Help out a rental car newbie.

[mjallemand]

So this isn't exactly Disney related, but I figured you guys and gals could help me out anyway.

The girlfriend and I are taking a "not-quite-week-long" vacation up to Hot Springs Arkansas. We live in New Orleans, and since it's only a 8-hour drive we decided to just drive up there.

Rather than put the mileage and wear & tear on my own car, we've decided to rent one. And here's where things get sticky.

I've looked at Kayak, and Priceline, and a handful of other sites, and they're all doing good jobs at giving me prices on cars rentals...the problem is the companies themselves.

For example, Budget cars seem to be the best deal I've seen so far, at almost half the price of the competition...but what does Budget not offer that another company does? Why would or should I pay twice as much or more for a similar car from another company? Does Budget have junkie cars by comparison? This is where I'm confused.

Can anyone give me a rundown on where I should start here?

 

[gmeh1]

So this isn't exactly Disney related, but I figured you guys and gals could help me out anyway.

The girlfriend and I are taking a "not-quite-week-long" vacation up to Hot Springs Arkansas. We live in New Orleans, and since it's only a 8-hour drive we decided to just drive up there.

Rather than put the mileage and wear & tear on my own car, we've decided to rent one. And here's where things get sticky.

I've looked at Kayak, and Priceline, and a handful of other sites, and they're all doing good jobs at giving me prices on cars rentals...the problem is the companies themselves.

For example, Budget cars seem to be the best deal I've seen so far, at almost half the price of the competition...but what does Budget not offer that another company does? Why would or should I pay twice as much or more for a similar car from another company? Does Budget have junkie cars by comparison? This is where I'm confused.

Can anyone give me a rundown on where I should start here?

Avis owns Budget and no, they don't have junkie cars. As to why they are less expensive than others.....that is the question of the century.

 

[JessM]

Budget doesn't have "junky" cars but they don't have "luxury" cars. They will be newer cars but on the lower end of the spectrum (think kia not chevy), they also normally don't have XM radio and whatnot. Budget also tends to run their cars longer than some of the other companies but they will still in decent shape. The last car I got from budget was a PT cruiser, they don't even make those anymore. Budget's full size cars tend to be town and country's (ie grampa cars ) verses some of the other brands will carry full size mazdas, chevys or chargers.

Hertz specializes in specialty and luxury cars. You will find more luxurious cars here, which is why they are normally the most expensive.

Enterprise, Alamo and National are in the middle of the two. The nissan altima is their mid size car, they always have xm radio. I personally always try to rent from National, Enterprise or Alamo, I love their customer service, they are always so helpful.

I hope this helps : )

 

[gmeh1]

Budget doesn't have "junky" cars but they don't have "luxury" cars. They will be newer cars but on the lower end of the spectrum (think kia not chevy), they also normally don't have XM radio and whatnot. Budget also tends to run their cars longer than some of the other companies but they will still in decent shape. The last car I got from budget was a PT cruiser, they don't even make those anymore. Budget's full size cars tend to be town and country's (ie grampa cars ) verses some of the other brands will carry full size mazdas, chevys or chargers.

Hertz specializes in specialty and luxury cars. You will find more luxurious cars here, which is why they are normally the most expensive.

Enterprise, Alamo and National are in the middle of the two. The nissan altima is their mid size car, they always have xm radio. I personally always try to rent from National, Enterprise or Alamo, I love their customer service, they are always so helpful.

I hope this helps : )

Altima is a full size car, not a mid size. They have xm until the car hits 10K miles, sometime 15K. They do not pay to have XM it is a freebe from xm for new cars. Not all the cars have xm, you have to look for the funny looking antenna over the rear window. Budget rents the same cars as Avis does. Take a peek at their inventory. Towne and Country is a van, not a car. I think you meant the Crown Vic or Marquis (both land arks.). My advice to anyone renting anywhere is take a look at their vehicle line up on their websites. For instance: http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/en/cars/index.html

 

[mjallemand]

We're not looking for anything fancy, something small and fuel efficient.

What companies should I look through for that department?

 

[gmeh1]

We're not looking for anything fancy, something small and fuel efficient.

What companies should I look through for that department?

All the major rental companies carry economy and compact cars.

 

[Zeppelin]

its all timing....if you get a good rate with Budget book but continue to look for others...

Budget has some nice deals where you can pay in full now for a very discounted rate rather than pay at the counter....you can even pay in full now and cancel if you find a better deal (they charge you $10)...

the problem you'll have is your vacation is "not for a week" hence you'll be charged per day....you may want to check out the weekly rate versus your five or six day rate- it may actually be cheaper to keep the car an extra day....

 

[gmeh1]

its all timing....if you get a good rate with Budget book but continue to look for others...

Budget has some nice deals where you can pay in full now for a very discounted rate rather than pay at the counter....you can even pay in full now and cancel if you find a better deal (they charge you $10)...

the problem you'll have is your vacation is "not for a week" hence you'll be charged per day....you may want to check out the weekly rate versus your five or six day rate- it may actually be cheaper to keep the car an extra day....

The weekly rate generally kicks in at 5 days. The weekend rates usually run from 3 to 5 days. Both generally require a Sat. night stay to be eligable for coupons.

 

[mjallemand]

Thanks for the tips guys/gals. I ended up going with Enterprise, as they were the best deal. (Tip: Rent your car away from the airport if possible, the prices are like half what they would be at the airport.)

$190 for the week for a "Standard" car. (8/17 @ Noon to 8/23 @ Noon) I would have liked to go a bit smaller & possibly more fuel efficient, but I was concerned anything smaller than the standard would be uncomfortable, especially since I'll be in it for at least some 4-hour stretches.

Here's hoping I get to pick out my own car. I'd love to pick out a Ford Fusion, as that's what I drive as my daily vehicle, and I'd feel right at home with everything.