jbk1379

Have a one-day IFAR coming up at National in NYC. The site says a Toyota RAV4 or similar, so I'm wondering what I'm most likely to get. Anything from that class would be fine, except the Mitsubishi Outlander/Outlander Sport or the Dodge Journey (IDK if that is SFAR or IFAR)

Thanks for any insight!

xienon

I've seen a lot of Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain lately. The Terrains tend to be fairly well equipped but the Equinox are close to base models.

m907

I don't even bother looking at Equinoxes on the lot because they're always base trim. Same with all Kias and Hyundais.

Pathfinder813

Depends on if you're renting from the airport or in the city. In the city, it's just whatever they have but I have seen plenty of RAV4, Sportage, Rogues, Compasses, Outlanders, Journeys, Equinoxes, a few Terrains and rarely a Tiguan. I'd say the more well equipped are the Compass (Limited editions), Outlanders (usually the trim right before the fully loaded). RAV4 and Rogues are hit or miss; some are better equipped than others but usually in the middle of the road. Kia Sportage doesn't have many options but at least it has Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. The US made cars are all base model except as someone noted, the Terrains.

Inventory moves in and out quickly in the city. If you're picking up on a Friday, it's going to be a zoo. The closer you get to the weekend, the inventory thins out and has more of the less desirable cars. They usually have the most inventory M-W and you can probably snag something really nice if they have it, if you have status, and if you ask nicely.

At the airport, I'm sure they'll just let you pick from the aisle but I'm assuming you have a city reservation if you went for an IFAR.

NBNY424

National's locations in midtown will give you whatever they have- unlike pretty much everyone else at locations in NYC (Avis, Hertz in particular) though, they are friendly and if they dont have exactly what you reserved, they are more likely than others to upgrade you to whatever they do have ready to go. I was dismayed to see a slew of brand new Toyota 4Runners last time I was down there, which they were handing out in lieu of the premium/full size cars they didnt have.

But if i had to pick one spot in NYC where i was most likely to get the car I asked for/preferred, it would be National in midtown.

soundpilot

I've rented from both LGA and the Downtown Brooklyn locations and agree with everything said here -- you likely will have more options to choose from at the airport, and it will be a luck of the draw situation at the city locations. The Downtown BK location staff are great (they've given me free gas and after briefly losing my card once they gave me 2 free days). With a midsize car res over the last 6 months there I've ended up with Nissan Rogues (twice), a Toyota Tacoma 4-door pick up, and a Ford Fusion. Last time I rented from LGA (in December) I had a mid-level RAV4.

jbk1379

Thanks! If they have a Terrain, I may try to get one. Are those just rebadged Equinoxes in a sense? Also, do they have the 2.0 engine from the Equinox or is it the base one?

Sucks about the Kias and Hyundais, because Kia/Hyundai make some pretty good cars.

Yep, the plan is to rent from a city location. What car Would you reccomend I ask for (I’ve got Emerald Club and I’m probably renting on a wednesday)

Getting a 4Runner on a PCAR/FCAR reservation would be weird... Honestly, National should have an RFAR category with all the bigger SFARs (including the 4Runner)


Also, I MIGHT rent from Enterprise, which is a bit closer to me, would that be a similar selection? Would you recommend National or Enterprise for a better fleet selection?

NBNY424

Are you asking re NYC specifically? I have only had negative experiences at Enterprise in NYC (lovely staff but always garbage options, and inability/refusal to upgrade even if they are missing the class you reserved) and only positive ones at National (always given something very new, and twice upgraded to very nice vehicles). The National garage on 57th, shared with Alamo, is significantly larger than the ones at the Enterprise locations I have been to, but it all depends on availability/randomness. So who knows

jbk1379

alright, I think I’ll try national!

m907

National is usually going to have better cars and always going to have better service.

In that class, I would ask for a Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5 as they tend to be better optioned than the Equinox, RAV4, etc., though they are also less common.

NBNY424

I can second that the Fords are always not-just-base-trim, in my humble experience, tho this is based not on National specifically. The RAV-4s and Sportages that I have been given--while brand new-- were Flinstones-like in terms of options and upgrades, for example, whereas my Edge from last week was old but nicely equipped.

But in general, at any NYC garage, they are going to be polite and then give you what they have/is convenient to bring up. Go National here.