Rental Car thread

Started by Laconian, February 27, 2017, 08:50:47 PM

MX793

I don't travel much, so don't have a ton of rental experience.  Over the past ~10 years or so I've had:

Mid-2000s Stratus - Thoroughly mediocre.  Steering rack was so slow I actually got kind of tired sawing at the wheel navigating the aisles of a parking lot.

2007-ish Chevy Cobalt - Would have been a lot better minus the unpredictable and inconsistent EPAS.  One time you take a corner and the thing is so over-boosted that you can steer with your little finger.  Take the same corner at the same speed another time and it's like there's no power assist at all.  And half the time the wheel wouldn't naturally unwind if you let go after taking a corner.  You actually had to steer back to straight.

2009-ish Mitsu Endeavor - This thing had obviously had a hard life, so I don't know how critical I want to be of it.  Alignment was off, may have had a wheel bearing failing, and lots of rattles.  Definitely felt a generation older than it was based on aesthetics and quality of materials.  Reminded me of something you might get from Pontiac in the early 2000s.

2012 Impala - Solid powertrain.  Suspension/Chassis was spooky, though.  Had to take some mild evasive maneuvers on the interstate and thought I was going to lose it.  Really floaty and not confidence inspiring at all  I understand why people who drive these things slow down for winding roads.

Gen 1 Kia Soul - Surprisingly OK.  Roomy, good outward visibility, and reasonably peppy.  Not a bad runabout for the limited time I had it.  For someone who wants the tall seating position and space of a crossover but doesn't need AWD, seems a decent option.

2015 Ford Edge - Really quick steering for a midsize SUV.  Like Mazdaspeed3 quick.  Lots of road noise.  2.0T did not feel overwhelmed by a vehicle of that size and heft.

2016 Kia Forte Sedan - Didn't seem to track very well on the highway.  Needed a lot of corrections to keep it in the lane.  Powertrain was OK.  Had enough oomph to keep up with traffic.  Trip computer seemed a little optimistic.  Based on the readout, I should have been averaging over 40 mpg when I filled up the tank, but actually was only in the low to mid 30s (which still wasn't bad).  Rearview camera was really only good at seeing what was immediately (like within 5 feet) of the back of the car, so not as useful as in other cars I've been in with that feature where the camera can effectively replace the need to use the mirror.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

12,000 RPM

Quote from: Raza  on March 13, 2017, 09:54:47 AM
In your vision of the world, is every car just a crossover?   :tounge:

Seriously though, it seems like in every thread you're like "Ferrari Superfast?  They should have made a CUV called the Supercomfortable instead.  Seats 7 comfortably, weighs 1,850 pounds, naturally aspirated 7.0L V12, $45K."
Naw, full on coupes make sense. It's this in between wishy washy stuff that's so-so. What does the Maxima want to be? More time with it has made it more clear and I tone back my earlier statements. It probably would have worked best as a hatchback and I'm glad that's catching on (Stinger GT, Arteon, Audi Sportbacks)
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

Raza

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 13, 2017, 08:34:00 PM
Naw, full on coupes make sense. It's this in between wishy washy stuff that's so-so. What does the Maxima want to be? More time with it has made it more clear and I tone back my earlier statements. It probably would have worked best as a hatchback and I'm glad that's catching on (Stinger GT, Arteon, Audi Sportbacks)

Got you.

My brother is looking into the S5 Sportback to replace his S4.  I think it's a good fit.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

68_427

Except the new A/S5 is UGGOOOO

U G L Y
G
L
Y
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


giant_mtb

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 13, 2017, 08:34:00 PM
Naw, full on coupes make sense. It's this in between wishy washy stuff that's so-so. What does the Maxima want to be? More time with it has made it more clear and I tone back my earlier statements. It probably would have worked best as a hatchback and I'm glad that's catching on (Stinger GT, Arteon, Audi Sportbacks)

A Maxima is wishy washy and confuses you on what it wants to be?  Holy shit, man, it's a 4-door sedan. y u complicate. It's not a CrossTour.

BimmerM3

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 13, 2017, 08:34:00 PM
Naw, full on coupes make sense.

lol

Mid-size and full-size coupes are the most pointless style of car. Size and weight advantages are tiny over their sedan counterparts, but the loss in practicality is huge. The only advantage is that they sometimes look better.

Speed_Racer

Quote from: MX793 on March 13, 2017, 08:29:58 PM

2016 Kia Forte Sedan - Didn't seem to track very well on the highway.  Needed a lot of corrections to keep it in the lane.  Powertrain was OK.  Had enough oomph to keep up with traffic.  Trip computer seemed a little optimistic.  Based on the readout, I should have been averaging over 40 mpg when I filled up the tank, but actually was only in the low to mid 30s (which still wasn't bad).  Rearview camera was really only good at seeing what was immediately (like within 5 feet) of the back of the car, so not as useful as in other cars I've been in with that feature where the camera can effectively replace the need to use the mirror.

I don't know what it is with Hyundai/Kia, but they have sketchy freeway handling. I drove an Elantra from SLC to Vegas and same thing - lots of corrections needed to stay on course, plus it felt super tippy. I didn't enjoy it at all.

12,000 RPM

Quote from: Raza  on March 13, 2017, 09:19:20 PM
Got you.

My brother is looking into the S5 Sportback to replace his S4.  I think it's a good fit.
That is a good look. If the Stinger GT works I'd like to have one in the future.
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

Raza

Quote from: 68_427 on March 14, 2017, 02:14:40 PM
Except the new A/S5 is UGGOOOO

U G L Y
G
L
Y

You like the Lexus LS. 'Nuff said.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
If you can read this, you're too close


2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
http://accelerationtherapy.squarespace.com/   @accelerationdoc
Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

Rich

Booked a challenger or similar for the rental I'll have waiting for my Miata to arrive. We'll see how she do
2003 Mazda Miata 5MT; 2005 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4AT

68_427

my dad had a 2017 R/T rental last month.  He didn't even make it out of the rental garage before bringing it back.  Said he couldn't see out of it, the seats weren't comfortable and the stereo sucked.  He wanted out so fast he left his luggage in the trunk :lol:
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


Rich

Haha. I'm sure this thing will be a V6 or if it's a mustang, a 4cyl
2003 Mazda Miata 5MT; 2005 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4AT

68_427

speaking of I had this Yukon in Florida.  Had every option you can get without getting a Denali besides sunroof.  MPG was about 20mpg mixed (hand calculated) and was generally fucking awesome.  The auto high beams worked phenomenally as did Android Auto and the top of the line stereo actually kicks ass.  The heated/cooled seats were super comfortable and I really had no complaints.  The Denali would be worth it for the 6.2L I think.

Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


giant_mtb

Toyota Sienna.  Base model.  A minivan that got people and things from one place to another. Smooth ride, lots of room, rear door windows rolled down. 

Went with the cheap car rental place...probably not gonna do that again if I can avoid it.  I've never rented a car before and the people at the desk weren't very nice.  Sorry that I'm handing you $500 and I have a few questions.

68_427

Which rental agency was it? 
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


giant_mtb

Quote from: 68_427 on March 28, 2017, 01:34:39 AM
Which rental agency was it? 

https://www.foxrentacar.com/en.html

Booked it through Orbitz.  The one in Orlando has like a 2 star rating.  But we made it alive with no real issues. 

68_427

Ah.  We got lucky with my dad's corporate account that Yukon cost him $16/day and they didn't charge us for forgetting to re-fill with fuel.  I'm so jealous I can't wait till I turn 25 so I can use his account :lol:
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


giant_mtb

Quote from: 68_427 on March 28, 2017, 03:51:09 AM
Ah.  We got lucky with my dad's corporate account that Yukon cost him $16/day and they didn't charge us for forgetting to re-fill with fuel.  I'm so jealous I can't wait till I turn 25 so I can use his account :lol:

Damn, yeah, that's cheap. What rental company?

68_427

Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


dazzleman

I seldom rent cars, since I don't travel for business and my vacation travel is either in my own car or doesn't involve driving.

But I did rent a car for a week in 2015 when my car was having work done.  I rented a Ford Mustang and I really liked it.  It was like a throwback to the throaty V-8 days, and the general type of car I had in my very early years of driving.
A good friend will come bail you out of jail...BUT, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, DAMN...that was fun!

BimmerM3

Quote from: giant_mtb on March 28, 2017, 01:17:03 AM
Toyota Sienna.  Base model.  A minivan that got people and things from one place to another. Smooth ride, lots of room, rear door windows rolled down. 

Went with the cheap car rental place...probably not gonna do that again if I can avoid it.  I've never rented a car before and the people at the desk weren't very nice.  Sorry that I'm handing you $500 and I have a few questions.

I will absolutely never rent from Thifty (or Dollar - same corporate umbrella) again in my life. When I went to Coachella a few years back, I literally waited in line for over 4 hours to get to the rental counter, and then they tried to tell me that they didn't have a minivan available (or any other suitably large car). Uh no - we're going to a fucking music festival with 6 people, and I made the reservation like 2 months ago. Find me a damn minivan (which they eventually did).

giant_mtb

Quote from: BimmerM3 on March 28, 2017, 08:26:46 AM
I will absolutely never rent from Thifty (or Dollar - same corporate umbrella) again in my life. When I went to Coachella a few years back, I literally waited in line for over 4 hours to get to the rental counter, and then they tried to tell me that they didn't have a minivan available (or any other suitably large car). Uh no - we're going to a fucking music festival with 6 people, and I made the reservation like 2 months ago. Find me a damn minivan (which they eventually did).

That sucks.  Luckily we didn't run into any issues of vehicle choice. There were at least 4 vans to choose from.  I don't know how a rental company with known inventory and scheduled uses (just like a hotel) can fuck up their logistics like that. 

CaminoRacer

Rental car people suck in general. National and Hertz are usually the best, but every once in a while you get a jackknob at the desk.

The amount of extra fees and charges is also ridiculous and dishonest.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

BimmerM3

Quote from: CaminoRacer on March 28, 2017, 08:32:29 AM
Rental car people suck in general. National and Hertz are usually the best, but every once in a while you get a jackknob at the desk.

The amount of extra fees and charges is also ridiculous and dishonest.

I like Hertz because I don't have to deal with the jackknobs at the desk. Now the Atlanta location just has "choose your own car" aisle for rewards members, and even before that, they'd send me a text message with the stall number of my car. Walk over, throw luggage in the trunk, hop in, and drive off. The only interaction is the person at the gate who checks your ID and scans the bar code on the windshield.

Meanwhile Enterprise went the opposite direction. They have annoying people with iPads to great you and escort you to your car, while attempting to make friendly conversation so that I might remember their name and give them a positive review online. I get that some people appreciate that kind of service, but I'm more of a "get out of my way" kinda guy.

68_427

Yeah it's really worth while to be a member of their rewards programs. 
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


Laconian

#55
National's "emerald aisle" service is nice. I can find a car I like without interrogating the person behind the desk.

"Uhh, a Chrysler 200? Do you, like, have anything else...?"
"Why?"
"*Sigh*... rantrantrant"

I recently got the "executive" membership status which gives me a free upgrade to the Executive aisle. I think that means I can rent Buick Regals for the price of Camrys.
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

68_427

#56
Quote from: Laconian on March 28, 2017, 12:47:43 PM
National's "emerald aisle" service is nice. I can find a car I like without interrogating the person behind the desk.

"Uhh, a Chrysler 200? Do you, like, have anything else...?"
"Why?"
"*Sigh*... rantrantrant"

I recently got the "executive" membership status which gives me a free upgrade to the Executive aisle. I think that means I can rent Buick Regals for the price of Camrys.

You can pick anything in the executive isle for the price of a midsize car.  That includes any Regal/300/Yukon/Tahoe/Suburban/1/2 truck etc.  My dad is Executive Elite and damn it's super awesome and painless. 

Except my dad still asks 4-5 people in the lot which car he can take :lol:
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


Laconian

"Except my dad still asks 4-5 people in the lot which car he can take :lol:"
Sounds like my dad. :lol:
Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT

68_427

We were driving the Yukon out of the lot and he rolled the window down while CONTINUING TO DRIVE by an employee and yelled "Is it ok if I take this one?!"


:lol:
Quotewhere were you when automotive dream died
i was sat at home drinking brake fluid when wife ring
'racecar is die'
no


Laconian

Kia EV6 GT-Line / MX-5 RF 6MT