National--PT Cruiser class?

[disney4me4ever]

Hi~

For the first time in many trips, we finally were able to try a PT Cruiser. I have back problems and found this to be a very comfortable car to drive. What class is it? I would consider reserving this class as opposed to EA if I could increase my odds of getting one again for our May trip.

Thanks for your help.
Nancy

 

[sgtdisney]

Your best bet would probably be to call National and ask them if they have a class specific to the PT Cruiser. National tends to feature GM products, although they do have other cars in their rental pool as well. The problem with planning on any specific model with a rental agency is that they are renting a car class and not a car make so even if a PT Cruiser is, for example, a mid-size class that doesn't mean that by reserving a mid-size car they will have a PT Cruiser when you arrive. It would be hit or miss in most cases.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disney4me4ever
Hi~

For the first time in many trips, we finally were able to try a PT Cruiser. I have back problems and found this to be a very comfortable car to drive. What class is it? I would consider reserving this class as opposed to EA if I could increase my odds of getting one again for our May trip.

Thanks for your help.
Nancy

I would put it in the underpowered 4 cyl. class.

 

[Shelby5514]

Just Back Using National/Alamo we reserved a SUV thinking that it would be the class that the PT would be in. WRONG! It is considered a Fullsize. My DH wet to the desk in the parking garage and told the rep that he was unhappy with the SUV selection. (Blazers, Cherokees, Suzuki and Izuzu's) The rep said go pick any car and bring me the white tag inside and I'll take care of it. We went to the EA (It was the closest) and picked the PT. Took the tag back and he adjusted the bill ($60.00 cheaper!!!) and we were off. Oh, I had used a coupon for $15.00 off a SUV rental and they let us use it on the PT too!!!

Shelby5514

 

[disney4me4ever]

Gail--I agree as far as "underpowered" goes; I had mentioned the lack of "pickup" to DH several times. However, my chief concern is getting a car that I'm able to be comfortable in, due to my back (still recovering from a 2nd surgery). For that criteria, you can't beat the PT Cruiser. I drive a Jeep Liberty (at home) and that vehicle is AWFUL if you have a bad back. I call it the Torture Chamber. Can't wait to get rid of it.

Nancy

 

[DVC California]

It was a little "gutless" but served us well enough as simple transportation from the airport and around the resorts. The thing that bugged me was the switch for the power windows were on the center console and weren't really marked well.

A real pain in the A**with all those toll stops!


Steve

 

[XStAnt]

I think it is a rip off that they classify the PT Cruiser as a full-size car. It is on the same platform as the Dodge Neon, which is a mid-size car. But, because it is popular, they put it in a higher price category to charge more money.

 

[smcbaker]

I was there in January and rented a full size through National. Plenty of PT Cruisers in the full size parking spots.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by XStAnt
I think it is a rip off that they classify the PT Cruiser as a full-size car. It is on the same platform as the Dodge Neon, which is a mid-size car. But, because it is popular, they put it in a higher price category to charge more money.

Actually, with most companies, the Neon is considered a compact car, similar to a Chevrolet Cavalier or a Pontiac Sunfire (well at least when they made 4 door Sunfires) or a Corolla. That is really a stretch to charge full size prices for a PT, although they do technically have more internal space than a Neon.

 

[beattyfamily]

I was told by National when I called to discuss EA and EC last March (when they changed things around on their website and with EA/EC) that the PT Cruiser automatically goes to the EA and only the EA. That it's considered Intermediate but that it is specialty and will always go to the EA when they get them in.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DVC California
It was a little "gutless" but served us well enough as simple transportation from the airport and around the resorts. The thing that bugged me was the switch for the power windows were on the center console and weren't really marked well.

A real pain in the A**with all those toll stops!


Steve

Dee's Alfa Romeo has the same set up and I am forever opening the incorrect window.

 

[NotUrsula]

Technically, by automotive industry standards, the PT Cruiser is definitely a compact. However, it is still a bit of a novelty car, so in order to make more money on it, most rental companies class it as "Specialty" which is usually at or above the rate for a full-size.

 

[ripleysmom]

When we were there President's week, we took a PT cruiser. It was cool to drive but I gotta agree that the pick up on that sucker was horrible.

 

[Esmerelda]

We rented an SUV from Enterprise about 2 years ago. They gave me a PT Cruiser which I told the guy over and over was NOT an SUV, not even close. We could barely fit myself (5'1") and my 12 yr old son and my 8 yr old son in this thing with our luggage (which wasn't that much). I was absolutely PO'd! We were supposed to have something that would fit 4 adults and luggage. A PT cruiser didn't even hold 3 of us comfortably and our luggage therefore we couldn't pick up the other person and their luggage.....grrrr....

I phoned them back after we returned home and spoke to a manager and he informed me thats its not an SUV (duuuuuuhhhh....like I couldn't figure that out) and he gave me a free rental for our next trip to make it right.

If you have at least two normal sized pieces of luggage and two small carryons and 3 bodies...don't plan on this size of car...just a word of advice.

have fun!
Esmerelda

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Esmerelda
If you have at least two normal sized pieces of luggage and two small carryons and 3 bodies...don't plan on this size of car...just a word of advice.

I'm surprised by this. I knew they were considered Intermediate and certainly not an SUV but I thought they had more room than a regular Intermediate.

My family of 4 with 2 small DDs and 4 pieces of luggage, a stroller and 2 booster seats fit tightly in an Intermediate and a Full size so I thought a PT Cruiser would be a bit more room, and I was going to grab one if there happens to be one in the EA aisle at National. Now I'm bummed to hear this...

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
My family of 4 with 2 small DDs and 4 pieces of luggage, a stroller and 2 booster seats fit tightly in an Intermediate and a Full size so I thought a PT Cruiser would be a bit more room, and I was going to grab one if there happens to be one in the EA aisle at National. Now I'm bummed to hear this...

I would have to say that if you have that much to carry you may have a lot of difficulty getting it all in a PT. According to the Chrylser webpage, the PTs have 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats, but that is computed based on you packing the cargo area from side to side and all the way to the roof. The PT is built on the Neon platform, but is actually 6 inches shorter than a Neon. It is a lot taller than a Neon and that is where it gets it's space.