Hertz - Audis...

Two quick questions:

Does Avis still carry the A8? Don't see it listed in any of the major airports... (I am doing the A6 april 26th - 29th)

Also, the A4 Cab always seems sold out, are they just not available because they are changing over the fleet or something? Or just so in demand?

Thanks!

Well I have an inney...:p

But if your talking Hertz than yes the A8 and A4/S4's are still around...You have to be going to a big time hertz city to find them most of the time and ask for one when you get there.

Here at RIC I can never reserve anything but compact, fullsize, midsize, and standard. Everything else is always "sold out." Even Suv's and premium. Yet they are always there...

Whoops. Yes I meant Hertz. My brain is running slowly apparently...

We got an A8L in LAX, but I think MCO, ORD, SFO, and LAS also have them.

We got an A6 in OAK in March, but were told that was not the norm, it probably came from SFO or SJC. A Q7 was sitting quietly in a PC stall.

Called OAK a couple of times inquiring about the Q7, but had reserved an Infiniti. It still may have just been a coincidence that an A6 was waiting for us.

If they show as Sold Out, it can just mean that they only have a few so they can't guarantee…so call the location directly.

Adding to Tummy's list…SAN, SJC, BOS -- A4 Cab, A4, A6, Q7

I think the Vehicle Guide is incorrect. It lists the A4 as a 5 seater and the A6 as a 4 seater. The A4 also boasts more luggage room according to Hertz. NOT

Are the A8s still around? I have seen plenty of A4s, A6s and Q7s at LAX and other locations, but I haven't seen any A8Ls in a while... :confused:

I was verifying Audi vehicle locations not necessarily A8s. My guess is if there are still around, it would be at locations that carry the others, A4, A6 and Q7s.

Wondering if the A8s are that rare, or being replaced with Q7s?

So prashok, when are we going to get a Ride Report on a Q7?

I've picked up A8's and A4 Cab's... from HNL, SNA, and MIA.....

PSP and YVR I've rented A6's and A4's

The A8L's are still around in the LAX pool; however, they are not reservable. They spend the majority of their time having recall work done at the dealerships. Those that do remain will be pulled from the fleet within the month.

They have been replaced by the Q7's.

So prashok, when are we going to get a Ride Report on a Q7?

Once I can convince LAX to stop asking $100/day upgrade fee for them... :( :D

Fair enough ^

Thanks for all the info.

I am going into LAX with A6 reserved in a few days. If I wanted the A8L or if I wanted to see if they had any S4/A4 Cabs available, how should I maximize my opportunity at minimal cost? Walk up to the counter on the day of the reservation? How much do you guys think I should offer If I wanted to upgarde to the A8L if they are available? How about the Cab?

in one of the new 350Z convertibles, imo.

Two quick questions:

Does Avis still carry the A8? Don't see it listed in any of the major airports... (I am doing the A6 april 26th - 29th)

Also, the A4 Cab always seems sold out, are they just not available because they are changing over the fleet or something? Or just so in demand?

Thanks!

I really wish Avis had Audis :(

I will rent a car in LAX in two weeks. I had initially booked a Q7 but it's too lardy for me, i wished i could have booked an A8 instead, anyway i decided for the Escalade. But i could be tempted if they still have some A8s hanging around...

The A8L's are still around in the LAX pool; however, they are not reservable. They spend the majority of their time having recall work done at the dealerships. Those that do remain will be pulled from the fleet within the month.

They have been replaced by the Q7's.

That's funny. I really liked the A8L, almost bought a used one. They depreciate like a rock. The reliability scared me.

If anyone's interested, here are a few pictures of our A8L from LAX (a few screens from the top) (http://www.thaitum.com/photos_public/hertz/).

They do depreciate quickly which is good and bad. It's bad that you take a hit when you sell it but it's good when you're looking to buy CPO. :) In November I bought an '03 A6 2.7t manual for about $21000. Even after putting $6000 in to it to push it up to 447hp I still think I got a deal.

The only comparable BMW was that 330xi (or was it the 530?) and you/I couldn't squeeze enough more HP out of the engine to make it worthwhile.

Hopefully the '07 RS4's will be dirt cheap when they come back on lease turn ins... Albeit with their sacks ran off.

Hopefully not getting too far off topic, I've been seeing 2004 A8L for around $28k - $32k USD asking price. Around $45k lost in 3 years, or $1250 / month!

Hopefully not getting too far off topic, I've been seeing 2004 A8L for around $28k - $32k USD asking price. Around $45k lost in 3 years, or $1250 / month!

That is why you dont buy a vehicle that is in a rental program.

This is why the American cars are suffering. You buy one new and then it is worth nothing in less than a year. Now we see they Germans and Japs getting into it and now they are suffering the same fate.

The Explorer Sport Trac for example holds over 70% of it value after 2 years.
Why, no one rents them.

I had not heard this before. Let me make sure I understand. We are still talking about the Audi A8. I would be curious to know how many A8s Hertz had in the fleet at any one time. Because they are hitting the used market, that alone is what has caused depreciation to fall through the floorboards.

This thread was started over the scarcity of them. If the theory holds, Ford would have been forced to stop producing the Taurus more than 10 years ago.

So, Honda and Toyota are going to flood the rental market so that we buy cars more often or will people drive them till the wheels fall off because they aren't worth selling?

I would sooner look at high maintenance costs, or a generation of the model that was plagued by recalls. What is the average mileage and lifespan of the A8, or the A6 for that matter?

photojojo, I'll be in the area in August for a reunion…can I rent your A6??? haha

My apologies to the OP for getting off topic.

Hertz didn't start carrying the A8 until the 2006 model year which are greatly improved. The 2004 A8's I'm talking about are not former rental cars, just off lease cars sold at auction or through Audi dealers. Check out the eBay selling prices.

I think the tremendous depreciation on these cars is due to several factors. Mostly the huge number of software issues, electrical problems for all the gadgets (power trunk closer was very problematic), high repair costs due to the advanced aluminum bodies / chassis, and lack of "bling" in comparison to BMW 7 Series and MB S-Class.

BTW, I also happen to see that the German consulate in NYC is selling their 2004 A8L on cars.com

I had not heard this before. Let me make sure I understand. We are still talking about the Audi A8. I would be curious to know how many A8s Hertz had in the fleet at any one time. Because they are hitting the used market, that alone is what has caused depreciation to fall through the floorboards.

This thread was started over the scarcity of them. If the theory holds, Ford would have been forced to stop producing the Taurus more than 10 years ago.

So, Honda and Toyota are going to flood the rental market so that we buy cars more often or will people drive them till the wheels fall off because they aren't worth selling?

I would sooner look at high maintenance costs, or a generation of the model that was plagued by recalls. What is the average mileage and lifespan of the A8, or the A6 for that matter?

photojojo, I'll be in the area in August for a reunion…can I rent your A6??? haha

My apologies to the OP for getting off topic.

Well not to keep drifting away, but this is why they Taurus stayed around without being sold to retail consumers for 2 years. It is not ALL being in the fleet but it that and the major rebates are interconnected at the value drop.

Germans are a bit different, but the rentals affected the value some, it is there crap reliability and constant maintenance they need from a dealer.

These car are worth less (not worthless) when they dont get a stamp in the owners manual from a dealer for scheduled maintenance.

photojojo, I'll be in the area in August for a reunion…can I rent your A6??? haha


HA! I barely let my fiancee drive it.

As for the OP and getting back on topic, I too have had horrendous luck finding almost ANY Audis at the locations I've been through. Volvo's on the other hand are quite plenty. I think the only rental locations I've seen them at are places like SFO, LAX, LGA and I think in DEN if I'm not mistaken... Any place that isn't a metropolis, forget about it.

YVR also has A4's and A6's. There have been a few times that I booked the cheapest prestige car (lincoln ls) and they upgraded me to a A6 for around $0-10 just by asking.

I'm currently driving an A6 rented from LAX. $60/day upgrade from a Mustang which I was getting for ~$12 a day after the great Fun collection discount in the coupon thread.

Two questions - are the half dozen or so preset Sirius stations really the only ones I can tune into, and how the heck do I open the glovebox?

I wanted to take a peek at the manual to figure out the MMI system, but apparently one needs a manual to gain access to the manual.... :D

and how the heck do I open the glovebox?

I wanted to take a peek at the manual to figure out the MMI system, but apparently one needs a manual to gain access to the manual.... :D

I'm not trying to insult you intelligence, but make sure some idiot didn't lock it before you. Just slip the key in there and give it a 1/4 turn then try to open it. Believe it or not, I've rented a lot of cars with the glovebox locked ahead of me only to find some interesting things inside. :)

I'm currently driving an A6 rented from LAX. $60/day upgrade from a Mustang which I was getting for ~$12 a day after the great Fun collection discount in the coupon thread.

Two questions - are the half dozen or so preset Sirius stations really the only ones I can tune into, and how the heck do I open the glovebox?

I wanted to take a peek at the manual to figure out the MMI system, but apparently one needs a manual to gain access to the manual.... :D

http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/aoa/product/A6MY07/crops/interior.Par.0005.Image.jpg

There are two buttons on the right of the MMI LCD screen. The top one turns the MMI on and off. The bottom one resembles a sideways view of the glovebox. Oh, of course. No worries, I asked the lot attendant before we left OAK on my A6 outing.

One more thing. On the left hand side of the steering wheel, there is a scroll wheel for controlling the dash cluster controls. It wasn't overly intuitive to me that it can also be pushed to select items in the menu. I had to look that up.
Enjoy the ride!

Here is the ride report I submitted with a few more tips I learned, after the fact.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=674771

in one of the new 350Z convertibles, imo.

Until you drive a S4 Cab...guess that's why I own one... :p

Until you drive a S4 Cab...guess that's why I own one... :p


I have about 35000 reasons why you're wrong.

I have about 35000 reasons why you're wrong.

I couldn't fit my rollerboard luggage in the 350z.

Check out this recent IIHS.org death rate report, 14 times more likely to die in a 350z. http://www.iihs.org/sr/pdfs/sr4204.pdf

I couldn't fit my rollerboard luggage in the 350z.

Check out this recent IIHS.org death rate report, 14 times more likely to die in a 350z. http://www.iihs.org/sr/pdfs/sr4204.pdf

I see no purpose in a 350Z other than to impress a date ...

I see no purpose in a 350Z other than to impress a date ...

Keeping with the thread, I think a date would find an A8 more impressive. The one we got didn't have any visible Hertz stickers or neverlost. I think they put the bar code inside the door frame.

Is there any cdp or coupon that will give Audi's unlimited mileage? Booking out of YUL, and the agreement is only showing a maximum of 100km/day...

I've always had unlimited mileage at Hertz no matter what I rented, XJ8, A8, etc. But then again I'm a Gold member.

The A8's don't need the never lost system since the Navigation is so easy to use and built into the car.

Honestly, the A8 was a better car than the XJ8. Both nice in their own sense, but the A8 had overall the better score card. Plus the A8L is plenty roomy! :D

I've always had unlimited mileage at Hertz no matter what I rented, XJ8, A8, etc. But then again I'm a Gold member.

The A8's don't need the never lost system since the Navigation is so easy to use and built into the car.

Honestly, the A8 was a better car than the XJ8. Both nice in their own sense, but the A8 had overall the better score card. Plus the A8L is plenty roomy! :D

All the Audi's I've rented did not have the Nav disc. They were either stolen or not installed at the station I guess.