Rental Car Experiences?

andres3 · February 2020

The Versa has Continental tires at least, so it seems to handle "competently" enough being very light feeling. Too light feeling if you ask me. Like driving a big soda can.

At least they didn't put knock-off tires on it.

This rental is making me appreciate my daily A4 much more.

You get spoiled.

Things like : Why isn't the door opening itself, I'm right next to it with the keys in my pocket.

Why is the car chiming at me after I turn it off? Oh yeah, the lights. Oh yeah, I had to turn those on in the early morning, manually! So much to ask! Now I have to turn them off too?!!!??

wouldn't it be just as cheap to add an auto off/on light system as it is to put a dummy "bell/chime" for the light switch to remind you that you left the lights on?

fintail · February 2020

I remember years ago I had a rental Galant for a few days when my E55 was in the shop for parking lot scrape removal. As a transportation object, the car was fine, but it sure felt good to be back behind the wheel of my own car, its not exactly cheap running costs feeling worth it.

The old Versa sedan was also very awkward looking, small trunkback cars seldom look "right", they only succeed in a couple markets (USA, some Asian nations I think) where a trunk is still embraced on anything.

xwesx · February 2020

andres3 said:
Things like : Why isn't the door opening itself, I'm right next to it with the keys in my pocket.

I think that all the time with my Q7. Except, it is actually supposed to unlock itself. Sometimes I must pull the handle 4-5 times to get it to unlock, and sometimes I must resort to pulling the fob out of my pocket (wherever it is buried) to push the unlock button.

I would rather have fewer features that work exactly as they should than a glut of them that are unreliable or fail with regularity.

andres3 · February 2020

xwesx said:

andres3 said:
Things like : Why isn't the door opening itself, I'm right next to it with the keys in my pocket.
I think that all the time with my Q7. Except, it is actually supposed to unlock itself. Sometimes I must pull the handle 4-5 times to get it to unlock, and sometimes I must resort to pulling the fob out of my pocket (wherever it is buried) to push the unlock button.

I would rather have fewer features that work exactly as they should than a glut of them that are unreliable or fail with regularity.

Have you checked if your Key FOB battery is dying?

ronsteve · February 2020

The fobs on my RDX have a fairly short range, at least for unlocking the doors. Sometimes I have to pull the handle a second time, but it usually is more of a matter of making sure I'm not blocking it with my body (and I'm not a big guy) or stuff that I'm carrying.

After all the talk of "relay" theft, I'm not going to complain about the short range. Though I do make sure the fobs are stored close to the center of the house at night. Honestly, I wouldn't mind an even shorter range after being able to start the car while the fob was sitting on the roof.

tjc78 · February 2020

I’m amazed you could start the car with the fob on the roof. I usually put the fob in the recess in the door panel to close the door.

If I try and start the car before I close the door it knows that the fob “isn’t in vehicle”. This has been consistent with two Hyundai’s, a GM and Volvo.

fintail · February 2020

MB is the same way. When the fob is more then maybe 2 feet from the start button, no dice. Huge range for lock/unlock though, probably like a football field at least.

xwesx · February 2020

The battery may be low. I have had the car for three years now, and replaced the battery twice. Seems like a lot to me, but the demand is much greater than with my Subarus, where the fob really only sees use when I press a button - there's a constant, active signal with these fancier designs. With our 2010 Forester, which had 107,500 miles when it was killed, I replaced one of the batteries one time; the other was still original (and functioned fine!).

However, even with fresh batteries, the consistency of the unlock function is sketchy (at best). For sensing the fob's presence for starting, it seems like anywhere in the car is fine. I have had it in my coat pocket, in the back seat, and had no idea that I did not have it "on me." Only the car's own schema for preventing lockouts managed to save me once, as I tried multiple times to lock the door (using the little button on the exterior handle) to no avail before I went hunting for the fob and realized it was still in the coat (which was in the back seat).

I generally don't mind these convenience features, but I absolutely wouldn't miss them if they were gone. The more my old iron deviates from the norms of "modern," the more I enjoy the experience of driving those relics.

ronsteve · February 2020

fintail said:
MB is the same way. When the fob is more then maybe 2 feet from the start button, no dice. Huge range for lock/unlock though, probably like a football field at least.

If I actually push one of the buttons on the fob, I can lock or unlock from at least 50, probably closer to 100 feet away. To lock by pushing the button on the door handle, or unlock just by pulling the handle, that's maybe a 5 or 6 foot range, and I'll sometimes have to pivot so the pocket the fob is in is closer to the door.

ronsteve · February 2020

By 7:30 PM on a Friday night, Hertz Ultimate Choice at TPA gets a little depleted. Prime suspects were Chevy Malibu and Equinox, and Toyota Highlander. I managed to find a Kia Sportage in there, essentially a base model but it did have the Helen Keller/Stevie Wonder/Ray Charles package (or at least the lane-keep assist). Not bad for what it was, but I was reminded that I don't like the over-assisted steering on the lighter Hyundai/Kia models.

On the way out I did notice a VW Golf that I hadn't initially seen, but I'm not sure if I had crossed out of the Gold zone already.

andres3 · February 2020

UPDATE, after 3 days with the Versa, I couldn't take it anymore, so last week, I traded it in for an Altima SR. What a difference. You'd never know that crap box was made by the same company that makes the Altima, which is a decently reasonably good mid-size sedan.

Nissan is crazy having such a bad car in their lineup when they actually know how to make a decent car. Night and Day. The SR model appears to be a mid-line model, not complete rental fodder like the Versa was.

fintail · February 2020

Rode in a couple of Lyfts today (as someone else was paying), kind of a rental car, right?

First one: prior gen Sentra. Seemed like a competent enough transportation pod. No handling, no speed, typical FWD econobox ride, but not unexpected and not inoffensive. Driver moved it along, even tailgating a bit, it was hard not to say something. Maybe a perfect car for rideshare use.

Second: prior gen Prius. Horrible engine noise, lowest bidder interior plastics, and the driver had the wonderful habit of flooring it and then letting off the gas, stabbing at the pedal over and over, flinty ride. Plenty of room, but so loud and seemed unrefined. The mpg must be golden.

xwesx · February 2020

I was very fortunate with both of my Lyft rides. The cars were pleasant, if not basic transport. One was a Camry, the other a Corolla. In both cases, though, we had competent drivers who clearly did this for their living (e.g., this was no ride share!). I was impressed and enjoyed the experience.

I even signed up as a Lyft driver afterward, but have still not (a year later) actually done my first ride. I think you need to do it on a dedicated basis to really get it to work. I sometimes remember to switch to "on" mode before I leave work to go home, but then I just get in the car and drive home. So, over that 25 minute span, I have yet to get a hit.

Also, you really need a smartphone for this sort of gig. I'll carry my iPod with a hotspot, but it seems to be rather flaky when it comes to the navigation apps.

sda · February 2020

When I had the Accord in for the starter repair recently, I rented a car from the dealer. This dealer doesn’t offer loaners. I ended up with a 19 Accord Hybrid Touring with 26k. Very clean, no rattles or squeaks, very comfortable and handled well. The 450 watt audio played loud enough, but no depth or warmth, kind of thin, lacked definition and shrill. The hybrid powertrain has good low end power but acceleration drops off significantly at 65+. When the engine kicks in it can get a bit loud and doesn’t sound that good though it remains smooth and as soon as you back off the throttle it quiets down to a steady hum. It was truly economical to drive. In over 60 miles I topped the tank off for less than $2. I enjoyed my experience with that car.

fintail · February 2020

I think rideshare drivers can do it for a living here, just catch rides back and forth between the tech companies on the eastside and in Seattle proper. Each way will average around $30 for no more than 45 mins driving. Do that all day, and it could be useful.

My first driver was a young woman recently arrived from Atlanta, the second was a guy I think from an old Soviet republic.

Sandman6472 · February 2020

Most insurance companies now ask if one works for Lyft or Uber and to lie and have an accident could be bad news for the driver. I know my agent said I'd need to add a rider onto our policy if I decided to do Lyft. After like a minute, decided it wasn't worth it and besides, I don't usually transport anybody in my Golf except the wife. The kids have only driven it a number of times, the wife like never. I tend to keep a bunch of stuff in the back seat so really due for a major cleaning in there.

fintail · April 2020

My walks of late have taken me past an Avis/Budget lot. As nobody is renting right now, it is stacked full - all Toyota/Hyunkia/Mazda and maybe a Ford - didn't notice any other brands.

kyfdx · April 2020

Same with my local Enterprise. Parking lot is overflowing

fintail · April 2020

Drove by a Hertz HLE near my place, also packed. A little bit of everything from many makes, an Escalade maybe being the most interesting.

Sandman6472 · April 2020

We have 2 locations open in Broward County and two in Palm Beach County. The rest of our cars are parked at most other locations and on the FAU campus plus the P B Motor Speedway in Jupiter. And now, we just wait to be called back to work. Today is two weeks that we're out and no idea how much longer...kinda just a waiting game presently!

andres3 · April 2020

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/3-500-rental-cars-burn-224100673.html

So now that Nissan makes most of their money off making rental junk fodder, what are the chances they started the fire to drum up more business?

fintail · April 2020

Gotta drive demand for Versas somehow.

Walked by the Avis/Budget lot again today, I don't think anything has moved. Endless assortment of potato CUVs from what seemed like every maker, a few actual SUVs (even a 4Runner), premium cars were a couple Jag CUVs in a covered area, looking maybe a little dusty.

Sandman6472 · April 2020

Definitely an act of G-d out west in Ft. Myers, it rains many afternoons with lightning and thunder especially on our west coast. And from what I could see, those vehicles were packed pretty tightly near the woods. I know here on the east coast, we packed ours pretty tightly also and the logistics of getting them all out are going to take days to get done! But I know many on my team are ready to jump back in and get the job done. Hopefully, we'll make up the $ we've lost...and then some!
I know that week before this mandatory shut down began, we were able to work unlimited hours. Have a feeling we'll still be doing that for the time being once we get back to work. Figure we'll have at least one full week of unlimited, maybe two, and then we'll be back to our normal schedule.

ab348 · April 2020

andres3 said:
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/3-500-rental-cars-burn-224100673.html

So now that Nissan makes most of their money off making rental junk fodder, what are the chances they started the fire to drum up more business?

Well, they laid off virtually all of their US workforce yesterday and reportedly are about to do the same thing in Japan, so it might be a while before those orders can be filled.

Sandman6472 · April 2020

Seriously? Where did you read this? That article only mentions the fire out in Ft. Myers?

fintail · April 2020

Maybe that'll mean when a skinflint rents the cheapest car possible, they won't have to worry about getting a Nissan that's been smoked in and thrashed within an inch of its CVT life.

ab348 said:

So now that Nissan makes most of their money off making rental junk fodder, what are the chances they started the fire to drum up more business?

Well, they laid off virtually all of their US workforce yesterday and reportedly are about to do the same thing in Japan, so it might be a while before those orders can be filled.

xwesx · April 2020

Sandman6472 said:
Definitely an act of G-d out west in Ft. Myers, it rains many afternoons with lightning and thunder especially on our west coast. And from what I could see, those vehicles were packed pretty tightly near the woods. I know here on the east coast, we packed ours pretty tightly also and the logistics of getting them all out are going to take days to get done! But I know many on my team are ready to jump back in and get the job done. Hopefully, we'll make up the $ we've lost...and then some!
I know that week before this mandatory shut down began, we were able to work unlimited hours. Have a feeling we'll still be doing that for the time being once we get back to work. Figure we'll have at least one full week of unlimited, maybe two, and then we'll be back to our normal schedule.

The funny part is that most, if not all, of those vehicles parked for the next 4-6 weeks or more are going to have dead batteries when you do get ready to move them out. Your team better be ready for that eventuality!

thebean · April 2020

Sandman6472 said:
Seriously? Where did you read this? That article only mentions the fire out in Ft. Myers?

@Sandman6472 Understand, he’s talking about Nissan, and lots of sources report their 10,000 person layoff in the US, which is most of the workforce.

Sandman6472 · April 2020

We usually carry what we need to jump start most vehicles. I know we're going to have many long and hard days ahead but think most of us are ready to hit the ground running to be honest. Think this time at home will motivate a lot of folks in the work force to work harder and save more for another rainy day. Hoping most folks will see that we survived a dreadful situation and know that it could happen again, at any time. Once we return, best to look forward, work hard and make sure we all have that emergency fund just in case.
In time, things will get back to normal but those who forget history, are doomed to repeat it. I think we'll be better prepared for a next time, and will never again look at a situation as a hoax at first but to give it what it needs from the get go without trying to look for someone to blame! We need to be better than that going forward!

xwesx · April 2020

@Sandman6472

Good points, and hopefully governments make the right moves early on, such as shutting down travel immediately instead of after it is too late. Most of the rest of this stuff would not be necessary without that early hesitation on the right moves.

With the way things are unfolding, I'm still fairly certain that within a few weeks governments are going to throw in the towel and get back to "business as usual."

fintail · April 2020

May 4th is the slated date in WA if things go as planned, I have some optimism at least some business will get back to normal, although there will still be some weird restrictions for awhile. I think this state has handled it better than others, and better than the federal response. Some caution is needed, the mouthpieces effectively stating lives aren't worth some economic disruption would probably change their tune fast if someone in their own family tree was impacted. But as usual for that set, sacrifice for you, not for me.

With the way things are going, I might not end up renting a car all year. No big travel plans.

Sandman6472 · April 2020

I think many of us may change a few plans going forward once we get back to normal. But again last week, lost another friend from years ago who I found again on social media and then suddenly, passed away with no closure. That makes three folks within this last year and it's really made me think about life and how quickly it can end for us. And now, with having so much time off, one thinks more than normal, at least I have, and find there are a few things I want to do and places I still want to go. Life, while young, we take for granted but with this last close death, I'm no longer thinking that way.
Just want life to go back to normal so I can do some more things and get some closure with a few folks before, well, one never knows. Just want to dot all my i's and cross all my t's before it's too late. Especially with some family members, I wish I had had that closure but it was denied even though I did try to right some wrongs. Once we're gone, that becomes impossible!

fintail · April 2020

I received this banner ad today - crazy deals are starting to appear:

It checks out, too. I entered a random 4 week rental starting later this month from DT Seattle. Small cars from $11.29/day, premium brand (BMW/MB) in the $13-17 range, Suburban/Yukon for $19, Range Rover Sport for $34.

Michaell · April 2020

fintail said:
I received this banner ad today - crazy deals are starting to appear:

It checks out, too. I entered a random 4 week rental starting later this month from DT Seattle. Small cars from $11.29/day, premium brand (BMW/MB) in the $13-17 range, Suburban/Yukon for $19, Range Rover Sport for $34.

I saw the same ad.

fintail · April 2020

If only there was somewhere to go.

Michaell · April 2020

fintail said:
If only there was somewhere to go.

Tell me about it. Cabin fever is hitting hard.

Another trip to Target planned for the AM to pick up an Rx. Woo-hoo!

fintail · April 2020

My walking/jogging every day is doing a lot to keep me sane. Beautiful weather here also doesn't help with being indoors.

I might drive the fintail tomorrow, I consider that "essential". And although some will cringe, going on a short road trip to visit my grandma on Easter - always a big deal to her, she effectively told me rather than asking me, I'll just keep a distance and be sure everything is clean. Might brave the hordes for a Costco visit next week, in advance of a road trip next month to visit my mom (not the road trip thread, I just noticed

)

Michaell said:

Tell me about it. Cabin fever is hitting hard.

Another trip to Target planned for the AM to pick up an Rx. Woo-hoo!

Sandman6472 · April 2020

That short drive I took a couple weeks back helped make me feel normal again. Met up with a friend for lunch yesterday, got take out and found a covered bench area in the shade with the perfect social distance required. That lunch turned into 3 hours of laughter and fun and we both were able to forget for just awhile the current Covid-19 situation. Something we both needed to feel human again! Let some others know about it today and if we do it again in two weeks, others have asked to join in if we're still stuck at home. Think we're all ready for normalcy to return to our everyday lives right now. And am glad I mentioned it a few weeks back just for something to do to get out of the house. Besides grocery shopping a couple days each week, I've mostly stayed inside since I'm just 65 and do not want to catch it. Between the two of us splitting up the trips for food, we're doing just fine to be honest. Didn't need to stock up on paper products as we've always had a few months stock on hand, usually buy when I see a god bogo deal on certain items that we're going to use anyways.
So not being in a panic, not hoarding supplies, getting out only when necessary and keeping in touch with family and friends through social media have made this situation like an extended vacation. But am about ready for this vacation to end in a couple of weeks though. Would like to get back to normal!

fintail · April 2020

At the Budget lot yesterday afternoon, a few new arrivals: 2x Toyota 4x4 pickups, and a Lincoln Continental.

texases · April 2020

Anyone rented/driven the Continental? I got one as a loaner, did nothing for me. Had trouble getting everything adjusted to be comfortable.

ab348 · April 2020

I haven't even seen one locally and suspect that perhaps they may not have sold any. It was a car the auto press went all ga-ga over when introduced, which made me a bit suspicious. They seem to be in love with all Lincoln models all of a sudden.

fintail · April 2020

At the Budget lot, another new arrival, VW Atlas. Maybe expecting an uptick in traffic (can't be much less than what's going on now).

Never been in a Continental, but I think my friend with the MKZ drove one. As he's developed a thing for the brand, of course he likes it.

texases · April 2020

I preferred my MKZ, but it could be familiarity...

fintail · April 2020

Looks like Budget is loading up on 4x4s, now a couple 4Runners and a Wrangler along with the Tacomas.

I wonder what the recent Hertz bankruptcy possibility might do to the scene, can't imagine it being more than a financial reorg.

andres3 · May 2020

Had a Q5 loaner to handle the latest recall that probably has a 0.0001% chance of ever happening. Easy quick job, they were done around lunch time.

Q5 is solid, but I feel like a Soccer Mom in it.

fintail · May 2020

High maintenance suburban hovermoms are definitely a target market.

andres3 · May 2020

Have a very nice FWD new model A3 loaner while my A4 gets an air conditioner that actually works right in time for the hot months.

Very easy to spin those front tires without AWD!!!!! Not much acceleration from 0 to 20 because of this. I think my '06 A3 was a better entry level Audi, with a sharper interior, better interior parts quality, and more attention to details (less cost cutting). An example is the vent rings, instead of being real aluminum like in my sport package '06 model, are now aluminum look plastic. I'm not sure there's any real aluminum inside anymore, whereas you could find bits and pieces in the old A3's. Something about metal just feels better and more expensive than plastic.

I will say, the new A3's have beautiful great feeling leather steering wheels (Audi spares no expense on the leather they wrap their steering wheels in, and this is no exception even down to the A3 level!). I agree with this decision, as the steering wheel is very important to me. I'll accept mediocre seat leather in the entry level model if the steering wheel is preserved. Car feels small. Windows feel small. It's a miniature Audi sedan.

Power and transmission feel great. People forget how quick a FWD car is due to effiiciency if you can keep the tires from spinning. Lighter than RWD or AWD.

Black plastic everywhere. It's a black car on the outside too. Still, I can see the appeal of a RS3 at its price point.

fintail · May 2020

Going to be an interesting time - I wonder if this will impact (increase) the average age of vehicles in rental fleets.

Local Avis/Budget lot has its 2 Jag F-Pace back on the lot, along with a few big Suburban/Yukons being memorable. Continental is gone, replaced by an S90. Tons of normal sedans and CUVs.

xwesx · May 2020

Wow. If Hertz is on the verge of bankruptcy after this length of time, with as big of a company as they are, they are definitely doing it wrong.

texases · May 2020

I'm not surprised, we'll see LOTS of this. Companies often run on a 10% profit margin, plus or minus. Cut gross sales in half, there's going to be BIG problems.

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