Rental Car Olympics

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: dparm

I do not abuse rental cars, for the record. I just had a brand new Cadillac DTS (33 miles on it) two weeks ago and I absolutely babied it the whole trip.


I agree with you - I am the same way. I drive and treat a rental car exactly the same way I drive my own cars.
(Off topic) I rented a 2011 Chevrolet Impala last week. Very nice car. Nothing "exciting" but it ran well and got very good MPG for a car that size. Nice big trunk and plenty of space for 4 adults.

I sometimes get funny looks from the rental people when I open the hood and check the oil and fluids and the air in the tires before leaving the rental agency.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl


While I do agree with your point, lots of people treat leased and rented vehicles horribly, they just don't put it on video.

I used to work at an auto auction and we would get 1 and 2 year old vehicles that were beat to death. Some were so bad the interiors had to be gutted for cleaning. Many of the cars already had mechanical issues due to neglect.


Still find it insulting no matter who does it. Just because someone else does it does not make it right.

But I doubt many people put a tire between and push each other around like Car and Driver.

Bill

 

[rpn453]

If this were a video of the worst things you've done to your own vehicle while in high school, I'd say you were a model teenager!

Good to see that an automatic Mustang V6 is capable of a burnout now. The 2006 convertible my mother had could barely chirp the tires.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: rpn453
If this were a video of the worst things you've done to your own vehicle while in high school, I'd say you were a model teenager!

Good to see that an automatic Mustang V6 is capable of a burnout now. The 2006 convertible my mother had could barely chirp the tires.

That MAY be true in some cases, but those men in that video were definitely NOT in high school!

 

[rpn453]

Maybe they're trying to relive their youth in a tame way. It's pretty childish, but it was probably fun and it incurred nowhere near the vehicle wear that a track day does.

There are probably some paint scuffs from the sumo wrestling. Maybe even a few more from hitting the pylons in the parking event. Other than that, it's just tire abuse. It's all pretty mild, and nothing the next owner couldn't spot with a visual inspection of the body and tires.

 

[ls1mike]

I laughed the whole time. While I don't abuse rental stuff, the things they did in that video are tame compared to what my Trans Am, Regal and Silverado see.

 

[gfh77665]

Isn't this the same forum where the virtues of WOT "Italian tuneups" are extolled?

 

[mrsilv04]

I rented a Dodge Ram Hemi extended cab from Enterprise. Before leaving the lot with it, I noticed that one rear wheel well was coated with melted rubber, and the tire on the spare had been spun bald.

Someone had some fun, and then did a switcheroo. I didn't want to be blamed for that, so I pointed it out to them, and made them document the "pre-existing damage" on my rental contract.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Isn't this the same forum where the virtues of WOT "Italian tuneups" are extolled?


Please show me where anyone has said to go do a "Italian tuneup" by placing a tire between their front bumper and another vehicle to push each other around. To do "Italian tuneup" by driving up to a bunch of cones and do an 180 to park.

Personally I've never told anyone here in the almost 10 years I've been on this board to beat the garbage out of their vehicle. Never have on my own and never would tell another member to do anything that I would not do.

I work too hard for my money to throw it away being disrespectful.

 

[antonmnster]

Articles like this are EXACTLY why I love C/D. It's irreverent, and fun. I've done worse to rental cars, and I don't think anyone who buys a rental car could possibly expect it to not have been abused. And I wouldn't even say what C/D did was abuse, frankly.

Now... return a car with a bent frame after a trip around a dirt track, that might constitute abuse...

 

[Thermo1223]

I will say this with great conviction that they can do that to ALL Chevy HHR 2.2 Eco/Automatics for all I care. That was by far the WORST rental I ever had as far as driving is concerned.

The only highlight of that buggy was the A/C.

It had NO power, got [censored] fuel economy for a 4 cyl, and just plain sucked at doing anything(turning, shifting, you name it).

Even the PT Cruiser we had was more exciting and ran better, I was surprised at the Versa hatch, for a 1.8l it moved quicker than the HHR. The seating position was a tad strange though.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

When I rent a car or truck I check the oil and all the fluids while it is in my possession...I figure while I have it I am responsible for it...I also park it where it won't get dinged...I also do not abuse the car.

Personally I also find things like this insulting like some others here did.

I am really surprised some people here found it funny.

 

[Thermo1223]

It's not damaging in any way, any more so than some people treat their daily drivers.

The funny thing is the last 2 rentals I've used all had airbag lights on. So great, I get drive around wandering if & when it may go off in my face.

When I spoke to the people at the local Enterprise they seemed as uninterested as one could be. I guess they don't get care about a lawsuit. I even called them and said note it on my rental file that I called & told you. I seriously doubt they every did.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Isn't this the same forum where the virtues of WOT "Italian tuneups" are extolled?


Please show me where anyone has said to go do a "Italian tuneup" by placing a tire between their front bumper and another vehicle to push each other around. To do "Italian tuneup" by driving up to a bunch of cones and do an 180 to park.

Personally I've never told anyone here in the almost 10 years I've been on this board to beat the garbage out of their vehicle. Never have on my own and never would tell another member to do anything that I would not do.

I work too hard for my money to throw it away being disrespectful.



I did not advocate any of the above. I simply pointed out that many here feel WOT "tuneups" are potentially beneficial. Again, I am NOT personally saying they are, I am just pointing out that some here do.

As for as the rest, any body damage is likely superficial, and the renters will surely be held accountable for it. I DON'T advocate any of this, I am just commenting on the situation. The cars will probably still last for 300+K. Lets relax a bit, folks.