What Car Hire Orlando

[rich_vw]

Hi all, heading over to Orlando in September for a couple of weeks and been looking for a hire car, at the moment I've been given an oray of Pontiac G5 & 6's, Dodge Charger, Buick's and Chrysler 300c to name but a few, just trying to find out which one's are actually any good, can you help?

Thanks,

Rich

[Rotary Madness]

Cant help you with choice but i can say dont use budget. We booked months in advance for a people carrier, as there was 5 of us + lots of luggage, so we needed the space. Paid well in advance, landed and went to their desk, to be greeted by a bloke saying we have no people carriers tough luck. Turns out we went during mardi gras, and all the students had taken them before we landed. Budget couldnt give a flying fk, and we spent over 2 hours arguing with them before they finally gave us 2 cars, some stupid mazda 4x4 with only 2wd and an auto ford focus.

fecking useless s.

[Captain Cadillac]

Depends on which Buick, some of them are decent, especially if you get the new Lacrosse. Otherwise.. hmm, probably a Charger I suppose.

[Deva Link]

You hardly ever get the car they show as examples of what's available in the class that you book, so don't get too fixated on a particular model. Your best bet of getting a particular car is to book a lower class and then upgrade when you get - making supply of a particular car part of the negotiation.

Alamo group their cars by class in the car park and you can choose whichever you want. Unless it's one of the higher classes then they bring it to you.

There are a lot of Japanese/Korean brands being used by all the rental companies now.

For the last few years I've nominally booked (through http://www.usrentacar.co.uk ) a 7/8 seater SUV and generally get a Dodge Durango but this year they said they'd stopped going them and reeled off a list of vehicles I'd never heard of. Randomly picked a GMC Acadia and thought it was pretty good (in a totally effortless cruising kind of way) although it was actually quite basic.

[Chris71]

Excuse the thread hijack, but...

Facing this dilemma at the moment. Tempted to go for something a bit special - i.e. with a V8 and probably without a roof, something like a Mustang or Corvette. Does anybody know anywhere in Orlando that would offer that? Secondly any thoughts on where to go for a brief road trip (comfortably there and back in a day)?

[jeff m]

Aint cheap
I did this search for my brother earlier this year.
http://www.erento.co.uk/hire/vehicles-boats-aircra...

A convertable C6 has a reasonable trunk, but you mustn't load past the "hanging down" bit or the sensors will prevent operation of the top.
A coupe trunk "disapears" if you take off the targa top and store it. It's a brave man that leaves the iop at home

A Mustang soft top is available for much less money esp if you "make do" with a six. Budget do them.

[Chris71]

I could have sworn I found a Corvette on the Hertz site for about $250 a day yesterday, but can't locate it now! We shall see...

Any thoughts on where to go? I gather Florida's not really the place to look for driving roads, so maybe something a bit more scenic. I've only got a day to play with, so it'd have to be something within a couple of hours of Orlando. It's only my second visit to the States and the last was on business (also to Orlando!) so I'm quite keen to see something besides the local bars and the convention centre!

[jeff m]

This link should help
http://www.orlandoairportguide.com/hertz-carhire-o...

I didn't get a quote 'cos very often the price will be different for a UK resident.
I can't help with the scenic stuff only been there once, my Brother (Devon) has a timeshare there but I think he just lays by the pool.
With regard to Vettes, check if it is a Z51, better suspension, if it is also LT3 it will have all the bits too. Heads up, sat nav etc.
It will probably be an auto....not sure how you feel about that but you can use the paddle shift if you put it in "S". More visits to the gas station for feeding if you do.
Hope you manage to find one at a sensible price.

[Matt Harper]

I live in O'town - the road system that is familiar to most tourists is less than inspiring (and Interstate/Expressway based) - but don't kid yourself, there are some nice roads, not far from the city - predominantly in Polk and Lake counties (to the west of Orlando).
Your main issue is not going to be challenging roads, but drawing the attentions of the local plod to yourself and your flash, hogged-up rental car.
As Jeff states - you can rent a C6 Vette from Hertz and the airport location has a load of 'em. Downside is easy recognition. They have a specific paint scheme (bright yellow with a black hood stripe). So - obvious rented hot-rod, that gets the knackers thrashed-off it by tourists - cops know this very well. I'd go to Avis and get an annonymous C6, or a 5th gen Camaro SS.
Here's an offer - I'll lend you a radar detector. Let me know if you want to take up this offer.
If you don't and you plan on flagrantly ignoring our speed limits, on your own head be it.
The cops here are good at busting unwary and unprotected lead-foots. I know this because my daughter works for the Orange County Sherrifs Dept and my next door neighbor is an FL State Trooper.
I have a spare detector - you are welcome to borrow it - only don't get busted for speeding with it in the car - that's considered willful speeding - bigger fine - frogmarched directly to the cashpoint machine....