This is a rental car rant
- Thread starter Marcozi
- Start date
I used to rent from Enterprise and had a great experience with them. Rented "full size" Camrys mostly. I was upgraded to a convertible Mustang in December to travel through Indiana and Ohio. That was a mistake on my part. But otherwise, never had an "classification" issue. The car I reserved was the car a got.
Always rent "full size" car or a standard SUV. Never been disappointed with the size and type of vehicle I've received when I've reserved those classes. The full size car often ends up being an SUV of some sort... When I've gone smaller on the SUV (intermediate SUV) I've been less happy (looking at you Detroit Avis - will not rent from that location again!) That being said I rent at Avis as a preferred member. Your mileage may vary...
Absolutely. My best experience with this was at Boston, where there must've been a line a hundred people deep at every rental counter and another hundred people upstairs at the kiosk. People were sitting on the ground and on their luggage because they were exhausted from standing there so long. Wives were shouting at their husbands. Kids were crying. Frazzled employees were being hounded by angry mobs each of them clutching reservations for their (apparently) non-existant car. I looked up at the monitor and saw my name and stall number..... I walked over to my car, hopped in and headed for the exit. I was in and out of that place in about 90 seconds flat.
This is why I use Turo.
All rental methods have drawbacks, Turo is no exception. It's just easier, frankly. No lines. Just read reviews (yeah I know) and take all kinds of pictures of the car, close and closer. Make sure you have insurance.
All rental methods have drawbacks, Turo is no exception. It's just easier, frankly. No lines. Just read reviews (yeah I know) and take all kinds of pictures of the car, close and closer. Make sure you have insurance.
Doesn't the rental place website state what vehicles are in what category?
All the actual vehicles they rent in a category? No. They typically will list an example. In the OP's case (Budget, Intermediate) they state Toyota Corolla or similar.
I often rent in the standard SUV class at Avis. They list a Ford Edge or similar - noting that the Edge stopped production in April of 2024. When I have rented in this class recently, I've gotten a Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, A Ford Explorer, or a Mazda Cx90.
Avis intermediate SUV's they list a Toyota Rav 4 or similar. I've been offered Rav 4's, CRV's, Escapes, CX-5's, and GMC Terrains in this class. They typicaly have been optioned lower than the standard SUV's.
Forgot to mention another pro tip, if you have an Amex (if you don't, you should) enroll in their rental car protection. For $19.99 per rental (not per day) they'll cover any damage to the car as primary insurance so you don't have to file a claim with your own car insurance. Much less than purchasing it through the rental car agency. You don't have to do anything except enroll your card one time and then pay for each rental with your Amex. Saved me from paying for a windshield that got cracked by a stone.
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/insurance/premium-car-rental-protection/
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/insurance/premium-car-rental-protection/
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I never had issues with SIXT. You choose your particular car, it is similar price, off you go.
My credit card has free insurance but only for CARS, not SUVs or trucks. Though I'm delighted to get a CAR I prefer something like a Camry, which is what I've gotten when I reserved full-size. It used to be "Full size" meant something like a Dodge St. Regis while the "intermediate" was the Diplomat-- still (theoretical) seating for six, still a small block V8 and RWD. They dumped the "full size" cars and hoped we wouldn't notice.
Wonder if there's an EPA interior room rating coming into play that's horribly out of date, considering steeply raked windshields and other less-usable designs.
Wonder if there's an EPA interior room rating coming into play that's horribly out of date, considering steeply raked windshields and other less-usable designs.
I always go with Budget through the USAA website (yes, an actual decent deal from USAA...). The prices are pretty darn good and they cover the CDW if you use your USAA card. I reserve the most inexpensive car they have (usually a subcompact or compact), because for just my wife and I almost anything will be fine. My last three recent rentals turned out to be much larger vehicles:
Boston: Reserved Corolla, received 4 Runner.
Philly: Reserved Corolla/Kia Forte, received Grand Cherokee
Columbus: Reserved Kia Soul, received Pacifica Hybrid
Going to San Jose in September; reserved another Soul. We'll see.
I think a lot of walk-up customers might nab all the small and cheap cars, leaving me with something larger every time. That's my theory, anyway.
In any case, I'll be fine if I get what I reserved. It's just that I almost always get something larger (or better).
Boston: Reserved Corolla, received 4 Runner.
Philly: Reserved Corolla/Kia Forte, received Grand Cherokee
Columbus: Reserved Kia Soul, received Pacifica Hybrid
Going to San Jose in September; reserved another Soul. We'll see.
I think a lot of walk-up customers might nab all the small and cheap cars, leaving me with something larger every time. That's my theory, anyway.
In any case, I'll be fine if I get what I reserved. It's just that I almost always get something larger (or better).
I think what's worse is Hartz using AI to scan vehicles for "damage" sometimes several days after their return as per Steve Lehtos.
These days, when you rent a car, you have to figure out all that particular model's electronics before you can get far. It is very frustrating for an old guy.
I'd argue the opposite, with wireless Android Auto and Car Play pretty much standard, all you need to do is pair your phone and you have a very familiar interface appear on the screen. Most importantly your navigation!
Chase sapphire preferred does this for no additional charge fyi.
https://www.chase.com/personal/cred...ics/chase-sapphire-rental-car-insurance-guide
I have no idea what you are saying. Remember, old guy. A clutch and three on the tree are much easier. Navigation is why I carry my Garmin with me.
Not exactly what he was saying
I rented some POS Chrysler. Even the light switch, sure left side but lower than my knee cap. I could not see it while seated normally.
Not saying this has anything to do with electronics but dang. The light switch?? Can’t even see it in the dark
Headlight switch should be set to auto and never touched. GM and Honda do it right, auto is the default setting and can only be changed for one drive cycle, next start it's right back at auto.
A Mirage is what it is.
That said, if I paid for an intermediate and received a Mirage, I'd be unhappy too.
My latest rental was a Nissan Kicks. Served me well but already had electronic gremlins at just over 10K miles. Also didn't care for the auto-brake function and I didn't know if I could turn it off or not.
That said, if I paid for an intermediate and received a Mirage, I'd be unhappy too.
My latest rental was a Nissan Kicks. Served me well but already had electronic gremlins at just over 10K miles. Also didn't care for the auto-brake function and I didn't know if I could turn it off or not.
