Car for a long US road trip

[Matt..]

I need a car for 16-Aug to 08-Sept, SEA to SFO. I'll be going into Canada too, and will probably do ~6,000 miles. I'm looking around and trying to decide on who to rent with, and which group to select.

I'd like to keep the cost sub-£800, which seems fairly easily doable (this must include any drop-off fees too, so is an 'all in' cost).

With Hertz i'm wondering whether to go (costs using AA code):
- ICAR: £710 (example car: Corolla)
- FCAR: £765 (example car: Malibu)
- SCAR: £735 (example car: Altima Coupe)

Or National midsize with Emerald Aisle and risk it (it's select from the aisle, so it's totally dependant on luck)... £780.

It would be fun to get a new model Mustang, though i suspect that's incredibly unlikely on this route.

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?


(i'll swap the car for something with a V8 when i get to SFO)



Thanks

[RammyMP]

Try Alamo Brits, I've always found them cheapest in the past but I got a quote for the FIL for Florida for the whole of May and they weren't cheap. It doesn't usually cost much more to go up a car grade but you likely won't get the car you book with them. Last time I booked a Dodge Charger (had one 3 years ago) and ended up with Chevy Malibu (I'd recommend the Charger!)

[rockford22]

We decided to use Hertz on a recent trip to Florida (and paid a £90 premium over the cheapest rental firm) and I would use them when I visit the states again this summer. We even used the self collection machines which worked *relatively* well - wouldn't print our collection reciept but got there eventually.

We booked the smallest class car they had but were upgraded to an Altima which was supremely comfortable for the 1200 miles we covered. They have the bonus of including Pay by Plate automatically which is valid in many states, some of the budget companies (Alamo particularly) charge additional daily rental fees for these boxes and require notice in advance.

All things to consider.

[Beati Dogu]

Get something big and comfy, ideally with cruise control and A/C of course. Distances over there are so big you tend to measure them in hours rather than miles I found.

[David Beer]

Doing 25 days this June in a v8 Camaro ss convertable for £1105 inclusive. Through Amex . Did New Zealand this Xmas for just under a month and the new rav 4 was a very nice car, so if I did not like roof down, I would look at the rav. 2.4 variable valve engine.

Hertz by the way.

Edited by David Beer on Thursday 21st May 18:45

[Matt..]

David Beer said:

Doing 25 days this June in a v8 Camaro ss convertable for £1105 inclusive. Through Amex . Did New Zealand this Xmas for just under a month and the new rav 4 was a very nice car, so if I did not like roof down, I would look at the rav. 2.4 variable valve engine.

Hertz by the way.

Edited by David Beer on Thursday 21st May 18:45

There is zero chance of me getting anything fun from Seattle Hertz for a one way trip unfortunately.

Will probably be getting on for a few days in California at the end though.

[David Beer]

I was told no chance of a Camaro SS convertable on a one way from New York to LA, until I phoned direct to hertz New York ok it cost 350$ , funny thing was the car was still in CA six months later when I saw it in Palm springs!

[Matt..]

I don't think Seattle even has the fun cars, so it's a bit of a non-starter!

Think i'll probably go FCAR as it's relatively cost effective.

I've booked a Camaro SS from SFO for a few days at the end. Though might upgrade it to something else depending on what they have. (i've had the Challenger R/T and Corvette C6 before, C7 would be fun though!).