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Rental Car Experiences?

740 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 11:12 AM

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Messages Page 51 of 75

#497 of 740 Re: . [fintail] by lemko

Nov 09, 2012 (11:42 am)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 09, 2012 9:04 am)
I wouldn't complain! You could've ended up with this!
 

#498 of 740 Re: . [lemko] by fezo

Nov 09, 2012 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: lemko (Nov 09, 2012 11:42 am)
See? That's what I'm talking about with Enterprise.....
 
Not quite but one time they rented me a Malibu (maybe a 2006) that smelled like someone had died in it. Ugh. I said no, this won't do and they replaced it with a Kia Optima which was a perfectly ordinary car. It worked fine but had no personality at all.
 
Next time the rented me a Hyundai Accent base. Crank windows, no power lock the whole bit - yet it had a USB port!

#499 of 740 Re: . [lemko] by fintail

Nov 10, 2012 (10:02 am)

Replying to: lemko (Nov 09, 2012 11:42 am)
Luckily, the people at Pig in a Poke didn't plan my trip
 
Although sometimes my itinerary seems planned down to the minute.
 
I wouldn't expect much personality from a rental, but is nice to have something that isn't beat up, or unpleasantly stripped. A friend of mine opted for a cheapo rental at MIA a year or two ago - got a Rio with no cruise control Fun for those Florida highways.
 
The A8 I am in now is like driving a big computer, in a way. ...with a leather chair attached.

#500 of 740 Re: . [fintail] by kyfdx HOST

Nov 11, 2012 (8:38 am)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 10, 2012 10:02 am)
What is the acceleration like in that diesel?
 
I don't think you could sell a "flagship" euro sedan in the US with a diesel.. Buyers expect super-car acceleration in a $90K+ car..

#501 of 740 Re: . [kyfdx] by fintail

Nov 11, 2012 (9:42 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Nov 11, 2012 8:38 am)
I think 0-60 is around 7.6. Not slow, but no supercar. The only diesel luxoboat offered in the US in decades has been the S-class. The current model is offered in diesel in the US, 4Matic only, but I do not think it sells at any volume. Those spending 100K on a car don't care about gas prices, so it only sells to die hards.

#502 of 740 . by fintail

Nov 20, 2012 (10:49 am)

Well, my rental sled is now returned, the fun is over. It was a nice car, but I don't know if I found the value to be higher than in a normal mid lux (5er, E, A6), as in the case of the Audi especially, the A8 is in too many ways just a big A6. The cost on my rental wasn't much more (maybe 20%), but I don't know if I got 20% more enjoyment out of it vs something like a 535d.
 
My likes on the car were the economy (overall over 30mpg), the 8 speed transmission was actually pretty smooth and logical, the adaptive cruise control was fun, it handled well for such a barge (I would toss it through empty roundabouts for fun)...but it is a boat for European parking garages, and was pretty numb. And I really wish it had head up display, such a great feature for Autobahn driving.

#503 of 740 Re: . [fintail] by jpp5862

Nov 21, 2012 (5:47 am)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 20, 2012 10:49 am)
Thanks for the review fintail. Glad you got to try the A8, like you said you only live once. I liked your comment about it being a big computer with a leather chair attached. Also if I had the chance to drive one I imagine I'd agree on it just being a big A6, which isn't bad I guess but not worth the price premium. For me adaptive cruise control is one of the best options available.

#504 of 740 Re: . [jpp5862] by fintail

Nov 21, 2012 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: jpp5862 (Nov 21, 2012 5:47 am)
I'm glad someone is interested
 
I am back home now, my normal everyday car (older E55 with a big lazy V8) feels very light compared to that Audi cruise ship, maybe that much more so because it predates many of those gadgets.
 
Oh, and a forgotten drawback to renting in Europe - no satellite radio.
 
When (it better not be "if") the next time I rent in Germany, I will probably just choose the E/5er/A6 class.

#505 of 740 Re: . [fintail] by jpp5862

Nov 25, 2012 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 21, 2012 7:03 pm)
I always liked the generation you have, the E55, I think you posted a picture a while back. I also like your fintail, if I remember right it's blue? If it's the picture I'm remembering I loved the car and the color was my favorite.
 
I need to renew my satellite radio in the G37, I haven't been riding it as much lately though so haven't taken the time to do it.
 
I'm off to Denver tomorrow, I got lucky and didn't travel much in November so this will be my first rental since October. I'm hoping National will have a new Fusion, I'd like to try one again. Denver isn't one of their best locations but every once in a while they have something fun. I'm jealous of your international travels, I only travel within the US which makes for less exciting rental opportunities.

#506 of 740 Re: . [jpp5862] by fintail

Nov 25, 2012 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: jpp5862 (Nov 25, 2012 2:54 pm)
Yep I have posted them. I have the old car out today, still running as well as can be expected. I am content with my cars right now and have no plans to replace them. Must be getting old
 
Satellite radio is far from perfect - but in Seattle normal broadcast radio is kind of sketchy, CDs have become cumbersome, ipods are boring, and streaming radio is ahead of the tech in my cars. I like not knowing what the next song will be. Luckily, many rentals have it, as they are within the trial periods. I had an E-class in Florida earlier this year with active Sirius, a must for a long drive.
 
National is a good fleet, and I prefer that group as I like to choose the car. What class do you get to choose from? Fusion is in the fleets now I am pretty sure, and National gets some nicer models and brands too.
 
When I travel and rent, it is 90% of the time on my own dime, and as I like cars, I'll pay a little more to not get stuck in a penalty box. For me being in Germany, the car is as important as any sights to be seen. Going the cheapest route wouldn't be any fun.">

Messages Page 51 of 75

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