When the big hauler over in the corner of the lot gets so much dust on the windshield that it appears to be an abandoned vehicle, common sense and logic suggests that the station manager will attempt to wring some revenue from it, and keep the compacts around for the economy-minded walkups.

For the rental agency, it's a "no cost", potentially profitable "upgrade". For years, small rental operations have made it a practice to use the unappealing/unattractive/uneconomical vehicles in inventory for "upgrades". I recall one day at SEARAC in a lot full of small cars, being upgraded to a Lincoln Continental - not a Town Car, but essentially a stretched Taurus with trim - well up the luxury car ladder, but, in its last year of production (from the leftover parts bin) obviously anything but a 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice for folks wanting a luxury rental.

I'm fully expecting to be offered an upgrade soon to a Ford Excursion/Incursion, essentially a gross SUV built on an F-250 underpinnings. Gas mileage? Try somewhere close to "Won't pass a service station!"....