OMG -- 3 days w/a rental Hyundai Sonata

hueterm · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 12:24 AM

OMG -- the rant I left in the Eldo forum about having to replace the door panel on the ETC -- FORGOTTEN!

What an utterly miseable car for 80% of what I used it for. Appx. 6 hrs on not so smooth interstate = back and tail PAIN in said Hyundai.

The seats were ok except for the headrests that never did adjust right and the UTTER LACK of any lumbar.

However even more of an issue was that the ride was TERRIBLE on the highway. Every expansion joint in the road was a jar. It was like a constant hammer.

Driving around Dallas Metroplex was OK, it had OK power for a base 4 banger. It was homelier than Sadie Hawkins, but at least it had a decent stereo w/XM -- so I didn't have to drag out the windshield mount XM receiver.

The N* system's RSS is I guess akin to Russian Roulette -- but after the past 3 days of such a terrible riding car...probably worth it.

**Jesda** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 04:21 AM

Sure it wasn't an Elantra? Otherwise, it sounds like your typical Camcordabu when compared to any large Cadillac.

hueterm · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 10:11 AM

No, it was a Sonata. Maybe the higher trim levels would be better, but the econoversion was lacking. Of course, I really have no idea how much these cost. Probably as much as a Civic or a Corolla, which is a much smaller car -- so it might be worth it then.

It was surprisingly spacious though. W/the seat all the way back, my arms were fully extended to reach the wheel, and I couldn't reach the firewall. And with the seats all the way back, the back seat was actually useable. If the fronts were moved up some, the back had plenty of room (for 4 -- 5 would be a joke...).

Florian · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 11:26 AM

hyundai = pos.

F

LS1Mike · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 06:06 PM

I don't caer for Hyundai, but most rental cars are usually poop.
We had a rental Maxima, last time we were in HI. It rattled and was just plain cheap feeling.
I know they are better than that though. Car had 18,000 miles on it. In rental car speak that is like 150,000.

**Jesda** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-08, 09:16 PM

The rental cars I've had have always been pretty nice, in particular a 2007 DTS from Enterprise and a Mazda 6 from Hertz. The only disappointment was a PT Cruiser from Enterprise that drove fine but smelled awful. They swapped it for a Kia Optima which was bland but smooth and quiet.

**I~LUV~Caddys8792** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-08, 12:25 AM

How much was that DTS per day?

**Jesda** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-08, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

How much was that DTS per day?

It was a weekend special. About $200 from Enterprise.

caddycruiser · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-08, 10:03 PM

I'm thinking of picking up an Enterprise special for an upcoming weekend roadtrip (just thought of it today). Being 22, I'm "limited" to a max choice of full-size...but no problemo there.

For all of December that I had a rental, it was an "Intermediate" which--by the website--I expected to be a Cobalt or Focus. Only to get there and have her say "the Malibu is yours" and I got an '07 Malibu that I loved and that set on a whole course of events afterwards...

With the 50% off weekends, I can do a Friday to Monday full-size rental for $105 total ($10 per day for being 21-24). The difference to go down a class or two is literally only a few bucks, so why not. Then again...if last time their Intermediate was a Premium (I think), I wonder what a full-size would be. The site says Impala/Altima...probably a Lucerne or base 300 (either would be fine), with the office near home. Or maybe really an Impala. No biggie.

The only thing that can be iffy is the no guarantee factor, regardless of if you book before. I don't mind that with a car, but I just booked a cargo van in 2 weeks to move out of my apartment...and there's really no substitute in that case. Hope there's no issue.

caddycruiser · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-08, 10:09 PM

Oh...and a funny Enterprise story.

I had the '07 Malibu 4-cyl for a month while my Fleetwood was having its passenger side completely rebuilt (thanks to a lady in a Subie Outback). I really enjoyed having a new, zippy, solid car, and getting more than double the gas mileage.

Then when I returned it, the office guy (office is connected to the body shop) had been chatting with the shop manager who was also waiting for me, and said "I bet you're glad to get out of that and back to the Cadillac!" I said "Hmm, not really..." and chuckled, and shocked him a bit. Probably a rare reaction for them, especially having seen the beast. Kind of threw the shop manager for a whirl too after they just spent a month perfecting my 13 year old beast, even after being insurance screwed. Oh well...I did still appreciate it, and am impressed.

And what else? I kept the Malibu as spotless and detailed as my own car, and had freshly detailed it the day before turning it in. I told them this, and they went "REALLY? Wow, thank you so much." They're used to things coming back disgusting...and actually never do ANY more than run the cars out back to a hose, and let them air dry. Talk about huge, nasty, water spots. So, I was more than happy to ablige.

For me, unlike others, rentals don't = donuts in the lawn, going in reverse, I guess