Been without my S4 all week and in rental car...

**mjames** · 02-05-2016 01:15 PM

Dropped my car off at body shop Monday, been driving a Chrysler 200 rental ALL Week. Picking her up in an hour or two, can time move ANY slower at the office?

Thoughts on the 200: man, FWD sucks! I mean how are you supposed to steer AND power the same wheels? Ugh. I miss my Sirius! These speakers suck compared B&O! And the plastic steering wheel, cloth seats ... puke. Then there's the lack of automatic climate control, like the stone ages. Oh, and the 184 hp V4 is gloriously atrocious with its 4-speed transmission.

I told my wife I was debating driving that Chrysler off a bridge this week ... seriously depresses me being in it.

Yet we love our '15 Grand Cherokee Overland, same manufacturer, totally different feel.

Anyone else have any S4-to-rental-car stories? NOTHING will make you appreciate your Audi like being stuck without it for a week.

My car will have a freshly re-painted front and rear bumper, too, after 71k miles. She will look better than I've ever seen her. Can't wait!

**carlosvjr92** · 02-05-2016 01:18 PM

I know that feeling. Glad you're getting you car back today man! I've actually been debating getting a grand Cherokee eventually as a work car since the area I work in has some rough roads so nice to hear you like it

**The Fat Kid** · 02-05-2016 01:30 PM

My wife had corporate car rentals for ~18 months and drove pretty much every entry- to mid-level vehicle. The Dodge Caliber was far and away the worst; the suspension was so bad that the windshield wipers literally caused the whole car to rock back and forth.

**jsh139** · 02-05-2016 01:48 PM

I had a Chrysler 200 as a rental a year and a half ago. I was very disappointed.

**MrFunk** · 02-05-2016 01:58 PM

The 200 is the entry level crap... Chrysler also sucks in general.
I am in 1 or 2 rentals a week as I travel a lot for work... I typically rent the luxury class vehicles from Hertz but they are all typical, generic and very uninspiring.

**bakedziti** · 02-05-2016 01:59 PM

My car wasn't in the shop, but while on vacation recently I had the chance to drive a Fiat 500x as a rental, and was pleasantly surprised. I must say that I have very low expectations; which likely helped, but it wasn't a bad little car. The sport mode was nice, but awfully hard on the transmission; not that I cared if a car with ~500 miles lasted longer than the week I drove it though.

**DBL R** · 02-05-2016 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by The Fat Kid

My wife had corporate car rentals for ~18 months and drove pretty much every entry- to mid-level vehicle. The Dodge Caliber was far and away the worst; the suspension was so bad that the windshield wipers literally caused the whole car to rock back and forth.

+1 I had a caliber as a rental a couple years back. It was so slow that you couldn't safely get up to highway speeds while using an on ramp....you couldn't actually merge into flowing traffic. So slow it was actually unsafe....

**Brother Owl** · 02-05-2016 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by The Fat Kid

My wife had corporate car rentals for ~18 months and drove pretty much every entry- to mid-level vehicle. The Dodge Caliber was far and away the worst; the suspension was so bad that the windshield wipers literally caused the whole car to rock back and forth.

Originally Posted by DBL R

+1 I had a caliber as a rental a couple years back. It was so slow that you couldn't safely get up to highway speeds while using an on ramp....you couldn't actually merge into flowing traffic. So slow it was actually unsafe....

I've driven a '87 S10 w/no clutch in a foot of snow, a Dodge Intrepid with fuel injection issues(stutter, stutter, full throttle!), and a Celica/Supra with no windshield wipers in torrential rain(imagine your dog with head out the window, now imagine doing that yourself on the highway), and I would hands down take any of those experiences over driving a Caliber again. Made me want to strangle a kitten everytime I got out

**WJN S4** · 02-05-2016 03:45 PM

I had a toyota yaris (i think) when I had a car in the body shop.. I'm a tall person and I felt like I was in a clown car driving that thing.
It was so small and awkward to drive, and had around 100 hp. I had to floor the throttle to get that thing to move, it was truly unsafe to drive on a highway

**B-Time** · 02-05-2016 03:51 PM

V4? Probably not.

**adamazing** · 02-05-2016 04:00 PM

Doesn't it make you hate this commercial so much more?

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/AV8K/2015-chr...f-the-autobahn

**SouthernBoy** · 02-05-2016 04:34 PM

Yesterday was the first day I drove my 2016 manual S4 in two weeks to the day. Not about to take it out in the snow so it sat in my garage, protected from the elements and those on the road who might do her harm. I was so excited to take her out. My truck is an automatic so rowing the gears was totally satisfying.

Anal? Absolutely, and proud of it.

**Senseless** · 02-05-2016 05:06 PM

The Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 are being phased out. From your description, it sounds like a good idea. My most depressing rental car was a base model Chevy Aveo.

**S4NJ** · 02-05-2016 05:33 PM

Absence makes the heart go fonder!

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**imola02** · 02-05-2016 05:48 PM

My car was in the shop for a week and I was driving a stripped down Ford Focus. Then of course we get a major snow storm which hurt even more. That car was BRUTAL driving in the snow. Makes me appreciate AWD that much more I guess. I was quite happy to pick up my car yesterday....

**Sudz** · 02-05-2016 06:59 PM

I love it when the person at the rental counter tries to tell you it's a "sports car".

In Europe, I do love no clutch rev match shifting in rentals, it does add enjoyment to the POS rental.

**GRUMPY-S4** · 02-05-2016 07:25 PM

Ive Rented the 200S and it wasnt bad. Powerwise it sucks... But fuel economy and everything else was ok. It had Sat radio as do all the cars I rent from National

**Labeda** · 02-05-2016 10:11 PM

i was on a work trip recently and rented a nissan versa...obviously not in the same class as a luxury car, but man was it a total POS. it had 500 miles on it when i picked it up, lets just say i feel terrible for the poor chap that buys it from the rental company... i drove the crap out of it! my first three cars were an '87 sentra fast back, '90 sentra 2 door, and a 2000 sentra se. i bet the 87 and 90 ones were better built cars.

**chaos2984** · 02-06-2016 07:00 AM

well like others has said its a bas entry cheap turd. But I don't know your situation. But pulling from my past experience, if the accident was not your fault and you need a rental car they have to provide you with something comparable. They don't want to tell you that and try to push you into cheap. But if you push them they will put you in something comparable. I bitched and I got them to give me a Mercedes C200 base.

Yea I have driven base cars before for rentals and they are turds.

**roadawg** · 02-06-2016 07:50 AM

Thinking about selling your car or upgrading to something better?

Drive a rental for a week. A little perspective is all you need!

**Johnnycash** · 02-06-2016 08:37 AM

V4 is gloriously atrocious

im pretty sure its got a transverse 4 banger, but overall i empathize with your sentiments!

**dizzlesizzle** · 02-06-2016 12:41 PM

I have you guys all beat...when my car was in the shop for someone rear ending me...prob about a week, I was given a Dodge Dart, not even the SVT model. Thing couldn't even get out of its own way. Nothing power at all for options. Worst rental ever.

**Works2shoot** · 02-06-2016 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Yesterday was the first day I drove my 2016 manual S4 in two weeks to the day. Not about to take it out in the snow so it sat in my garage, protected from the elements and those on the road who might do her harm. I was so excited to take her out. My truck is an automatic so rowing the gears was totally satisfying.

Anal? Absolutely, and proud of it.

Why buy an S4 if you're not going to have some fun in the snow? I had a freaking blast with mine. It's not a McLaren P1 :laugh:

Edit - get your car coated with something like CQuartz Finest to protect from the elements.

Originally Posted by dizzlesizzle

I have you guys all beat...when my car was in the shop for someone rear ending me...prob about a week, I was given a Dodge Dart, not even the SVT model. Thing couldn't even get out of its own way. Nothing power at all for options. Worst rental ever.

Now this is hilarious!

**firstars** · 02-06-2016 06:56 PM

Had a 2014 S4 rental for two weeks. Was super boring compared to stage 2 s4.

**Willënskraft** · 02-06-2016 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Senseless

The Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 are being phased out. From your description, it sounds like a good idea. My most depressing rental car was a base model Chevy Aveo.

Already?

**vwblackb5** · 02-06-2016 08:01 PM

Drove a Dodge Durango (non-RT) V6 @ 295 hp rental and it was god awful slow since it was > 5000lbs. After a full week away from the S4, had to immediately drive the B5 first and then the B8.5 and it was glorious!

**mmm def** · 02-07-2016 07:53 AM

Nice to drive a beater for a bit to make you appreciate your toy. I have a 230k mile Camry I rock back and forth to work. Makes my s4 that much special when I get into it.

**SouthernBoy** · 02-07-2016 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Works2shoot

Why buy an S4 if you're not going to have some fun in the snow? I had a freaking blast with mine. It's not a McLaren P1

No but it's mine and that's all that counts anyway. Besides, I have a 4WD pickup truck for the bad weather. My last car, a 2004 Acura TL 6MT never saw the snow. It lived in my garage on those days, too... for the entire eleven years I owned it. What I worry most about is some other driver hitting it in the snow. There is also the fact that you drag snow into the driver's foot well and get salt and sand on the undercarriage. Hell, I haven't even taken my S4 out when it rains.

As I said, anal and proud of it.

**14S4GWM** · 02-07-2016 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

No but it's mine and that's all that counts anyway. Besides, I have a 4WD pickup truck for the bad weather. My last car, a 2004 Acura TL 6MT never saw the snow. It lived in my garage on those days, too... for the entire eleven years I owned it. What I worry most about is some other driver hitting it in the snow. There is also the fact that you drag snow into the driver's foot well and get salt and sand on the undercarriage. Hell, I haven't even taken my S4 out when it rains.

As I said, anal and proud of it.

+1 here on that

**SouthernBoy** · 02-07-2016 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by 14S4GWM

+1 here on that

Thank you. Some people have expensive camera equipment, some collect antique china, and some have very costly furniture. I would bet none of these folks want anyone or anything to damage or mar that which they hold dear.

**Works2shoot** · 02-07-2016 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernBoy

Thank you. Some people have expensive camera equipment, some collect antique china, and some have very costly furniture. I would bet none of these folks want anyone or anything to damage or mar that which they hold dear.

The difference is that antique China and costly furniture (if purchased correctly) will hold their value, or at least be heirlooms that can be passed down through generations.

A B8.5 S4 is neither of those things. There are too many for it to be collectible (unless it has under 100 miles on it in 2050). Also a well-worn German car with a crap ton of electronics is not a Model T that you pass to your Grandson or rescue from a barn with a bit of marvel mystery oil.

I love mine too...a lot. That's why I bought full-coverage insurance to protect me from others on the road, CQuartz finest on ALL painted surfaces to prevent issues that the factory coatings could not prevent, a skid plate to deal with running over ice (and comprehensive insurance if the ice does damage), and a set of snow tires so I was not the one running off the road. I chose to have fun with my vehicle, and not treat my mass-produced 335ix (now 340ix) competitor as if it will hold its value like a Porsche 959.

We all are different. I choose to enjoy my aforementioned mass-produced possessions in the now - Some of you guys choose to treat them like museum pieces...and that's 100% OK! All of us enjoy them in our own separate ways, but please don't treat either method like a sacrificial badge of honor. :beer:

**SouthernBoy** · 02-07-2016 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Works2shoot

The difference is that antique China and costly furniture (if purchased correctly) will hold their value, or at least be heirlooms that can be passed down through generations.

A B8.5 S4 is neither of those things. There are too many for it to be collectible (unless it has under 100 miles on it in 2050). Also a well-worn German car with a crap ton of electronics is not a Model T that you pass to your Grandson or rescue from a barn with a bit of marvel mystery oil.

I love mine too...a lot. That's why I bought full-coverage insurance to protect me from others on the road, CQuartz finest on ALL painted surfaces to prevent issues that the factory coatings could not prevent, a skid plate to deal with running over ice (and comprehensive insurance if the ice does damage), and a set of snow tires so I was not the one running off the road. I chose to have fun with my vehicle, and not treat my mass-produced 335ix (now 340ix) competitor as if it will hold its value like a Porsche 959.

We all are different. I choose to enjoy my aforementioned mass-produced possessions in the now now - Some of you guys choose to treat them like museum pieces...and that's 100% OK! All of us enjoy them in our own separate ways, but don't treat either method like a sacrificial badge of honor. :beer:

Not exactly sure where you're going with your prose there neighbor but for me, it only boils down to one collective thing. My property, my money, my pleasure, and my decision. I frankly could care less what others do with their vehicles as long as they don't do anything to mine. They can burn them, put wings on them the size of houses, or any such thing that raises their fancy. Their car, their business.

As for collectability, I don't have a crystal ball for that. Who would have thought that in 1966, a $4500 mass produced car could sell today for 30 times that amount today? Lots of examples of that. Do I think my S4 is likely to enter that rarefied air? No I don't. But then I rather doubt I'll be around in 50 years as that would make me 120 years old.

My driving machines are not throw away items, nor are they washing machines. They are things of supreme enjoyment for me. And that wouldn't matter whether it was an S4 or a Focus ST. My property, my decision to do as I please.

**ChicagoDave** · 02-08-2016 09:55 AM

Worst rental: On my honeymoon in Maui, they offered me a Camaro convertable. This was 2001 mind you, and an RS. It was so shitty. V6 was way underpowered. Plasticky. Horrible sight lines with the top up (rained a lot). Even the RWD wasn't all that fun. Wish I had gone with the Jeep Wrangler for the week.

Best rental: in Boston on business a few years ago. They let me chose between a few economy cars...Chevy Cobalt, Ford something... I went with the brand new VW Beetle. Small, light, quick, so much fun to drive. And it was the base model with the 5-cylinder. It snowed too while I was there. So much fun.

**agent47** · 02-08-2016 10:24 AM

Well I was given a shitty base Nissan Altima when my 2013 A6 was in the shop. Merging on the hwy, changing lanes, wot - the engine screams but the speedo only tries to move. Other than Enterprise putting me in a CTS , I drove a loaded Ford Fusion Titanium Ecoboost twice. Way better than a camry/sonata/altima.

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**sirsycott** · 02-08-2016 10:26 AM

drove an s6 while my car was in for service for 1 day , i beat the crap out of the car out of utter respect for the platform

**Triska** · 02-08-2016 10:59 AM

I like getting rentals. Nice change of pace, even tho the S4 is just about perfect. It's just as much fun to drive a slower car at its limits than a S4 at 4/10ths.

Best rental: charger r/t in Dallas. Bright red with a rear trunk spoiler (it did come into use).

Scariest rental: Nissan Altima, the car is perfectly fine but not made to traverse the vail pass in winter on all seasons. The whole time I was goin slow and thinking how much easier it would be in an Audi.

Worst rental: Ford Focus (I've never had the privelige of renting any base level Chrysler POS). The whole entertainment system is f'ed up and the transmission is utter garbage. Stays in top gear and makes you mash the throttle to get a lower gear and then surges forward. Completely undrivable. Emissions and gas mileage ratings win over common sense.

**LYKUNO** · 11-05-2020 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Senseless

The Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 are being phased out. From your description, it sounds like a good idea. My most depressing rental car was a base model Chevy Aveo.

I had a new Dodge Dart rental car for 58 days during the summer of 2016, while our car was undergoing accident damage repair. That Dart was in the top 3 of the slowest, unresponsive and uncomfortable cars I've ever driven. It had good fuel economy though!