Renting a convertible

[mom_rules]

My guys have always wanted to rent a convertible (not a big thrill for me-I'd rather have an SUV!)

Anyway, thought I'd check it out-For 8 days I was quoted first $542.00 (all included) but when I went online and checked out a few others I got $340. Is this a good price - I have no idea? Anyone have any experience renting convertibles out there?

[mom_rules]

Gail-where are you? Do you have any experience in this?

[manning]

If you are transporting a lot of luggage, good luck. That top has to go somewhere.

[CarolA]

You generally are going to pay more for a convertible and most of the codes don't apply.

I have gotten the best rates from Dollar. Did you try them (Note; I will only use National chains however so their may be better deals out there.) Your rate of $43 a day seems in line with past experiences.

However, manning is right. There is little to know luggage room depending on what you get. The Mustang is the worse. That thing has NO luggage room. The Sebring is a little better and the Mitisubshi Spyder is just a tiny bit bigger then the mustang.

Also, how big are your "guys". Teenage boys are not going to like this car near as much when they have to sit on thier legs LOL!

I drive a convertible at home and love it, but I am single so I can stick things everywhere.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mom_rules
Gail-where are you? Do you have any experience in this?

Yep, got one through Alamo, 8 days, 188.00 base rate, with taxes 241.89.
Used the Sam's code and coupon for 20.00 off.
Oddly enough, it would cost me approx. 32.00 MORE if I was renting for 7 days rather than 8. Go figure. LOL

Ran a reservation for 7 days in July and that came to 281.36 for 7 days.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by manning
If you are transporting a lot of luggage, good luck. That top has to go somewhere.

Yep, it does, keep the top up and use the well and the trunk.
We are facing this in Sept. BUT....it is only for about a 20 min. ride each way. We will suffer. :)

[CarolA]

You can also do Priceline.

I got one for 4th of July weekend for about 30 a day. Not bad for a holiday weekend.

[mom_rules]

Actually, we don't need to worry about luggage-just touring around - day trips to Daytona Beach and the mall etc.
We have booked a stretch limo to take us to and from the
airport/resort (a surprise for my family-I think this might be the last WDW trip we all take together).
My guys aren't very tall-both around 5'7 - one will be driving and I'm sure the other won't mind squishing in the back of a convertible! I read that National has Camaros or similar-is this true?
Gail, to use the Sam's code and coupon, you have to be a Sam's member right?
Any other codes for National or for Alamo that you know of?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mom_rules
Actually, we don't need to worry about luggage-just touring around - day trips to Daytona Beach and the mall etc.
We have booked a stretch limo to take us to and from the
airport/resort (a surprise for my family-I think this might be the last WDW trip we all take together).
My guys aren't very tall-both around 5'7 - one will be driving and I'm sure the other won't mind squishing in the back of a convertible! I read that National has Camaros or similar-is this true?
Gail, to use the Sam's code and coupon, you have to be a Sam's member right?
Any other codes for National or for Alamo that you know of?

No, they don't have Camaros since they don't make them anymore, they do have Sebrings.

They don't check for Sam's Club ID so, if you can get the coupon you can use it. Try going to their site, clicking on travel, then click on the icon on the right, then coupons.
BJ's is another one you can try. http://www.bjsvacations.com/promotion/bjs/carrental/default.asp

The Entertainment book has a 20.00 coupon for National, good for Convertables.

[mom_rules]

Thanks Gail-Tried BJ's -coupon expires before we go.

I'll give Sam's a try.

Too bad about Camaro.

[BuzzMe]

We had booked a full size car(National) for pickup in Fort Lauderdale/drop off Orlando(5 days, appprox $128) When we got to the airport we asked the National rep if there were any convertibles available and he offered us a Sebring for an additional $50 total, which we thought was a good price. We decided to take it and it was the highlight of the trip for my kids! We were actually surprised by the amount of space in the trunk. My teenagers were very comfortabe in the back seat during the 4hr ride. It was great fun!

[mom_rules]

I almost have myself convinced that the extra $19 per day would be worth it just to see the look on their faces!!

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mom_rules
Thanks Gail-Tried BJ's -coupon expires before we go.

I'll give Sam's a try.

Too bad about Camaro.

when are you going? Try KISS on Dollar.

[Misty89]

my DH is
in renting mustang convertible....the lowest rate i found was with budget for $308 for 5 days....is that a OK rate? can i find better? ( we have a mid-size book but could change it)


thanks.....

ps i am NOT going to argue with him, he is starting add his ideas to this trip!!!!!!!! besides, why would i say no to a mustang convertible???????


:wave:



Tina

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Misty89
my DH is
in renting mustang convertible....the lowest rate i found was with budget for $308 for 5 days....is that a OK rate? can i find better? ( we have a mid-size book but could change it)


thanks.....

ps i am NOT going to argue with him, he is starting add his ideas to this trip!!!!!!!! besides, why would i say no to a mustang convertible???????


:wave:



Tina

When are you going? It helps knowing this so we can help you.
I would not rent a Mustang convertable. Too darn small.
I have a small convertable now ( a Miata) and the trunk in the Mustang is not much bigger.

I am holding a rate for Sept. at Alamo for 241.89 total for 8 days.
This will be for a Sebring.

[Misty89]

our dates are nov 29th - dec3rd 2004.

thats ok if does not offer alot of room.... it would be cool to have ( children think so too) and we are packing light......FL weather then will be like june ( now) in WI :) - 1 bag per person-





Tina

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Misty89
our dates are nov 29th - dec3rd 2004.

thats ok if does not offer alot of room.... it would be cool to have ( children think so too) and we are packing light......FL weather then will be like june ( now) in WI :) - 1 bag per person-





Tina

I am coming up with 161.32 for your dates. This is total with the Entertainment code and 15.00 coupon. I plugged in your dates beginning and ending at 9am.
Without knowing the arrival and departure times, the 29th-3rd is only a 4 day rental.
For a 5 day, should your arrival and departure times push you over the 5 day, the rate would be 206.02 total.

This is with Alamo and for a Sebring.

[mom_rules]

Hi again Gail-I'm a bit restricted as to where I can rent-Alamo or National at the Dolphin since we are taking limo from MCO due to luggage etc. Our dates are Oct 9-17 and the best rate I got was National with Entertainment coupon, and Emerald Club Card for Std. Conv. (is this a Sebring?) $339.68 picking up at 12:30pm and returning at 9:00am.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Mom rules,
That is what I go too.

[Humphrey Bear]

Just want to mention that both National and Dollar have PT cruiser convertibles along with the Sebrings. We took the Sebring because of its larger trunk.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Humphrey Bear
Just want to mention that both National and Dollar have PT cruiser convertibles along with the Sebrings. We took the Sebring because of its larger trunk.

Oh, NO, I sincerely hope the PT's are in low inventory and the Sebrings are high. I would rather walk than drive one of those underpowered vehicles.

[mom_rules]

Definitely!! We would want a Sebring too!

[Humphrey Bear]

I returned our PT cruiser coupe because we hated it and wanted a convertible. I took a quick look at the PT cruiser convertible but knew my wife would kill me if I came back with one! They told me getting a Sebring wasn't a problem, but that many people wanted the PT's. Hope that they keep the Sebrings in the fleet since they are larger and more powerful than the PT's!

[wanger1969]

We have a convertible through Alamo.

Now, its just my self and my 13 year old daughter. She would think the PT is cool, but maybe the Sebring would be better. Will we get the choice? We are picking ours up at the airport, so you would think they would have the most cars there, or maybe not?

We have one large suitcase, one small, a backpack and a weekend bag. With the backseat AND the trunk, this should be fine, shouldn't it room wise?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by wanger1969
We have a convertible through Alamo.

Now, its just my self and my 13 year old daughter. She would think the PT is cool, but maybe the Sebring would be better. Will we get the choice? We are picking ours up at the airport, so you would think they would have the most cars there, or maybe not?

We have one large suitcase, one small, a backpack and a weekend bag. With the backseat AND the trunk, this should be fine, shouldn't it room wise?

With Alamo and National you get to select the car you want.
I would go with the Sebring.

[wanger1969]

After reading all your posts on these boards Gail, I'm gonna trust ya and go with the Sebring. Thanks so much!

[mom_rules]

Please let us know how it works out for you!!

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by wanger1969
After reading all your posts on these boards Gail, I'm gonna trust ya and go with the Sebring. Thanks so much!

You are quite welcome. Sebrings are my first choice, but, if your DD likes the PT convert and it has enough space, go with it. Both are good cars, I just think the PT is very under powered and I drive like a wild woman. LOL :)

[disney4me4ever]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
With Alamo and National you get to select the car you want.
I would go with the Sebring.

Gail~

Where or when do you get to select the car? I have a convertible on reserve with National for our Palm Springs trip 2/27/05 - 3/4/05. The only thing that comes up in "std. convertible". So do you select on site?

BTW, got a rate of $ 280.26 using AARP. Once new Entertainment codes come out, will add that on.

Thanks,
Nancy:earsgirl:

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disney4me4ever
Gail~

Where or when do you get to select the car? I have a convertible on reserve with National for our Palm Springs trip 2/27/05 - 3/4/05. The only thing that comes up in "std. convertible". So do you select on site?

BTW, got a rate of $ 280.26 using AARP. Once new Entertainment codes come out, will add that on.

Thanks,
Nancy:earsgirl:

You get to pick out your car at the garage.

280.26 is a good rate!!!! You cannot add the entertainment code to the AARP code. Only one code at a time, BUT, you can use a coupon with any code.

[disney4me4ever]

Oops...meant Entertainment coupon...I should be able to apply that to AARP rate. I thought the $280.00 rate was a good one too; I certainly have a while to keep checking for rates to come down. But as I've learned in the past, sometimes it's better to have a reservation on the books and do that, as opposed to waiting and checking for rates to come down. Sometimes they don't!

Thanks as always for your help.
Nancy :earsgirl: