Anyone ever rented a car before?

**chaua1** · 08-11-2004 09:18 AM

We're going on vacation in a couple of days and I wanted to rent a car during our stay. Some quick questions, is it possible to rent a specific car, say make and model? What car rental shop would you guys recommend? Best prices?

I wanted to try and rent a Mazda 3 if that helps.

Adam

**tYcOoN** · 08-11-2004 09:25 AM

Originally posted by chaua1
is it possible to rent a specific car, say make and model?

**** that !
Two times I rented a car in the US. The first time I told them that I WANT a Cadillac and got a sucking Buick. The second time I wanted a GMC truck and got a Chevy Blazer. BTW the worst car I've ever driven !!!
Baaaaaaah

**BrokenXenon** · 08-11-2004 09:27 AM

mazda 3 should be fun with manual

**OverSpun** · 08-11-2004 09:31 AM

they dont rent manuals... and yes you have a choice, but of what they have. and their cars suck. ive rented a few cars before, but usually only when my car is in for service.

**Saturnine** · 08-11-2004 09:38 AM

Its usually American cars that are avaliable unless you want to pay like $1800 a day for a Ferrari

**OverSpun** · 08-11-2004 09:41 AM

yea, well we rented a car in switzerland a few years back... and they gave us a hyundai... it was awful..

**shehatezme** · 08-11-2004 10:04 AM

Exotic Rentals.

**kennious** · 08-11-2004 10:15 AM

You have to be 25 to rent a car. Your profile tells me that you are only 21.

**DDQ** · 08-11-2004 10:36 AM

You can check prices, availability, etc... online at most company sites:

www.enterprise.com
www.hertz.com
www.avus.com

Basically just search for "rental car" and you'll find them all.

And yes, you have to be 25 at most places to rent a car. But, some may allow it at 21 if you pay a small fee. I know Enterprise is one, and I think maybe Thrifty does too. (My gf travels for work and always rents cars, and she's 23).

**creep** · 08-11-2004 10:51 AM

Originally posted by DDQ

And yes, you have to be 25 at most places to rent a car. But, some may allow it at 21 if you pay a small fee. I know Enterprise is one, and I think maybe Thrifty does too. (My gf travels for work and always rents cars, and she's 23). [/B]

The man speaks the truth. At, 21 I rented quite possibly the worst Dodge Neon ever (while I was in Florida). It looked like they used white-out for touch up paint.

**marked001** · 08-11-2004 11:01 AM

yeah..if you book online, ahead of time.. it'll tell you what cars are available and you can reserve that one.. not sure how many companies rent mazda's..but ya never know..

of course, even when you have a reservation, they almost never have the model of car you reserved when you go to get it

**OverSpun** · 08-11-2004 11:06 AM

Originally posted by kennious
You have to be 25 to rent a car. Your profile tells me that you are only 21.

you can rent cars at 18. i've done it. trust me. it depends on the place though.

**piaadoll** · 08-11-2004 11:19 AM

you can rent a car 18+ on a corporate agreement with some rental car companies without any charges - namely hertz, avis, national, budget (which focus on corporate rentals)...depending on where you work...for instance, gap is one of our accounts - so if you work for gap and are 18, you can rent a car from avis.

as for being able to select a car...probably not...you can request it in your res, but it's not guaranteed you'll get it..hertz has the mazda 6 in their fleet although their fleet is prodominately ford. avis has a prodominately GM fleet, but we have nissans altimas and maximas in our fleet..it's all depends...

hope this helps!

**OverSpun** · 08-11-2004 11:21 AM

either you work for a rental car company, or you rent a lot of cars.. cause i dunno how you know all that. haha.

**piaadoll** · 08-11-2004 11:25 AM

haha yeah i work for a car rental company in corporate sales....
don't know much about our operations side (airport..etc.etc) but i can shmooze a plenty

and i probably know how profitable your company is ...hahhaha

**Saturnine** · 08-11-2004 11:27 AM

So that means i can just say that i work at a Gap, and they'll give me a car?

Originally posted by piaadoll
you can rent a car 18+ on a corporate agreement with some rental car companies without any charges - namely hertz, avis, national, budget (which focus on corporate rentals)...depending on where you work...for instance, gap is one of our accounts - so if you work for gap and are 18, you can rent a car from avis.

as for being able to select a car...probably not...you can request it in your res, but it's not guaranteed you'll get it..hertz has the mazda 6 in their fleet although their fleet is prodominately ford. avis has a prodominately GM fleet, but we have nissans altimas and maximas in our fleet..it's all depends...

hope this helps!

**piaadoll** · 08-11-2004 11:41 AM

basically yeah...

but if something happens to the car, and you're not an employee, you're responsible for it...most corporate companies already have insurance included with their rate (that wouldn't apply to you) and have awesome leisure discounts for weekend rentals..

**chaua1** · 08-11-2004 01:03 PM

Hey thanks guys, so many responses!! Yea, I'm 21 but my relatives in California are going to rent the car for me. I just prefer the Mazda because my brother has one and its great.

Adam

**rbt** · 08-11-2004 10:27 PM

Originally posted by piaadoll
basically yeah...

but if something happens to the car, and you're not an employee, you're responsible for it...most corporate companies already have insurance included with their rate (that wouldn't apply to you) and have awesome leisure discounts for weekend rentals..

Leisure discounts for employees where the employer has a corporate rental agreement?? I did not know about this. What do I have to do/say to invoke the leisure discount?
I've used Avis exclusively for work rentals b/c of the corporate agreement, but never used them for leisure because I could save a few bux w/ the cheapos; didn't know I was eligible for preferred pricing?