Nicer Vehicle vs. Better Price - WWYD UPDATE Better Car is now Cheaper

[rlduvall]

UPDATE - 05.20.13 - Now the Jeep Grand Cherokee is only $151. for the 9 days at Shades of Green. Choices, choices. I know what caused this snobbiness in rental cars now. In December of 2011, Alamo put me in an Infiniti G37 for my rental car. I have never been the same since. LOL

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DH is never any help with my Type A questions, so I am going to ask my friendly dis'ers.

When I first started traveling, the rental car vehicle size didn't matter to me one iota, but as I have grown older and wiser I tend to like a decent vehicle. I am a seasoned WDW veteran who doesn't mind driving all over WDW. For our current 10 day trip, I have two choices:

Pick up car straight from Airport - Alamo fullsize @ $181.
Pick up car following morning at SOG - Jeep Grand Cherokee @ $208.

I love the thought of just having it all done by getting the car at airport. But then again, having the Grand Cherokee might be really nice. Either way, we won't go to the grocery store for water/snacks until the following day of arrival. In anticipation of the SOG deal, I have us booked with ME to our resort, but will cancel if I do the airport deal. WWYD?

 

[mguedes]

It is actually a matter of personal preference, but I would choose the fullsize. I got a brand new (5 miles) Toyota Camry with leather seats at Alamo once.

One of the things I don´t like is to rent a car that I usually drive back home.

BTW, where/What is SOG?

 

[rwdavis2]

SOG = Shades of Green. A resort mainly for Veterans/DoD families. It's near the MK, I think.

 

[loveswdw]

BTW, where/What is SOG?

Shades of Green, the military resort at WDW.

I personally would keep the full size. I think the Grand Cherokee is uncomfortable. But as PP said, it's all a matter of personal preference.

We always go full size or premium (if I can get it close to the same price as full size). DH is a big guy and anything smaller than full size won't cut it for him. We rented a Grand Marquis a couple of trips ago and he loved it. I felt like it was a boat!

The SUVs are generally more than I want to pay.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

SOG = Shades of Green. A resort mainly for Veterans/DoD families. It's near the MK, I think.

It's across the street from the Poly and is mainly for retired veterans (with exceptions 1-2 times a year) and activity duty military.

The price difference between the cars is neglible; I would base choice on convenience, which means picking up the car at the airport. Why hassle with ME, then the trip to SOG for the car (unless you have to go there for another reason, such as buying tickets).

 

[Chief Powhatan]

The airport rental won't be that much cheaper when you factor in the tolls and the gas to drive RT from MCO to WDW. That being said, I would want to pick up the car at MCO so I would have it and not have to worry about picking it up the next morning.

 

[Lewisc]

The airport rental won't be that much cheaper when you factor in the tolls and the gas to drive RT from MCO to WDW. That being said, I would want to pick up the car at MCO so I would have it and not have to worry about picking it up the next morning.

SOG doesn't participate with DME. The R/T cost for 2 people to go from MCO to SoG via Mears shared shuttle is $42. That more then offsets gas and tolls.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with the airport. The car will be nice and likely better with gas than the Jeep. Most importantly, it will be faster and easier for you to go straight from the airport to the resort without ancillary stops.

 

[rlduvall]

SOG doesn't participate with DME. The R/T cost for 2 people to go from MCO to SoG via Mears shared shuttle is $42. That more then offsets gas and tolls.

Other than I'm not actually staying at SOG. Plus, the National Shuttle will pick you up the next day and take you to the Car Care Center. Then someone there will take you over to SOG. My DH thinks we should just take the car from the airport and you all seem to think that, too. I just hate it when he's right.

 

[Lewisc]

Other than I'm not actually staying at SOG. Plus, the National Shuttle will pick you up the next day and take you to the Car Care Center. Then someone there will take you over to SOG. My DH thinks we should just take the car from the airport and you all seem to think that, too. I just hate it when he's right.

Even so, I don't think gas and tolls will exceed the $27 savings.

Most of us would pay extra to avoid having to schlep over to SoG. Many (most?) of us would prefer the full size car to the SUV.

 

[rock_doctor]

Actually i am going the other direction... We flew in once and picked up the car at the airport. By the time we waited for this and waited for that it was two hours later. I would take ME to your resort and just get the car when you need it. Nearly every agency is on property (most in DTD). You may decided you don't actually need it for the whole time and can get it only when you need it or want it. As far as the type of car...you have to decide what you want. For us it is a rental car as long as it does not break down we don't care what it is, it could be a Yogo...or even worst a Smart Car...

You can grab a bus to SOG from the MK or go to the poly and walk across the street to SOG (not as close as it sounds but is do able).

 

[richmo]

... We flew in once and picked up the car at the airport. By the time we waited for this and waited for that it was two hours later. I would take ME to your resort and just get the car when you need it. ....

And, on the other hand, depending upon when you get to MCO, ME can be a bit of a wait too. If you rent from Alamo or National at MCO, you can cut down on time quite a bit by having one of you go to the kiosk and completing the rental while the other waits for luggage. The kiosks rarely have a line and shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Then the renter goes back go baggage claim (take the elevator up) and you're off when the luggage comes in.

I'd vote for picking up the car at MCO...and keep your eyes open for additional discounts as your date gets closer.

 

[rlduvall]

I'd vote for picking up the car at MCO...and keep your eyes open for additional discounts as your date gets closer.

Thanks for all the great replies. This seems to be the consensus with everyone here, my co-workers, my family, yada, yada . . .

Bye, bye Grand Cherokee . . . Hello, Impala - you sexy beast.

 

[Greysword]

I just hate it when he's right.

The trick is to not tell him he is right. Instead, tell him, "ok, we'll do it your way this time." Then you'll have a chip to play later (we did it your way on the car, so now it is my turn) or if something messes up, you'll have plausible deniability!

 

[rlduvall]

See post #1 for update.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Nicer car & cheaper price = WIN.

Not paying gas or tolls to/from MCO = BIGGER WIN.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Nicer car & cheaper price = WIN.

Not paying gas or tolls to/from MCO = BIGGER WIN.

Having to hassle with taking ME when I could hop in my car and go to my hotel = LOSE.

Making an extra trip from my hotel to SOG to pick up my car = LOSE

JMO

I don't care about really nice rental cars. As long as it runs!