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Rental Car Experiences?

739 messages,  Last post on May 19, 2013 at 1:13 PM

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Messages Page 57 of 75

#558 of 739 Re: New Job [steve_] by sandman_6472

Jan 23, 2013 (7:42 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 22, 2013 9:17 pm)
Absolutely...it's a part time gig and I'm basically on call as they don't get much notice. They call and if you are available...you work. Since I'm retired and at home most of the time, it was just perfect. And getting to drive so many different makes and models is pretty cool...who could ask for more! And I get paid to do this...I must've died and gone to car heaven!
 
The Sandman

#559 of 739 Re: New Job [sandman_6472] by fintail

Jan 23, 2013 (8:05 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jan 23, 2013 7:42 am)
Sounds fun. My grandpa had a post-retirement job like that, to get out of my grandma's hair and maybe make something to spend at the track. I think mostly he would drive cars back and forth between SEA and PDX, probably returning one way rentals with out of state plates, before such things were common. He did this until he was 75 or 76, IIRC.

#560 of 739 Re: New Job [sandman_6472] by stickguy

Jan 23, 2013 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jan 23, 2013 7:42 am)
is this for a new car dealer, doing dealer swaps?

#562 of 739 Re: New Job [stickguy] by sandman_6472

Jan 24, 2013 (9:09 am)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 23, 2013 2:08 pm)
Rental companies. We did Dollar rental cars that day. They have 'em lined up and we get to go pick what we like...but I found out one needs to move rather quickly as the old timers knew exactly what makes they wanted. traffic on the interstate can get pretty dicey at times and there are cops everywhere...just need to stay focused while driving within an acceptable speed range and not making any stupid moves. An old timer told me "to fly under the radar"! Hopefully I'll be called into to work more often as I get more experience. I have no problem being on call or working weekends as I'm home all the time.
 
The Sandman

#563 of 739 Re: New Job [sandman_6472] by igozoomzoom

Jan 24, 2013 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Jan 23, 2013 7:42 am)
Have you had the "pleasure" of driving a Fiat 500 yet? =)
 
I got stuck with one the last time I flew into LAX late at night and it was NOT fun! Driving on the 405 is scary enough in a much larger and more powerful vehicle, but it was almost suicidal in that thing!

#564 of 739 . by fintail

Jan 25, 2013 (2:47 pm)

I've heard National at SEA now has the LR2 - that's an odd rental. Roll the dice.

#565 of 739 . by fintail

Feb 09, 2013 (5:59 pm)

Read today that National in Hawaii is carrying the Lexus CT. Been a long time since Lexus has been in any NA fleet.

#566 of 739 C Class by sandman_6472

Feb 09, 2013 (9:21 pm)

I've seen these in the Hertz Emerald aisle, I think that's what they call it, even saw a gorgeous GLK suv...impressive in dark blue! So far the nicest I've driven is a new Passat with 2k on the clock. A larger car that I had thought, I do prefer Jetta sized vehicles, but the leather(?) was pretty nice and it had a power throne with memory. Waiting for the day that I can drive a VW across the alley to Tampa so I can see what all the fuss is about German cars and the firmness of their suspensions. After a few hours drive time, I can get a good feel for the car. Driving across I-75 there are usually stretches with little or no traffic so I can play with the speed as long as no cops are hiding out. I use the cruise once the traffic thins out so I can concentrate on the interior creature comforts. And I'm usually very happy with what I find.
 
Drove a basic rental grade Chevy Spark on Friday up to Clearwater and it got the job done rather nicely. Had cruise ans SAT radio so I was happy going in. I had tried to snag a new Malibu but being the newbie of the team, I was shown to the lowly Sparks lined up for us. Fine and once situated and fixing the mirrors and seats, I finally noticed the goodies. I prefer to have cruise so the trip can be more relaxing. These Sparks had just come off the truck and had all the plastic coverings still on the hood, roof & mirrors. The plastic was all over the seats and headrests so I just took off what was on the drivers seat so I wouldn't be sliding around. A little loud on hard acceleration but a very willing little econo mobile and perfect for the rental fleets. The dash monitor said I was getting 33.9 mpg's after driving about an hour...very impressive for a car with 6 miles on it when I drove out of the lot to go fill the tank. It had a tilt wheel and the odo moved up and down just like in a motorcycle...it did not telescope unfortunately so I just moved the seat a little closer. I arrived on the other side of Florida a couple of hours later with a smile on my face and my bad back wasn't too upset with me. It took everything O threw at it and came back for more. One drawback is the smallish fuel tank...most of us had to stop for some petrol, the 1st time in the two weeks I've been transporting rentals, certainly not the cars fault. A shame this car is not offered to the general public as it would sell pretty well I think as an entry level vehicle.
 
The Sandman

#567 of 739 Re: C Class [sandman_6472] by steve_ HOST

Feb 10, 2013 (6:59 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Feb 09, 2013 9:21 pm)
You know that most cars have a little triangle or arrow near the fuel gauge to indicate which side of the car the fuel filler is, right? Might save you some time heading to fill-up, since you are driving so many different cars.
 
All the new digital displays probably have that info buried three menus deep.
 
Here's one from a 2012 New Beetle. Snopes says the hose on the gas pump handle icon doesn't necessarily indicate which side the flap is on.
 

Messages Page 57 of 75

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