Do you have a favorite car, least favorite car
#151
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Agreed on the Challenger - it's a "big, bulky, but fast in a straight line" car that isn't actually fast in a straight line. That 6.5 seconds is notably slower than such legendary dragstrip monsters as the Accord Touring or Camry V-6, both of which are under six seconds.
#152
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,652
To add insult, the one I rented didn't have a backup camera or sensors which made backing out a royal pain with the limited visibility.
#153
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,884
The 2018 and later models have backup cameras, as required by law, but the display on the base models is about the size of an iPhone 4 - so it's of very little use.
#154
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,652
The Challenger is on my DNR list, period. I get that it's popular for some, heck, my good friend has the Hellcat Charger (very fun to drive), but the Challenger is an accident waiting to happen given the poor visibility.
#155
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Least favorite this year would be the Cadillac XT5 and the Dodge Challenger. The XT5 felt antiquated and loud, the Challenger had the worst visibility of any 2 door car I've experienced. Guess I'm growing old, and flat refuse to drive either vehicle again.
Favorites are anything large, including Tahoe, Expedition, but preferably not any Nissan/Infiniti product, as I've owned one and hated it.
Favorites are anything large, including Tahoe, Expedition, but preferably not any Nissan/Infiniti product, as I've owned one and hated it.
#156
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
If your speaking to me, yes, I hate the Infiniti line. Worst alleged luxury car ever drive. Very fast, mine was a G37X, and after buying a new one, my wife and I avoided it like the plague. Rough ride, noisy, and frankly felt cheap. Friends disagree and think the product is solid, but after thinking I"d give it a second chance and renting a Q50 I've decided they are the same POS as I've experienced in the past. Acura is clear it's a glorified Honda, and Lexus makes an effort to distinguish itself from Toyota with the exception of the ES350, GX, and LX. They can sell what they want, but not to me. Infiniti belongs to the best dealership experience in history (Red Noland), but I won't buy because of the vehicle, not an issue with the dealership..
#157
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: A few here and there
Posts: 207
This weekend I had a red hard top convertible BMW 430. It might be the most disappointing luxury car I've driven at National. Driving position was terrible, no matter how I adjusted the seat I felt like I was at a table where the seats are too low. No luggage space whatsoever and the fit and finish was marginal at best.
#158
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,884
This weekend I had a red hard top convertible BMW 430. It might be the most disappointing luxury car I've driven at National. Driving position was terrible, no matter how I adjusted the seat I felt like I was at a table where the seats are too low. No luggage space whatsoever and the fit and finish was marginal at best.
#159
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
This weekend I had a red hard top convertible BMW 430. It might be the most disappointing luxury car I've driven at National. Driving position was terrible, no matter how I adjusted the seat I felt like I was at a table where the seats are too low. No luggage space whatsoever and the fit and finish was marginal at best.
#160
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 661
This weekend I had a red hard top convertible BMW 430. It might be the most disappointing luxury car I've driven at National. Driving position was terrible, no matter how I adjusted the seat I felt like I was at a table where the seats are too low. No luggage space whatsoever and the fit and finish was marginal at best.
#161
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MCI
Posts: 698
Yup, sporty cars are designed to be low to the ground with the driver having a lower driving position for the style and for the performance aspect.
The Q60 hasn't had very good reviews and honestly I wasn't super impressed with the 430i either.
I did love the new Miata though, super fun to throw around.
The Q60 hasn't had very good reviews and honestly I wasn't super impressed with the 430i either.
I did love the new Miata though, super fun to throw around.
#162
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 514
Infiniti seems to be hoping that people only notice how fast the car is and nothing else. The rattles are absolutely unacceptable for a "luxury" car. Also the design is just dumb. Three different dashboard brightness settings!? Really Infiniti? You needed to have three separate brightness settings and you can't just have just one of them control all the screens? Am I really expected to go through that many settings when I'm trying to adjust the screen brightness when I'm driving on a dark highway? Spending that much time with eyes off the road is not only unsafe, but also just idiotic design. Also, you'll see the fuel economy on three different screens but you can only reset it one of the screens (good luck figuring out which one as it's not the one you would expect). This is downright dangerous if you're figure out how to do this while you're driving. Something as simple as a trip odometer reset requires going through several unnecessary and complex hoops that no other car maker does. You guys keep your fast car. I'll find a better one from some other company.
#163
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: PWM
Programs: AA EXP, DL Platinum, and assorted hotel loyalty schemes.
Posts: 281
Always avoid:
Nissan Rogue - I'm not particularly tall but I feel like my head is in the ceiling and I can't see out of it.
Chevy Malibu and Impala - nothing screams "rental car" quite like these cars.
Chevy Camaro - rented one for a drive from PHX to Flagstaff and thought it would be a fun car for that drive. The visibility is poor which I kind of expected. But the handling wasn't great either.
Favorite:
Nissan Maxima - nothing spectacular about this car other than it's comfortable and relatively quick.
Ford Flex - it looks like a mini hearse but it is surprisingly nice to drive.
Dodge Challenger - despite its poor visibility it is otherwise fun to drive.
Nissan Rogue - I'm not particularly tall but I feel like my head is in the ceiling and I can't see out of it.
Chevy Malibu and Impala - nothing screams "rental car" quite like these cars.
Chevy Camaro - rented one for a drive from PHX to Flagstaff and thought it would be a fun car for that drive. The visibility is poor which I kind of expected. But the handling wasn't great either.
Favorite:
Nissan Maxima - nothing spectacular about this car other than it's comfortable and relatively quick.
Ford Flex - it looks like a mini hearse but it is surprisingly nice to drive.
Dodge Challenger - despite its poor visibility it is otherwise fun to drive.
Last edited by MEABFlyer; Aug 29, 2018 at 9:59 am
#164
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
I recently got stuck with a Chevy Impala and it was not as bad as I remembered. It has decent power and it looks alright. But it misses the mark in so many areas. Front wheel drive only so there's lots of torque steer. Infotainment is clunky. Interior is subpar. It seems like such a missed opportunity.
if they made one RWD or AWD that would be a game changer. But it's just disappointing now.
if they made one RWD or AWD that would be a game changer. But it's just disappointing now.