Topic: Rental car thread

[Railton]

Seem to be having some problems booking a convertible.  Not very picky usually they have Mustang, Camaro, and Chyrsler 200.  Any suggestions, links or anything?  I do have CAA, which offers discounts to Hertz I think.  I am trying to book during the second of September, during the week.  But I tried several dates, and they always say booked...  Flexible to pick up within 30km of the GTA area, like Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga.

Avis, Std Conv 1 week Sept 15 to 22, $518 tax in for the week, pick up downtown TO.
Railton

Thanks, went to the AVIS.ca website, and I specified a few Toronto locations, convertibles not available.  Only one that offers it is the Toronto airport, and it's for a Mustang GT, and it's lot more money.  Can you specify the location?

Rogers center, blue Jays Way.
Go thru expedia.ca
Railton

[HeliDriver]

Looking to rent something fun, not too small, and not too expensive for a 10-day trip to Scotland this summer.

So far, I can get a Golf 1.6 (or similar) for CDN$437, a 3-Series, C-Class (or similar) for $466, or a BMW 116D (or similar) for $482.

The 1-Series hatchback is my first choice, as I love that car and would probably have one in my driveway right now if only BMW would bring it here. The only problem is that the "or similar" is a Mini Cooper (which would be fine, but I could drive one here if I really wanted to) or a Citroen DS4 (which might also be okay, in a quirky, French, may-as-well-try-something-different kind of way.) But, I'd still really be hoping to get the 116D.

The Golf is the cheapest, and it would be fun to try a MkVII for an extended drive, but I haven't heard back yet as to what the "or similar" might be. Probably a Kia or Hyundai or something that I have zero desire to drive. 

But, the 3-Series/C-Class option sounds like the best value of the bunch. And I'd be sort of curious to drive either of those cars (especially the C-Class if they're renting the brand new one over there already ) but I think I'd still rather drive a 1-Series than the F30 3-Series. 

Any other not-too-expensive, fun-to-drive, quirky Euro-vehicles that I should try to hunt down? Fiat 500 is sort of tempting, but again, I could rent one here. Maybe something from Peugeot? Skoda? Vauxhall?

[sszoomzoom]

So I got upgraded to a BMW 328i xDrive because Budget at the airport did not have any on the class I rented. Drove it Kelowna to Vancouver and Back to Kelowna. Nice car but disappointing at the same time. The interior was from the last century (my opinion), the front seats were very nice and snug but not made for large (lucky I am a small person) people. The automatic 8 speed in comfort mode is the biggest let-down (what a stupid idea) as the engine shuts off when a stop and the there is a noticeable lag and you hear the engine start and then you finally can go (is good for fuel consumption and that is it). Had to drive it in sport mode as the comfort was too annoying. Pretty good torque and power overall but the front cabin is kinda smallish and cramped. Had fun having a co-worker driving it in comfort mode and complaining that the car does not have any power. The wind noise was noticeable at all hwy speeds so I don't think that is t well insulated. For that price I would buy something better. Overall the front seats and the looks for the only strong points in my opinion.

[makuribu]

Another trip to France, Nice this time. Car was not so Nice. I reserved a Peugeot 5008 like I had last year. Hoping for that or a Ford C-Max Grande or any other 3 row people mover with room for five plus some luggage.

I got "upgraded" to the Peugeot Expert TePee instead. Room for 8.  It's a builder's van with windows and seats.  Lots of room, none of it in useful areas. Although you can barely jam two suitcases behind the third row, you could carry all your luggage above your heads, if there were overhead bins. At least two feet of empty space up there. The floor is completely flat and the rear seats are on stilts for easy removal. Perfect for carrying gyproc or plywood, but everything else slides all the way from back to front and side to side, always ending up under the driver's feet and the pedals.

A sloppy long throw 6 speed attached to a 2 litre TDi. Gigantic for the roads in France. It just fit in the 1.9 m high parking garages, with the antenna scraping every sign warning of height limitations.

I brought it back after two weeks with no new scratches or dents, which in France is miraculous.

[Julie]

We were also in France and got lucky. Booked a 1 series hatch and got a 2014 118d with the M Sport Package.

This was great for a few reasons:
- 118d turbo-4 diesel had ample grunt and was frugal.
- M Sport Package gave us a short-shift M shifter, thick M-sport steering wheel, and black and blue alcantra seats.
- the updated, built-in Nav was great at directions and finding places. I generally do not like built-in Nav's, but I guess it worked very well because it was new. As background, I am used to the iDrive and we speak/read French.
- back-up camera was nice.
- small size for Europe.

At first, I didn't understand why they'd equip a 118d with all those options, but I quickly grew to understand why. A motor like the 118d is great for Europe (it'd be just fine for North America as well, where our speed limits are lower!), and so... if you were to buy one, why not equip it with lots of nice options to have a comfortable ride.

I really like the new M Sport shifter and the placement of pedals, etc. Yes, the electronic steering has less feel than the hydraulic steering of older BMWs, but it was fine nonetheless. We left it on 'Sport' mode all the time but it was fine in 'Comfort' as well. Forget about 'Eco' mode and turn the automatic stop-start OFF. They must have improved the Crap-Flat tires, because we were riding on (staggered) 18 inch wheels  and the ride was very comfortable.

The only "con" was the 'sad fish' face of the new 1-series.    But oh well, it looked at least a little better in M Sport guise with HIDs.

[tpl]

The idea of small cars with small but adequately powered engines and  loaded with all the goodies is slowly taking hold in NA.  Trouble is, we are so brainwashed into very low base prices and a zillion $$ of options rather than just the loaded car at whatever it costs.

[Solstice2006]

The idea of small cars with small but adequately powered engines and  loaded with all the goodies is slowly taking hold in NA.  Trouble is, we are so brainwashed into very low base prices and a zillion $$ of options rather than just the loaded car at whatever it costs.

Yup it's sad, most people will say I am not spending that much for a car that small, that has less than 200hp.  Especially a manual diesel hatch, we can thank the Americans for that. 

[quadzilla]

We were also in France and got lucky. Booked a 1 series hatch and got a 2014 118d with the M Sport Package.

Nice write up. I think it looks great. Too bad we can't have this car here as I would be seriously interested in it.

[HeliDriver]

Booked the rental car for our upcoming trip to Scotland. I thought I had decided on the BMW 116D "or equivalent", but realized at the last minute that it only included 500 miles per week, which may or may not be enough. It was already a little pricey at C$630 for ten days, so I decided to go with plan B.

I took a Golf 1.6 "or equivalent" with unlimited mileage for only C$410 instead. I was tempted to go with a great deal on a BMW 3-Series "or equivalent" with unlimited miles for only C$440, but oddly enough, I'm more keen to try the basic MKVII Golf than the F30 3-Series.

Of course, we'll see if I actually get a Golf or wind up with something else. Will report back at the end of the trip. 

Edit: After sleeping on it, it just seemed stupid not to take that great deal on the 3-Series, so I cancelled the Golf and switched.

[Weels]

Needed a car for my wife for a couple days & got a very red Fiat 500 rental for a week.   My italian wife has had an ear to ear grin since it came home yesterday.
One of the mysteries of the rental car biz is that it is cheaper to rent for a week than for 3-4 days.
It is a fun little thing to chuck around, but like our Crosstrek could use some more "motivational urgency".

I do need to try out an Abarth one of these days...

[Weels]

Who says you can't have some fun with a tiny little car packing 100 hp and an automatic transmission?   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0yC-QQPk1E

[Angry Chicken]

Who says you can't have some fun with a tiny little car packing 100 hp and an automatic transmission?   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0yC-QQPk1E

You linked to a video that was marked as private.  Now you have my attention.

[Weels]

You linked to a video that was marked as private.  Now you have my attention.

Oops.  Fixed

[tpl]

Wellington west onto the Hanlon Southbound.  That you call an onramp?

[ThePointblank]

I used to work for Enterprise Rent A Car a few years back, so my opinions:

Worst car: Tie between a Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Suzuki Swift+. Why? The PT Cruiser was a piece of unreliable trash with a really crappy interior. Whoever styled and designed the human-machine interface on that thing probably was drunk. Window controls on the dash right in the middle?

The Suzuki Swift+? It was cheap and was clearly built cheap.

Best cheap car: When the Ford Fiesta arrived. When the first Fiesta came on the lot, I was excited. When I had the chance to get behind the wheel, it felt composed, drove nicely, and was well built.

Biggest let down: We had for a short time, a few BMW 328i's in our yard. Every talks about how well BMW's drive. These BMW's weren't good drivers. Very stiff steering wheel that made you tired trying to turn it, and uncomfortable seats. Could never really get comfortable in them.

Nicest surprise: Nissan Altima. Drove nicely, and the interior quality was pretty good for a car that price. It also was comfortable, yet communicated what was going on with the roads nicely.

The Yard Queen: A white 2009 Dodge Dakota. That truck was trouble, and spent more time at the dealer than being driven. Every time it came off a rent, the customer would note that the check engine light was on, and it would be sent to the local Chrysler dealer to be fixed. That truck was such a frequent visitor to that dealer that every time I arrived at the dealer not to pickup someone, they knew that the truck was back. It had no end of work done to it, from electrical re-wiring, to even having the entire engine replaced. I was happy when that truck left our yard for good to be disposed off.

I've got lots of stories from being in the rental car industry. If anyone is interested, I can share them.

[Fobroader]

I used to work for Enterprise Rent A Car a few years back, so my opinions:

Worst car: Tie between a Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Suzuki Swift+. Why? The PT Cruiser was a piece of unreliable trash with a really crappy interior. Whoever styled and designed the human-machine interface on that thing probably was drunk. Window controls on the dash right in the middle?

The Suzuki Swift+? It was cheap and was clearly built cheap.

Best cheap car: When the Ford Fiesta arrived. When the first Fiesta came on the lot, I was excited. When I had the chance to get behind the wheel, it felt composed, drove nicely, and was well built.

Biggest let down: We had for a short time, a few BMW 328i's in our yard. Every talks about how well BMW's drive. These BMW's weren't good drivers. Very stiff steering wheel that made you tired trying to turn it, and uncomfortable seats. Could never really get comfortable in them.

Nicest surprise: Nissan Altima. Drove nicely, and the interior quality was pretty good for a car that price. It also was comfortable, yet communicated what was going on with the roads nicely.

The Yard Queen: A white 2009 Dodge Dakota. That truck was trouble, and spent more time at the dealer than being driven. Every time it came off a rent, the customer would note that the check engine light was on, and it would be sent to the local Chrysler dealer to be fixed. That truck was such a frequent visitor to that dealer that every time I arrived at the dealer not to pickup someone, they knew that the truck was back. It had no end of work done to it, from electrical re-wiring, to even having the entire engine replaced. I was happy when that truck left our yard for good to be disposed off.

I've got lots of stories from being in the rental car industry. If anyone is interested, I can share them.

Oh please do....we like hearing funny, automotive related stories!! 

[SaskSpecV]

Oh please do....we like hearing funny, automotive related stories!! 

I'll second that!  OTOH, the king of "automotive-related stories" (Cord) is no longer here...hopefully it's not because of those stories.  But as an ex-employee (rather than current), regale away!

I want to know how the car rental places categorize their vehicles.  Do an expedia search, and there are "standard", "midsize", "full-size" categories.  Yet the car description for all of them is usually some type of mid-size car (even for the full-size category).  What's the difference?

[TheHire]

I too, would love some solid rental car lot stories.

[Northernridge]

ThePointblank, One way to get us to like you would be to advise us on how to get the best rental cars, low cost upgrades etc. Tell us how to play the system.

[Bubba]

Enterprise adding Mitsubishi Mirages to fleet.