Anyone used Enterprise rent a car?

[twoblacklines]

Every month I do a long weekend, 600 mile round trip + around 150-200 miles in between.

I am thinking of renting a car to do it in because my car lacks

-drivers legroom
-headlights that are decent ( i just have poor halogens)
-comfy interior

as well as I really need new tyres. I don't have time to sell my car to buy something else just yet.

I wondered if anyone has experience of "large premium". It says "manual mercedes e-class "or similar"" does "or similar" mean...a base spec mondeo? It is not very clear. I don't want to rent that and end up with a car I can't fit in, being 6ft 8, I can't drive most manuals because the dash or wheel gets in the way of my clutch knee. Prime example is manual a3's which is why I own an auto one.

Is unlimited mileage really unlimited also?

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

The Mondeo would be in their 'standard' range which is less than half the price of the Large Premium, so I doubt they'd get away with that particular substitution. I'd phone your local office - you should get a better deal for a repeat booking, and they can tell you which car you are likely to get.
General feeling on PH seems to be that Europcar are better than Enterprise, but my experience is the opposite - Europcar (Hemel and High Wycombe) were useless compared with Enterprise (High Wycombe).

It's an expensive way of doing things though - another £100 a month or so and you could lease an E Class, and get to drive it every day!

[5lab]

if you're picking up at a reasonable sized depot, I would just rent the smallest then have a wonder round the cars, find the one you like, and upgrade to that. Most of the time the people at the desk dont really care which you take

[Marvtec]

Enterprise have been excellent each time I've used them. Yes it really is unlimited miles just watch out for the high accident excess unless you pay extra to cover it.

You'll probably find they have similar cars to those quoted on the web, personally I'd just go with an Insignia, Mondeo etc rather than pay of lot more for a 'prestige' brand to rent.

[Turquoise]

Used them once. Never again.

[generationx]

Never had a problem in multiple uses of Enterprise, but it sounds like it might be cheaper to buy something that suits your needs...

[Screechmr2]

Last time i used enterprise the service was very good. Certainly couldn't fault any of it.

[Bonefish Blues]

We use Enterprise and have never had an issue

[SWoll]

Seems to be dependent on the branch you use and luck of the draw. I've had no problems at all with the one nearest to me and have used them a number of times over the years. Colleagues on the other hand have had a lot of trouble at other branches with cars not being available even though they were booked well in advance, spurious damage charges and long waits on receiving back security deposits.

[Bristol spark]

Aviva Hired me a car from Enterprise to get me home from Heathrow. (Long story)

Women ask's what car i usually drive ( S2000) so they can give me something similar.


5 mins later im given the keys to a Fiat 500L!

What an utterly hateful car!!

Spanking her down the M4 and the drivers side wing mirror started vibrating massively, then pretty much falls off with just the wires holding it on!!


I was expecting to get billed for it, but they never did


So whilst they have me the most hideous car they could find, at least they didn't try charging me for the wing mirror!

[vikingaero]

When I was 21, I used to get a hire car for work every fortnight from Hertz. Because back then car rental companies (except at airports) were closed on Sundays, and often only open until lunchtime on Sat, I used to get the car delivered to me on Friday. My friend and I would have a jaunt to obscure places - curry in the Midlands and then taking a picture by the Holyhead sign at 3am etc. Most of the time we would clock up 1,000-1,500 miles by the time the car went back to Hertz on Weds.

[steve-5snwi]

Try thrifty, if you book in advance from 4.30pm on a Friday to 9am on a Monday something like a 5 series would be £160, they also go smaller and larger so if you want you can have an f type or i8.

[FiF]

There's another thread knocking about on Enterprise which talks about the hoops you have to go through on private rentals. Certainly need proof of where you live ( utility/council tax bills) and/or where you work. Apart from that they have been ok and vehicles as represented and booked.

They're open to a bit of haggling on the price too.

As for availability of vehicles, our local branch is quite small, and obviously choice is limited for short notice rentals. But with notice their stock is serviced from the large pool at Longbridge which iirc services Midlands, Wales and up into the North West. So assuming similar arrangements elsewhere then suspect you'll get what you order.

Online prices, especially in advance are often better than direct phone bookings, and just to reiterate, even if you've booked on one of their weekend special deals, which can be very good value, you can still haggle on the insurance charges.

Unlimited mileage definitely.

As for the others. Corporate we used Hertz, who were fine, changed to European when Hertz, or at least our local joint, seemed to have a rent a wreck phase. Europcar were fine, though the one private van rental I had from them was a complete effing disgrace hence trying Enterprise, with whomI have stayed for private stuff.

HTH

[rek]

Yes to Unlimited milage. They have a damage circumference chart for knocks and dings but the Bracknell office seem pretty relaxed about that kind of thing and ignore the odd carpark mark. I don’t take any extra insurance as you can buy a year’s European cover elsewhere for not much more than a week’s rental.

[Riley Blue]

I've used Enterprise to rent cars I've thought about buying: 5 Series, E Class and with a few days notice they've been able to get them in. Only disappointment was when I needed something at short notice and got an Insignia - urrgh!

[Sheepshanks]

twoblacklines said:

I wondered if anyone has experience of "large premium". It says "manual mercedes e-class "or similar"" does "or similar" mean...a base spec mondeo? It is not very clear. I don't want to rent that and end up with a car I can't fit in, being 6ft 8, I can't drive most manuals because the dash or wheel gets in the way of my clutch knee. Prime example is manual a3's which is why I own an auto one.

If you did get an E Class then it will be auto - MB doesn't do a manual version.

[Toaster Pilot]

Definitely try Thrifty - 3 or 5 series very reasonably priced

[NordicCrankShaft]

The beauty of living outside the UK. Hand over my British licence and passport for inspection, show my air ticket leaving the uk, small deposit reserved on my credit car and drive away as happy as a pig in st. Use both Enterprise and Budget when entering through Gatwick and never had any issues with either.

[matchmaker]

Turquoise said:

Used them once. Never again.

Nearly used them once. Never again. I went to them to hire a van for a 4 hour hire. Price seemed good so we went through the paperwork - collision damage waiver, etc. Then they asked me for a £500 deposit...

I left and went to Arnold Clark who bettered Enterprises rate and didn't ask for a deposit!

[f1nn]

I've used them a fair few times, although not for 3 years or so.

No issues at all, totally happy with the service I received and would use them again without hesitation.