Other Car Rental Programs (ie. Alamo, Enterprise) - Enterprise Premium vs. Dollar Full Size?

Has anyone rented a Premium class car in Detroit recently? I have an upcoming TWO WEEK long family trip in Michigan that will involve a considerable amount of driving. I am bit of a car nut and enjoy a spirited driving experience. I made a reservation with Dollar at DTW for a full size class “Ford Taurus or similar” In the meantime, while shopping around I found a Premium class “Nissan Maxima or similar” with Enterprise for only a few dollars a day more. A Maxima, or Regal or Lacross would be fine. A Crown Vic or Lucerne would not. After reading a several posts on this forum, it sounds like Enterprise classifies the Taurus is a “premium” car as well. The Taurus doesn’t sound like a premium car to me, but admittedly I haven’t even looked at the “new” Taurus, other than to notice that they’re calling it a Taurus again. I’d like to spend the few dollars extra for the Maxima, but If I’m going to end up with a Taurus anyway, I’d rather save the $30 and rent from Dollar.

Has anyone rented a Premium class car in Detroit recently? I have an upcoming TWO WEEK long family trip in Michigan that will involve a considerable amount of driving. I am bit of a car nut and enjoy a spirited driving experience. I made a reservation with Dollar at DTW for a full size class “Ford Taurus or similar” In the meantime, while shopping around I found a Premium class “Nissan Maxima or similar” with Enterprise for only a few dollars a day more. A Maxima, or Regal or Lacross would be fine. A Crown Vic or Lucerne would not. After reading a several posts on this forum, it sounds like Enterprise classifies the Taurus is a “premium” car as well. The Taurus doesn’t sound like a premium car to me, but admittedly I haven’t even looked at the “new” Taurus, other than to notice that they’re calling it a Taurus again. I’d like to spend the few dollars extra for the Maxima, but If I’m going to end up with a Taurus anyway, I’d rather save the $30 and rent from Dollar.

I have no experience with DTW or with a specific premium reservation with Enterprise, but I do have experience with premium rentals from Enterprise's sister company, National, which often pools vehicles with Enterprise and Alamo (perhaps someone who has rented from DTW can speak to whether or not they do so at this location).

The "Premium" Taurus from National is often the Limited version which adds leather, rear view cam, SYNC, and a few other features over the base or SEL versions. Other cars in the Premium class are the Toyota Avalon (though I don't believe Alamo or Enterprise are allowed to rent these out as there is an exclusive agreement with National until later this year), Hyundai Genesis, Chrysler 300 Limited, Buick Lacrosse, and Nissan Maxima (generally base model, and actually one of the worst, at least in National's Premium fleet).

The new Taurus is nothing like the old Taurus (Taurii?). Especially with the Limited trim, I'd definitely consider it a Premium car. Comfortable inside, modern, handles well.

Reserve with both companies. If you don't like what Enterprise gives you, bag their rental and go over to Dollar.

Hard to say. Both Dollar and Enterprise engage in "class creep". Both consider the Focus to be a full-size, so I imagine they consider the Taurus to be premium. Problem is that it can vary between locations. I can't speak for Detroit. My last "Premium" rental from Dollar was a Mercury Mystique..essentially a Crown Vic..at MCI. Hated it.

My last "Premium" rental from Dollar was a Mercury Mystique..essentially a Crown Vic..at MCI. Hated it.


are you sure it was a Mercury Mystique (http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1995-to-2000-mercury-mystique.htm)? That was the sister car of the Ford Contour.

Mercury's equivalent of the Ford Crown Victoria was the Grand Marquis (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/automobiles/autoreviews/28grand-marquis.html).

are you sure it was a Mercury Mystique (http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1995-to-2000-mercury-mystique.htm)? That was the sister car of the Ford Contour.

Mercury's equivalent of the Ford Crown Victoria was the Grand Marquis (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/automobiles/autoreviews/28grand-marquis.html).

Whoops! You are correct. It was the Grand Marquis.

Now I know why grandpas everywhere are such bad drivers. It's not senility. It's the car.

So I stuck with the Enterprise reservation. I was watching the rates in the month+ leading up to the trip and as they fluctuated up and down, one day was able to lock-in a rate for a "premium" that was cheaper than a "standard". Part of my issue was that the Enterprise office at DTW did not open for a good hour after our flight landed (Early Saturday morning arrival) As it turned out it was a not issue - after a leisurely 1/2 walk and stretch down the McNamera Terminal, with stops for restrooms, coffee, collecting our luggage, and finally the (longish) shuttle, the timing was fine. Upon arrival at the Enterprise office, we had a few minutes to wait so I quickly scoped out the lot. There were a lot of cars and suv's - the usual mundain models. I did not see a anything that I would really classify as "premium". No Buick LaCross, Chrysler 300, Chargers or Maximas. I think maybe there was a lone Taurus.

When the agent came to "set us up", he indicated that they use the "Premium" class rental to allow you to pick pretty much whatever you want. (I don't think they have any specialty or luxury class categories at that location.) I was eyeing the blue Mustang hardtop (not sure if that was available in the offer) but quickly came to the realization that my two teenage kids would be complaining before we even left the parking lot! So with family comfort in mind over than spirited handling, we chose a land yacht Buick Enclave. It was a "nice" vehicle. I hated it. Surprisingly the kids hated it too. But it worked out just fine. It was big and functional and "impressive" looking - lots of chrome and bling!