2000 mile USA road trip, worth spending the $$$ on car hire?
Discussion
I know there's been a few threads on US road trips but I'm here to ask opinions specifically on the car to hire.
I'll be travelling for 3 weeks, around 2000 miles, through Death Valley, Yosemite, California coastal roads and more.
I've narrowed it down, either a mahoosive 5.3L V8 Chevy Tahoe SUV for about £850, or £1500 for a Mustang/Camaro/Challenger coupe, the latter I can guarantee the car and they'll be the V8 engined coupe flavour.
Nearly twice the cost, an extra £650 for the muscle car, I'm not sure it's worth it. Are the roads good enough to enjoy them, will I be able to use them without getting a ticket, are they actually any good?
Once I found out I could have an SUV in huge V8 engined guise I've thought it might be more comfortable over 2000 miles, have more luggage room, perhaps better air-con for the desert, the ability to venture a bit further off the tarmac (though I know most American SUVs are RWD not 4WD), but will I regret it.
Interested to hear what people have hired and if they thought it was a good/bad choice or a waste of money.
I'll be travelling for 3 weeks, around 2000 miles, through Death Valley, Yosemite, California coastal roads and more.
I've narrowed it down, either a mahoosive 5.3L V8 Chevy Tahoe SUV for about £850, or £1500 for a Mustang/Camaro/Challenger coupe, the latter I can guarantee the car and they'll be the V8 engined coupe flavour.
Nearly twice the cost, an extra £650 for the muscle car, I'm not sure it's worth it. Are the roads good enough to enjoy them, will I be able to use them without getting a ticket, are they actually any good?
Once I found out I could have an SUV in huge V8 engined guise I've thought it might be more comfortable over 2000 miles, have more luggage room, perhaps better air-con for the desert, the ability to venture a bit further off the tarmac (though I know most American SUVs are RWD not 4WD), but will I regret it.
Interested to hear what people have hired and if they thought it was a good/bad choice or a waste of money.
you cant go off road in any hire car without voiding your insurance technically. its up to you if you want to risk it. ive had a yukon xl slt and tbh it was great it does feel huge though but the reversing camera is very handy. even in death valley the cops can be anywhere and you might not see them in time long straight roads they hide in dips etc. when i id it i really didnt have any inclination to drive too fast just relax and take in the amazing views. if you do want to go off road in death valley hire a jeep in furnace creek its worth it.
I think you've already answered your own question! Covering those sort of miles on probably predominantly straight highways, the SUV is going to be the more practical and comfortable car to have. How about you get the best of both worlds and if you are spending a few days in one location, hire a mustang/camaro/vette for a day?
We hired a vette for a day in vegas in April and had a great day out driving the twisty roads out by lake mead. Roof down, V8 blaring and not another car in sight.
We hired a vette for a day in vegas in April and had a great day out driving the twisty roads out by lake mead. Roof down, V8 blaring and not another car in sight.
Just came back from a similar trip: LA, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Fran and back to LA. All in 8 days though 
Hired a Camaro SS convertible (6.2L V8) and the car itself was very disappointing. Not particularly fast, not much noise, flat after 4k rpm and didn't feel like an American muscle car at all. Steering was horrific and suspension was too soft, didn't promote much confidence through the twisty bits. Best thing about the car was Sirius XM radio, I'd say that's essential for a long road trip.
The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase! Luckily we had one which splits in half.
FYI my 8 day rental cost £360, look around for some Hertz discount codes (I'm assuming you're looking at their Adrenaline collection).
Hired a Camaro SS convertible (6.2L V8) and the car itself was very disappointing. Not particularly fast, not much noise, flat after 4k rpm and didn't feel like an American muscle car at all. Steering was horrific and suspension was too soft, didn't promote much confidence through the twisty bits. Best thing about the car was Sirius XM radio, I'd say that's essential for a long road trip.
The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase! Luckily we had one which splits in half.
FYI my 8 day rental cost £360, look around for some Hertz discount codes (I'm assuming you're looking at their Adrenaline collection).
Shaoxter said:
Just came back from a similar trip: LA, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Fran and back to LA. All in 8 days though
Hired a Camaro SS convertible (6.2L V8) and the car itself was very disappointing. Not particularly fast, not much noise, flat after 4k rpm and didn't feel like an American muscle car at all. Steering was horrific and suspension was too soft, didn't promote much confidence through the twisty bits. Best thing about the car was Sirius XM radio, I'd say that's essential for a long road trip.
The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase! Luckily we had one which splits in half.
FYI my 8 day rental cost £360, look around for some Hertz discount codes (I'm assuming you're looking at their Adrenaline collection).
I had the same issue but with a Mustang, it felt a bit sHired a Camaro SS convertible (6.2L V8) and the car itself was very disappointing. Not particularly fast, not much noise, flat after 4k rpm and didn't feel like an American muscle car at all. Steering was horrific and suspension was too soft, didn't promote much confidence through the twisty bits. Best thing about the car was Sirius XM radio, I'd say that's essential for a long road trip.
The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase! Luckily we had one which splits in half.
FYI my 8 day rental cost £360, look around for some Hertz discount codes (I'm assuming you're looking at their Adrenaline collection).
t after exchanging the Camaro I had because of a loose heatshield which was making an annoying noise. The Camaro felt really tight compared to the Mustang, I think it's luck of the draw as to what the quality of the car will be like. I ended up with a Dodge Charger which I really liked, it was good for covering long distances and a little silly looking which added to the charm.Trustmeimadoctor said:
you cant go off road in any hire car without voiding your insurance technically. its up to you if you want to risk it.
Don’t plan on doing any real off roading, I’ve just read that some of the better views through Death Valley and Yosemite are on unmade gravel type roads that something with better tyres might be best suited for, to avoid a puncture in 110 degree heat in the middle of nowhere!grumbledoak said:
If you need to ask you probably belong in the Tahoe.
I do need to ask, I’ve never driven any of them, there’s a huge price difference, and I’m not familiar with the roads. Why bother with the rolleyes and snide comment, are you that bored?skibum said:
How about you get the best of both worlds and if you are spending a few days in one location, hire a mustang/camaro/vette for a day?
Had just crossed my mind. We had considered hiring one car for half the journey then changing, but 2 x one way hire charges = ridiculous total cost so I may rent something nicer for Californian coastal driving as we’ll be in SF for a few days.Shaoxter said:
Hired a Camaro SS convertible (6.2L V8) and the car itself was very disappointing.
The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase!
Cheers for the useful feedback, this why I asked, I don't want to pay twice the cost and be disappointed if the cars are actually not that good, and luggage space is a big concern as SWMBO has a tendancy to pack everything she owns...The roof down experience through DV and Yosemite was awesome though and I'd totally recommend a convertible. Just be aware there may not be enough boot space to fit a large suitcase!
We've mostly gone for the practical SUV option for most of our trips, and then got something nicer when we've had a few days in a city at the beginning/end. We had a Nissan Armada earlier in the year - plenty of luggage space (we tend to travel heavy) and very comfortable for the long drives.
I assume you're going in the Summer?
I think for the times you're driving through the picturesque parts you'll miss having a convertible, but for the rest of the time, when the roof is up, the SUV is a much nicer place to be. I've hired a few convertibles and, luggage issues aside, we found ourselves putting the roof up on longer runs over about 45mph.
I got lucky once with a free upgrade from the full-size SUV I'd reserved and ended up in this:
2013 Lincoln Navigator:
But, my favourite all rounder, which I've had a handful of times, is the Dodge Durango. It's a great place to be for long distances and each one we've hired has been full of toys including full bluetooth connectivity. I've never been able to specifically reserve it, but it's always been sat in the same line as the Yukons and I've just popped back to the desk and asked to swap:
I think for the times you're driving through the picturesque parts you'll miss having a convertible, but for the rest of the time, when the roof is up, the SUV is a much nicer place to be. I've hired a few convertibles and, luggage issues aside, we found ourselves putting the roof up on longer runs over about 45mph.
I got lucky once with a free upgrade from the full-size SUV I'd reserved and ended up in this:
2013 Lincoln Navigator:
But, my favourite all rounder, which I've had a handful of times, is the Dodge Durango. It's a great place to be for long distances and each one we've hired has been full of toys including full bluetooth connectivity. I've never been able to specifically reserve it, but it's always been sat in the same line as the Yukons and I've just popped back to the desk and asked to swap:
pushthebutton said:
I assume you're going in the Summer?
I think for the times you're driving through the picturesque parts you'll miss having a convertible, but for the rest of the time, when the roof is up, the SUV is a much nicer place to be. I've hired a few convertibles and, luggage issues aside, we found ourselves putting the roof up on longer runs over about 45mph.
No, end of September/start of October next year.I think for the times you're driving through the picturesque parts you'll miss having a convertible, but for the rest of the time, when the roof is up, the SUV is a much nicer place to be. I've hired a few convertibles and, luggage issues aside, we found ourselves putting the roof up on longer runs over about 45mph.
I'm thinking it's perhaps only the world of movies that makes me think driving a convertible on that route will be delightful, and that in reality it's either too hot (sun directly on your head and air from a/c escaping), too windy, too small or too creaky & noisy - that's from owning 2 convertibles myself.
I've had the mid-sized Ford Escape (Kuga) in Florida myself before, and it was ok but had very light steering and a crappy 4-cylinder engine - the full-size SUV is the "if I'm not having a coupe/convertible it still has to have a huge petrol V8" option
I've decided haven't I...
yellowbentines said:
No, end of September/start of October next year.
The full-size SUV is the "if I'm not having a coupe/convertible it still has to have a huge petrol V8" option
I've decided haven't I...
That's what I'd do.The full-size SUV is the "if I'm not having a coupe/convertible it still has to have a huge petrol V8" option
I've decided haven't I...
I suppose that if you were feeling a little bit flush you could hire a convertible on top for a couple of days, but I've no idea how you'd achieve that. My vote lies with the Durango; American V8 and more of a European interior than the other American SUVs I've rented.
Did this two up in a mustang convertible a few years back. With massive soft bags not cases and back seat luggage space was enough for a three week trip. We started in San Fran then did LA, LV, Yosemite, napa and back to San Fran for the circle.
Speed is rarely an option. The windy roads, number of massive RVs and mind blowing views make it unecessary. Do the PCH in a southerly direction so there's no sun in eyes. Really enjoyed the roof down aspect would opt for,the same again. It just allows you to take it all in. On the PCH and Tiago Road through Yosemite the scenery begs for the wind in the hair thrill!
Speed is rarely an option. The windy roads, number of massive RVs and mind blowing views make it unecessary. Do the PCH in a southerly direction so there's no sun in eyes. Really enjoyed the roof down aspect would opt for,the same again. It just allows you to take it all in. On the PCH and Tiago Road through Yosemite the scenery begs for the wind in the hair thrill!
yellowbentines said:
I do need to ask, I’ve never driven any of them, there’s a huge price difference, and I’m not familiar with the roads. Why bother with the rolleyes and snide comment, are you that bored?
I am a touch bored. And you are taking it all a bit too seriously. 
To be more constructive: it will cost you a lot more than £650 to go back and do it in a Challenger, should that thought occur to you on your return.
grumbledoak said:
I am a touch bored. And you are taking it all a bit too seriously.
To be more constructive: it will cost you a lot more than £650 to go back and do it in a Challenger, should that thought occur to you on your return.
It's a serious matter, it will be my longest, most expensive, most anticipated holiday of my life, and much of it will be spent driving. I will also be posting topics of similar seriousness asking whether to bet on red or black in Vegas, and if I should get pickle on my Mcfatsoburger or not.To be more constructive: it will cost you a lot more than £650 to go back and do it in a Challenger, should that thought occur to you on your return.
We holiday in the USA most years anyway so I can hire one of the cars another time, its more about whether it's best suited to this kind of trip on this route, and weighing up pros vs. cons I think thirsty V8 land barge is the way forward, return it in Vegas a couple of days before we fly home, and explore the surrounds in a 'Vette for a couple of days.
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