car rental question

[justinf89]

I need to rent a car next week for a week to drive from va beach, va to chichago, il and back. It looks like I can get either an intermediate or standard for about $160 through costco car rental. The car will be from budget rentals.

My question is, should I go with an intermediate or standard? It's only my dad and myself, and two or three bags. The intermediate is $155 and the standard is $163. I would really like something to get better mileage because that is the reason were doing this. We normally drive our silverado but at 22mpg max, it's a little rough on fuel cost. We figure we can save about $200 just in fuel savings by renting a car, which pays for the car. Not to mention the wear and tear on our truck.

Anyway, which should I pick guys? Intermediate or standard? I know compact would be better on gas but were two large men and would like a little room for a 1000 mile drive...

Oh and if somebody can get me a better deal, please let me know! I'm a member of aaa and costco.

 

[SLCraig]

My quick experience.
I drove 1800KM in an Elantra a few years ago (rental) and it was great. 2 people and some luggage, a car like that would be no problem at all. The gas cost was next to nothing as well on that car, it got great MPG.

On the flip side. Cars like the Impala are a good size and get good MPG for their size if you're easy on it.

I dunno why not look at a few cars and decide that way?

 

[bepperb]

Either one is going to be a Cobalt/Elantra/Compact sized car so save the money. When you rent one as a consumer an Intermediate/Standard/Midsize is what any sane person would consider a compact car.

On the other hand when our corporate rents me a midsize it's an Impala/500... etc.

 

[justinf89]

Alright well I rode up there and asked them about what an intermediate actually is. They said it will probably be a ford fusion or similar, which is pretty large imo. So thats what I went with. Final booking $154 for 6 days, not bad. Thanks guys for the tips.

 

[hypervish]

How many miles are included in the rental? And, how many cent's per mile? Or, is it unlimited miles? Just curious, cause my cousin is looking to rent a car, and I'm trying to help him find a good deal.

 

[eljefino]

Who knows you might get a fusion hybrid; the resale on them is pretty good and rental fleets keep them a while. Wife got priusses once in a while with 50k miles when she needed a rental for work. (And the rental company put horrible high-rolling resistance ugly as sin tires on the poor thing.)

The term "Intermediate" came to light in the late 70s when the downsized Caprice etc came out. They had to admit they didn't make "true" full size cars anymore.

 

[justinf89]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
How many miles are included in the rental? And, how many cent's per mile? Or, is it unlimited miles? Just curious, cause my cousin is looking to rent a car, and I'm trying to help him find a good deal.


Unlimited miles. It kinda has to be for 2000mi

 

[TC]

My one regret during past car rentals is not "going for it." I had reserved a National midsize car at Charlotte airport, and they let you pick the car as you walk up to the "midsize" aisle, rather than assigning you a make and model of car in advance. I eyed a silver Chrysler 200 while approaching the aisle, and knew that Mopars had a short learning curve as to controls and ergonomics, so I thought "That one." But then, in the next aisle over (compacts, I presume), were two Fiat 500s. I stared at one for a while and thought "Go for it!" But I figured there'd be complications due to that being a different cost class than what I'd paid for, so I didn't. I regret I didn't snag the Fiat, just for fun!

 

[dparm]

Modern "intermediate" are still fairly big. The current-gen Corolla is classified as an intermediate and it has PLENTY of room.

However, there are some cars in the "standard" class that return excellent MPG. We rented a 2012 Camry (4 cyl) and averaged 32mpg on a 5 hour drive through hilly terrain. Very roomy too. I typically rent a "standard" because Hertz lets you upgrade to full-size for free if they have any available.

Personally, for long drives, I try to rent a nice car because it will be smoother and more comfortable. The compact cars are fine for short trips but they can have more wind/road/tire noise which wears down on you after an hour or two.


Wouldn't hurt to ask when you pick it up for an upgrade. Sometimes you can get one for half-price or even for free. With companies like Hertz and Emerald, you can select the exact car you want -- which means you can go for the one with better gas mileage when you arrive.

 

[rjundi]

You could chance it with the bargain basement car and they typically don't have so upgrade you free. It has worked for me 9 times out of 10. The worst car I got was a Chevy Aveo, feel bad for folks who bought that car.

In Europe we actually ended up with a MB C220 diesel which was a nice car.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
You could chance it with the bargain basement car and they typically don't have so upgrade you free. It has worked for me 9 times out of 10. The worst car I got was a Chevy Aveo, feel bad for folks who bought that car.

In Europe we actually ended up with a MB C220 diesel which was a nice car.


+1
This has happened for me also, only once have I got the base car that I paid for.
I also use those sites, that put your rental request out for tender, the main rental dealers Bid to get your custom (the price is always All in, no extras, unlimited mileage )
This has worked really well, we recently had an Elantra for 2 weeks in Hawaii for $9 per day! Right from the airport.

 

[hattaresguy]

I always upgrade a bit on rentals because I like to enjoy my vacation and not fight a cheap little car.

Last one I got from Hertz cost me about $400 for a week with unlimited miles. But it was a brand new 2012 Buick Regal and proved to be a very good choice. If you can get one I would, they are excellent highway cruisers and suck up the miles.

I always pay for mid size or premium.

 

[widman]

I usually go for Budget with a compact class (focus size), often end up with the next size. Rentals usually 3 weeks at a time when I'm in the US.

I like Budget because they don't charge extra to let the spouse drive. Most of the companies tack on $10 per day extra.

 

[dparm]

By the way, most rental fleets are "top heavy" hence the propensity to upgrade people for free. I almost always get a RAV4 or Impala despite only paying for the standard size.

 

[JustinH]

Usually the bargain cars are the most rented, and in my experience they are the most worn out.

Rented one step above compact at FLL a few months back, got stuck with a Nissan Sentra that was totally beat with 40k miles on it. Original tires, out of balance, and alignment was way off.

Rented a luxury at BUF and got a new Buick Regal, which was excellent.

I have gotten lucky getting brand new Yaris at MCO when I rented compact, but I find it to be worth the money to spend a few bucks more and get something larger.

Check your quote price versus what comes up at carrentals.com. They do a good job of getting all the rates, then you can usually stack coupons from retailmenot on top of that rate.

I have gotten $11 per day car rentals in MCO and LAS, and I have seen rates as low as $9, I think in DFW or SFO (places I have never been).

I don't know if Costco actually saves you any money on the rental car, or they just pocket the money for themselves. I know that if you rent with American Express through their service, you pay a premium to do that versus just booking yourself.

 

[dparm]

Justin, any time I've been assigned a car that's beat up I just go ask for another one. I rent enough with Hertz that they always comply, but they do have Gold Choice at most big airports anyways.

The only time I intentionally rent a tiny car is if I will be taking it into a big city with a lot of traffic, parallel parking, etc. Last thing I need in Manhattan or LA is a huge Impala that barely fits in the parking space.

Once I had a Yaris in Washington DC and it was a piece of cake to dart in and out of traffic. Parking it on the street was one quick motion, no parallel action needed.

 

[justinf89]

I just wanted to give you guys an update on what I just picked up. When I got to budget, they had an older corolla waiting for me, and a nice new ford fusion sitting next to it. I of course asked how much it would be to get the fusion and they said $3 a day, so I went for it.

After about 30 min, they came back and said it was scheduled for maintenance so they would have to give me a 2011 hyundai sonata.

I have to say that it gets pretty good mileage, about 38 on the interstate, going 60. I know the roads up near chicago are much higher speed limits but I plan to be easy on it. It also has an eco button which really dulls the pedal response. I guess I'll leave it on.

The tires are spec'd at 33psi, so I was going to bump them up to 35 before I leave in the morning to maybe squeeze another pinch of fuel out of it.

With the gas savings by renting this car over taking my silverado, it pays for the rental. Good deal in my opinion.

I leave at 5 in the morning to drive non stop to chicago for tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

 

[justinf89]

Update: Drove it on the interstate tonight to dinner for about 10 miles, achieved 45mpg @ 60mph w/ac on and 3 large people. I'm pretty happy.