What's the best holiday hire car you've had?
Discussion
Another one here for a Mustang droptop in the US. We normally book the cheapest hirecar possible with aircon but decided that a musclecar (yes, some pedant will be along with "but it's actually a ponycar") was more appropriate on American roads. Turned out to cost little more than a basic compact too. Saw a few Chevrolet Sparks getting blown around on the motorway there, they would have saved about £10 a day compared to our 'stang!
Another vote for the Dacia Duster. A friend always hires one when he goes to his place in Morocco. The soft-roader setup is ideal for the often less than ideal roads. It's perfectly capable on the motorways too. Room for 4 in comfort (never tried 5 yet). Economical. Air-con works. Little else to go wrong. Well built. Basically a simple concept done very well.
Would I have one over here? No. But there It's perfect!
Would I have one over here? No. But there It's perfect!
BenWRXSEi said:
Had one of these for a week in Iceland in November. Studded tyres and everything. I absolutely loved it!
My favourite holiday hire car has to be the 1.1 Kia Picanto I hired in Sicily a few years back.
It was one of those cheap holiday deals where I didn't pay more than €100 for a week. I was ecstatic when I was told it was going to be a new Picanto. Having never driven anything powered by a hairdryer I was intrigued. When I walked out to see the car... not one panel was straight, there were dents and scratches along both sides of the car. The Italian man who looked it over just marked the paper with a large X, shrugged his shoulders and handed over the keys.
But it was an amazing experience, parking it on pavements with my hazards on, police not even batting an eyelid as they rode past. Tyres were nearly bald but that added to the experience (wheelspin in every gear). Thankfully it didn't rain.
It was hard to get back into following the rules when I got back home.
Nik
It was one of those cheap holiday deals where I didn't pay more than €100 for a week. I was ecstatic when I was told it was going to be a new Picanto. Having never driven anything powered by a hairdryer I was intrigued. When I walked out to see the car... not one panel was straight, there were dents and scratches along both sides of the car. The Italian man who looked it over just marked the paper with a large X, shrugged his shoulders and handed over the keys.
But it was an amazing experience, parking it on pavements with my hazards on, police not even batting an eyelid as they rode past. Tyres were nearly bald but that added to the experience (wheelspin in every gear). Thankfully it didn't rain.
It was hard to get back into following the rules when I got back home.
Nik
Not strictly a hire car but a loaner when my daily was on loan and my Herald up the spout but my dad lent me his MX-5 (bought off pistonheads coincidentally and how I found out about this place) for a 10 day jaunt around the north of england and back down to london. Was so impressed that the wife and I decided to get one.
Recently had a nightmare with Europcar regarding an F-type that we had booked for a long weekend driving through the alps. It got crashed (apparently) a few days before we were due to pick it up.
We ended up with a TT S convertible with DSG, usually not my sort of thing, however it was a really impressive car, did everything well and saved us a fair few euros too.
We ended up with a TT S convertible with DSG, usually not my sort of thing, however it was a really impressive car, did everything well and saved us a fair few euros too.
Bentley GTC convertible - St Helier, Jersey for my wedding day last year - £250 for the day, plus £25 excess cover (bargain as I kerbed an alloy) and £10 all-in fuel charge (I must have used about half a tank).
In Tampa this year, got a Chevvy Suburban for 5 days, that was fast and huge.
In France, managed a c8 when I booked a c4. Also got a new B class rather than a polo. And a new golf 1.2T rather than a polo. Managed to steer clear of the Dacia dusters though!
In Italy got a Fiat Doplo which was v slow up the mountains
In UK got a Scenic for the price of a clio when I hovered around all the BHX hire car desks until I got a good deal.
In Jersey I hired a 1960s original VW camper van which we slept in (or tried to) next to the windy west coast shore line for my 30th.
One tip I have is to always get annual excess insurance cover it is about of £40/yr and it works (plus great peace of mind that you wont get shafted by the hire car place). I use www.insurance4carhire.com/
Today I got shafted by Dollar in Tampa for USD113 for not signing up to their USD75 unlimited toll package (which I was not offered). This is a scam, thanks Dollar...
Also get annoyed by hire cars without sat nav, and a huge charge for an old naff sat nav. You have to rent it as you dont have a clue where you are going.
In Tampa this year, got a Chevvy Suburban for 5 days, that was fast and huge.
In France, managed a c8 when I booked a c4. Also got a new B class rather than a polo. And a new golf 1.2T rather than a polo. Managed to steer clear of the Dacia dusters though!
In Italy got a Fiat Doplo which was v slow up the mountains
In UK got a Scenic for the price of a clio when I hovered around all the BHX hire car desks until I got a good deal.
In Jersey I hired a 1960s original VW camper van which we slept in (or tried to) next to the windy west coast shore line for my 30th.
One tip I have is to always get annual excess insurance cover it is about of £40/yr and it works (plus great peace of mind that you wont get shafted by the hire car place). I use www.insurance4carhire.com/
Today I got shafted by Dollar in Tampa for USD113 for not signing up to their USD75 unlimited toll package (which I was not offered). This is a scam, thanks Dollar...
Also get annoyed by hire cars without sat nav, and a huge charge for an old naff sat nav. You have to rent it as you dont have a clue where you are going.
I have done this many times and I am always pushing to go there on holidays: USA.
The US is (or are ?) the best in regards to car rental. There is a lot of competition, this has been highly developped there over the years, and the pricing can be really different if you spend a bit of time searching.
The best car rental are: 1- Hertz, 2- Sixt, 3- Avis. Aim to have a Gold membership which is quite easy after a few rentals and then your rental prices go down, you get upgrades and they don't try to sell you the next model to rent.
I have never paid more than 100 or 120 USD a day for any of these.
The US is (or are ?) the best in regards to car rental. There is a lot of competition, this has been highly developped there over the years, and the pricing can be really different if you spend a bit of time searching.
The best car rental are: 1- Hertz, 2- Sixt, 3- Avis. Aim to have a Gold membership which is quite easy after a few rentals and then your rental prices go down, you get upgrades and they don't try to sell you the next model to rent.
I have never paid more than 100 or 120 USD a day for any of these.
Escort mk4.
Malta.
Came partially destroyed. I didn't make it any better.
Basically drove it like I stole it, and the sump/floorpan had a few more dents than it came with (from the off-road sections)
Don't normally have cause to hire a car, normally take my own on hols and rag that instead...
Malta.
Came partially destroyed. I didn't make it any better.
Basically drove it like I stole it, and the sump/floorpan had a few more dents than it came with (from the off-road sections)
Don't normally have cause to hire a car, normally take my own on hols and rag that instead...
[quote=greghm]I have done this many times and I am always pushing to go there on holidays: USA.
The US is (or are ?) the best in regards to car rental. There is a lot of competition, this has been highly developped there over the years, and the pricing can be really different if you spend a bit of time searching.
The best car rental are: 1- Hertz, 2- Sixt, 3- Avis. Aim to have a Gold membership which is quite easy after a few rentals and then your rental prices go down, you get upgrades and they don't try to sell you the next model to rent.
I've turned up numerous times in the US with a pre booked car to a completely empty garage and a 2-3 hour wait for a car. Avis pretty awful if you fly in on a BA plane as everyone heads to the same desk. In Boston last year it was this or an unspecified wait. It was enormous; a lot of tunnels outside Logan and I ducked through every one
The US is (or are ?) the best in regards to car rental. There is a lot of competition, this has been highly developped there over the years, and the pricing can be really different if you spend a bit of time searching.
The best car rental are: 1- Hertz, 2- Sixt, 3- Avis. Aim to have a Gold membership which is quite easy after a few rentals and then your rental prices go down, you get upgrades and they don't try to sell you the next model to rent.
I've turned up numerous times in the US with a pre booked car to a completely empty garage and a 2-3 hour wait for a car. Avis pretty awful if you fly in on a BA plane as everyone heads to the same desk. In Boston last year it was this or an unspecified wait. It was enormous; a lot of tunnels outside Logan and I ducked through every one
Edited by Blackbird425 on Tuesday 28th June 16:18
My father and I went on a skiing holiday years ago and were greeted in the car park by a 4x4 Renault Kangoo; normally I would have slated that as a hire car BUT I was so impressed by it!
It was the smallest Diesel engine they could have possibly fit into that engine bay but it pulled like a train, on the motorways and up the mountain roads, and not once did we have to pop the snow chains on despite a hell of a lot of snow on the roads.
Don't remember it costing a lot either which was a bonus!
It was the smallest Diesel engine they could have possibly fit into that engine bay but it pulled like a train, on the motorways and up the mountain roads, and not once did we have to pop the snow chains on despite a hell of a lot of snow on the roads.
Don't remember it costing a lot either which was a bonus!
I put Avis just because they sometimes have some nice choice but I do not think I have used them once.
Hertz or Sixt with Gold membership will get you super quickly to your car (without going through the desk). I actually think that these cars even allow you to go straight to the Gold desk.
Hertz or Sixt with Gold membership will get you super quickly to your car (without going through the desk). I actually think that these cars even allow you to go straight to the Gold desk.
www.rentaclassiccarmallorca.com have some very nice metal
E-Type roadster
308GT4
Lotus Elan convertible
Austin Healey
Ford Mustang and more. Great roads too. Hired the Elan for a weekend, ace!
E-Type roadster
308GT4
Lotus Elan convertible
Austin Healey
Ford Mustang and more. Great roads too. Hired the Elan for a weekend, ace!
DaveC92 said:
My father and I went on a skiing holiday years ago and were greeted in the car park by a 4x4 Renault Kangoo; normally I would have slated that as a hire car BUT I was so impressed by it!
It was the smallest Diesel engine they could have possibly fit into that engine bay but it pulled like a train, on the motorways and up the mountain roads, and not once did we have to pop the snow chains on despite a hell of a lot of snow on the roads.
Don't remember it costing a lot either which was a bonus!
I had a 2wd Kangoo in 2011 as a rental. Ranks as one of the most surprising cars I have ever driven as I thought I would hate it...but really rather liked it. Quick enough (just), gently lolloping gait but handled well enough and rode beautifully.It was the smallest Diesel engine they could have possibly fit into that engine bay but it pulled like a train, on the motorways and up the mountain roads, and not once did we have to pop the snow chains on despite a hell of a lot of snow on the roads.
Don't remember it costing a lot either which was a bonus!
On topic, I have had a few Mustangs which are always fun, Cadillac DTS (great in a straight line when you have 500 miles of desert to kill, dire in corners) and I once rented a Fiesta at Gatwick that turned into a brand new (9 mile) Scirocco. It was a bit metallic gold and the engine was a bit tight but it was most amusing.
A Seat Mii on Guernsey - just the job for the narrow roads - nippy and the steering was good, in distinct contrast to the Kia Picanto we had on Shetland - you don't want a car with unfathomable steering on single track roads with a drop each side.
(Many years ago I hire a Transit to move some large items. When I went to collect it, the previous hirer hadn't brought it back, so they lent me a Granada Scorpio to go home in and they'd let me know when the Transit had re-appeared. It was the first car I'd driven with a fuel consumption meter on it. It was doing about 20 mpg in town. It had aircon too - another novelty for me. It wasn't hot, but I'd heard that aircon was bad for fuel consumption, so when I stopped at some light I turned it on. When I drove off it said 4 mpg! Then I noticed I'd left the handbrake on.)
(Many years ago I hire a Transit to move some large items. When I went to collect it, the previous hirer hadn't brought it back, so they lent me a Granada Scorpio to go home in and they'd let me know when the Transit had re-appeared. It was the first car I'd driven with a fuel consumption meter on it. It was doing about 20 mpg in town. It had aircon too - another novelty for me. It wasn't hot, but I'd heard that aircon was bad for fuel consumption, so when I stopped at some light I turned it on. When I drove off it said 4 mpg! Then I noticed I'd left the handbrake on.)
There are 2 ways to answer this for me:
1) the best car in absolute terms
2) the best hiring experience considering the price, the weather, the roads, the feelings..
To question 1 it was probably a manual R8 V8 I hired several years ago for a weekend with Hertz, at Heathrow. Some memorable drives on Sunday morning in Wales despite the rainy weather and the car felt really in perfect shape, way better than a press example I had the chance to drive some months before in Italy, shortly after the launch. Anyway it was a brief vacation and in the while stuck in Friday night traffic in central London I remember it really felt wasted money.
To question 2, it was probably the Challenger I got In California for 2 weeks, great Hemi engine, a lot of charter and practicality with space for luggage and even cruising comfort. Not the ideal car I would like to drive on my favorite mountain roads back at home in Northern Italy but for that trip it was epic. In the same trip I also hired the Vette C6 for a week, it was great, so fast and capable but with less practicality for long road trip. Also tried the Camaro in Florida, nice but being a V6 it could have used more power.
1) the best car in absolute terms
2) the best hiring experience considering the price, the weather, the roads, the feelings..
To question 1 it was probably a manual R8 V8 I hired several years ago for a weekend with Hertz, at Heathrow. Some memorable drives on Sunday morning in Wales despite the rainy weather and the car felt really in perfect shape, way better than a press example I had the chance to drive some months before in Italy, shortly after the launch. Anyway it was a brief vacation and in the while stuck in Friday night traffic in central London I remember it really felt wasted money.
To question 2, it was probably the Challenger I got In California for 2 weeks, great Hemi engine, a lot of charter and practicality with space for luggage and even cruising comfort. Not the ideal car I would like to drive on my favorite mountain roads back at home in Northern Italy but for that trip it was epic. In the same trip I also hired the Vette C6 for a week, it was great, so fast and capable but with less practicality for long road trip. Also tried the Camaro in Florida, nice but being a V6 it could have used more power.
Hmm Hire Cars abroad - I've never hired one in the US, strictly Europe, so my list isn't very exciting. pretty much the opposite...
VW Golf Mk3. I've had a few of these in the 90's, and all had technical glitches, usually electrical.
Peugeot 306. Not great, again brand new, but never 'nice'. That was 1993.
Volvo 850GLT. I had booked a Passat, got an upgrade to the Volvo. I loved it, left a very good Volvo impression on me!
BMW 318i E36. I remember this was brand new and I put 2000km on it over a weekend. Calypso Red and I felt like a millionaire in it!
VW T4 Caravelle. Needed something with seats, lots of them. I remember it was a 2.5 auto, but not much horespower!
Seat Toledo - the first type of Toledo. It was a miler, and I couldn't get 1st gear!
Seat Leon - Mk2, 1.4 petrol. Flat as a witch's boob, but a nice drive somehow!
Opel Astra 1.7D. I liked it. My in-laws now have one. I like it less.
Mini Countryman 1.6D. Probably led to me buying my current Countryman SD. I only got this rental as Sixt offered me a Juke & I said 'anything else back there?'.
Peugeot 5008. An alleged upgrade. OK drive, just the build quality was awful, I remember fiberglass splinters from trying to fix the rear floor cubby holes which had collapsed.
Nissan Note. This was the bottom of the barrel of cheap Spanish rentals, only offered as Seat had stopped making the Marbella. All the LCD displays had fried, so you had to guess the mileage, time, radio channel. the speedometer worked, but walking would have been faster.
BMW 118d & 116d (current model) x 2 - both white, 5 door, one manual, one auto. The auto made me want a new BMW with an auto box.
Volvo V70 D4. This was last year, and it had much trickery & gadgets. Was ok for a few days on the Autobahns.
Toyota Yaris (current model). I spun this on a quiet B road in Spain. Oops. 1.4D in white, but deceptively spacious (to a point).
And let's see what tomorrow brings (Avis, Cologne-Bonn airport)!
VW Golf Mk3. I've had a few of these in the 90's, and all had technical glitches, usually electrical.
Peugeot 306. Not great, again brand new, but never 'nice'. That was 1993.
Volvo 850GLT. I had booked a Passat, got an upgrade to the Volvo. I loved it, left a very good Volvo impression on me!
BMW 318i E36. I remember this was brand new and I put 2000km on it over a weekend. Calypso Red and I felt like a millionaire in it!
VW T4 Caravelle. Needed something with seats, lots of them. I remember it was a 2.5 auto, but not much horespower!
Seat Toledo - the first type of Toledo. It was a miler, and I couldn't get 1st gear!
Seat Leon - Mk2, 1.4 petrol. Flat as a witch's boob, but a nice drive somehow!
Opel Astra 1.7D. I liked it. My in-laws now have one. I like it less.
Mini Countryman 1.6D. Probably led to me buying my current Countryman SD. I only got this rental as Sixt offered me a Juke & I said 'anything else back there?'.
Peugeot 5008. An alleged upgrade. OK drive, just the build quality was awful, I remember fiberglass splinters from trying to fix the rear floor cubby holes which had collapsed.
Nissan Note. This was the bottom of the barrel of cheap Spanish rentals, only offered as Seat had stopped making the Marbella. All the LCD displays had fried, so you had to guess the mileage, time, radio channel. the speedometer worked, but walking would have been faster.
BMW 118d & 116d (current model) x 2 - both white, 5 door, one manual, one auto. The auto made me want a new BMW with an auto box.
Volvo V70 D4. This was last year, and it had much trickery & gadgets. Was ok for a few days on the Autobahns.
Toyota Yaris (current model). I spun this on a quiet B road in Spain. Oops. 1.4D in white, but deceptively spacious (to a point).
And let's see what tomorrow brings (Avis, Cologne-Bonn airport)!
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