Enterprise Cars
 

I have a coupon which includes an Upgrade from a Standard to a Premium car. Are Nissan Maximas truly the Premium cars available?

Let's put it this way, the rental vehicles in each class can vary by branch based on local fleet deals and a variety of other factors. A Maxima in a low trim might be a Full Size whereas an Accord with leather interior might be a Premium. A Corolla might be rented as a Standard Size with its usual getup but the version with no automatic locks and roller windows ... would probably still be rented as a Standard ;)

My local branch happily substitutes anything in the "expensive" range for "expensive" reservations, so when I reserve a Premium I might end up with Luxury Car, SUV, or Pickup Truck. I've also had a Lincoln MKS, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300 (usually Full Size but nice trim, etc.) and similar. Since they've now split the class into Premium and Premium Elite, however, you should probably expect something more Maxima-like.

Good to know. Is there a way I can specify Maxima in my Premium reservation?

Why would you want a Maxima? This car is the worst PCAR you can get in the Enterprise fleet. Cloth seats, outdated dashboard, uncomfortable middle back seat.

Here is a list of PCARs that you can usually get (I may have excluded a few others too): Maxima, 300C, Avalon, Impala (2014), Taurus, Genesis.

The one with the most features is the 300C. Nav, leather heated/cooling seats, great suspension, but bad MPG.

Depending on what you are looking for, I would go with other cars than the Maxima.


In addition, it is true that Enterprise now has Premium Elite and Premium, but it really depends on where you rent from. The only Premium Elite (PXAR) I ever got was a Dodge Durango.

I heard that MPGs on the 300C were meh - but I've done little research. Maybe the 300C might be fun.

The local rep told me that that Ford Fusion is sometimes a Premium car. Really? And the Impala too?

Taurus, Genesis, Maxima, 300C, Avalon - sure. By Fusion and Impala? How can that be?

There are 2 types on Impala. The new look Impala is a PCAR. The old look is a FCAR. See the reviews here.
Note that both of these Impalas are 2014 models too.

http://www.carrentingreviews.com/201...y-impala-2ltz/
http://www.carrentingreviews.com/201...la-limited-lt/

Fusions are FCAR. Get the Titanium (they are rare), but they are FCAR last time I got one.

I'm using a local, non-airport, location, so the choices are probably more limited.

I can't seem to find a way to add notes to my reservation. Is there a successful, proven way to request a specific car?

You cannot request a specific car, which really sucks. The best way would be to call the branch the day of a rental and see what they have available.

I rent in the East Bay very often btw and the car selection varies a lot.

Additional tip - Enterprise local branch cars are dumped their from the airport. They have higher mileage and may have mech issues (like alignment). If your car does have a mechanical problem, you can swap it out at SFO or SJC pretty easily. SJC has one of the better car selections last time I was there a few weeks ago but it really depends on time of day and day of week as well.

PCAR - I saw a almost new black 300C at SJC last time I was there. They also had a G37.

My last FCAR reservation got me a VW Passat which I think also goes as a PCAR. It's a really nice ride and I'd happily take it over a lot of other FCAR/PCARs