that is one of the issues with looking at Kias. the local dealer is somewhat on the sketchy side. More like a BHPH lot, they are focused on "getting you approved". Not sure they know what to do with a "middle aged" white color guy that can pay cash, instead of a kid with crappy credit that needs a cosigner!
the other place here has the slogan "KiaKrazy" so not sure they will be much better!
"hard to get my head around the fact that right now, Kia has the most cars I am interested in."
I'm in the same situation, it is amazing how much good product they've turned out in the last two or three years! And with their killer warranty and pricing that undercuts the competition, they're a great value proposition.
I'll get this out of the way...I absolutely despise the looks of the Nissan Cube! I'm a very symmetrical person and I can't cope with the asymmetrical design, not to mention the stupid fake grass patch attached to the dash with velcro!? It's worse than VW's bud vase and flower when the introduced the New Beetle. The driving dynamics are probably decent, since it's based on the Versa, which drives quite well. But I hate the looks...I'd rather drive a Pontiac Aztek!
Thru 5/31/2011, only 10,179 Cubes were sold. In the month of May 2011, only 1,502 were sold. The YTD figure is down 25.3% from the same period last year. Thru 5/31/2010, the Cube sold 13,634 units. Hardly enough units to substantiate importing a low-dollar niche vehicle with a slim profit margin, IMHO.
The Kia Soul is a truly unique vehicle and I can understand why it's selling so well. I test drove one last year and the only complaints I had were with the 4-speed automatic transmission and the gaudy red dashboard in the Sport model. They are giving it a 'refresh' for 2012 including a 6-speed automatic and a minor interior touch-up. Two new engines are also in the cards, both produce more power and better fuel economy. I think they'll sell every one they can build!
But the model I find most interesting for myself is the Forte 5-door. The Forte EX 5-door with 6-speed AT, Tech Package and Power Sunroof stickers for $21,140, but TrueCar.com shows it for $18,653 here in Georgia (including $1k rebate). That includes push button start, smart key, navigation, automatic climate control, fog lamps, auto headlamps and the aforementioned power sunroof. It also has EPA ratings of 26/36mpg. Add in a 100k powertrain warranty and that’s a lot of car for the money!
The sportier SX 5-door is the one that really captures my attention. My only complaint is that the $1000 Leather Package is required to get the $1800 Tech Package. The MSRP will both package and power sunroof is $23,640. But if I skip the Tech Pkg (and the Leather that I don’t want) and just add the power sunroof, the MSRP is down to $20,840. TrueCar shows it as $18,511 locally and it still gets 32mpg highway with the 2.4L engine and 6-speed automatic.
Kia doesn’t break out sales between the 4-door and 5-door Forte, so it’s unknown how many 5-doors they’re selling. But I have read several reports (and talked to two Kia dealers) and they all say that they aren’t selling well at all. The total lack of marketing could be part of the problem! Maybe some rodents should drive one of these for a while and make a commercial???
I don't rent enough to pay much attention to these deals, and if you rent all the time you probably already know about them. But this is a freebie (usually $60 annual fee).
Sign up before 9/30/2011 and get 500 bonus points and a free rental day. The points add up and can be cashed in on free rentals. The rewards program lets you skip the lines and walk right to your car.
US/Canada only (but covers rentals in a few countries in the EU). Not clear if you have to use the free rental before 9/30 or if you just have to sign up before then to get the free year. Some posters did this deal a few years back and have never been charged the annual fee (the charge is automatic, so if you don't want to keep it, you'll have to turn the auto renewal off before the time limit).
I signed up, nice deal. Hertz also has the best highline fleet I have seen in the US (E, C, GLK, M, G, FX etc) - but it isn't cheap. Hertz is seldom the best value on most everyday rentals, but for a free rental, I will probably rent from them this year.
I recently got rid of my car and am now living car-free. Nearly everything I need is within walking/biking distance from my house...except my parents who live about 200 miles away. I used to drive there once or twice a month, but when I was looking into getting rid of my car, I found that it would be significantly cheaper to just rent a car twice a month for the trip, instead of owning my own. So on to my questions.
How do I select a rental car company from the many to choose from? Are there any that offer better rates/deals than others? Do any of them have any kind of frequent renter program? Since I no longer have a car, I don't have car insurance anymore either. Am I covered while driving a rental car, or do I need extra insurance?
Very broad topic there, you'd be better off to simply visit the websites of the various rental firms. Prices have a huge variation, cars and service differ, most have a frequent user program, and insurance can be obtained in a few ways. It all could fill pages here.
Too bad I don't live anyplace where someone needs to rent a car, I could go for this. I've tossed my car keys to friends for years and the worst that ever happened was having to drive an hour to search the ditch where the muffler fell off. My friend heard it hit the pavement and noted the mile marker but couldn't find it in the dark. Got it hung back on for ~$10.
A "2011 change to California's auto-insurance laws has made renting from individuals in the U.S. easier, because insurance companies there are no longer allowed to drop a policyholder simply because he or she is renting their car to others. (Oregon recently passed a similar law, which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012)."
"Enterprise Rent A Car weekend special $9.99 is back 2011-2012 Enterprise rent a car $9.99 certain neighborhood locations weekend special is back on friday August 19th 2011. Should be online hopefully in the next few days to book your weekend rental soon."
I could never do that, I actually care for the things I buy. I wouldn't even rent it to family.
Speaking of car rentals, month after next I'll be renting a car for a couple weeks, and I am already just starting to get geeky about it, debating which company and car class to choose.
Had my choice of anything from The Emerald Aisle..
Lots of Sonatas, couple of Cubes, a Fusion, couple of Malibus... and.... I picked a Camry.. :surprise:
No kidding.... three of us, with the back seat passenger a 6'3" boy... Needed good back seat room, and decent trunk space... Only did 220 miles for the week, but lots of short trips and in and out of the car.. Actually, gave a thought to the Cube, as visibility looked good, and with a tall car, it should have had easy access... but, worried about performance/acceleration.
The Camry has a surprising amount of power for a 4-cylinder.. It can burn rubber and has all the thrust you need to enter/merge on a freeway ramp.. Typical numb steering.. No fun, but a good rental car.
And.. $224 total including all taxes/fees for a full week..
The parking garage we used was also the base for an off-airport Enterprise location.. They had Fiat 500s, Challengers, Crown Vics, among the usual stuff...
Not a bad rate. My mom's Camry is the same...I haven't quite determined what the steering wheel is connected to.
I am now debating what to rent for my trip which is too far off for a sane person to be thinking about. I found a hell of a deal on a premium, but I also like the Infiniti M rental from Hertz...but the former is half the price.
And this morning at the rental car holding area of the Caddy dealer near where I live - a barcode wearing Fiat 500. I think these are Enterprise cars. I've read that the 500 is falling far short of sales projections, so a fleet dump makes sense.
It's always been odd to me that this dealer doesn't have a loaner fleet, unlike every other highline make around here.
Also spotted a National/Alamo Hyundai Genesis recently.
Funny, I thought the Fiat 500 was going to be the preferred conveyance of spoiled daughters, new secretaries, and young mistresses everywhere. Must be the crappy economy because I thought this one for sure would be a hit with the young people. I didn't even think the Fiat name would count against it as those who remember Fiat's first go-around in this country are at least 15-20 years older than the 500's target market. Even my wife thinks it's cute.
I think this was the article I read...lack of dealer exposure is the claimed reason, and I can believe that - I have no idea where the local Fiat dealer is, haven't seen a single ad in print or TV.
They are cheap and cheerful, zero brand cachet so the spoiled stay at home types and others on the dole won't go for it (the Mini at least has BMW blood in it), but should find buyers eventually, if they can promote it right. Fundamental point of marketing is people need to be told what they want.
Could be a fun rental though, is apparently in the normal compact class, no price premium as a "fun car" etc.
Saw another rental Genesis today, maybe doing an end of model year dump. I think these are in the "premium" category which I will be renting from in a couple months for about 2 weeks. If there is one of these to choose, I will strongly consider it.
Some others in that category are yawners like the Lucerne and Grand Marquis fleet only special - I'd take the Hyundai in a heartbeat. The one I saw last even looked decent, appeared to be moderately optioned.
As I am a car rental geek, I have been researching it, it appears I could potentially get many other vehicles as well - Regal, deluxe Taurus, 300, Maxima, Avalon, and maybe even do an upgrade which could land me a S60, Infiniti G, C class, CTS, or others...interesting rentals out there even in mainstream fleets right now.
OK rental car groupie - just kidding! National is a good one for you because they often let you select from a row or section of vehicles. If you belong to something like Hertz Gold or Avis preferred (Wizard), you can give them your preferences and they'll try to oblige. Also, you will tend to get the better cars and upgrades as well.
I am renting from Alamo in ATL - same fleet as National (same corporate group) but better pricing and as you say, you get to choose. I am Hertz Gold, but pricing is kind of steep, same for the others. Last rental in ATL was Thrifty, it was a huge bargain but not much choice.
I am a bit of a rental groupie, I find what is in the fleets to be very interesting. There's not too many who seem to be into it, not that I have met anyway, but I read an excellent German rental car forum where they obsess over the subject, down to which license plate sequences are used by which companies.
You don't need to be 15 to 20 years old to know Chrysler sells junk and Fiat is now Chrysler and vice versa.
FIAT stands for Fix it Again Tony!
The C in Chrysler must stand for Cheap. The H must stand for Hooey. R for ripoff Y for "You've got to be kidding me" S for sucks L for lame E for Expensive and frequent repairs R for Repair it again Fred, Ike, Anthony, and Tony.
'21 BMW X3 M40i, '15 Audi S4, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
I have only owned one Mopar product, but have 26+ years to see Chrysler has done well from my personal experiece. My brother STILL has my old 1985 Chrysler Fifth Avenue and still drives it from time to time. Sure, she ain't as pretty as she was when I owned her, but like the Energizer bunny, she keeps going and going and going and going...
C = Cost-effective H = Hemi R = Reliable Y = You're gonna like it S = Smart L = Luxurious E = Efficient R = Runs forever
I can't see how you can judge an entire company on a lousy product like a Neon. Heck, the Neon, or ANY of its foreign or domestic competition, would never be on my shopping list. You just had the bad luck of picking a rotten apple from a tree that bears good fruit. I'm sure if you had a Fifth Avenue your opinion of Chrysler would be much different. I'd have no problem with buying a new Chrysler 300-C today.
I bought a Chrysler Sebring convertible with a Mitsubishi engine in it in maybe 99. I only had it a couple of years but it stayed in the family past 100K and was great mechanically. Didn't cost me a dime. With the top up it was a perfectly ordinary car but dependable and with a killer stereo. WIth th top down it was darn near perfect.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
You should be paid a salary equal to Lutz's as an advertising consultant for Chrysler!
Reliable and Chrysler just don't fit in the same sentence.
I can't see how you can judge an entire company on a lousy product like a Neon
Easy, it wasn't marketed as a lousy product. It was marketed as the "NEW" Dodge, and from the minds of the "NEW" Chrysler headquarters and proving grounds. It was the latest and greatest thing Chrysler could come up with in 1994; at least according to their advertising. It was an all new design, with all new parts and pieces (nevermind the 3-speed auto was from the bronze age), and since it was all new, it surely wouldn't suffer the same reputation as past Chrysler :lemon: 's.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!
Remember, the Neon was supposed to be so GOOD that it had to come out at both Dodge and Plymouth dealerships with both emblems available.
Frankly, if it was priced at $1,999.99 it would have been a reasonable purchase brand new. Any more then that, and it's rip off city territory.
I'm sure a 5th Avenue would have been a bit better, but I'm not sure if the handling of that car would have kept a teenage driver safe and out of accidents. At least that was one thing that was done competently in the Neon; for the most part. It's handling only failed me once whereby causing me to damage my own car (okay, driver error was involved), and that was towards the later end of its short 65,000 mile life. But there were many close calls where the competent handling kept me out of trouble as a crazy teenager.
'21 BMW X3 M40i, '15 Audi S4, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Seen quite a few rental Eclipses lately - you can always tell when a production run ends. Will be a lot of CVs/GMs in the various "premium" fleets now too no doubt - something I do not want for my rental.
I am now in possession of a "premium" car from Alamo. I arrived at ATL and they had nothing decent - an old 300, an old Charger, and a broken Grand Marquis. I told the guy this wouldn't work, he offered me a very base Challenger which I didn't want, then sent me to National (corporate sibling, sharing real estate). There I found a nice fairly loaded Taurus (chromes, leather, no roof or navi) but it smelled weird inside, a very loaded Grand Cherokee that would have cost me a couple hundred bucks more to rent, and a STS I couldn't get into - keys lost or something. I asked the woman working the National office to help me out, she started calling, and then a car pulled in fresh from the wash - Regal CXL, I took it and ran. It was very dirty inside...I had to clean the glass myself to get it to my OCD standards, now it's nice, I have nearly 2 weeks in it, so I will get to know it.
National had a ton of lower line Sonatas, and several smaller Hyundais, a Kia Borrego, and a few Mazda 5s. Tons of normal rental fodder hanging around - endless Impalas, a few Malibus, lower line Dodge SUVs, etc.
National has many similar cars to Hertz and Avis...Alamo is cheaper but in many places Alamo renters can choose National cars, so it is just a branding issue. I got my "premium" car for $28/day, which is very cheap for that class. I don't know if a Hertz or Avis renter would have received better for their higher rates. I've also heard many stories of renters receiving less than nice cars from the big names.
The highest tier rental company is Sixt, IMO - which has a marginal presence in NA.
IMO, yes. If it takes 5 cars to get one that's acceptable to the renter, then I don't get the warm fuzzies. Avis and Hertz are first tier. Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, et al are second tier.
I've rented from Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Dollar and Enterprise.
The first two have never been an issue. Always clean and ready to go - never a problem. If the reserved class isn't available, no charge for the upgrade.
Alamo was OK. Dollar was horrid. It was the only time I ever had to pay extra for a different class car because they were out of what I reserved. And then the fan died in the car - it would only work on high. They wanted me to bring it back to the renting station to swap it.
Enterprise is an odd duck. I've only used them for accident rentals. I did get hit in a brand new Neon they rented me. It's never fun returning a rental car with the trunk caved in.
The local (non-airport) Enterprise are the worst.... I've had good luck with National (our corporate provider) and Alamo... Alamo is often cheaper, but as noted above, if they don't have what you reserved, they just send you across the desk to National...
Hertz and Avis are usually double the price of anyone else... not sure that's worth it for 1st tier..
Most of the airports I've been to.... National/Alamo have a really nice selection.. (Phoenix, Sarasota, Denver, San Diego, Cincinnati, of late).
Wow, I thought I was the only one who detailed rental cars! They NEVER clean them to my standards! Well, I like a challenge and often return the car in much better condition than when I got it. Sometimes, I get a "thank you" from the rental agency.
Hertz and Avis are usually double the price of anyone else... not sure that's worth it for 1st tier..
They usually aren't that much more expensive - sometimes they might be less than the 2nd tiers. But if you are travelling on business and time is important, the ability to not have to wait for a car to be detailed or being sent to the corporate cousin is worth the $10 a day.
Nope, I couldn't be so lucky... just an old friend from school who lives down here and likes visitors - someone for him to vent to about the locals and their funny ways.
Relatively impressed with the Regal on a jaunt down to Savannah...probably getting around 30mpg-ish on this leg, very smooth for a smaller engine at 80+, low rpms at higher speeds too.
I've personally heard of 40K+ mile Corollas being doled out by Hertz, nothing special there. Their prestige line is nice, but the rates can be pretty nutty. The rewards program is the only real differentiator.
The interior front and rear windshield glass on the car was horrible - probably never cleaned, and the heat here creates a hazy film on glass. The paper towels were pretty dirty when I was done, and now I can see. The 5 or 10 mins I'll spend cleaning a rental is well worth it to me.
...and while the ranting goes on you'll suddenly discover yourself eating at Waffle House or the Varsity drive In. Then the next thing you know, you'll become a Krystal Burger fan. Careful - it creeps up on you before you know it!
Comments
that is one of the issues with looking at Kias. the local dealer is somewhat on the sketchy side. More like a BHPH lot, they are focused on "getting you approved". Not sure they know what to do with a "middle aged" white color guy that can pay cash, instead of a kid with crappy credit that needs a cosigner!
the other place here has the slogan "KiaKrazy" so not sure they will be much better!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'm in the same situation, it is amazing how much good product they've turned out in the last two or three years! And with their killer warranty and pricing that undercuts the competition, they're a great value proposition.
I'll get this out of the way...I absolutely despise the looks of the Nissan Cube! I'm a very symmetrical person and I can't cope with the asymmetrical design, not to mention the stupid fake grass patch attached to the dash with velcro!? It's worse than VW's bud vase and flower when the introduced the New Beetle. The driving dynamics are probably decent, since it's based on the Versa, which drives quite well. But I hate the looks...I'd rather drive a Pontiac Aztek!
Thru 5/31/2011, only 10,179 Cubes were sold. In the month of May 2011, only 1,502 were sold. The YTD figure is down 25.3% from the same period last year. Thru 5/31/2010, the Cube sold 13,634 units. Hardly enough units to substantiate importing a low-dollar niche vehicle with a slim profit margin, IMHO.
The Kia Soul is a truly unique vehicle and I can understand why it's selling so well. I test drove one last year and the only complaints I had were with the 4-speed automatic transmission and the gaudy red dashboard in the Sport model. They are giving it a 'refresh' for 2012 including a 6-speed automatic and a minor interior touch-up. Two new engines are also in the cards, both produce more power and better fuel economy. I think they'll sell every one they can build!
But the model I find most interesting for myself is the Forte 5-door. The Forte EX 5-door with 6-speed AT, Tech Package and Power Sunroof stickers for $21,140, but TrueCar.com shows it for $18,653 here in Georgia (including $1k rebate). That includes push button start, smart key, navigation, automatic climate control, fog lamps, auto headlamps and the aforementioned power sunroof. It also has EPA ratings of 26/36mpg. Add in a 100k powertrain warranty and that’s a lot of car for the money!
The sportier SX 5-door is the one that really captures my attention. My only complaint is that the $1000 Leather Package is required to get the $1800 Tech Package. The MSRP will both package and power sunroof is $23,640. But if I skip the Tech Pkg (and the Leather that I don’t want) and just add the power sunroof, the MSRP is down to $20,840. TrueCar shows it as $18,511 locally and it still gets 32mpg highway with the 2.4L engine and 6-speed automatic.
Kia doesn’t break out sales between the 4-door and 5-door Forte, so it’s unknown how many 5-doors they’re selling. But I have read several reports (and talked to two Kia dealers) and they all say that they aren’t selling well at all. The total lack of marketing could be part of the problem! Maybe some rodents should drive one of these for a while and make a commercial???
"$99 Down $99 a month on a new Kia! Bad Credit? No Credit? Unemployed?On Welfare? Crack-Addicted? In Prison? NO PROBLEM!!!"
The guy in the commercial even looks like a slimeball.
I feel like a need a shower just walking onto the lot.
If I was seriously looking to buy one, I would go to Turnersville. or maybe now drop in on Fezo!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Sign up before 9/30/2011 and get 500 bonus points and a free rental day. The points add up and can be cashed in on free rentals. The rewards program lets you skip the lines and walk right to your car.
Hertz
US/Canada only (but covers rentals in a few countries in the EU). Not clear if you have to use the free rental before 9/30 or if you just have to sign up before then to get the free year. Some posters did this deal a few years back and have never been charged the annual fee (the charge is automatic, so if you don't want to keep it, you'll have to turn the auto renewal off before the time limit).
How do I select a rental car company from the many to choose from? Are there any that offer better rates/deals than others? Do any of them have any kind of frequent renter program? Since I no longer have a car, I don't have car insurance anymore either. Am I covered while driving a rental car, or do I need extra insurance?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
A "2011 change to California's auto-insurance laws has made renting from individuals in the U.S. easier, because insurance companies there are no longer allowed to drop a policyholder simply because he or she is renting their car to others. (Oregon recently passed a similar law, which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012)."
The skinny on peer-to-peer car rentals (CNN)
"Enterprise Rent A Car weekend special $9.99 is back 2011-2012
Enterprise rent a car $9.99 certain neighborhood locations weekend special is back on friday August 19th 2011. Should be online hopefully in the next few days to book your weekend rental soon."
Speaking of car rentals, month after next I'll be renting a car for a couple weeks, and I am already just starting to get geeky about it, debating which company and car class to choose.
Had my choice of anything from The Emerald Aisle..
Lots of Sonatas, couple of Cubes, a Fusion, couple of Malibus... and.... I picked a Camry.. :surprise:
No kidding.... three of us, with the back seat passenger a 6'3" boy... Needed good back seat room, and decent trunk space... Only did 220 miles for the week, but lots of short trips and in and out of the car.. Actually, gave a thought to the Cube, as visibility looked good, and with a tall car, it should have had easy access... but, worried about performance/acceleration.
The Camry has a surprising amount of power for a 4-cylinder.. It can burn rubber and has all the thrust you need to enter/merge on a freeway ramp.. Typical numb steering.. No fun, but a good rental car.
And.. $224 total including all taxes/fees for a full week..
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I am now debating what to rent for my trip which is too far off for a sane person to be thinking about. I found a hell of a deal on a premium, but I also like the Infiniti M rental from Hertz...but the former is half the price.
It's always been odd to me that this dealer doesn't have a loaner fleet, unlike every other highline make around here.
Also spotted a National/Alamo Hyundai Genesis recently.
They are cheap and cheerful, zero brand cachet so the spoiled stay at home types and others on the dole won't go for it (the Mini at least has BMW blood in it), but should find buyers eventually, if they can promote it right. Fundamental point of marketing is people need to be told what they want.
Could be a fun rental though, is apparently in the normal compact class, no price premium as a "fun car" etc.
As I am a car rental geek, I have been researching it, it appears I could potentially get many other vehicles as well - Regal, deluxe Taurus, 300, Maxima, Avalon, and maybe even do an upgrade which could land me a S60, Infiniti G, C class, CTS, or others...interesting rentals out there even in mainstream fleets right now.
In a few weeks I'll be undertaking a 2 week premium rental out of ATL, I can't wait to see what I get to choose from, like Christmas :shades:
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I am a bit of a rental groupie, I find what is in the fleets to be very interesting. There's not too many who seem to be into it, not that I have met anyway, but I read an excellent German rental car forum where they obsess over the subject, down to which license plate sequences are used by which companies.
FIAT stands for Fix it Again Tony!
The C in Chrysler must stand for Cheap.
The H must stand for Hooey.
R for ripoff
Y for "You've got to be kidding me"
S for sucks
L for lame
E for Expensive and frequent repairs
R for Repair it again Fred, Ike, Anthony, and Tony.
C = Cost-effective
H = Hemi
R = Reliable
Y = You're gonna like it
S = Smart
L = Luxurious
E = Efficient
R = Runs forever
I can't see how you can judge an entire company on a lousy product like a Neon. Heck, the Neon, or ANY of its foreign or domestic competition, would never be on my shopping list. You just had the bad luck of picking a rotten apple from a tree that bears good fruit. I'm sure if you had a Fifth Avenue your opinion of Chrysler would be much different. I'd have no problem with buying a new Chrysler 300-C today.
Reliable and Chrysler just don't fit in the same sentence.
I can't see how you can judge an entire company on a lousy product like a Neon
Easy, it wasn't marketed as a lousy product. It was marketed as the "NEW" Dodge, and from the minds of the "NEW" Chrysler headquarters and proving grounds. It was the latest and greatest thing Chrysler could come up with in 1994; at least according to their advertising. It was an all new design, with all new parts and pieces (nevermind the 3-speed auto was from the bronze age), and since it was all new, it surely wouldn't suffer the same reputation as past Chrysler :lemon: 's.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!
Remember, the Neon was supposed to be so GOOD that it had to come out at both Dodge and Plymouth dealerships with both emblems available.
Frankly, if it was priced at $1,999.99 it would have been a reasonable purchase brand new. Any more then that, and it's rip off city territory.
I'm sure a 5th Avenue would have been a bit better, but I'm not sure if the handling of that car would have kept a teenage driver safe and out of accidents. At least that was one thing that was done competently in the Neon; for the most part. It's handling only failed me once whereby causing me to damage my own car (okay, driver error was involved), and that was towards the later end of its short 65,000 mile life. But there were many close calls where the competent handling kept me out of trouble as a crazy teenager.
Saw a Hertz Prestige QX56 at the Westin today.
National had a ton of lower line Sonatas, and several smaller Hyundais, a Kia Borrego, and a few Mazda 5s. Tons of normal rental fodder hanging around - endless Impalas, a few Malibus, lower line Dodge SUVs, etc.
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The highest tier rental company is Sixt, IMO - which has a marginal presence in NA.
IMO, yes. If it takes 5 cars to get one that's acceptable to the renter, then I don't get the warm fuzzies. Avis and Hertz are first tier. Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, et al are second tier.
I've rented from Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Dollar and Enterprise.
The first two have never been an issue. Always clean and ready to go - never a problem. If the reserved class isn't available, no charge for the upgrade.
Alamo was OK. Dollar was horrid. It was the only time I ever had to pay extra for a different class car because they were out of what I reserved. And then the fan died in the car - it would only work on high. They wanted me to bring it back to the renting station to swap it.
Enterprise is an odd duck. I've only used them for accident rentals. I did get hit in a brand new Neon they rented me. It's never fun returning a rental car with the trunk caved in.
The local (non-airport) Enterprise are the worst.... I've had good luck with National (our corporate provider) and Alamo... Alamo is often cheaper, but as noted above, if they don't have what you reserved, they just send you across the desk to National...
Hertz and Avis are usually double the price of anyone else... not sure that's worth it for 1st tier..
Most of the airports I've been to.... National/Alamo have a really nice selection.. (Phoenix, Sarasota, Denver, San Diego, Cincinnati, of late).
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They usually aren't that much more expensive - sometimes they might be less than the 2nd tiers. But if you are travelling on business and time is important, the ability to not have to wait for a car to be detailed or being sent to the corporate cousin is worth the $10 a day.
Relatively impressed with the Regal on a jaunt down to Savannah...probably getting around 30mpg-ish on this leg, very smooth for a smaller engine at 80+, low rpms at higher speeds too.
I've personally heard of 40K+ mile Corollas being doled out by Hertz, nothing special there. Their prestige line is nice, but the rates can be pretty nutty. The rewards program is the only real differentiator.
All those Sonny's BBQ joints around Atlanta are pretty good too.
What I always liked in the south were all the cafeteria's.
One thing the south, northeast and midwest have over the west is "food". The west seems to be mostly fast food and foreign stuff.