I will say that I like the V6 Contours from Hertz. Easy to park, not too bad on the gas mileage, and enough umph to get me down the highway. The four cylinder models are just okay.

I was given an Expedition at SJC in October--I said no thanks, so they gave me a Maxima. It was very nice.

I rented something BRAND NEW from DFW and parked it in my garage at home (one car family, two car garage) and the tires left stains from rain running the rubber off.

Two weeks ago, I would have said that a Grand Marquis would have been terrible, but then we had an ice storm in Dallas and the traction control was very nice. I even got good at parking it after a couple of days.

I rented from Avis just once this year and they gave me a Suzuki Grand Vitara--what a worthless car. It had no guts, it felt like it would wobble over on I-95, and it did not have efficient space for my bags.

I have a Sable from Hertz today--I would be happy if every rental were a Sable.