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Rental Car Experiences?

855 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 4:42 PM

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Messages Page 51 of 86

#501 of 855 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 855 . 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 855 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 855 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 855 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 855 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.">

#507 of 855 Re: . [fintail] by stickguy

Nov 25, 2012 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 25, 2012 3:27 pm)
I recently had to rent a car to travel on business, driving from Philly to Norfolk, VA. About 5 hours, mostly through the middle of nowhere.
 
I was hoping I was getting the Camry SE they had sitting there, but I ended up getting a Malibu (I asked, and they said the Toyota was not ready to go).
 
Turns out to have been a good thing. the Malibu was actually quite comfortable (seats), and it had XM (the Camry did not). Man, without XM on that trip I would have gone nuts!
 
Oh, when you rent at a local suburban satellite location (Hertz in this case) you don't have much of a selection. Probably lucky they had anything, being as it was 5 days after Sandy blew through!
 
One funny site. In the middle of Maryland, I was next to another rental. This one was a Cobalt (I think, maybe a Cruz) with 5 people packed in. While I was driving my semi-barge Malibu all by myself. Considering the cost differential, if you need to take that many people, spring the extra $5-10!

#508 of 855 Re: . [stickguy] by fintail

Nov 25, 2012 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Nov 25, 2012 4:40 pm)
I just drove by my local Enterprise. Lots of Fords and Hyundais, virtually nothing else. There's a Hertz hotel based satellite a couple blocks from where I live - they usually have lots of Toyotas and Chryslers.
 
I just drove in the complete uber-barge A8 all by myself - I have no regrets about the expense. Maybe not totally worth it, but better than being crammed into something like a VW Up! for 10 days.

#509 of 855 Re: . [fintail] by stickguy

Nov 25, 2012 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 25, 2012 5:41 pm)
on vacation, I agree with getting something you like. Just consider it part of the overall cost.
 
but on business, you get what the company says you can have! Though even with my cheap company, they let you have up to a Standard (I think that is what they call it, or intermediate. whatever a malibu sized car qualifies for in Rental company speak.

#510 of 855 Re: . [stickguy] by fintail

Nov 25, 2012 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Nov 25, 2012 5:49 pm)
Then talk them to rent from someone who allows you to choose, at least. I think my employer gets "standard" or "full size", I see lots of Malibus and Fusions in the lot, smaller SUVs too. And if you rent a lot, you might get to choose from a better lot, National works that way.

Messages Page 51 of 86

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