Originally Posted by number_6
I've never used Advantage, but all of the 2nd tier car rental companies seem to be the same. In addition to the comments already made, 2 more factors to consider. One is if the car breaks down en-route; chances are the majors (Avis, Hertz, Budget, etc.) are more likely to have a location nearby and able to switch cars. Also the majors tend to have cars in better shape. A more important consideration is that the 2nd tier companies tend to be sticklers for damage if you decline their CDW ... very quick to charge $1000 for a new windshield if a rock happens to nick the windshield during the trip, for example; also for nicks in the paint from road debris (not accidents). While the majors ignore that and treat it as normal wear and tear. On a cross-country highway trip you have a pretty good chance of getting some rock chips on various parts of the car.
Apparently this is definitely a case of YMMV.
I rented from Advantage in Denver a couple of years ago and received a car that had 10 miles on it.
I rented from Avis in Vienna, Austria and they socked me with a claim of $450 in damage for a 1/2" scratch near the front passenger wheelwell. Fortunately I had time when returning the car, took a picture of the 'damage' and appealed both to Avis and my credit card company. The credit card company denied Avis' claim as frivolous.
So these experiences can happen with any company. I ALWAYS go over cars now with a fine tooth comb before leaving the rental lot and have any company, even top tier ones, mark down any slight damage that I see.
The explanation about getting a replacement car with a top tier company in case of a breakdown is probably valid, unless you are really off the beaten path anyway then no company would be "close."