Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - Car?

Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - Car?

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Knoxville2410

Original Poster:

291 posts

58 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Hi all,

Been lurking for quite a long time so finally decided to make an account. For anyone that's interested, I currently drive a 2013 F30 320d biggrin

Me and the Mrs are off to Las Vegas in July, she has never been before, I went a few years ago and had a blast! When I was there previously, me and a few friends drove from Vegas to the Grand Canyon (I had to do all the driving as they didn't have their licences with them!). If I recall, it was around 4-5 hours each way and was quite an enjoyable drive (Ford Edge 4x4).

We plan on doing this when we go, except we are looking to travel in a bit more style so have booked a Chevy Camaro SS V8. Has anyone ever driven one of these that can comment on what it's like? They sound absolutely incredible and look pretty quick on paper. It works out at around £180 per day which isn't too bad at all for a bit of fun.

Can anyone recommend an alternative that might be even more fun? I was looking at exotics such as Ferrari's and the like but you have to sort your own insurance out which looks to be a huge faff so sticking to mainstream rental companies.

Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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A Camaro with a decent engine seems as good a vehicle as any for the trip. Like you say, there's insurance issues with the supercar rentals and I'm sure they'll charge a fortune in excess mileage which isn't really worth it for a long freeway cruise across to the GC (hopefully you are heading for the 'proper' part of the canyon, not the nearer west rim).

ZOLLAR

19,908 posts

172 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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I've not done it but a work colleague did in a Convertible Mustang, almost passed out from the heat and direct sunlight hehe
His recommendation to me should I ever do it, make sure it isn't a convertible and has great air-conditioning.

Drew106

1,391 posts

144 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Had a rental Camaro SS on a US trip a few years back.

Highly recommended. Big V8, sounded awesome, auto (of course), comfortable, decent boot size for two big cases. Covered a lot of miles in two weeks and loved it.

Turn off the TC. Never felt I really needed it (I suspect it's still on in the background). Around 15mpg but Gas is cheap. Peel away from all the lights hehe

Knoxville2410

Original Poster:

291 posts

58 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

I think when I was there previously, we went to the South of the GC and will probably look to do the same this time round. Open to suggestions on other parts that may be good if you have any.

The car is the convertible laugh. If it gets too hot we will put the roof up - will no doubt have the AC blasting either way.

I did the trip in one day before so going to do the same again. Planning to leave LV around 5:00am-6:00am and return for around 10pm. Should give us a good few hours to look around and take in the sights.


Pupbelly

1,413 posts

128 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Recently did Vegas to the Canyon, hired a 5.7L Dodge Charger Hemi......the noise, oh the noise was amazing!!! Great car which made a loooong journey a hoot. Hired from Alamo who were spot on.
A nice burble when cruising but a spine tingling howl when you give it some beans!!

If you get the chance, find a quiet spot and do a full launch from a standing start, the pace, noise and overall thrill is fantastic.

Edited by Pupbelly on Friday 17th May 12:23

Knoxville2410

Original Poster:

291 posts

58 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Drew106 said:
Had a rental Camaro SS on a US trip a few years back.

Highly recommended. Big V8, sounded awesome, auto (of course), comfortable, decent boot size for two big cases. Covered a lot of miles in two weeks and loved it.

Turn off the TC. Never felt I really needed it (I suspect it's still on in the background). Around 15mpg but Gas is cheap. Peel away from all the lights hehe
That's great to hear!

May I ask who you booked it through? I have reserved mine through Hertz but I am just a bit concerned as it says Camaro SS or similar - I don't really want anything similar, would only want the Camaro.

Like you say, fuel isn't an issue as it is so much cheaper there and I plan to over budget for the trip anyway laugh

Drew106

1,391 posts

144 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Knoxville2410 said:
That's great to hear!

May I ask who you booked it through? I have reserved mine through Hertz but I am just a bit concerned as it says Camaro SS or similar - I don't really want anything similar, would only want the Camaro.

Like you say, fuel isn't an issue as it is so much cheaper there and I plan to over budget for the trip anyway laugh
Booked through Alamo. Bit of a steal, although it was rented from Portland, OR. So I suspect cheaper than what you would get in and around LV.

I actually booked a convertible Mustang (or similar). When I got there, no Mustangs. Offered me a BMW (not a chance, missing the point). Luckily, there was a nice bright yellow Camaro SS in the car park and they said I could have that instead. Didn't really miss the convertible if I'm honest.

They also had a Challenger there, so it was a difficult choice between the two smile

CABC

5,533 posts

100 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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i'd try to drive early or late with the roof down, the roads and scenery deserve it!
for most of the day you'd have to have the roof up though.

Premature

41 posts

232 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Also a long-time lurker.

The area around Flagstaff isn't too far away from the Grand Canyon, and the road between Flagstaff and Sedona is really good. We actually preferred the scenery down there to the Grand Canyon.

Also, if you are interested, Lake Havasu City is also possible on a one day trip: there isn't really much there, but that is where the London Bridge was rebuilt when it was sold to an American. An interesting diversion.

kiethton

13,883 posts

179 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
One firm do rent a 1000bhp Huracan?

https://www.royaltyexoticcars.com/car-rentals/2016...

There are a few other (more sensible) but performance orientated options too

J4CKO

41,287 posts

199 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Drew106 said:
Had a rental Camaro SS on a US trip a few years back.


Turn off the TC. Never felt I really needed it
Take it that it didnt rain.

I had a very nasty moment in a Mustang GT in an Atlanta suburb after "practising" in heavy rain in a deserted car park and thinking I had mastered things, turns out I hadnt.... biggrin

Didnt crash but had to nip to JC Penneys for some pants.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
I've rented Challengers in the past and really liked the ride and noise.
On the Camaro convertible, I rented one around 2010 and didn't like the body flex feel to it but otherwise it was a pleasure.

A bit more exotic you could consider a Corvette. If its a day trip your not after luggage space etc.

Sounds a great trip. smile

Guvernator

13,105 posts

164 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
It has to be American of course but I'd be looking at a Corvette rather than a Camaro if the cost isn't too much more. While the Camaro is lovely, the Corvette just seems a bit more special.

A friend did similar and hired a convertible, they turned back within half an hour and exchanged it for a tin top. A convertible really won't be useable driving through a desert in July, temperature will be up in the 40's by about 11am. He said they could literally smell the plastic on the dash cooking so while a convertible is what everyone imagines using on that road trip, I'd be going for a tin top.

MrOrange

2,031 posts

252 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
CABC said:
i'd try to drive early or late with the roof down, the roads and scenery deserve it!
for most of the day you'd have to have the roof up though.
This is what I would do (and have done), it can be really rather cold in the mornings too (desert etc). It makes the drive a whole lot more theatre - wear a cap, apply sunscreen, plant your right foot.

Knoxville2410

Original Poster:

291 posts

58 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Thanks Premature, will definitely keep that in mind.

Kiethton - The Ferrari looks like good value at $999 for 24 hours but you have to sort your own insurance with that company too. I feel that is going to be incredibly expensive to sort.

So called & Guvernator - I did look at the Corvette and quite tempted by it. Going to look into it a bit more, thanks. We are planning to drive from Vegas to GC from 6:00am - 10:00am, surely this shouldn't be too bad with the top down? Driving back from around 6pm - 10pm, likewise it shouldn't be as hot then?

Thanks.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
I went to Vegas last year and used a service called carhopper to arrange the rental. The actual rental co were on Dean Martin Drive just off the Strip, think they were part of Beverley Hills rental.

I was supposed to hire a Shelby Mustang, however the clutch was bust, so they exchanged for a Z06 Corvette, which was great.

They also has a number of Ferraris and Lamborghinis amongst others.

msmith0592

299 posts

143 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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One thing to note about the Camaro is it does have bad blind spots, especially when pulling onto the highways.

Dr Interceptor

7,743 posts

195 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
I've done it, in a Camaro soft top... There and back from Vegas in a day, flying solo.

Best driving day of my life so far.

Crack of dawn, leaving the Vegas strip....



Stop off at a view point on route...



Kept the hood down all the way, had to stop off and buy a hat and gloves when I got gas, the altitude change is huge, and it really got cold very quickly on route.

Snow on the ground up at the Canyon





Detour to a photo spot down by the Colarado river on the way back...


Knoxville2410

Original Poster:

291 posts

58 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
Dr Interceptor said:
I've done it, in a Camaro soft top... There and back from Vegas in a day, flying solo.

Best driving day of my life so far.

Crack of dawn, leaving the Vegas strip....



Stop off at a view point on route...



Kept the hood down all the way, had to stop off and buy a hat and gloves when I got gas, the altitude change is huge, and it really got cold very quickly on route.

Snow on the ground up at the Canyon





Detour to a photo spot down by the Colarado river on the way back...

That's exactly what we'll be doing.

Who did you rent through, is that the V8 Camaro?