Rental Car Strategies?

[414bhp]

Hi guys,

I’ve got a few trips planned this year and need to book some rental cars. I’m travelling with my family and need seats for 4 people and 1 large suitcase, 1 rollaboard, 1 compact kid stroller, and 3 backpacks. Usually this means booking a full size sedan or mid size SUV.

What is your strategy for getting a decent rental car in the US? Any different advice for doing the same in Italy?

Also, what’s your favorite rental car model, if it’s available?

On the last few trips I’ve had a Nissan Rogue (good, I’d take one again), Dodge Charger (perhaps my favorite), Chevy Malibu (never again), GMC Terrain (acceptable), and lucked into a Lexus NX (good, but small).

Thanks!
Mike

[BWBike]

The Dodge Charger I rented when I was in southern Florida had the best sound system of any rental I got. The Ford Mustang convertible I rented in California was the most fun (only two of us, no kids).

[414bhp]

I think the Charger I got was pretty average on sound. Maybe you had a premium package?

I liked having the NA V6 and RWD with the Charger.

[Efthreeoh]

Ford Explorer.

[414bhp]

Ford Explorer - great idea!

[LH44]

I’ve used Sixt in over 15 countries by now. Experience has always been perfect.

[afadeev]

[QUOTE=414bhp;31987586]I’ve got a few trips planned this year and need to book some rental cars. I’m travelling with my family and need seats for 4 people and 1 large suitcase, 1 rollaboard, 1 compact kid stroller, and 3 backpacks. Usually this means booking a full size sedan or mid size SUV.

Originally Posted by 414bhp

What is your strategy for getting a decent rental car in the US?

If money is no object, reserve a rental in "full size" or "SUV" categories.
Most rental companies have those, though names many vary.
Expect to pay 2x or 3x the base rate for those.

Originally Posted by 414bhp

Any different advice for doing the same in Italy?

Depends on where you are going, roads will be varying from "small highway" to "narrow country road" to something almost unpassable in a full-size car or an SUV. If you plan to drive into any towns or cities, you will need to downscale to something much narrower than an SUV to physically make it. NX / Q4 maybe almost the max width you could get away with.

Originally Posted by 414bhp

Also, what’s your favorite rental car model, if it’s available?

Personally, I maintain a "premium/gold/platinum" status with 1-2 rental car companies and stock with those. That works well in the US and guarantees upgrades and availability.
Worldwide, you have to make an extra effort to confirm that the car rental chain of your choosing actually operates at that location (many cross brand, especially in southern Europe), and has the cars of the type and size that you expect. In other words - call those sites, and speak to someone who works there (and hopefully speaks english) and can validate what cars they have in their rental fleet. Be prepared to hear about and research Peugeots and Citroens that you did not know existed. Otherwise, all bets are off.

HTH,
a

[dumptruck]

Originally Posted by LH44

I’ve used Sixt in over 15 countries by now. Experience has always been perfect.

We got stranded driving the NC500 this year using Sixt. The guy at the airport told me they don’t put spare tires in their cars because then theyd have to physically inspect each car they rent out because apparently some people were driving off with spares on and getting into accidents. Only solace is that the taxi they sent from 2 hours away also got a flat and didnt have a spare. XD

[RM7]

Sounds like minivan

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by LH44

I’ve used Sixt in over 15 countries by now. Experience has always been perfect.

I'll look into Sixt! Thanks!

[414bhp]

[QUOTE=afadeev;31988176]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

I’ve got a few trips planned this year and need to book some rental cars. I’m travelling with my family and need seats for 4 people and 1 large suitcase, 1 rollaboard, 1 compact kid stroller, and 3 backpacks. Usually this means booking a full size sedan or mid size SUV.



If money is no object, reserve a rental in "full size" or "SUV" categories.
Most rental companies have those, though names many vary.
Expect to pay 2x or 3x the base rate for those.



Depends on where you are going, roads will be varying from "small highway" to "narrow country road" to something almost unpassable in a full-size car or an SUV. If you plan to drive into any towns or cities, you will need to downscale to something much narrower than an SUV to physically make it. NX / Q4 maybe almost the max width you could get away with.



Personally, I maintain a "premium/gold/platinum" status with 1-2 rental car companies and stock with those. That works well in the US and guarantees upgrades and availability.
Worldwide, you have to make an extra effort to confirm that the car rental chain of your choosing actually operates at that location (many cross brand, especially in southern Europe), and has the cars of the type and size that you expect. In other words - call those sits, and speak to someone who works there (and hopefully speaks english) and can validate what cars they have in their rental fleet. Be prepared to hear about and research Peugeots and Citroens that you did not know existed. Otherwise, all bets are off.

HTH,
a

Thanks for the many details! I never thought about needed to directly call the foreign rental offices to confirm the car types. I'm going to be renting from the Pisa airport, so I hope there will be more cars types than a local office might have.

Good point, too, about not getting too large of a car for the countryside.

[Alfisti]

Define Italy? All Autostrada or more adventurous?

I rented a Skoda Octavia in Croatia, it was magnificent. It looks like a sedan but the rear opens like a giant mega-hatch, it has a decently small footprint and SWALLOWED 5 people and luggage. Best bit is it averaged like 4L/100km (whatever the fuck that is in your cockamaime system) and got like 900km on a tank.

BUT it's not tiny, and city driving in Italy needs TINY.

Autoeurope is your friend.

[tturedraider]

I have had good experiences with Enterprise. They are my first choice now. Costco has a rental car reservation service and they have always had some of the best prices when I’ve rented.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Define Italy? All Autostrada or more adventurous?

I rented a Skoda Octavia in Croatia, it was magnificent. It looks like a sedan but the rear opens like a giant mega-hatch, it has a decently small footprint and SWALLOWED 5 people and luggage. Best bit is it averaged like 4L/100km (whatever the fuck that is in your cockamaime system) and got like 900km on a tank.

BUT it's not tiny, and city driving in Italy needs TINY.

Autoeurope is your friend.

We are going to Pisa, then taking the ferry to Elba island, the driving back to the airport. So, mostly Pisa city and island roads.

Thanks for the lead on the Skoda!

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by 414bhp

We are going to Pisa, then taking the ferry to Elba island, the driving back to the airport. So, mostly Pisa city and island roads.

Pisa is both mideval (tiny streets) and rural, with long stretches of single lane country roads. I can't recall what exact car we rented the time we went there, but it was a 4-door Lancia that had no problem taking care of 4 people with 4 suit cases. It was a forgettable as a car (clearly I can't recall what it was), but was perfectly sufficient as a transportation appliance.

Drive in / around Pisa was fine, though there is not much to do there other than walk around the defective tower and stroll downtown / along the river. Tuscany countryside, on the other hand, was awesome. See if you can squeeze a drive through the country and explore a few wineries. Florence is nearby, but best explored on foot (impossible to get anywhere by car).

HTH,
a

[BeEmVe]

Regarding renting in Italy. The price can vary substantially. For instance, for my last trip to northern Italy I rented a vehicle in Müchen (City Center) as it was much cheaper than in Italy. Also the drive was shorter and nicer than from Milano where I rented from in the past. Definitely check renting in the city center vs airport. Expedia works good for finding something (I get their 3rd party insurance).

Also I download Google maps for offline usage which works great as then I do not have to pay $10/day cell phone access.

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by BeEmVe

Regarding renting in Italy. The price can vary substantially. For instance, for my last trip to northern Italy I rented a vehicle in Müchen (City Center) as it was much cheaper than in Italy. Also the drive was shorter and nicer than from Milano where I rented from in the past. Definitely check renting in the city center vs airport. Expedia works good for finding something (I get their 3rd party insurance).

Also I download Google maps for offline usage which works great as then I do not have to pay $10/day cell phone access.

I think I'll probably stick to airport rentals to increase the likelihood of finding an English speaking employee, but I get that it might cost me!

+1 for Google maps offline! You are reminding met that I need a charging solution for my phone in the car.

[M_Chronos]

For Italy, nothing bigger than an X3. I have driven down 2 way roads where both side mirrors were scrapping side of the road stuff at the same time. Also fun to get to places will require shoving the car into wherever you can parking wise and you will wish for something as small as possible in those instances. Europe also has cool things like actual wagons and peugeots and citroens so I try to get those. Last Italy rental was Sixt on airport and experience was positive.

[Alfisti]

X3 is even too big, ideally smaller.

[xander_g]

Generally, I find that airports have the best availability. In North America, I prefer a larger vehicle like a Durango or Wagoneer, just based on size and comfort. Rented chargers and Chrysler 300s before in Florida, nothing special and wouldn't bother again. Best rental car overall was the Volvo xc60.

A friend that lived in Italy for suggested based on his experience, that I rent something that's as compact as I find tolerable.

I'm over 6 foot with back pain so I prioritize comfort when renting cars.

[Socal_R8]

We have a Hilton Grand Vacations membership and usually go to Hawaii twice a year so I have the rental car down to a science.

If you are a Costco member, Costcotravel.com is great....
what you do is start searching about a month out, you can book with many different options and all the mjor companies and select just about any kind of car you need...

Then check back in a few days to see if prices have gone down....they usually go down as it gets closer to your arrival day...the sweet spot is usually about 2 weeks out.
There is no cancellation fees and you can book and cancel a many cars as you want.

Their prices use to be unbeatable, but there are some better prices now and than on places like Priceline, but don't have the convenience of free cancellations and other things.

Also, if you are a AAA member they have some good deals also using their rental car site,

[keg97]

Originally Posted by LH44

I’ve used Sixt in over 15 countries by now. Experience has always been perfect.

I've used Sixt and been very happy. Smokin' great deals on BMW's and they even offer me several exterior colors to choose from.

On an upcoming soccer trip to Seattle, Sixt was pricey so I'm getting something off Turo. I've used Turo and like it. Getting a brand new Wrangler to see how I like it for a week since I'm considering getting one for the household.