So do I, but check the states you are authorized to travel in (on your contract). We rented a POS Hyundai Accent back in 2004 and , ahem, drove it out of contract coverage when the transmission almost crapped out. They only thing Dollar told us was to take it to the dealer and get it fixed (under warranty- we would have been there for a week). We got it to work for the rest of the trip but I make a point of checking that.

If I could stand it, I would take my manual 240D on a trip and risk it, but anything with an old automatic is too risky.

20 year old safari wagon w/ current leak, battery absolutely dead on our return to hotel lot from honeymoon. 10 PM, no parts stores open in Toronto. Call AAA/CAA. AAA gold, towed ~ 130 miles from Toronto to lancaster, NY. Total cost about $60. Like the driver said, "Thank God for the CAA, eh?"

AAA, CAA, like any insurance can be worth it sometimes.

But over 20 years of car ownership of basically junkers, I have paid for 3 tows. Cost~ $200 ( and one was a self inflicted WVO crazed tow from hell).

If I had kept AAA+ over 20 years , 2 drivers @$140 = $2800.

I am a better mechanic than that.

Can you get it tight enough with a square knot? There's no adjustment if you're just running the water pump off the main pulley.

Thank you guys so much for the input! I rented a uhaul and an auto transport to get her home. it cost around $400 total. the towing company wanted 70 bucks for 10 miles and 3.95 every mile after. That would have been over $1600! I only paid $1100 for the car. I could have had it repaired in mechanicsville. They could get an alternator and right across the street from the NAPA there was a german import mechanic place. there was even a 300d in the lot! I decided against repair only because I wasn't sure if the head gasket was ok and I didn't want to spend the money for repair to only get a few more miles down the road and then realizing it needed to be towed home anyway. I figured get my family home safe first and then worry about the car. I knew the alternator was going since it wasn't charging very well anymore, but it wasn't making any strange noises like the bearings were failing or anything. I figured it was just the voltage regulator needed changed. I would and will take the car on more trips as long as the head gasket is ok, but I will have an emergency kit in the car at all times with spare belts, tools, and what have you. The head gasket is probably fine. The car got hot, but it never reached the red line. The battery was dead so I couldn't run the blowers. The water pump wasn't able to work so the reservior filled up and started sending fluid out the overflow tube.

Thank you Toomany MBZ, kerry and oldsinner111 for your suggestions and generosity!

Glad to hear things worked out.

That is because you rented with an economy company, i.e. Dollar Thrifty. You have to step up to a major league player like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, National and yes, it pays to ALWAYS read the fine print. The OP has stated he was out $400 plus a lot of headaches in reference to his mechanical issues. I've rented some very nice large luxury road cars and driven halfway across the United States for $400 and enjoyed staying in nice hotels, eating at nice restaurants and seeing the sites rather than lying on my back in a hotel parking lot trying to change out an alternator.

^^ It's hard to say what the majors would have done with the same set of circumstances, but they could just have easily told me to pound sand as Dollar did had I violated their contract. Just another thing to ponder as you make travel decisions. Choose wisely.

Sadie is up and running again.:):) Got a new (reman) 120 amp alt, new belts, zerex g-05 and went to work. 11 hours later... presto! Coolant flush (got the block drain this time and a wet face despite my efforts of trying to get clear of the fluid :o). There should be no trace of the old green coolant now. Installed the new alt. It was already set up for the 300d, no mods needed!:D Changed all the belts and tensioned them (what a pain. I need ratcheting wrenches!). Sprayed off the radiator (yuck!). running 13.65V at idle now, engine temp slightly above 80C at 70mph. All the lights seem brighter and the windows go down so fast! Now on to other problems the car has.

To the OP, glad you got the old girl foxed.

I really don't get the idea behind renting a car for a road trip as others have posted instead of driving your own. If your on biz or if someone else is paying for it sure but for a vacation not involving a plan,train, or bus it just does not make sense. If I don't trust my vehical to make it any distance I am selling it or fixing it to do so. The newest one I own is from 1984 and it drove from TX to MA with out issue. My dad takes his 300cd with over 310,000 miles on regular trips to long island and MI. Anything can break down but I would rather be stuck with an old car then a newer one if on the side of the road. If your not able to fix your own car then owning an old vehical by choice will cost you from time to time.

As far as serp belts go they do have one big advantage. They typically don't get loose like Vbelts especially on a diesel. But I agree vbelts are much easier to rig on the side of the road.