Status: First
Location: DCA
Reserved: Full Size
Received: 300 Touring
Changed to: Eclipse Spyder

I got to DCA and they had a beat-up 300 in my space. Nearly 30K on the clock, dirty looking/smelling interior, etc. I went to the counter & asked for a convertible since I'm on the road by myself and the weather in VA is wonderful this week. They said "they usually cost a lot more money, but we have a few extra today..." and gave me the Spyder with ~6k miles.

My schedule's pretty hectic the next couple weeks, but I'll try to get a ride report together since it's a relatively new car at Avis & nobody else has a report on it yet.

Status: First
Location: Santa Clara
Reserved: Compact
Received: Mitsubishi Eclipse with 3,900 miles

Status: First
Location: CLE
Reserved: Full Size
Received: 300 with 19,000 miles

Took it because I'd never driven one.

Status: Presidents Club
Location: ORD
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Lincoln Town Car ~3500 miles

Status: Presidents Club
Location: PHL
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Mercury Grand Marquis
Traded for: Lincoln Town Car ~10,000 miles

The folks at the PHL Prefered Desk first told me that I was not entitled to upgrade to a Luxury car even though I am President's Club. After consulting with some fellow coworkers, they said they can upgrade me to a Lincoln only but I would have to pay extra for the Caddy. I am assuming I would have paid extra for the CTS since the DTS is classified as a H Class car.

Status: First
Location: FWA
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Lincoln Town Car, 13,000 miles
Turned down my trade request

When I got to the counter, they weren't busy at all. I gave them my ID and asked what kind of car it was. The guy excitedly said "A Lincoln Town Car." I asked if they had ANYTHING else that I could trade to, as I really dislike the seats in the TC (oh yeah, and the tires won't squeal to save it's life). I dont know what's with the seats, but they leave me with a completely sore back. He said "with The Brickyard (race, 3 hours away) going on, you're just lucky to get a car". I said, "ok thanks, I appreciate it and I'll see you next week (when I return the car)." I walked outside and they had less vehicles than usual, but still at least 25 on their lot and I would have gladly traded for any of them, even the GM offerings. When I got in the car, I found it to be even more stripped than the last few TC's I've had: no heated seats (the only thing that makes them semi-bearable), seat position recall or sunroof. Oh, and it's powder blue. I guess I shouldn't complain though, it could have been the 15 passenger van CLE once had for me.

Status: First
Location: Santa Clara
Reserved: Compact
Received: Offered choice of Lincoln Town Car, Grand Marquis or Eclipse. Took the Eclipse.

After a few unconclusive rentals following my Avis First enrollment
I can say that things have changed ...
I always book a full size with my corporate rate and for most of the past 25 rentals (since Avis First) I had a nice upgrade waiting for me :
several Towncars, several Mercury Grand Marquis, many SUVs/Crossovers (Ford Edge, Suzuki , Ford Escape, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Commander, Trailblazers, Explorers)
On the occasion I get an Impala it's always a fresh vehicle with no more than 7000 miles ...

Now I wonder what is the next level above Avis First and what would be the perks ?!?!?

Status: Presidents Club
Location: DCA
Reserved: Full Size
Received: Ford Tarus 1,700 miles

I did not even know that Ford still made the Tarus. I thought they rebranded them all as the Ford 500...? Anyway, I had them downgrade my price to that of a midsize since the Tarus would be my 2 car upgrade from that price.

Last fall (August) they stopped making the old style Taurus/Sable at the Atlanta plant and shut the plant down. When the displayed the redesigned 500/Milan/Freestyle later that fall, they realized there was no brand recognition with the 500 or Freestyle name. So they made the decision that this summer when the redesigned 500/Freestyle were released, they would carry the names "Taurus" and "Taurus X" (for Cross-Over). What's your take on the 'new' Taurus? I never drove the 500/Milan in all of my rentals but wanted to to see what Ford was like with their latest offerings.

Status: First
Location: EWR
Reserverd: Intermediate
Received: Ford Crown Victoria

What I found astounding is that the Crown Vic is considered a premium class car. Yuk. And we used to laugh at the Buicks.

I'd think the Town Car I have this week is barely deserving of the premium title and the CV should be full size. The Town Car doesn't have any of the amenities that most premiums do (sunroof, heated seats, satellite radio, telescoping steering wheel, upgraded sound system, 5-6 speed transmission with manual, instantaneous MPG reading, GPS, remote start, etc).

Actually it's not that bad. Mine came with leather seats and premium sound. It's pretty quick off the line for the kind of car it is and I have to admit, it's not as bad as I expected. The one thing I hate about it is....tourque steer do to it being FWD. Other than that not a bad ride.

Status: First
Location: PHL
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Lincoln Town Car ("luxury")

Despite the fact that "cars available" signs were posted, nothing was available at the preferred booth when the bus arrived at the lot.

The Town Car (2500 miles) was perfectly satisfactory as an "intermediate". It was quiet but mushy handling. The equipment level was modest for a "luxury" vehicle (no sat radio, for example). No way would I pay a "luxury" rate for one.

Status: First
Location: SMF
Reserved: Intermediate
Received: Impala (with 1/8 tank of gas that I didn't discover until on the freeway )