Hertz - Which category of car in the US?

Hi all
I've looked at the categories of cars (and the fleet list on this forum - well done and thank to those involved in compiling it!), however I need some help choosing a car.

We travel to the US later this year for our honeymoon, and part of our trip involves picking up a car from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglade), driving down to Key West, spending three nights there and then dropping the car off at Miami airport before flying back home (so 4 days hire).

So, I'm looking for something a little special given the occasion, something that'll be fun to drive but not something that'll break the bank! It needs to be able to carry two medium/large suitcase, and a few other items of smaller luggage - then of course there's the two of us!

I reckon my best options are either a FCAR (Chevvy Malibu or similar), IFAR (Toyota RAV4 of similar) or the SFAR (Chevvy Equinox or similar).

What would you recommend?
Many thanks.

We travel to the US later this year for our honeymoon, and part of our trip involves picking up a car from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglade), driving down to Key West, spending three nights there and then dropping the car off at Miami airport before flying back home (so 4 days hire).

What would you recommend?
Many thanks.

I would look at the SUV option, I say this as I have driven US1 down to Key West a number of times. The advantage of the SUV is that you can see over the walls at the side of the road. that makes the trip so much better. I have done the trip in normal cars and the view is limited. enjoy the trip

IFAR is probably your best bet, for the reason stated in reply #2 (so you can see the views :)) but also it'll break the bank a little less than a SFAR would in terms of gas (plus you don't need the extra space, it's easier to maneuver/park, etc.), or if you're lucky you'll get a free upgrade to SFAR.

FWIW in January at ORD I got a free upgrade from SCAR (Altima coupe or similar) to a Ford Escape (IFAR/Q4) -- I'll never drive one again unless it has a V6 (the one I got had the same I-4 as the Fusion and was disappointingly underpowered) but the AWD was a blessing since we got hit with a huge snowstorm.

-J.

I would look at the SUV option, I say this as I have driven US1 down to Key West a number of times. The advantage of the SUV is that you can see over the walls at the side of the road. that makes the trip so much better. I have done the trip in normal cars and the view is limited. enjoy the trip

Holodoc's advice is definitely worth taking.
A few years ago my Wife and I drove Miami to Key West in a Caddy DTS, while the car was excellent, the view of the concrete safety barrier took all of the fun out of the drive.

Make sure you get an SUV so that you may see over the top or it'll be a very boring drive.

I'm going to be on the road for a week in Florida as well late Oct. Traveling from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale over the course of a week in small hops. My girlfriend is completely sold on getting us a Convertible ($320 with cdp+PC for a 7 days) but the tips on getting higher in a SUV in this thread makes sense. Would this apply for the stretch we are driving though?

I'm going to be on the road for a week in Florida as well late Oct. Traveling from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale over the course of a week in small hops. My girlfriend is completely sold on getting us a Convertible ($320 with cdp+PC for a 7 days) but the tips on getting higher in a SUV in this thread makes sense. Would this apply for the stretch we are driving though?

I hope you like trees and bushes - that's all I can remember about driving that route. have a look at Google maps street view and get a feel for where you are driving.

Didn't ever think about the height issue - what a great tip!

SUV it is...now I just need to wait for my credit card to be renewed - typical, you don't use it in a while and when you go to, it's due to expire next month!

I hope you like trees and bushes - that's all I can remember about driving that route. have a look at Google maps street view and get a feel for where you are driving.

Well, what would you recommend with regard to sights and air temperature?

For these dates, locale and some CDP+PC I can get a convertible for $325 (Chrysler 200) or a Full size SUV at $285 (Chevy). I'm tempted to go with the convertible but have no experience with them so not sure if it's too much of a hassle.

Well, what would you recommend with regard to sights and air temperature?

For these dates, locale and some CDP+PC I can get a convertible for $325 (Chrysler 200) or a Full size SUV at $285 (Chevy). I'm tempted to go with the convertible but have no experience with them so not sure if it's too much of a hassle.

If you only need the space of a convertible you don't need the space or higher price of a full-size SUV. Save the money and go with an IFAR if you really want an SUV.

I and others have mentioned in other threads that convertibles get really old really quickly, especially if it's not perfectly sunny and gorgeous out. IMHO you'd be much better off in an Altima or an SCAR. Specify 2-door in the reservation comments so they give you an Altima coupe or perhaps upsell you to a Mustang :cool:

-J.