Rental car review

[Bu11dogg2]

2008 Dodge Charger
Miles: 17,xxx
Color: silver
Interior: light gray
Wheels: 17 inch Hubcaps :unamused:
Motor: 2.7 6cyl
Horse Power: 190 :rofl: (liars!)
Suspension: Terrible :mad:

Interior:
The interior is cheaply made. Nothing fits right, it looks like a 5 year old put it together. The dash lights are a wierd green..... the stereo looks like it's from a 1986 dodge van. The sound is terrible...The seats are terribly uncomfortable, no heated seats. The steering wheel is all plastic and never, ever gets warm.

The cup holders are waaaaay to far back. The shifter (5EAT) is made of rubber.

Exterior:
I love the look of this car :) always have, always will. Its needs wheels, not hubs caps :unamused:

Engine/Transmission:
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay under powered for a 6cyl. The transmission is either struggling or dropping a gear.

Handling:
:spin::spin::spin::spin: The steering is consistant no matter what you do.... sharp turn, slow turn, anything.

The steering wheel resistance is always the same, a 2 year old could make a 3 point turn with ease. :unamused:

This in turn makes you feel disconnected from the road. You never know how the car is going to react.

Dodge should be burnt to the ground for even thinking of mating a V8 with this car. It is terribly dangerous. Don't drive one, ever!

Star Rating

1 out of 5 (barely)

[RCKSTR]

they look cool:o

[Bu11dogg2]

they look cool:o


that's about it :lol:

[Joe]

I like the way the Chargers look too. The 2.8 V-6 is pathetic though. Friend had a rental wit the 3.5 V-6 and it had some good pep! Just need to get the 300C AWD in it!

[-=The Boss=-]

I have had a Dodge Charger with the big engine and it was nice :)

I do rent a lot and this will become my thread.

[Bu11dogg2]

I have had a Dodge Charger with the big engine and it was nice :)

I do rent a lot and this will become my thread.

The Enterprise guy did mention that they used to have one.

How was teh suspension on the V8?

[Bu11dogg2]

Getting my 55k service done at Audi :)

They gave me a 2008 A4 with the 3.2L 6cyl.

It has the paddle shifter and a setting that allows it to run with out but is "sport" that keeps the rpm's around 3k.

it's a 6speed auto.

The 3.2 has a TON of power :) I'd consider it with a stick.

[-=The Boss=-]

The 3.2 has a TON of power :) I'd consider it with a stick.
Drive a V8 :lol:

I do want an S4 wagon

[Bu11dogg2]

Drive a V8 :lol:

I do want an S4 wagon


I want to try the new SC 6cyl S4 :D

[GC4-RS]

anyone kno if the airport rental agency's rent subies? im going to Greensboro NC in august (flying down) and will need a rental car

[-=The Boss=-]

The ones at Columbus OH do.

[Bu11dogg2]

anyone kno if the airport rental agency's rent subies? im going to Greensboro NC in august (flying down) and will need a rental car


last time I was there (1999) they had american cars :(

[Service@ExeterSubaru]

Current in stock loaners at Exeter Subaru:

1. 2009 outback base, but not stripped
2. 2009 forester base, but not stripped
3. 2009 Forester loaded, no nav
4. 2009 Tribeca loaded, no nav

I :wub: the loaded forester. The moonroof is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!

[morbidgorilla]

2007 Pontiac g6
30xxx miles
2.2 dohc ECOTECK I-4 148 horsepower, 152 pound-feet of torque runs of of breath at 102 MPH but gets there well
Black with Black interior
Interior made bu rubber-made knockoff company in china

3 speed automatic transmission filled with dyslexic sea-monkeys that downshift at 4500 rpm(wot) and up shift at 4000 rpm light accel

Suspension rear compressed to bump-stops with ONE GI issue duffel bag filled with laundry Front end made a very audible clunk at standing start regardless of throttle amount--told a gm tech this he said they do it from the factory

Steering Numb and vague with 2 inches of turn before actually turning wheels

[Service@ExeterSubaru]

^^^:rofl:

[morbidgorilla]

oops it was a G5

[Bu11dogg2]

why do that when you can get the v10 5.2l twin turbo RS6 Avant...

http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2008_audi_rs6_r.jpg


I can't get that :lol: I mean... I can... but I'd have to steal it :lol:

[AWDPilot]

2008 Audi A4 Quattro Convertible
3.2L V6
6 speed DSG
2400 miles

Ride, smooth, complacent, very nice, reminded me a lot of my GTI

Motor, again, smooth, minus the stupid ****ing DSG that couldn't pick the right gear if it's life depended on it. NOTHING is more annoying on the VW DSGs then depressing the accellerator in 6th to increase speed to have it jump into 3rd, mind you this is with it supposedly in manual mode ... grr

Brakes, good

Handling ... OK, a little piggish, but still controlable


Overall .. I would buy one, as a sedan ... with a 6 speed ... if they made them ... I think.

[AWDPilot]

2008 Chevy Cobalt LS Sport
24000 miles

This thing had a turning radius of a bus

Cheap plastic everywhere, very visable wear on the interior where the paint was just flaking off the trim pieces.

What the hell is that rattle!!!

Um ya, standard Chevy POS rental car, made me really glad I bought the mazda 3 for the wife instead of the cobalt 2 years ago, as her's is holding up MUCH better then this POS.

[Bu11dogg2]

^Did you notice that it feels faster in auto than DSG?


I like the motor, but the more I drive it the less I like the 6EAT

[AWDPilot]

A little, I had the DSG in my GTI, and my GTI definitely felt faster (but it's been over a year since I've had the GTI so who knows) But they both had that same programming issue with the DSG.

I liked the motor, the exhaust note was lovely, I had almost bought an R32 after having the GTI, but DSG only killed it for me ... that and the wife didn't want me buying a 2 door.

[jonny-rockets]

$200 for the week.

2007 Saturn ION 4 door sedan

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/2007-Saturn-Ion-05130061990005.jpg


specs: 145 HP SAE @ 5,600 rpm; 150 ft lb , 203 Nm @ 4,200 rpm (allegedly)

2.2 liters in-line 4, dohc, 5eat

handling is very goofy. body is made of plastic. entire car shudders horridly if an 18 wheeler passes you.

does not feel safe.

however, can beat a baseline nissan sentra 0-60 if its in "ION mode"

(there is an I on the shift column, i think this means ion mode).

hey we should throw in how much the rental was too like i did

[cman7]

Where do all of you go to rent your cars?

When I got rear ended last summer and Enterprise gave me a 2008 Nissan Versa. What an ugly and soulless car inside and out.:unamused:

Too bad they don't rent out manual's.

[The Stig]

I go to Hertz because they have a better selection, i/e not crappy american cars.

[TurboRush]

Nissan Altima 4 banger... POS

Cruising Daytona Beach in a new Chrysler Minivan... while ridiculous, extremely practical for the number of people, crap we had to carry, and desire to sit and drink beer at the track. But it was a pig when accelerating, when creeping along in traffic with no gas it shutters like you are holding the brake slightly. Junk.

[The Stig]

:lol:

A group of friends of mine and I rented two of them a few years back to go to a St patty's day party in Richmond VA.

The whole side of the van was covered in green vomit by nights end :hide:

[Bu11dogg2]

Vehicle:

2009 GMC Acadia
Miles: 10,xxx
Color: silver
Interior: black, leather
Wheels: 18 inch wheels
Motor: 3.6L SIDI V6
Horse Power: (288 hp @ 6300 rpm, 270 lb-ft of torque @ 3400 rpm).
Transmission: 6 speed auto
DriveTrain: AWD... BLASPHEMY!!!
Suspension: It's an SUV...
MSRP: $35,800.00 :rofl:


It should come as no suprise to any of you that I think this SUV is a pile of junk.

Interior: The pleather on the seats is already stretched and starting to wear at 10k miles.... the whole dash is this CHEAP looking rubbery plastic crap that me makes want to vomit. The steering column looks they pulled it out of the mold and slammed it on with out cleaning the edges. The key fob is cheap flimsy plastic and the key is the EXACT same as the key to my old 2001 Cavalier.

The radio is terrible.... it's impossible to figure out and and all the presets are combined... XM, AM, FM and scrolling through has to be done using the button on the radio to get only FM stations.... the button is halfway across the cabin. The BOSE was a BAD choice as it makes the armrest on the door vibrate so hard you can't use it. They obviously didn't consider accoustics... I have BOSE in my Audi and sounds 100X's better.

Exterior: Cheap. It looks like a undergrad graphic design student with mild retardation designed it.

Drivetrain: It's like an ADHD kid with too much sugar. It's either balls to the wall or struggling to understand what your telling it. If you mash the gas it feels like an STI with a SZ55.... lag, lag, more lag, BAM. It can't decide which of the 6 gears it wants to be in. I swear it goes from 5->2->4->6. It creates total unconfidence in any type of quick excelleration situation. You don't know if you're gonna get planted in the seat excelleration or rear ended because it can't get out of it's own way.

I can't wait to get my car back.

[GC4-RS]

anyone kno if the airport rental agency's rent subies? im going to Greensboro NC in august (flying down) and will need a rental car

didnt end up flying, instead we rented an 08 Ford Escape Hybrid from Enterprise. I actually enjoyed it alot; comfortable, decent stereo, and the best part: $60 in gas each way :spin:

[CTATV]

it doesn't mean ion mode. I dolls saturns. The outlook as well as chevy cobalt have this. I believe it means inteligent it's like a sport mode/ OD off.

$200 for the week.

2007 Saturn ION 4 door sedan

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/2007-Saturn-Ion-05130061990005.jpg


specs: 145 HP SAE @ 5,600 rpm; 150 ft lb , 203 Nm @ 4,200 rpm (allegedly)

2.2 liters in-line 4, dohc, 5eat

handling is very goofy. body is made of plastic. entire car shudders horridly if an 18 wheeler passes you.

does not feel safe.

however, can beat a baseline nissan sentra 0-60 if its in "ION mode"

(there is an I on the shift column, i think this means ion mode).

hey we should throw in how much the rental was too like i did

[Bu11dogg2]

Vehicle:

2008: Audi A3
Miles: 13,xxx
Color: deep blue
Interior: tan, leather
Wheels: 17 inch wheels
Motor: 2.0 DISI Turbo
Horse Power: 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: 6 speed auto with DSG
DriveTrain: FWD
Suspension: Decent
MSRP: $26k


To be honest..... I heard SO MANY bad things about this car and didn't even bother to drive one when I last bought a car.

I wish I hadn't listened to the idiots :(

This car is nothing short of amazing.

The power, the shifting, the handling, all on par with my A4 and better in some respects.

Anyone who says DSG is garbage, is an idiot. I love it. So quick, so clean.

The 2.0T in this car feels a lot more powerful than the 2.0T in my car. It literally puts you in the back of your seat and shifts gears without so much as a flinch.

I could go on for hours about how much I love the power and handling.... but there are a few cons.

The interior color is hideous.... the tan is awful.

It's FWD :unamused:

it's really expensive.....

this car in a 2.0T with AWD and 6 speed is an awesome combo, too bad it's not available :unamused:

[dudeondacouch]

2009 Ford E-350 12-pax van.

Suffered through 10 days of artillery ranges, drunk Soldiers, the vegas strip, considerable off-road time, donuts, and speeds in excess of 90mph.

Suffered only 1 broken window, a 1-2 shift issue, and 8 or 9 dents.

Overall: Awesome.

Gotta love those gov't rentals.

:lol: :devil:

[Bu11dogg2]

:lol: never buy one used

[dudeondacouch]

troof. :lol:

[Bu11dogg2]

Were you in back when they had the 15 pax vans?

DEATH TRAP

[ImprezaSoldier]

GSA Rentals are Awesome... Had a couple of the E-350 Rentals last summer to drive from Manchester, NH to Chicopee, MA... was easily doing 100 down I-90.. 3 Vans, 2 E-350 Rentals with NH Tags, and 1 that had Government plates.. Its awesome how Cops dont even blink an Eye at Vans full of Uniformed Military... the Supply Seargent in my unit refers to a GSA Vehicle as a "G-Rocket" cause the cops generally leave you alone.

2009 Ford E-350 12-pax van.

Suffered through 10 days of artillery ranges, drunk Soldiers, the vegas strip, considerable off-road time, donuts, and speeds in excess of 90mph.

Suffered only 1 broken window, a 1-2 shift issue, and 8 or 9 dents.

Overall: Awesome.

Gotta love those gov't rentals.

:lol: :devil:

[skijay]

The last two miserable rentals I had were from Thrifty when I flew into Tampa in August and October. Normally I go to Enterprise and get a Hyundai Sonata - these have been the BEST rental cars that I have ever had. They had XM and power moonroofs. Never a drivability issue and these are well built cars.

August 2009:

2009 Chrysler Sebring (4 door) - If I had $16,000 to spend on this size car, I would buy a new Toyota Yaris or a CPO Toyota Corolla. The Sebring looks like they attempted to create a decent car, but either they fired the designers or just ran out of money midway through. The interior materials are cheap and looks like a mix and match of parts from a part bin. The problem with this Sebring was the trunk would pop open randomly - driving, parked, whenever it felt like it. Do people buy actually buy the Sebring new or is it just sold new to the rental fleet? I do see a lot of used Sebrings at used car dealerships.

October 2009:

They have a Impreza 4dr Premium in Tampa!!! Of course, it is reserved and what is left are the Chrysler products. They got Sebrings. Since that was my rental class I took another Sebring from this Thrifty location.

While driving towards the airport exit I noticed a loud whining sound from the front end at 35mph. It sounded like a wheel bearing going bad. Since most of my driving will be between 35 - 40 mph, I was not going to deal with this for a week. I brought it back to the rental return and the attendant said to me, "too loud for you?". He told me that at around 30,000 the trannys start to act up on these cars.

One hour later, waiting for something other than a 3dr Hyundai Accent or a minivan, I got another Sebring with about 3500 miles on it.

I see why Chrysler is where they are now. Let's hope FIAT will give them something decent for their compact cars.

[Bu11dogg2]

AMerican cars = injection molding

[im_so_blue]

in all honestly Chrysler hasn't produced a single car in its on name (not putting dodge, jeep or plymouth in the mix) that was worth wild in.. Well i don't even know how long.

They own all the other companies but it seems those supporting companies been carrying the main company all this time.. its sad

[Bu11dogg2]

I used to have a Chrysler Cirrus Lxi.

It was pretty nice car :)

[cman7]

in all honestly Chrysler hasn't produced a single car in its on name (not putting dodge, jeep or plymouth in the mix) that was worth wild in.. Well i don't even know how long.

They own all the other companies but it seems those supporting companies been carrying the main company all this time.. its sad

In some cases it's just a badge. For instance....

I used to have a Chrysler Cirrus Lxi.

It was pretty nice car :)

The Chrysler Cirrus. It's simply a Dodge Stratus with Chrysler badges.

http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2000/Chrysler/5892/2000.chrysler.cirrus.2801-396x249.jpg
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1995-2000-Dodge-Stratus-95103441990612.jpg

Or a Chrysler Aspen.....and undercover Dodge Durango.

http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2007/chrysler.aspen/07.chrysler.aspen.340.jpg
http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide/photos/2005/Dodge/Durango/SUV/2005_Dodge_Durango_ext_1.jpg

I'd agree with you even if you said Chrysler (inluding Jeep, Dodge, and Plymouth) hasn't produced anything worthy of buying in quite a while.

[stealthS60AWD]

Vehicle:

2008: Audi A3
Miles: 13,xxx
Color: deep blue
Interior: tan, leather
Wheels: 17 inch wheels
Motor: 2.0 DISI Turbo
Horse Power: 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque
Transmission: 6 speed auto with DSG
DriveTrain: FWD
Suspension: Decent
MSRP: $26k


To be honest..... I heard SO MANY bad things about this car and didn't even bother to drive one when I last bought a car.

I wish I hadn't listened to the idiots :(

This car is nothing short of amazing.

The power, the shifting, the handling, all on par with my A4 and better in some respects.

Anyone who says DSG is garbage, is an idiot. I love it. So quick, so clean.

The 2.0T in this car feels a lot more powerful than the 2.0T in my car. It literally puts you in the back of your seat and shifts gears without so much as a flinch.

I could go on for hours about how much I love the power and handling.... but there are a few cons.

The interior color is hideous.... the tan is awful.

It's FWD :unamused:

it's really expensive.....

this car in a 2.0T with AWD and 6 speed is an awesome combo, too bad it's not available :unamused:

MaximumYin and I test drove either an 08 or an 09 GTI with DSG. Sure seemed like a nice little peppy car and we were both impressed with how smooth the DSG seemed. Did have kinda bad brake pedal feel and a little pigish but I seriously almost bought one.

I saw the A3 was out and had 2.0T with Quattro...a nicer version of a GTI with AWD...why not!! Well, why not, is that the car seems really nice but at $39,550 loaded MSRP that is a little ridonkulous. That's as much as my S60 sedan would have been brand new :eek:! Or you could buy an EVO or STI for that money and have money left for mods LOL.

I really want to test drive a A3 Quattro but I could never stomach paying that much for a loaded one...what I would want. Awesome that you got one for a rental. Enterprise never has anything good :(:unamused:

[Mike]

Man oh man I wish I'd seen this thread earlier! I rent cars almost weekly.

This past week (and many times before sadly) I had a 4 cyl Altima. Nissan is all for the CVT now it seems and I hate it- no bottom end grunt, acceleration doesn't seem as quick as it could be and I'm generally weirded out by keeping the car at or near redline blasting up mountains. Otherwise, an allright car. Lots of hard plastic, but decent seats (700 miles in the one this week) and loads of FWD understeer. I also don't like these stupid anti-key push button start things either. Playstations have power buttons, you start a car with a key. End of discussion.

I've been traveling for business for almost 4 years now and for some reason I cannot explain, I've always wanted to rent a Grand Marquis. Well last month, I finally had a chance to live the dream. What a letdown. :lol: Granted, I know Ford is killing the Panther chassis this year but still, the car looks like it's 1995 inside. Has some wicked tall gears out back in the SOLID AXLE, so there is zero off the line performance but it runs like 1200 rpm at 70 and can do 60 in first gear. And sounds wicked at WOT. Front seat is more plush than any couch I've ever sat in. Handling is terrifying. I never, ever, EVER want to try powersliding a chuck of steel the size of my bedroom ever again. Ever.

I did have some fun this spring though-
I went out to Michigan to install one of the machines my company makes for GM. I landed in Detroit and Hertz saw fit to give me a Carolla that smelled like an ash tray. I don't smoke and the smell really messes with my allergies so I went inside, dropped the President's Circle Gold Club card on the desk (cause I'm a effing baller :lol:) and asked for a smoke free car, if possible a GM product because of where I was headed. As she was doing the computer thing she mentioned how many times I'd been to MI in the past year (like 6-8) and asked if I was traveling alone (I was) and she tossed me the keys to this:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/03NHSilvy/SU1HMDAxNzUtMjAxMDA3MjAtMTE1Ni5qcGc.jpg

Sorry for the crappy cell pic.

The trunk space is tiny, it is impossible to see out of, the front seatback touches the back seat cushion with someone my height at the wheel and the interior is spartan as hell (but fit and finish is damn good). But, I loved the damn thing. It's a V6 with 305 HP. That's like 10 HP less than the 2000 Firebird a friend of mine used to have. It handles pretty good, no rattles and the V6 sounds awesome. It also turned heads everywhere I went with it. If I could find a cheap AWD/4x4 winter beater I'd seriously consider a V8 stick shift as my next car.

[Mike]

2010 Caddy DTS, 15,xxx miles

I really love Hertz sometimes. Work reserves me a midsize (which Hertz now considers to be a "Nissan Sentra or similar") and they give me this. I had to drive from Ames, IA to Willowbrook, IL and there isn't a better car for such trips.

Anyhow, first the bad:

This car is "old" GM. It's a big FWD sedan with a 4 speed autobox. Suspension is super soft, the car understeers like a mofo and the interior is shoddy (both a-pillar trims are falling off as I write this). Gets pretty awful mileage, about 18-19 on a straight, flat freeway in America's heartland (aka no hills).

But, the Northstar V8 is reasonably powerful, sounds wicked and amazingly there isn't any torque steer. Seats are comfy (heated and cooled!), has a nice stereo (thank god for XM when driving across Iowa and Illinois) and this was the first vehicle I've driven with HID lighting. I like it.

Bottom line:
If you want an old-school domestic luxo barge, this is the one you want.