Cars at LAX
Oct 2, 2008, 2:02 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Sometimes if I see something that grabs my attention right away, and I think that it might get taken if I don't act fast... I'll take the keys and throw my luggage in the back. Then I'll walk the lot and see if I like anything better. You're not committed until you drive out of the gate!
I then told her she'd given me a brilliant idea to guard against having a first pick get taken. She wasn't impressed...
Oct 9, 2008, 11:31 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: EY-Gold LH-SEN AA-Gold HHonors-Gold National-ES
Posts: 1,520
Nov 24, 2008, 4:55 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
Just got a brand new 2009 Mazda 6 from LAX yesterday...really sporty, nice ride; however, I just found out this morning that the car is so new and the temporary paper license on my windshield has already been expired. Now I'm driving the car without a license plate. I called National and they said I can continue to drive and if I get a ticket from the cops, they will pay for it. 
Dec 5, 2008, 5:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: US Silver; WN A-List; Marriott Plat Premier
Posts: 448
ES Selection: What's up with the new style of keys? I am a fairly technically savvy person (so I think) but I could not figure these new keys out. Granted I was in a slight hurry and only gave myself a minute to try but I found I could not start the car. I tried two different cars with the new keys at LAX. Can't remember the first, I know the second one was a Nissan Rogue. Looked like a cool car just couldn't start the damn thing. When I pressed the start button an indicator light showed a picture of a key...... I ended up in a Buick with Sat radio and a sunroof so I was happy enough.
Last edited by Diamondback; Dec 5, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Dec 5, 2008, 7:21 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
The Altima has the smart key system too. You have to keep your foot on the brake and press the start button, then it'll automatically crank the starter and run. I knew this when I first got one since I've been around the Camry Hybrids for a while and their system is nearly identical.
Just to update on my previous post, my dad landed on Tuesday and picked out a Volvo V70 from Executive Selection. He's quite happy with it so far.
Just to update on my previous post, my dad landed on Tuesday and picked out a Volvo V70 from Executive Selection. He's quite happy with it so far.
Dec 6, 2008, 9:15 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: US Silver; WN A-List; Marriott Plat Premier
Posts: 448
Thanks. Next time I'll be able to rent one! So, if I understand this new technology correctly, the key fob being on your person when you get in the car is all you need to start the car, correct? What then is the purpose of the little minature key attached to the fob -- gas cap, trunk?
Dec 6, 2008, 9:38 am
#23
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
Thanks. Next time I'll be able to rent one! So, if I understand this new technology correctly, the key fob being on your person when you get in the car is all you need to start the car, correct? What then is the purpose of the little minature key attached to the fob -- gas cap, trunk?
Dec 6, 2008, 12:16 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan, Priority Club, National Exec Elite, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis First, Thrifty Bluechip
Posts: 1,924
Yeah base model Prius you have to put the key into the slot to start. If it's a B package or higher (has VSC, backup camera) then you can just leave the key in your pocket
Dec 6, 2008, 5:04 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
Key should fit inside the key fob! Maybe it was taken out and not put back in? I have seen them do this with the jeeps before.
Also with the smart keys, there is a button on the door handle you can use to unlock or lock the doors. Very handy to not have to touch keys ever!
Also with the smart keys, there is a button on the door handle you can use to unlock or lock the doors. Very handy to not have to touch keys ever!
Jan 8, 2009, 3:54 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat Pro, MR LTP, others from cards
Posts: 890
I was a bit disappointed with a Dec 18 rental arriving late evening. We had a baby and a lot of luggage a three week road trip, so I wanted something larger than usual. The largeset things in the executive aisle were a Taurus (or maybe a Fusion), a bunch of Charger SXTs and some Altimas. Nothing crossover or SUV. The only Lucerne had the keys locked inside and was imobile. Not even an Impala.
Took the Charger, which had decent performance but not as much trunk space as we needed with all the baby gear so the car interior was cluttered. It only had 700 miles on it, but the air blowers rattled sometimes and it was hard to fill with gas (pump would cut off unless you pushed and titled it just right). Not great for scenic driving with the little windows.
Took the Charger, which had decent performance but not as much trunk space as we needed with all the baby gear so the car interior was cluttered. It only had 700 miles on it, but the air blowers rattled sometimes and it was hard to fill with gas (pump would cut off unless you pushed and titled it just right). Not great for scenic driving with the little windows.
Last edited by ENIAC; Jan 8, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Jan 19, 2009, 9:07 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA - EXP 2.3 MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold, recovering UA Premier
Posts: 280
Picked up a car on Saturday. ES was nothing special. Lots of Malibus, Chargers, and Altimas. Nothing with XM until I asked, and they brought me a Malibu. When I couldn't figure out how to tilt the wheel, I moved all my stuff to an Altima hybrid and drove that away. I'm getting 36-40 mpg, even in city driving, so it's not a bad car.