USrentacar - Florida - What to request?

[mattman]

We're off to Florida soon for the family holiday and have booked a full size through Usrentacar/budget.

What would you recommend to request as I want to drive something american in america! Last time we went I got a 4x4 and ended up with a poxy Santa Fe.

Needs to accomodate 2x adults and 2x kids and a resonable boot - the missus likes to shop and if I can avoid upgrade costs all the better.

Any recommendations most welcome

[Bluebarge]

Whatever you request, unless you have a guarantee for a particular type of car (eg Mustang) you will get whatever they have available in that category when you land. I recently booked a Nissan minivan (or similar) and got a Kia Sedona (US version) followed by a Chrysler Town and Country (Grand Voyager). I didn't see a single Nissan minivan in their car park (and it wasn't a model on Nissan's recall list, so that is unlikely to be the explanation).

[Lucie W]

A fiend of mine has just been in Florida/Georgia/Atlanta for 3 weeks and he rented a mustang convertible for the whole time...although I don't suppose that would be very practical

[DavidHM]

The Crack Fox said:

If they give you keys marked 'Buick', take public transport instead...

2010 Buick LaCrosse is quite good - it's basically a bigger Insignia with a V6. The 2011 Regal isn't out yet but might be on a few rental fleets and is an Insignia with about 180 hp.

There is an Enclave SUV which is not great but as good (i.e., pretty terrible) as anything else in the class.

However most rentla Buicks will be the big and expensive Lucerne. It's not completely terrible like a Mercury Grand Marquis (which is straight out of the 70s) but is floaty and aimed squarely at wealthy over 70s.

[spaceship]

We always get a Dodge Grand Caravan (Chrysler Grand Voyager). It's huge, American, easy to drive and does what you want it to when you are on hols. You could just get the Dodge Caravan (Voyager) as there are only 4 of you.

Don't get a convertible. Totally pointless as it's too hot to drive with the roof down. Get a tin-top and keep the air-con cranked up. You actually don't see that many drop-tops out there and when you do they are usually driven by foreigners who are regretting making the choice.

When I was out last year with work there was just two of us and we got a Pontiac G6. Kinda Vectra-sized, a bit sporty and fairly quick. Was white too so better for the heat.

Edited by spaceship on Thursday 29th April 19:27

Edited by spaceship on Thursday 29th April 19:29

[davidjpowell]

We had a Ford Taurus from Hertz. Top of range and not bad for US standards. Would have another (for a fortnight).