Hertz - Don't rent a convertible (unless you really want one)

We showed up at Reno with a full side car reserved, expecting a Ford Taurus or something comparable. They had a Chrysler Sebring for us. Not really knowing what the car is like, I took it.

I suppose most intelligent people would know this is a convertible, but I didn't, or at least I didn't know the implications.When we got to the car and opened the trunk, there was almost no room for our luggage, as a big part of the trunk space was taken up by a compartment for the hood.

In fact we had to put our luggage on the back seat, which was also a problem, since it was a 2 door car. Ugh.

That is too bad, usually if that is the case they will let you switch cars if they have any available.

Actually there are non-convertible Sebrings as well as a 4-door, or at least they used to make a 4-door. That said, no Sebring would be considered full size or an upgrade from full size. I guess the convertible is an upgrade from a price standpoint, but when it's luggage space you're looking for, a convertible is the last thing you want.

Even after seeing what you got, you can certainly go back to the counter and say your luggage doesn't fit and try to get something else.

I once crammed 4 people and their (weekend, admittedly) luggage in an Eclipse convertible. That thing is even smaller and has even less luggage space. But I don't recommend it. ;) I didn't make any of the other three people share the cost of the rental, as was originally planned.

You are both right - I could have gone back to the desk and exchanged the car. At that point, I knew we only had 2 carry-ons that fit on the back seat and would have to unload/load 1 time and figured it wasn't worth it once I was all the way at the car. But next time....

I got a Toyota Solara (2 door Camry convertible) last week as an upgrade at SNA. I had a great few days with it. :)

We own a Solara Convertible and 4 people will fit nice and 2 big bags and 2 small bags will fit in the trunk easy. Drives and rides like a lexus...i mean it has the 3.3L engine and drivetrain from the ES and GS 330.

If you get stuck with a convertible this is the one to have in the Hertz fleet if you need people and luggage space.

I got a Toyota Solara (2 door Camry convertible) last week as an upgrade at SNA. I had a great few days with it. :)

You're right. I got a Solara convertible at ABQ, and it had PLENTY of trunk space. I had just had a Mustang convertible a few weeks earlier, and there was a huge difference in trunk space.

The thing I didn't like about the Solara was that it seemed extremely restrictive with the top up. I found it hard to see out of the back window also. The Mustang seemed a little more roomy with the top up.

We're lucky in ours, we only lose 5 inches across the top of the trunk when the top is down, so we just leave the storage area down most of the time. It is enough to keep a large suitcase from sliding back, so we do flip it up then.

Though on a nice day for a trip to the airport, I've always just toassed the bags in the back seat so we could keep the top down.

I really should travel to all the drought areas in the country... all I need to do is rent a convertible and it rains all week....