How can I get a good convertible deal?

[Leigha]

My kids would flip if we could rent a convertible but they're soooo much more expensive. What's the best way to get a good deal?

 

[jghra]

We are renting a convertible during our October trip. Try Dollar.
I got a Sebring Convertible for 4 days @ $228.23 (that's taxes, fees, etc). I shopped around and this was the best deal I found.
It is a bit more expensive, but this is my Birthday trip and I wanted it to be special (rental car included).

My Mom and I took a trip to Kansas City a few months ago and rented one. It was great, so I can just imagine how great it will be at the most "Magical" place on earth.

I hope my DH and DS like it. I came home from K.C. wanting to buy one. I'm not quite ready to buy a new car, but I hope in about 2 yrs I will be driving around in one full time. (I am putting off a new car purchase, so I can buy into DVC)!!

Good luck finding a great deal for your next trip.
I'll send Pixie Dust your way.

 

[magsmom]

Are you Costco members? Costco generally offers 25% off of a rental through Hertz, Alamo, Budget and Avis. Also, if you are an AP member you can get 20% off of the rates for Alamo. Also try using coupons from the Entertainment book. Sometimes you can get lucky using as much of these as you can.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by magsmom
Are you Costco members? Costco generally offers 25% off of a rental through Hertz, Alamo, Budget and Avis. Also, if you are an AP member you can get 20% off of the rates for Alamo. Also try using coupons from the Entertainment book. Sometimes you can get lucky using as much of these as you can.

those discounts are not set in concrete. They are (in very small print) worded to read "save up to". Rarely do you get the full discount. Right now, they are running about 10%. I have tried them all. You can try the KISS3 code at Dollar. That was running about 225. (approx) for a week, before taxes and fees.

 

[Leigha]

Thanks for the input! You helped me last time, Gail! You got me started with the Emerald Aisle. We hoped for a convertible then but it didn't happen. Just so I can see the difference, what is a regular car running at this time versus this convertible price? Does the EA ever have convertibles now? Thanks!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Leigha
Thanks for the input! You helped me last time, Gail! You got me started with the Emerald Aisle. We hoped for a convertible then but it didn't happen. Just so I can see the difference, what is a regular car running at this time versus this convertible price? Does the EA ever have convertibles now? Thanks!

I have not done a comparison lately. Rarely if ever are converts on the EA anymore, it is now just for intermediates for the most part. We did get a full size car from the aisle in Sept. Our latest rate for Jan is about 175.00 for the EA, including all taxes, BUT...I am still shopping. Did you try that code for dollar?

BTW, when are you going?

BTW, the difference, for my time frame and using the codes and coupons, between the intermediate and convert is about 200.00

 

[Leigha]

We plan to go in early June. Thanks for the info! I'll be watching your posts between now and then!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Leigha
We plan to go in early June. Thanks for the info! I'll be watching your posts between now and then!

You are entirely welcome.

 

[horseshowmom]

My SIL and I took our two teenage DDs on a "girls only" trip to Orlando a couple of years ago and rented a convertible. It was definitely worth it. I shopped around extensively and wound up with Budget at the airport with a week for approximately $225.

Our girls really wanted a Mustang convertible, so I particularly worked at getting a good rate with Budget, since they mainly use Fords (that may have changed - I haven't looked lately). We had no trouble getting what we wanted and even had a choice of color. They were thrilled.

The downside was that there's almost no trunk in a Mustang convertible (the girls had to sit on and around luggage - but we did have seatbelts on) and very little leg room in the front or back.

The upside was the amount of attention the car drew. The girls loved it (one family actually videotaped it at a red light). Driving it made us two "old ladies" feel young again. It also convinced me that I never want to actually own a Mustang convertible! LOL (But renting is great now and then!)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sbclifton
My SIL and I took our two teenage DDs on a "girls only" trip to Orlando a couple of years ago and rented a convertible. It was definitely worth it. I shopped around extensively and wound up with Budget at the airport with a week for approximately $225.

Our girls really wanted a Mustang convertible, so I particularly worked at getting a good rate with Budget, since they mainly use Fords (that may have changed - I haven't looked lately). We had no trouble getting what we wanted and even had a choice of color. They were thrilled.

The downside was that there's almost no trunk in a Mustang convertible (the girls had to sit on and around luggage - but we did have seatbelts on) and very little leg room in the front or back.

The upside was the amount of attention the car drew. The girls loved it (one family actually videotaped it at a red light). Driving it made us two "old ladies" feel young again. It also convinced me that I never want to actually own a Mustang convertible! LOL (But renting is great now and then!)

There is very little trunk space in any convertable, the only exception is the Sebring, which, while small, is not too bad.

 

[Leigha]

How small are you all talking about? One large suitcase or not even that! Maybe we can't do this after all!

 

[CarolA]

I drive a Saab convertible. The trunk space is larger then the Mustang and probably a little smaller then the Sebring.

I can get my garmet bag, 22" rollerboard and computer case in there. There is NOT much space left. I can get more by pulling the top case up (It has a hang down area in the trunk and if the top is up you can cinch up the holder!) You need to pack LIGHT if you plan on using a convertible. Not sure how that works on the Sebring.

Also, how old are your girls. My car is suppose to seat 4. I think that one of them would have to have no legs! I am 5'5" and my seat pretty much takes up the majority of floor space behind me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Leigha
How small are you all talking about? One large suitcase or not even that! Maybe we can't do this after all!

Depends on the make of car. The Sebring has a very nice size trunk (smaller than the hardtop model). It would have held three of our rolling duffle bags (these are NOT little bags), the tennis bag (also duffle) would have been in the back seat.
Each brand of car has a web site and they will tell you what the trunk capacity is for all models. I spent quite a bit of time out there on a dull day and I looked up all the trunk sizes for the models I would consider renting. The Sebring was the only convertable I looked up. The trunk size on that car is 11.3 cf. The hard top (coupe or sedan) is 16.3cf.

 

[wdisneelvr]

I own a Mustang convertible and can get two 26" pullmans in the trunk with a few smaller bags on either side of them.

The back seat is not really made for people or babies even though there are seat belts. It is good for packages and a few more smaller suitcases. There is no leg room for someone sitting in the back seat and is basically a two seater. It can be done, but it's very uncomfortable for the rider.

 

[casiland]

2 times ago when we went to the Land we got a Pontiac Firebird convertible. The trunk fit all of our luggage (4 bags) and still had room left over. My bag, people joke that I could stow-away in. Last time we got a mustang. Never again. My nieces were only 6 & 7 but they complained the whole time that they had no room. We are getting a convertible again with National in 2 weeks for our World trip. It is a Camero and from what I've researched they are similar in size to the Firebird. Good Luck.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by casiland
2 times ago when we went to the Land we got a Pontiac Firebird convertible. The trunk fit all of our luggage (4 bags) and still had room left over. My bag, people joke that I could stow-away in. Last time we got a mustang. Never again. My nieces were only 6 & 7 but they complained the whole time that they had no room. We are getting a convertible again with National in 2 weeks for our World trip. It is a Camero and from what I've researched they are similar in size to the Firebird. Good Luck.

They don't make Camaros anymore, so you will not be getting one of those. Most likely it will be a Sebring or a Sunfire.

 

[Leigha]

The girls will be 14 and 10 when we go next year. I think they'd get over any discomfort because of their excitement but I could be wrong - especially since we plan to drive to Vero Beach in it! I suppose I'll also need to go with a company that won't charge a lot for mileage. Anybody out there got that answer? You all amaze me with your wealth of knowledge and kindness in taking the time to share it. I'm saving it all!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Leigha
The girls will be 14 and 10 when we go next year. I think they'd get over any discomfort because of their excitement but I could be wrong - especially since we plan to drive to Vero Beach in it! I suppose I'll also need to go with a company that won't charge a lot for mileage. Anybody out there got that answer? You all amaze me with your wealth of knowledge and kindness in taking the time to share it. I'm saving it all!

Most of the rentals in Orlando included unlimited free milage.