Rental Car thread

[FoMoJo]

Does it have auto start/stop? If it does and it can't be disabled, I'd pass on it.

It has a starter/generator so I expect that start/stop is an integral part of the powertrain.

[AutobahnSHO]

Does it have auto start/stop? If it does and it can't be disabled, I'd pass on it.

hybrid drivetrains ALL auto start/stop. The idea is to run the ICE as little as possible. They shut off while still driving, sometimes even still accelerating.

Also hybrids don't have the typical automatic transmission. The Prius, Maverick, I assume Camry hybrids all have an "eCVT" which is just a planetary gear set- no pulleys, no belts. Super durable. With two electric generators. One only pushes the car. The other acts as pusher, alternator, and regenerator- when braking it captures motion into charge for the battery pack.

Maverick hybrid has a 1.1Kwh high voltage battery plus a small 12v battery. (Tesla has 60+?Kwh)

[Laconian]

I don't mind hybrid auto stop.

[AutobahnSHO]

Oh and Prius & Mav hybrid don't have a reverse gear- electric motor pushes in reverse polarity. If the battery is too low then the ICE will turn on to charge the battery with electric motor #2 while #1 moves the vehicle.

Also weirdly enough the ICE cannot turn on or off in "neutral"- it's not true neutral, an electric motor has to turn opposite the ICE when it's running. If the ICE isn't running, then the motors just don't do anything. But it can't start or stop the ICE while it's pretending to be in neutral. There is still a standard parking pawl.

[giant_mtb]

I don't mind hybrid auto stop.

Depends on the car and how it's programmed.  My biggest gripe with auto start/stop is that it interrupts the HVAC since the AC compressor runs off the ICE's serpentine belt. Please don't turn off my AC on a hot day or turn off my defroster on a cold ass day to save microscopic amounts of fuel.

[Morris Minor]

Does it have auto start/stop? If it does and it can't be disabled, I'd pass on it.

The engine only cuts in when needed. Most of the time at low speeds & in stop/start traffic it's in EV mode, so stays silent - very serene.

[AutobahnSHO]

Depends on the car and how it's programmed.  My biggest gripe with auto start/stop is that it interrupts the HVAC since the AC compressor runs off the ICE's serpentine belt. Please don't turn off my AC on a hot day or turn off my defroster on a cold ass day to save microscopic amounts of fuel.

Our hybrid has electric brake booster and electric a/c compressor.

I open the door for my wife to get in but she likes me to drive. If she has her purse (with fob inside, or left it locked in truck) after she gets in she hits the on button and the a/c starts up in accessory mode. I get in and push brake and hit the on button and it "starts up" to be able to put it into gear.

[WookieOnRitalin]

I have been driving a 2025 Subaru Outback for over a week while the Baja gets some work done.

I can say with a feverish passion how much I hate modern cars. Blind spots are terrible. Starlink sucks. The safety features are obtrusive and annoying. CVTs suck historic balls.

It is the epitome of suburban vanilla.

The only thing I like are the seats.

It's got that new cruise control semi autonomous system which is freaking weird.

Please tell me all modern cars are not like this.

[AutobahnSHO]

I have been driving a 2025 Subaru Outback for over a week while the Baja gets some work done.

I can say with a feverish passion how much I hate modern cars. Blind spots are terrible. Starlink sucks. The safety features are obtrusive and annoying. CVTs suck historic balls.

It is the epitome of suburban vanilla.

The only thing I like are the seats.

It's got that new cruise control semi autonomous system which is freaking weird.

Please tell me all modern cars are not like this.

Once you're assimilated, you feel just pure bliss.

[veeman]

Modern cars usually have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (with the exception of Tesla) which is really nice. 

Rear vision backup cameras and if they offer it, surround vision cameras, are much better in modern cars.

I agree safety features which make annoying beeps and cannot be easily disengaged are very annoying. 

After having a 2017 Crosstrek for 4 years, I wouldn't get another Subaru. They look rugged and cool and had good colors offered but it was noisy and cost me a lot in repairs. 

[giant_mtb]

I've had a vehicle with Android Auto for two years and can count on one hand the number of times I've used it. I really don't understand the obsession.

[AutobahnSHO]

I've had a vehicle with Android Auto for two years and can count on one hand the number of times I've used it. I really don't understand the obsession.

Was it wireless?

We didn't use ours that much when we had to plug the phone in everytime, but I got an adapter so it just works when the truck is on.

Nice to have phone calls with just a button, resume playlist or Pandora, and especially maps on the screen.

[giant_mtb]

No, Taco's AA is not wireless, but I still have seen no real reason for it outside of a roadtrip to unfamiliar territory when having nav on the bigger infotainment screen is nice.

When connected to my phone via BT (not on AA), Taco can change tracks on my phone with the steering wheel controls. And 90% of the time I'm listening to podcasts or audiobooks, so I have no need to browse/change tracks on a screen. Phone function works the same as it would through AA, just have to hit a button on the screen. And I never answer the phone when I'm driving anyways.

I don't live in a place where I need to use Waze or navigation constantly to "avoid traffic."

[SJ_GTI]

After having a 2017 Crosstrek for 4 years, I wouldn't get another Subaru. They look rugged and cool and had good colors offered but it was noisy and cost me a lot in repairs. 

My mom got a Crosstrek a few years ago, she thought it might be her last car purchase (she doesn't enjoy new cars, so that was a relief). But in the last year its been having lots of problems, been back tro the dealer half a dozen times. She is mostly retired (still works for an hospice company a couple days a week) so its not as big a deal as if she needed to get to work every morning, but still irritating. She is thinking about buying a new car. She's been a Toyota Corolla customer most of her adult life so that is probably what she will go back to. She likes the  higher seating position of the Crosstrek though, so maybe she'll get a CUV.

[WookieOnRitalin]

CX-50!

[WookieOnRitalin]

Once you're assimilated, you feel just pure bliss.

The sound system in my Baja sounds better than the Harman Kardon system in the Outback. It is not bliss. It is what someone else wants you to believe is bliss.

Wear the right clothes. Say the right words. Cut your hair the right way.

There is nothing is interesting about this vehicle. It is the missionary position of motor vehicles.

[Morris Minor]

My mom got a Crosstrek a few years ago, she thought it might be her last car purchase (she doesn't enjoy new cars, so that was a relief). But in the last year its been having lots of problems, been back tro the dealer half a dozen times. She is mostly retired (still works for an hospice company a couple days a week) so its not as big a deal as if she needed to get to work every morning, but still irritating. She is thinking about buying a new car. She's been a Toyota Corolla customer most of her adult life so that is probably what she will go back to. She likes the  higher seating position of the Crosstrek though, so maybe she'll get a CUV.

Hybrid Corolla Cross. She will be happy.
https://www.toyota.com/corollacrosshybrid/

[AutobahnSHO]

Nah, Maverick is the king of all vehicles. Just-right-sized, very clever use of space and features and capacity, works great for commuting or light truck work or....

[AutobahnSHO]

The sound system in my Baja sounds better than the Harman Kardon system in the Outback. It is not bliss. It is what someone else wants you to believe is bliss.

Wear the right clothes. Say the right words. Cut your hair the right way.

There is nothing is interesting about this vehicle. It is the missionary position of motor vehicles.

Subaru built a following from being different, but not everyone likes different. They want vanilla boring. Their sales have only risen since they went more "mainstream".

I haven't seen any advantage to Subaru in 10+ years. Other makes now have same features for same price, and sometimes less maintenance worries.

[veeman]

My mom got a Crosstrek a few years ago, she thought it might be her last car purchase (she doesn't enjoy new cars, so that was a relief). But in the last year its been having lots of problems, been back tro the dealer half a dozen times. She is mostly retired (still works for an hospice company a couple days a week) so its not as big a deal as if she needed to get to work every morning, but still irritating. She is thinking about buying a new car. She's been a Toyota Corolla customer most of her adult life so that is probably what she will go back to. She likes the  higher seating position of the Crosstrek though, so maybe she'll get a CUV.

At less than 100 thousand miles I had to replace both front CV axles and both rear wheel bearings of my Crosstrek. The car would also eat a quart of motor oil every 3 thousand miles. 

[veeman]

Nah, Maverick is the king of all vehicles. Just-right-sized, very clever use of space and features and capacity, works great for commuting or light truck work or....

Most women who aren't farm girls don't want a pickup truck though, even a compact one. My Mom eventually has warmed up to my Dad's Maverick but there would be no way to convince her it's the best car for her when she needs another car. "I don't want a pickup truck."

[WookieOnRitalin]

Most women who aren't farm girls don't want a pickup truck though, even a compact one. My Mom eventually has warmed up to my Dad's Maverick but there would be no way to convince her it's the best car for her when she needs another car. "I don't want a pickup truck."

Then a Bronco Sport would make sense since it is essentially the same vehicle.

[giant_mtb]

At less than 100 thousand miles I had to replace both front CV axles and both rear wheel bearings of my Crosstrek. The car would also eat a quart of motor oil every 3 thousand miles. 

Dunno how close to 100k miles you were, but replacing a wheel bearing or CV shaft at near 100k is completely normal. Honestly, should be amazed they last as long as they do.

[AutobahnSHO]

Most women who aren't farm girls don't want a pickup truck though, even a compact one. My Mom eventually has warmed up to my Dad's Maverick but there would be no way to convince her it's the best car for her when she needs another car. "I don't want a pickup truck."

A HUGE portion of the population nowadays thinks trucks are cool. Even non farm people.

Of course a "baby truck" is a different topic

[GoCougs]

Have a 2023 Tacoma as a rental. Holy cow this thing drives terrible overall. Ride and brake feel is actually quite good though.

[giant_mtb]

Have a 2023 Tacoma as a rental. Holy cow this thing drives terrible overall. Ride and brake feel is actually quite good though.

You get used to it.

[Morris Minor]

Have a 2023 Tacoma as a rental. Holy cow this thing drives terrible overall. Ride and brake feel is actually quite good though.

I had a '23 4Runner for a month last year. It drove pretty clunkily too... & drank gas. But I kinda liked it - had an unbreakable Tonka Toy feel to it. I can see why they're popular & have stellar residuals.

[GoCougs]

The flexy chassis (esp. box/bed separation) and longer wheelbase I'm sure detracts WRT the 4Runner. The worst is the darty just-off-center steering. Feels almost unstable; maybe the alignment is off and may not affect the average Tacoma. Oh, and still has rear drum brakes and engine-mounted cooling fan (just like my '97 Tacoma WAY back in the day!).

On some positive notes, the "ECT power" button adds a bit of spiritedness (higher RPM shift points, more aggressive throttle mapping). It's actually much more responsive (esp. off the line) than my SQ5. Also, I'm getting ~22 mpg with fairly aggressive driving, including perpetual 75-80 mph on the freeway (80 mph is about the top speed with me behind the wheel - the porpoising is quite something else).

[Eye of the Tiger]

Trucks drive like trucks.

[giant_mtb]

Drum brakes last a long time and they work. The Tacoma has better stopping distances than a Ranger.