Rental Car Experiences?

Michaell · May 2023

My sister and her oldest son flew to Spokane yesterday - my nephew will be getting his Master's at Eastern Washington University starting this fall. This was a recce trip for them.

Rented from Budget and got a Toyota Highlander. Not sure what trim level, but my sis said it was 8 seats, so I'll guess either an LE or XLE.

I think she's paying $165 for 3 days, which isn't a bad deal these days.

fintail · May 2023

Michaell said:
My sister and her oldest son flew to Spokane yesterday - my nephew will be getting his Master's at Eastern Washington University starting this fall. This was a recce trip for them.

Rented from Budget and got a Toyota Highlander. Not sure what trim level, but my sis said it was 8 seats, so I'll guess either an LE or XLE.

I think she's paying $165 for 3 days, which isn't a bad deal these days.

$165 all in for 3 days is a bargain these days, Highlander must have been a free upgrade.

Weather is nice starting today.

kyfdx · May 2023

I agree.. that's cheap for a Highlander

Michaell · May 2023

kyfdx said:
I agree.. that's cheap for a Highlander

Pretty sure that isn't the class they reserved; my sister thinks the person who helped her gave her a free upgrade to a "mom-mobile".

andres3 · May 2023

So we had 19 days of Rav 4 rental while the Tiguan was in the shop getting fixed from some reckless negligents rear-ending. Came out to just under $1K with "bodyshop" discounted rate.

Anyway, my insurance company decides to finally inform me the insureds insurance says he didn't have any coverage at the time of the loss. Then Geico tells me they won't cover my rental from the uninsured coverage. Another hole in the uninsured California coverage, there's more holes than coverage.

My only recourse is to sue now.

Michaell · May 2023

My sister confirmed that the Highlander she has is an LE AWD.

She's very impressed with it - quiet, comfortable, sips gas. They've made multiple trips from Spokane (where they are staying) to Cheney (where the college is) - about 20-25 minutes each way, and they've only used 1/4 tank.

texases · May 2023

Does it have the V6? Great engine. Toyota's switching over to the turbo 4, but it seems to provide no real world mpg advantage, while being rougher and slower. Lose/lose/lose.

Michaell · May 2023

I think it has the V-6

kyfdx · July 2023

Rented this one at MSP. Surprised to see it in the Emerald Aisle.
$208 for four days, inclusive.

fintail · July 2023

Nice - I've read of some oddities at National - Hondas, Lexus ES and RX, tons of Audis, senior model Genesis , Toyota Crown.

Decent price, too - maybe rates are calming down. I made my Christmas reservation at SEA a while back and got a National "luxury" for something like $70/day.

kyfdx · July 2023

fintail said:
Nice - I've read of some oddities at National - Hondas, Lexus ES and RX, tons of Audis, senior model Genesis , Toyota Crown.

Decent price, too - maybe rates are calming down. I made my Christmas reservation at SEA a while back and got a National "luxury" for something like $70/day.

I have a pretty good corporate rate. Plus, July 3rd-7th was a low usage time. Dozens of choices in the Emerald Aisle.

At first I was grabbing a CR-V, but it didn't have a rear cargo cover. That's when I spotted the Passport. We don't really need anything that big, but I wanted to try it out.

ab348 · July 2023

kyfdx said:

At first I was grabbing a CR-V, but it didn't have a rear cargo cover. That's when I spotted the Passport. We don't really need anything that big, but I wanted to try it out.

So, how was it?

kyfdx · July 2023

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

At first I was grabbing a CR-V, but it didn't have a rear cargo cover. That's when I spotted the Passport. We don't really need anything that big, but I wanted to try it out.
So, how was it?

It was nice and comfy with an extensive option package (carplay + safety nannys, sunroof, leather). The drive was uninspiring. I'm not sure if it has a CVT, but it sure drove that way. I hate lane departure warning that "nudges" you back in your lane, but we weren't in it enough for me to customize the settings.

I like that the Passport is a slightly shorter version of the Pilot. It's pretty, and I like the color.. lol

Michaell · July 2023

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

At first I was grabbing a CR-V, but it didn't have a rear cargo cover. That's when I spotted the Passport. We don't really need anything that big, but I wanted to try it out.
So, how was it?
It was nice and comfy with an extensive option package (carplay + safety nannys, sunroof, leather). The drive was uninspiring. I'm not sure if it has a CVT, but it sure drove that way. I hate lane departure warning that "nudges" you back in your lane, but we weren't in it enough for me to customize the settings.

I like that the Passport is a slightly shorter version of the Pilot. It's pretty, and I like the color.. lol

I think the Passport has a 9 speed automatic

Sandman6472 · July 2023

Drove my second CR-V last week and was impressed at how well it drove. Sure, it was a 2020, but still, liked it & see why they sell so many. Seemed larger than the Rav4 which is truly larger than I really need. But, the higher seating position does appeal to me for its ease of egress/ingress since my spinal issues make dropping into a vehicle harder as the years go by. Being able to just slide in & out is optimal for me & seems only CUV's & SUV's afford me this luxury. But I guess getting the overall size right is what it's all about. Just like in the "Three Little Bears" , I need the size that's just right for me.
But, if things were different, I'd go with the Rav4 or CR-V. Both great vehicles which sell in record numbers still it seems.

texases · July 2023

The HRV has grown, have you tried it?

Sandman6472 · July 2023

Yep, last week and it has grown & to me, looks to be longer than the Rav4 to be honest. Was duly impressed with how well it did everything a vehicle is supposed to do!

andres3 · July 2023

Ragnorrak said:
The worst was this Maxima rental from around 2016. Can you believe it? Whenever I stepped on the gas pedal, the engine revved up, and it sounded like the car was about to take off like a rocket! But guess what? It barely moved any faster! It was like all noise and no real action. Such a letdown, I tell you!

Now, onto the good stuff - the best experience ever was when I won a certificate at a car show for a free 3-day rental from the sports car lineup at Hertz. And you know what I picked? A C7 Corvette! Man, that was a dream come true! The feeling of hitting the open road in a powerful Corvette was just mind-blowing. It was like the car and I were connected, and the adrenaline rush was out of this world!

The CVT transmissions are generally responsible for all the racket and noise with no motion or momentum build up.

fintail · July 2023

I'm reading of Rivian R1S being spotted in at least a couple National airport locations.

michaelwatson · September 2023

I rented a snazzy red convertible for a weekend getaway. Cruising with the top down under the sunny sky felt like a movie scene, making the trip a blast

Michaell · September 2023

Picked this up at LAX this morning. Everything else in the Emerald Aisle was a non color Malibu or Equinox.

It’s a cute little runabout, but the transmission gets confused from a dead stop.

kyfdx · September 2023

Not bad

fintail · September 2023

You won't lose it in a parking lot.

sda · September 2023

Michaell said:
Picked this up at LAX this morning. Everything else in the Emerald Aisle was a non color Malibu or Equinox.

It’s a cute little runabout, but the transmission gets confused from a dead stop.

Is it a 4 Motion? It seems that’s a common issue with that drive train.

Michaell · September 2023

sda said:

Michaell said:
Picked this up at LAX this morning. Everything else in the Emerald Aisle was a non color Malibu or Equinox.

It’s a cute little runabout, but the transmission gets confused from a dead stop.
Is it a 4 Motion? It seems that’s a common issue with that drive train.

It is AWD

Michaell · September 2023

fintail said:
You won't lose it in a parking lot.

That’s what was appealing about it to me. everything else was white, black, silver or grey.

kyfdx · September 2023

We had a similar color RAV4 rental. Easy to find in a parking lot.

ab348 · September 2023

Is that a Taos? I read they had lots of problems early after introduction.

sda · September 2023

@ab348 said:
Is that a Taos? I read they had lots of problems early after introduction.

Mainly driveability issues such as marked hesitation while accelerating from a stop.

texases · September 2023

Does it have a DCT? VW had problems with them several years ago, thought they would have fixed them by now.

Michaell · September 2023

ab348 said:
Is that a Taos? I read they had lots of problems early after introduction.

Yup

Michaell · September 2023

texases said:
Does it have a DCT? VW had problems with them several years ago, thought they would have fixed them by now.

I don’t think so, just a traditional 6 or 8 speed auto.

I didn’t drive it today - rode with my sister and BIL in their XC40

sda · September 2023

The 4 Motion Taos has a DSG which apparently isn't matched well to the engine, at least at lower speeds. The FWD has a conventional automatic (Aisin?) that performs better in normal driving situations.

Michaell · September 2023

sda said:
The 4 Motion Taos has a DSG which apparently isn't matched well to the engine, at least at lower speeds. The FWD has a conventional automatic (Aisin?) that performs better in normal driving situations.

Ah, interesting. Thanks for the clarification. I’ll pay attention to it when I drive it back to the airport tomorrow.

fintail · October 2023

2 months from today I rent a car for several days at SEA, and the anticipation begins. I already have a "luxury" rental from National reserved - booked some time ago at a very good rate. I am a little leery of this, as I have heard of people being offered a 300 (I want something more fun) or just the aisle. Last year, arriving after the ice storm, National was a sea of base Chargers, so I went to a Sixt booking I had as a backup, as the price difference wasn't a fortune on a per-day basis. Might do a backup again if I can do it without a cancel fee risk.

tjc78 · October 2023

National is pretty good with getting you what you reserve. I rented a Tahoe in Vegas last year and they had a brand new Wagoneer waiting for me. It wasn’t on the aisle.

fintail · October 2023

My last National rental was a premium that gave me an XT4. Time before was a luxury where nothing was available in the category. I am a little leery of actually receiving the 300 example car, or being told to choose from a bunch of miled up Sentras and Malibus on the aisle. However, for the price, we will see.

tjc78 said:
National is pretty good with getting you what you reserve. I rented a Tahoe in Vegas last year and they had a brand new Wagoneer waiting for me. It wasn’t on the aisle.

Sandman6472 · October 2023

Moving our middle girl to St. Augustine on November 15th and thinking of getting a minivan as she has 2 bar stools and a few medium size tubs. At first was thinking Tahoe, but need all the interior room as possible so think a minivan is the better choice here. I can lower the third row seats and just keep one captain chair up for her to sit in on the way up. I'll drive and my wife will be the navigator. With my employee discount, it should be a pretty sweet deal as think we pay around 55% but taking out all the insurance is required. Haven't rented for us yet, this will be the first time, but a relative I rented for a couple of times got a substantial discount she said. Will have to see if it'll be cheaper to keep it for a week as opposed to four to five days. And after driving a Pacifica at work yesterday, think it'll work out fine. We'll be taking a trip to move her there Thanksgiving week so will have her Accent to fill up and she & my wife will drive that up. I'll follow in either the Golf or just might rent a smaller CUV to take any loose ends. Asked for three weeks off knowing they'd refuse so I said give me two weeks and I'll make it work. They agreed! Rather than run into a time crunch, would rather have the extra days if needed. Can always go back in earlier than planned.
She's giving us her king bed for our guest room/the girls room plus her couch as she wants a new queen mattress and a sectional couch. She's moving into a brand new 1/1 as it's just been finished. Decided against a 2/2 as it's just too soon for us to move and better to save the extra funds for when we do indeed move. Gave my wife until the end of 2025 to wrap up things down here so we can relocate somewhere in Central Florida. Most likely it'll be in the Daytona Beach area or closer to Orlando, just to soon to decide quite where. But with all our kids gone from South Florida, no sense us staying here. Been in this house over 37 years now, so we have a lot of "stuff", I do, to go through and purge. So thinking my two year plan is quite doable as I just can't rush.

texases · October 2023

Renting a Caravan with 'stow and go' seats was the ticket when we moved our son to uni. Nothing like the room in those. Except maybe the Uhaul we used a few years later for his move to his new job. Much preferred the Caravan, but not enough room for bed, sofa, bookcase, etc.

Sandman6472 · November 2023

Still have the Pacifica reservation for this week but we'll probably cancel it as the wife won't drive it. Doctor has me off driving for the next few weeks so either we switch her into a Camry sedan or a Tucson SUV, or she'll just take her Audi and fit what she can each trip. I'll stay home for this weeks trip but for the one for Thanksgiving, I'll go along as we need to take my kids vehicle up. I'll sit in the passenger seat & possibly do some I-95 driving if I'm feeling better.
Really stinks that I got sick when I'm needed but such is life I guess. It's just that we've got a lot to do and me being sidelined wasn't planned. But, I'll do what I can even if I can't drive much and we'll get her all moved in. Maybe it's a blessing that my primary doctor took me out of work for the time being. I need to get well and regain my strength before we get super busy at work in mid-December.

Sandman6472 · November 2023

Wife saw a Q3 at Enterprise, so we stopped by our local Audi store so she could sit in one. She said it felt familiar to her current 2015 A3. Then got her into a new 2023 A3 and again, said it felt familiar. She liked the revised infotainment center, the push button start plus the smallish auto shifter so think she'd be quite happy getting another one. They had a beautiful one in gray over gray that she actually liked. Said maybe not getting a white over black unit next time would be the way to go just to spice things up.
Realize there are more vehicles out there for her to try so think we got off to a great start here as she knows that she can get another A3 and it'll have enough changes to make it feel like a whole new model.

Sandman6472 · November 2023

Picked up our rental this morning. No Nissan Kicks which was fine with me. Refused the Nissan Altima and wife didn't want the 2023 Accord which would've been fine. They finally went & got a miled up 2021 Toyota Rav4, has just under 55K on the clock. It also needs maintenance as I keep having to shut that off each time I start it. But for our needs these next few days, it'll work just fine. Right now, have all the seats down except the front ones and the one behind the driver. We have to take a couple of bar stools plus a couple of storage bins plus lots of small stuff. Then there's my duffle, the wife's duffle, the kids bag plus a couple smaller bags we'll need. but think it'll swallow it all up with room to spare. Nice to have such a versatile vehicle for those few times it's needed!

fintail · November 2023

T-minus one month til rental car day. I notice National has shuffled some of their example vehicles, and now my "luxury" reservation says A4/3er "or similar" rather than Chrysler 300 "or similar", likely due to the 300 ending production. Likely base model cars, but I once had a virtual zero option 300 as a Hertz rental, so maybe something better on fuel and dynamics, possibly.

tifighter · November 2023

In Sedona this week and got a Wagoneer to drive around. It is ginormous and soft, but appropriate enough for long distance travel across the desert. Pretty well equipped with heated and cooled seats, air suspension, etc. Saw a Rivian R1S at enterprise when we picked it up but wasn’t sure about the charging situation at our rental. Maybe next time.

fintail · November 2023

I've read of Rivian appearing at a couple of National locations too. If one happens to be available during my upcoming rental, I'd jump at the chance. Apparently there's a Rivian charging bank out on the coast near where I am going, so it would work for me. Unlikely odds though, I have to believe one of those would be snapped up at SEA.

Sandman6472 · November 2023

The Rav4 was a great rental and it didn't use that much petrol. It's amazing how many of these puppies are out there, seemed like every other vehicle was an SUV or CUV! The wife drove it on the way up to St. Cloud Thursday and really liked it. It's a bit too long for her tastes but doubtful that she'll get another A3 but, it's still in the running. I drove it the rest of the time and liked it though you could tell it was abused over it's use at Enterprise. It needs an oil change as I had to get rid of the "needs maintenance" warning every time I started it, very annoying! Also, turning off the "A" button each time was also crazy, just wish there was a way to turn that feature off completely. Rained yesterday morning and continued till we left about 1:30. Sun came out after we passed Daytona which was helpful as we had a lot of holiday traffic & that held our speed down to like 60 mph. Got a bit lost going to a Perkins restaurant near Melbourne as the Siri took us to a residential community & told us we had arrived! As we were getting back onto I-95, saw it on the right side of the road and naturally, I was in the left turn lane. I got over somehow, Rav4 had Michigan plates on it so figure folks got that I was lost.
Overall, a very good experience though the hotel was awful! Simply awful and they ended up giving us a 50% discount for the two night stay! Seems nobody wants to work anymore which is sad...since the pandemic, folks have gotten truly lazy. Our country needs to get it's act together!!! Got the kids apartment all set up, had to buy some last minute things, but she's up & running. AT&T internet works great in the apartment and the complex is really nice, brand new actually. Couldn't believe how close she is to the hospital...on a nice day, she could actually walk it! A big reason she chose this particular apartment. Went couch shopping as she needs a place for folks to sit. Found a couple she liked so she's still deciding between those or getting a couple of comfy chairs. A couch wold be best as I'd have a place to sleep when we go up, she went down to a queen bed this time so the girls could bunk in her room if needed.
Miss her but...not as much as I thought. I was feeling a bit better so made the trip easier since I was able to go.
But, Dorothy was right..."there's no place like home"! So happy to be back in our own bed. And hoping to go back to work by week's end. Have more physical therapy to attend and if my blood tests & doctors appointment go as expected, think I'll be back this coming Friday. If I do, I'll have been out 32 days this time! I just want to go back already & get back to a normal life!!!

xwesx · November 2023

I'm glad your trip was more enjoyable since your vertigo was behaving itself. I also hope you are still exploring that's going on there, because it will likely return sooner than later if you just push toward getting back to "normal."

Sandman6472 · November 2023

The kids want me to see a neurologist which I think is a good idea. Had blood test today and see my primary on Thursday and hoping he'll release me to go back to work. The physical therapy is going well, he had me doing a bunch of balance exercises yesterday plus on a bike for 10 minutes. I go back next Thursday as he ants to see me every week now for a few weeks. He also thinks I should see what's going on inside to figure out why the vertigo is coming back every 6 months.
Spoke with my brothers friend who thinks it's related to some negative feelings he thinks I've been carrying around for years, sounds pretty silly to me. They want to do an open MRI so guess I'll let them though I'll need to be sedated to even get in that thing. But, we've got to do something as it's not normal. Started back in 2021 and it rears it's ugly head in February & October like clockwork. But this is the longest period I've been suffering with it which is strange.
Drove to the doctors office today with no issues but not doing any excess driving just to be on the safe side. I just want it to go away & never return! I want my life back!!!

Sandman6472 · November 2023

Renting the Rav4 worked out pretty good. The price I pay as an Enterprise employee made all the difference really. Having the tire icon come on was something they should've addressed before but I stopped at my local tire guy & he just added air to all four tires. As to the "maintenance required" light always on, the guy checked when I turned it in that it wasn't time for an oil change & if I had gone into settings, I could've urned the warning off. But if he knew it, why didn't he just do it before I left is my question? I'd never have known this.

The Altima or Accord would not have worked for what we needed so glad they found the Rav4. Good on petrol and easy to drive especially in the rain we had most of Sunday. Figure we won't have to rent again before the wife chooses something new but did let her know that's an option if she wants to wait closer to New Years to buy. But at this point, I'm done and will wait till she decides yes or no on a rental.

fintail · December 2023

About 1 day and 22 hours til rental car time, the anticipation begins in earnest. I have 2 cancelable reservations - National and Sixt, both "luxury". (both claim 3er or A4 as examples) I will check National first, as they are $5/day cheaper, and if selection is sparse like last year, I will see if Sixt has anything better. Wouldn't mind getting lucky like last year with the 7er.

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