverly Hills for $100 a day and .35 a mile.

iluvmysephia1 · September 2013

are ya sure ya don't want to rent the Prius C instead...the more economatic one?

stever · September 2013

I'm afraid the seats will be different in the C, the "regular" one and the V. And I want some seat time (several hours) in the seats of the V.

Missed you in NM a few weeks ago btw.

fintail · September 2013

I am unaware of the V or C being in any mainstream fleet. I know the normal Prius is in several fleets - Hertz, Avis/Budget, I think National/Alamo, and maybe more, but I've only seen the normal style. That specialty rate you quote is insane, especially with a mileage penalty - what's the point of that on a hybrid?

And the C seating mention is true, at least for my friend (same one who I was with in Orlando and is now in Milwaukee). He has one, and the seats kill him - anything more than 2 hours is intolerable. I've taken one road trip with him in it, and it wasn't too bad for me, but maybe I am more limber.

stever · September 2013

I've heard a few other similar reports. Is your friend an "average" size? I am, and most seats are fine, but the Outback isn't very good after a couple of hours. Really dread losing my current van seats - may have make living room furniture out of them.

fintail · September 2013

Yes, he is 5'9", average build. I am 6'1" and just a little heavier, but maybe I somehow have a better tolerance. I will say my car is a lot more comfortable than his

FWIW, I think his issue is with lumbar support, or a lack thereof.

stever · September 2013

You're not encouraging me. I was 5'9" when I was his age, lol. The lumbar in the Outback barely helps.

fintail · September 2013

Maybe a back cushion of some kind would help - something my friend doesn't want to do. He has said the lack of adjustable lumbar will be a deal breaker in his next car. I've never had an issue with MB seats, but they do seem to be designed for tall well built people.

stever · September 2013

Sure, but that's a hassle that I want to avoid in a new car. Lucked out in the Quest since we didn't test drive it all that long. And minivan seats are more upright than sedans anyway, which likely helps.

After a decade or so, the '82 Tercel seats started breaking down and a rolled up t-shirt helped there. The main saving grace of the Outback is that I can run the heat to fix my back as it kills it.

Wonder if Fitzmall rents 'em. I'll be near DC this fall for a while too.

fintail · September 2013

Just get another van, then. Mopar vans are practically being given away these days.

Heated seats can make a difference. I am pretty sure my friend's C doesn't have them (but it does have a stone age looking and painfully slow nav system)

stever · September 2013

We wanna downsize the car and upsize the mpg. And we want all the gizmos.

fintail · September 2013

The V might be a good choice for that, and as Prius goes, it is the least visually offensive (at least to me).

I am sure you've asked around on owner forums about the seats?

stever · September 2013

Just skim the posts now and then. We could still be a year or two away.

But being able to rent one now could steer us away (or create some car fever). Too bad it's so hard to do. Not close enough to a dealer to try to swing an overnight or weekend demo.

fintail · September 2013

If there's no local dealer, that might be a bad sign right there. Are seats in the V actually different than in a normal Prius?

stever · September 2013

Dunno, but I assume they are. Plus the Prii are getting a big update for 2015 but the V is so new it may not get the same treatment.

There's no local dealer for anything around here LOLOL. Any car shopping or maintenance is a minimum two hour round trip, four for most Asian brands. Forget BMW or Mercedes-Benz. VWs are about six hours away RT.

Car rental is around, just over an hour away.

fintail · September 2013

A friend of mine had a job offer in Marquette a couple years ago (he didn't take it) - he told me that in his interview, they told him which vehicles he'd want to have there, and that anything else could be a problem.

stever · September 2013

That's why the in-laws switched from their BMW to a Buick when they moved here.

fintail · September 2013

Probably not a bad idea. My friend was going to buy a Ford if he moved there.

In rental news, today I read that a 2014 E-class was spotted at National in Boston. I'd pay a little for an upgrade to that on my upcoming LAX rental (as I got a good base rate).

Budget/Avis - 3x Fusion, 2x Jetta, Passat, Dart, Charger, a few others, saw a rental 14 Impala on the road.

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Wish that were true but the agent is the person who doles out the vehicles and assigns our licenses to them. My crew chief just hands them out to us and no one usually changes vehicles. For Hertz and Dollar, I have swapped vehicles a few times since I didn't feel comfortable with a Suburban for awhile...now I love them, the Escalade's and the Tahoes. I do prefer working for Sixt because I usually do great when they choose for us like Sunday had a nice Town and Country for that short trip. Luckily, i know car key fobs and makes to know which one's potentially have SAT radio and such and try to get them. But to be fair, sometimes I do have to drive a lesser vehicle so folks won't [non-permissible content removed] about me taking the "good" vehicles...a bunch of babies I know, but it is what it is! Personally, I am happy when others get "good" cars also and on a number of occasions have given a vehicle to someone else who I've heard mention they've never had one and do want to try one. I listen and hear which most folks do not and do try to keep all happy which makes everyone's day happy and if I have to take one for the team, I definitely will. I was taught how to play well with others...comes in very handy now!

On the boss front, I think we've got an "understanding" now as he's been super friendly, laughing with me, even smiling at me. Kinda nice and he worked me today, gave me off tomorrow and put me on Wednesday's crew since I can drive to the Hertz store. So much nicer but he did have words with a co-worker who was smoking in the new vehicles and he's been suspended...guess I don't look so bad as all I asked for is fairness and equal access at any hours he has! Starting Thursday, he's going to play management for about a week so we'll see what the sub chase driver does, a co-worker who used to do this job a few years back and had to leave for another opportunity but has returned in the last few months...a real good egg!

So as of now, work is great and the season is getting ready to start in South Florida and I am willing, ready & able to hit the road for some road trips!

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · September 2013

I had a '14 Impala rental for our Orlando run on Saturday and it was the old one...not the new version that just came out. The fleet version is the old model but mine came with 6 miles on the odo and the seats had leather surfaces and a leather steering wheel cover and it was a blast to drive...I can just imagine what the new and improved one drives like! Hopefully one day I will get to try one even if it's on a short lot to lot trip. Had a few different vehicles today...couple of Civics...'12 and '13, a '13 Soul, a '13 Corolla, a '13 Avenger, a '13 Malibu and finally a '13 Mazda 3. When we work for the outer Hertz location, we drive a lot of vehicles to the local BMW store, tire places, the airports in Lauderdale and Miami and other Hertz locations around the two county area. But so far, this contract seems to be working out and will be tweaked i would imagine to keep the crew chiefs on the road for the season. A fun day but my back went into spasm with the last pick up of the day so I'm pretty much in agony right now waiting for the drugs to kick in already! Crap!!!

The Unhappy Sandman :confuse: :sick:

fintail · September 2013

I think the old Impala is being called the "Classic", a dopey thing Chevy has done in the past for fleet only models. I guess they might all have the 3.6 now, might be the only saving grace.

Rental Civics are pretty rare.

I am kind of surprised that people are to into having a nice car, just to move it from one lot to another. I'd look at the variety as being more interesting.

lemko · September 2013

I recall seeing the old 1997-era Malibu as a "Classic." Ironically, it still had the Chevy bowtie/Malibu wave logo on the back. My wife got stuck with one as a rental one time and it brought back memories of her thoroughly mediocre 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan! "Classic" is a stupid name. Makes me think of either the old Rambler or that the first part of the nameplate fell off - i.e. "Malibu Classic" or "Caprice Classic."

fintail · September 2013

Yeah around 03 or whenever the new Malibu finally came around, the old one soldiered on for a couple years as a fleet queen. I guess Chevy does it already,with the Captiva.

And Classic, it aint!

ab348 · September 2013

I have a trip upcoming in October and have a "standard size" rental reservation at Dollar in Norfolk, Va. Any idea what is in their fleet and what I might get? I have never dealt with Dollar Rent a Car previously.

suydam · September 2013

We got stuck with what must have been one of those Malibu Classics as a rental in California years ago. At the time I had no idea what make it actually was. It was one of our worst rentals ever -- slow to merge on the freeway and hopeless over the Conejo Pass. Now I have a name to put to that disaster!

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Dollar is now part of Hertz so try their website also to see the category of vehicles. Please try the Chrysler 200 but get the one with the alloy wheels and 18" tires since it'll also have the fatter steering wheel as well as SAT radio plus a power drivers seat. The 200's with the wheel covers and the 17" tire stock do not have any of the goodies. You won't be sorry as they are also a good outfit to rent from...we used to do lots of work for them before the merger recently. And also try to get a Captiva if you can, and LTZ model as they usually have the SAT radio also and the nicer interior and alloys.

The Sandman

fintail · September 2013

I think "standard" is sometimes kind of a catch-all for "whatever is available" (above a certain size). You might get something like a Corolla or Avenger, you might get an Impala, maybe even a small SUV. I find it funny that their site lists the Galant, which I think is out of production, and was virtually fleet-only for the past several years.

fintail · September 2013

In the US, you can rent obsolete new Impalas, In Germany, this is in the mainstream fleets

Sandman6472 · September 2013

But trust me, there are plenty Galants left in the fleet...a co-worker drove one yesterday and I drove one last week. Pretty basic transportation but it gets the job done. A shame that they just couldn't get that vehicle right but it is what it is!

The Sandman

fintail · September 2013

I had one as a rental in 2010. It was...a car. Nothing wrong with it, other than it is ancient. They date back to 2004 and are probably the oldest volume production car still in fleets (if the Crown Vics haven't finally aged out of Hertz). It's almost like a new retro car, but nobody is pining for the design and performance of 10 years ago.

berri · September 2013

That Galant might make some sense. Dollar and Thrifty, at least in the past, were often loaded with Chrysler products. Mitsu used to have ties with Chrysler here. I've only driven a couple of Mitsubishi vehicles and they were just kind of blobs to me.

fintail · September 2013

Hertz has a new way to spend money fast

Also, the new-old Impala is the "Limited", not "Classic.

I saw a Hertz Infiniti Q56 today, and a woman smoking in a rental Explorer.

Sandman6472 · September 2013

They really frown upon that stupidity. Lost a coworker on Saturday because he got caught by the boss after there were complaints about someone in our crew. The Hertz folks called my bosses boss and all hell broke loose as well it should especially with brand spanking new vehicles. I missed the discussion but words were said back and forth and now he ain't in our crew no more! [non-permissible content removed] should of just said he was sorry and cleaned the ashes out of the ash tray but his pride got in the way I think. Now I know why there was a strange vibe in the van when I got into it for the ride home...and no one was talking at all!

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Had a busy day at the Hertz office today... we were busy from the moment we walked in till 4:30 or so. Much better that way. Will miss next Thursday due to my eye surgery and will only be gone one day...yay! Things have definitely improved with the boss and myself and I am very pleased about this. Did have to turn down a couple of other part time jobs I applied and got because I have the best gut feeling about this one and feel that I will get the 4 or so days/week I need to get. I am a happy camper once again!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail · September 2013

That's just amazing...I can't imagine smoking in someone else's brand new car, and on top of that a car I am being paid to drive. And then apparently getting lippy when confronted about it. Bad judgment to a high degree.

obyone · September 2013

And he didn't bother to clean the ashtray...simply amazing.

suydam · September 2013

Cars have ashtrays?

igozoomzoom · September 2013

Some older designs still do. On most new models, the 'Smokers Package' consists of a cigarette lighter and an ash cup that occupies one of the cupholder spots.....

The way you asked the question "Cars have ashtrays?" really struck me as amusing. It reminded me of the time when my I went on a 'detox' diet and I told my best friend I could only drink water for two weeks....He responded with a confused look on his face, "Water?" So I had to put it into context for him- "I told him it's a mixer, we have it with Whiskey!"

Anyway....

fintail · September 2013

Saw a rental S60 today, likely National.

Avis/Budget had a huge variety today, everything from Rio to Passat, all the expected models (Malibu, Fusion, Caravan, Cruze, Jetta, etc).

I also received my invoice from Sixt - drove over 1200 miles both cars combined, not bad. They also give the price of each car, hidden in acronyms in the very Germanic pile of numbers. X5 was 53K, E was 51K.

Sandman6472 · September 2013

Worked two days at Hertz this week and just got called to do a double run from Lauderdale to West Palm so off I go. Glad that I am so flexible that I can just pick up within the hour and leave. Having my surgery next Thursday, I moved it up a week before we get really busy and will only be out 1 day plus will be an hour late on Friday after follow up visit. Am very happy though the wife is a bit apprehensive but I really hate my glasses so it's a win/win for me here.

Wonder if we'll be getting brand new Suburbans, Tahoes, Captivas or Impalas for today's run...it's for Sixt! Will check back in later folks.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

fintail · October 2013

Most interesting things at Avis/Budget were a Prius and a base model 300.

I read on another forum that another member there has received a new S-class from Sixt in Germany.

Sandman6472 · October 2013

Got a Captiva and a new Impala Classic so all was good. Surgery was last Wednesday and all is good except reading is not back 100%...that will take a few weeks they said but the distance is 20/25 now...crazy good for me!! Worked at Hertz last Friday and was all good but busy, did lot to lot today for Dollar but they were not organized which made the my boss real pissy so the day went badly...he was yelling at us for stupid stuff, basically for the lack of Dollars communication so I avoided him most of the afternoon. Guess he got over it cause just got texted to do 2 runs from Miami to Lauderdale in the morning for Hertz but I did let him know my surgery was quite expensive, like several thousands expwnsive, and I need to work as much as he can give me. I am very grateful and he knows this but I just wish he'd like "calm down" a bit as he has great workers and he needs to just communicate better and we will make him shine!

The Sandman

fintail · October 2013

Funny how some are happy with the simplest cars

There are two Prius on the Avis/Budget lot today. And something odd in the row of boredom, a new Audi Q5. I didn't get close enough to spot a barcode, but it was lacking a license plate frame, which is a positive rental indicator on a late model car. It could have been a worker or visitor's car, but Audis are not unknown in fleets.

ohenryx · October 2013

it was lacking a license plate frame, which is a positive rental indicator on a late model car.

If the license plate frame bears an advertisement for the dealer (usually the case), I take it off and throw it away. It never occurred to me that people would think my cars were rental units.

fintail · October 2013

You're probably 1:20 who do so. As I said, a positive indicator, but not something definite. However, no plate frame + narrow barcode (unlike the wider ones used to access gated developments in second world areas like FL) = rental.

Sandman6472 · October 2013

It's been a busy week here. We were supposed to do two Miami to Lauderdale runs for Hertz yesterday at 9 but naturally they had no clue we were coming so we sat for an hour until the paper work got done and instead of the 7 vehicles, they only had 6 and no one was volunteering not to drive. I finally spoke up after a few very uncomfortable minutes and said that I would sit this one out but we had to split the money between us all as it wasn't my fault they screwed up. So I road shotgun with a buddy and we'll all share the same amount. On the next run, they had enough vehicles and I decided to try the Lincoln Mountaineer, it looks like an Expedition but a Lincoln one...or maybe an Exploder Lincoln. Whatever, it drove like an older vehicle even though it had under 25k on it...the new Explorers are so nice compared to this beast.

Around 2, we got a call that Sixt had 30 vehicles that needed to come to Lauderdale from Miami but that they wouldn't be ready until 5 or so. After a bunch of whiners complaining, we had to come up with 3 more bodies. My boss got 2 right off the bat but we had a tough time finding a third but I mentioned a guy from the other team and he agreed to come on over. I got to drive a Genesis, a Beetle and a '12 Ford Taurus which was in pretty beat up shape and the speedometer area had some issues and it was hardly legible...some defect must of cropped up but I was able to manage. We started our day at 8 and didn't finish until 9:15 but all in all, it all worked out nicely but the point that came through to everyone is that flexibility is the key here...[non-permissible content removed] happens and ya just gotta role with the punches!

During all this chaos, the boss tells us he needs 10 for an Orlando run today of brand new Chevy Impala's, with 9 being LTZ models with spoilers. We met at 8 again and after getting there and putting on the transporter tags, off we head to the local gas station to fill up as they put minimal petrol in at the factory. Our regular Shell has all the pumps closed so off down the road we caravan and get to a station with like 12 pumps and proceed to get 'er done. With most of us stopping for a pit stop on the turnpike, we get to Sixt in Orlando by 1:15 or so and within 15 minutes and going through the Mickey D's drive thru, we hit the road down to Lauderdale. Luckily today went very smoothly. On the way home, I get asked to do Hertz tomorrow and since I see my eye doc on Friday and can't work I say sure and then I get a call from the other crew chief that he needs me to go to Key West in the morning. Luckily my boss heard all this and told me to choose and I took the Keys job. He asked another guy in the van to take my place with him so I know he's got another body. I am glad it all worked out.

Lastly, I heard back from a part time gig I applied for over a month ago and this couple from Northern Ireland is looking for a personal driver for a few days a week for a few months and they want me. Still waiting on all the details but they plan to rent a vehicle of their choosing which I would drive them around South Florida in. Not sure what to make of this and texted my boss awhile ago to talk with him about it as i told him that if he objected at all, I would not take it but I feel that I can work both gigs together for the time I would need as the money from this couple is nothing to sneeze at. So we will see once I get the full details and hear what the boss says. I don't want to upset him as if I do, he just won't use me at all as he has some issues with drivers he thinks have deserted him so I have to be very careful here how I approach him with it all.

Feast or famine baby!!! It's nice to be wanted!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stever · October 2013

Sweet - hope the personal driver gig works out. My sister was a flight attendant and there was one guy in Ireland the crews would hire for a day tour when they had layovers. He had a hoot showing the crews around and the crews always had fun too.

stickguy · October 2013

make sure they put you on the rental as an authorized driver.

Sandman6472 · October 2013

Absolutely, if in fact I accept it. Right now, my boss has not answered my text about this as I asked for his advice here. Told him if he's not happy with my plan, I would say "no" and move on and be his exclusive employee sort of...want him to know I am loyal to him because...I am! But if he can spare me so I can do both for awhile, that would be great to. But he's a bit...moody, and he retaliates by not working us if we do something wrong in his "perception"! He won't call you if he gets pissed off and makes you beg which I hate. He also doesn't put you on the bottom if you decline which to me is fair...he decides if the excuse is good or what and how many times one can do it...to me, a denial is a denial is a denial...just go to the back of the line each time. Just seems fair and easy to me!!!

The Sandman

fintail · October 2013

New 2014 style Impala LTZs or vintage retro 2006 style "new" Impala LTZs?

Nothing interesting on the Avis/Budget lot today, but I think one of the Prius has been there for awhile.

Rental Car Experiences?

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy