Do you have a favorite car, least favorite car
#181
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Personally, I don’t have an outright “must avoid” on either aisle anymore. Even the basic sedans that run aplenty on the Emerald Aisle are fairly decent now. Depends what’s important to you. All Altimas have a smart-key. All 2017+ Corollas and Camrys have Toyota Safety Sense (auto-brake, lane departure warning, etc.). I’ve seen Malibus with panoramic roofs. Fusion Titaniums (and lower trims with the right package) have leather.
The only models I actively avoided were the Jeep Patriot and the previous-gen Jeep Compass, just because they seemed to be universally panned and were found in very basic trims in the fleet.
The only models I actively avoided were the Jeep Patriot and the previous-gen Jeep Compass, just because they seemed to be universally panned and were found in very basic trims in the fleet.
#182
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: The place where it gets so hot in the summer some planes can't take off.
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium, WoH Globalist, National EE, United Platinum
Posts: 1,446
Favorite rental is always the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4wd Limited once they got car play.
It's comfortable, capable if you need to go somewhere less than paved, good storage space, and all the gizmos. I learned to appreciate cooled seats when I moved to Phoenix and ended up with one on a recurring rental for over a year.
Im not a fan of some of the junk National has been buying lately so I take anything with leather, cooled seats, and apple car play...
Won't drive anything from Ford. The design sucks for tall or wide people since the left foot rest is up against the wheel well. It means during long drives my leg needs to be tilted to the right instead of directly in front of me... drives me nuts.
It's comfortable, capable if you need to go somewhere less than paved, good storage space, and all the gizmos. I learned to appreciate cooled seats when I moved to Phoenix and ended up with one on a recurring rental for over a year.
Im not a fan of some of the junk National has been buying lately so I take anything with leather, cooled seats, and apple car play...
Won't drive anything from Ford. The design sucks for tall or wide people since the left foot rest is up against the wheel well. It means during long drives my leg needs to be tilted to the right instead of directly in front of me... drives me nuts.
#183
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
I got a chance to drive the 2019 Ford Edge Titanium. It is improved over the '18. Seats seem nicer, Bang & Olufsen system sounds better especially in surround mode, and Ford's CoPilot system is pretty advanced, but you have to watch it closely because it's definitely not perfect.
But gas mileage is still too low for a 5-passenger SUV and throttle response is subpar unless you're in sport mode using the paddle shifters.
But gas mileage is still too low for a 5-passenger SUV and throttle response is subpar unless you're in sport mode using the paddle shifters.
#184
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
Had a brand new QX80 for the last 24 hours, wow that thing is junk.... no apple car play and all of the controls are confusing.
ORD tonight for an overnight and hoping for my Tahoe/suburban streak to start back up.
ORD tonight for an overnight and hoping for my Tahoe/suburban streak to start back up.
#186
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
I got a chance to drive the 2019 Ford Edge Titanium. It is improved over the '18. Seats seem nicer, Bang & Olufsen system sounds better especially in surround mode, and Ford's CoPilot system is pretty advanced, but you have to watch it closely because it's definitely not perfect.
But gas mileage is still too low for a 5-passenger SUV and throttle response is subpar unless you're in sport mode using the paddle shifters.
But gas mileage is still too low for a 5-passenger SUV and throttle response is subpar unless you're in sport mode using the paddle shifters.
#187
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
I'm surprised at that too, because my daily driver is about 6.0-6.5 seconds and the Edge felt slower. But Car and Driver has professional drivers who are trained to do whatever it takes to get to 60 and I am not a professional driver.
#188
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Never far from an international airport, unless I'm far from home
Programs: MileagePlus, Hilton Honors, National Emerald Club. Wegmans Shoppers Club.
Posts: 22
I think my favourite rental car depends on where I am.
Due to the lovely roads in BOS, a Lincoln Continental wins out here.
A Jeep Wrangler out of KOA, OGG, or HNL, a can be the more fun, and let you best take advantage of the weather, and scenery.
A Mustang GT out of LAX is wonderful if you're driving up the PCH.
A snazzy sports, or exotic car at MIA could be just the ticket for Miami Beach.
Due to the lovely roads in BOS, a Lincoln Continental wins out here.
A Jeep Wrangler out of KOA, OGG, or HNL, a can be the more fun, and let you best take advantage of the weather, and scenery.
A Mustang GT out of LAX is wonderful if you're driving up the PCH.
A snazzy sports, or exotic car at MIA could be just the ticket for Miami Beach.
#190
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Never far from an international airport, unless I'm far from home
Programs: MileagePlus, Hilton Honors, National Emerald Club. Wegmans Shoppers Club.
Posts: 22
#192
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Never far from an international airport, unless I'm far from home
Programs: MileagePlus, Hilton Honors, National Emerald Club. Wegmans Shoppers Club.
Posts: 22
I actually booked luxury because it was only $10/day more than the aisle (and since it was a short trip, I wanted a guaranteed luxury) at time of booking.
A super-helpful lot attendant intercepted me as I was walking to the cars, asking if I was looking for anything in particular.
I asked what they had, and was asked if I had ever driven a Continental - it was pulled from the paid upgrades.
It was a nice car, aside from looking like every other livery vehicle (black on black), had Android Auto, panoramic moonroof, lane keep, adaptive cruise, and adjustable suspension.
I'd definitely drive it again.
A super-helpful lot attendant intercepted me as I was walking to the cars, asking if I was looking for anything in particular.
I asked what they had, and was asked if I had ever driven a Continental - it was pulled from the paid upgrades.
It was a nice car, aside from looking like every other livery vehicle (black on black), had Android Auto, panoramic moonroof, lane keep, adaptive cruise, and adjustable suspension.
I'd definitely drive it again.
#194
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Favorites: Suburban, Tahoe (or GMC Yukon/XL equivalents), Mustang GT, Challenger, Charger. I either want something big or something that’ll go. I’m far less concerned with useless amenities like moonroofs.
Least Favorite: Impala, Malibu, Camry. I suppose at the very bottom of the list is anything Nissan. I’ll cancel my rental and go to Avis before driving a Sentra, Maxima or Altima.
Least Favorite: Impala, Malibu, Camry. I suppose at the very bottom of the list is anything Nissan. I’ll cancel my rental and go to Avis before driving a Sentra, Maxima or Altima.
#195
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: It's hot here
Posts: 4,285
I agree. Nissan just seems really bad right now. I will go to the desk and ask them what they have that can be cleaned and brought up before I rent one. I've got two trips that actually require a lot of driving coming up so I hope I get something decent for each. My last longer distance rental did not go very well.