Anyone know which company has the cheapest/best fuel mileage car for rent right now?

Need to drive my father out to Denver (~2200 miles) to see his sister who isn't in the best of health at the moment...

TIA!

-Justin

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Is flying out of the question for other than financial reasons?

Look on Kayak, Travelocity, or Expedia. Pick the cheapest economy car -- you'll likely get a vanilla Asian sedan that gets high 30s MPG. If you're very lucky, they'll give you a Prius (happened to me).

Out of state could be a problem, you have to let them know that in advance. Some of them get pretty upset about it.

Do you know a decent shop? Most have arrangements with local rental companies and can get you set up pretty decently. Also consider renting by the week. The price can drop significantly. Last time my family flew back east, I paid less for 8 days than my sister did for 4, and my 4x4 SUV was considered a premium over her compact. For what it's worth, Enterprise is my go-to company for rentals.

MV

If you plan to be in a car for 2,200 miles over a relatively short period of time, I would look for something like a Nissan Altima 4 cylinder with CVT transmission. Probably the best combination of size and economy out there, and you won't be blown around like a leaf every time you encounter a crosswind or a passing semi.

Amtrak to Denver from CA is a great ride.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

We use National Rent-A-Car. Good rates, unlimited miles, and you can choose your own car from a whole row (late morning seems to the the best time for picking). You can pick up anything from any row at or below the class you rented, and the rows get full enough in the late morning that you can find much nicer cars in the compact slot. Also, no post-rental inspection, etc.

Be sure to check out their "specials-to-go" page. We usually take the car class upgrade, so we get a midsize for the price of a compact. Also, if you get a membership with them, having midsize allows you into the "Emerald Aisle", where they sometimes have nicer cars.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I've NEVER had a rental firm get upset about my interest in taking the car out of state. The worst I've had happen is that the states where I wanted to go were not on the contract -- they were happy to write them on and have a manager sign off on it.

This happened with a national firm. I suppose a very local firm could act differently.

Yeah, if your dad's like Mr T and will "die before I fly", the train is a great option then rent a car if you need to when you get there.

I think that by the time you add up rental, any mileage charges and fuel, a couple tickets will be less. Also, even if they're aren't cheaper, you're not having to drive, you can just sit back and relax/sleep.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

I typically rent from Hertz, last time I got a Buick Regal which is a very nice car.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Do any of the US national chains still do mileage charges for regular cars? The only time that I've encountered that was for cargo vans and pickups.

I'm not sure, I guess I'm thinking about vans and small trucks since that's what we rent at work.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Don't you have a fleet of cars to choose from currently in hand?

Id imagine the rental plus gas might be more than just driving the duramax

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Rentals can be dirt-cheap -- I've paid under $100 per week, including tax before. Under $150/wk is pretty easy to do in CA. Trick is to rent mid-week and not be picky. Also, don't discount the 3rd-tier chains like Fox and Advantage. You'll get a slightly less clean car with 35k on the clock instead of 10k, but who cares?

Yes.

Father refuses to get on a sardine can - for reasons unknown. He didn't have problems flying to the Philippines a few years ago, but now refuses to get on a plane.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.