This is a rental car rant

[John105]

With work have always been Emerald Club which is a code name for “free for all.” People elbowing one another off the shuttle to get the best cars. One time a Lincoln was parked in the wrong section so I took it. Was no issue which made me wonder, what if a regular member goes to the Executive aisle and drives off?

At any rate Hertz did the opposite to me told me a Caddy was $27 more for the week. Turns out it was per day

It’s all fun and games and we just need to learn to enjoy it

 

[PandaBear]

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.

I typically found better experience with rental companies than individual mom and pop Turo owners. I like that the choice can be more specific in Turo but I don't like the mileage limit and the cleaning fee. When I rent from large companies they tend to be able to absorb risks that can be average out like some people drive more than others, some people get their cars dirtier than others, than individuals whose next customers would complain and they have no time to wash the cars in between.

I do like Turo in situation when they come with free parking though. Sometimes the owners have a lot already and you are in the area using the same parking spot they would have had (like Waikiki downtown once, when it would have been $30 a day just for the parking, yay).

 

[SC Maintenance]

When I rent a intermediate car I almost never get one, but they usually go up.

If you didn't want that car you should have asked for a different one. I have. There usually pretty accommodating if they can be.

 

[Pablo]

I typically found better experience with rental companies than individual mom and pop Turo owners. I like that the choice can be more specific in Turo but I don't like the mileage limit and the cleaning fee. When I rent from large companies they tend to be able to absorb risks that can be average out like some people drive more than others, some people get their cars dirtier than others, than individuals whose next customers would complain and they have no time to wash the cars in between.

I do like Turo in situation when they come with free parking though. Sometimes the owners have a lot already and you are in the area using the same parking spot they would have had (like Waikiki downtown once, when it would have been $30 a day just for the parking, yay).

Never seen a cleaning fee. Is this a new fee?

Also so far no mileage limits on our rentals

 

[Dave Hess]

I just need a Corolla or Civic.

Nothing fancy when I rent a car.

 

[crashz]

I spend a moment when I return the car to un-pair my device from the head unit. I can't tell you how many phones I've seen in rentals, sometimes displaying a shocking amount of info.

 

[PF52]

I've considered using Turo a few times; most recently in Las Vegas but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anyone who could supply me with a car at the airport without a substantial extra fee. Why bother? I got a super low-mile (<300 miles) SUV from one of the "regular" places right there at the airport for a lot less money.

 

[Pablo]

I've considered using Turo a few times; most recently in Las Vegas but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anyone who could supply me with a car at the airport without a substantial extra fee. Why bother? I got a super low-mile (<300 miles) SUV from one of the "regular" places right there at the airport for a lot less money.

I can see that in Vegas.

No extra fee in Kona or Kodiak.

 

[JeffKeryk]

We rented a small Chevy SUV, Trailblazer maybe. Had 14K on the clock. Steering wheel was off about 45 degrees, but it drove straight, mostly. It got good mileage, so there's that. Stop-start... I won't be buying one anytime soon.

 

[John105]

We rented a small Chevy SUV, Trailblazer maybe. Had 14K on the clock. Steering wheel was off about 45 degrees, but it drove straight, mostly. It got good mileage, so there's that. Stop-start... I won't be buying one anytime soon.

In late 2019 we were always getting new cars through work. I got a Maxima with 8 miles and my coworker got an Equinox like that. I truly felt as if I were a new car buyer picking up the Maxima. I treated the car as if it were mine. Did it matter, likely no. But it wasn’t going to be me with the car’s first dent or scrape, let it be some renter down the line. No lie I curb rentals and walk.

 

[PandaBear]

Never seen a cleaning fee. Is this a new fee?

Also so far no mileage limits on our rentals

Every single Turo I have seen here has like up to 150 miles a day or something like that. Maybe they just don't want people to rent a car for a 3 day drive from San Francisco to San Diego and back, with a round trip of 800 miles. I can see some owners are just leasing a car for Turo and that can make them up side down.

Regarding to cleaning fee, yes some I have seen complain in review like they went to the beach and the kids get sand on the black floor mat and is impossible to vacuum out without some extensive time. Again not an issue with a commercial rental company but mom and pop who expect "passive income" by leasing a car to Turo would be really upset about active management. Many of them just want to leverage and not do any real work in the rental business.


Talking about leasing then subleasing a car. I have a coworker on H1B visa from India whose leasing rate would be quite high. There's a mom and pop "passive income" Indian investor who use his own credit to lease a car then sublease to my coworker, and have my coworker buy his own insurance with the middle man's name on it. One day the coworker totaled the car and it came out positive for everyone except this middleman's insurance rate. I think that guy was pocketing like 100 a month for 2 years. This is like selling stock options: it could make you some small money but it can go very very wrong very very fast if something bad happen.

 

[mrsilv04]

My favorite was reserving a Standard SUV. When I arrived to pick it up, I was handed the keys to a Dodge Journey. When I protested, I was told that it was a brand new Journey with a V6, heated leather seats, and only 80 miles on the odometer, and I would be the first one to rent it.

I protested yet again.

I left in a GMC Acadia Denali.... which was what I'd reserved.

 

[xspeedy]

I rent with Sixt if at an airport that has them.

 

[jkasch]

It had been 17 years since I last rented a car. This month I rented a car from Enterprise to drive from LAS to Grand Canyon, then Bryce Canyon, and back to Las Vegas. I used their app a week ahead of time to book it. It was absolutely seamless and trouble free. Walked straight to out their inventory in the parking structure, picked out a car, showed ID and CC at the gate, and was on my way. On the return a girl walked around the car once, peaked inside and thanked me.

 

[Marcozi]

I think what's worse is Hartz using AI to scan vehicles for "damage" sometimes several days after their return as per Steve Lehtos.

What I do is take video of the exterior of the car, pointing out defects.

 

[John105]

What I do is take video of the exterior of the car, pointing out defects.

I believe they do the same as the vehicle leaves the lot, but, better to DIY....pretty sure car dealers and car washes also are filming in HD when vehicles enter

 

[JavierH19]

I rented one in mexico years ago and it wasn't bad for two people. The AC was fine at the stop and wasn't slow enough to be a death trap. I think you got a clapped out one.

 

[AITG]

I rent from Enterprise when I have to rent. I've had fairly good luck getting upgraded but it depends on the location. The last rental was a Chevy Trax. It had all the appeal of an appliance with tires. Worse, it was in FL and had NJ plates. Got a lot of side eye from people.

 

[2005jettatdi]

I rent from Enterprise when I have to rent. I've had fairly good luck getting upgraded but it depends on the location. The last rental was a Chevy Trax. It had all the appeal of an appliance with tires. Worse, it was in FL and had NJ plates. Got a lot of side eye from people.

I understand. Back in 2014 I flew into Indianapolis in January. I got a Elentra with bad right rear suspension. Driving back from Dayton on the somewhat slick freeway I was limited to about 40 mph. Above that I could feel control being lost. Everyone was passing us. I am sure the Florida plates on the rental did not endear me to any of the natives.

I reported the bad suspension, but I don't think they cared.