Comments on: How to Re-Write An Avis Press Release http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:52:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Nemphre http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-442501 Nemphre Wed, 21 May 2008 20:20:37 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-442501 Does anyone offer rentals with a manual transmission? If so, I could get on board with this. Does anyone offer rentals with a manual transmission? If so, I could get on board with this.

]]> By: Sammy Hagar http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-441641 Sammy Hagar Wed, 21 May 2008 17:45:17 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-441641 Sort of O/T, but I've been trying to set up a weekend rental w/a Prius for almost two months now...still no luck (always gone). Seems to be a very popular choice, which I suspect has equal parts to do w/fuel prices and long test-drives. I just want to rent one to see what what it's limits are (meaning don't buy an Enterprise Prius in the state of Washington w/out a thorough inspection). Sort of O/T, but I’ve been trying to set up a weekend rental w/a Prius for almost two months now…still no luck (always gone). Seems to be a very popular choice, which I suspect has equal parts to do w/fuel prices and long test-drives. I just want to rent one to see what what it’s limits are (meaning don’t buy an Enterprise Prius in the state of Washington w/out a thorough inspection).

]]> By: Suto http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-441031 Suto Wed, 21 May 2008 15:35:57 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-441031 I had a rental 2002 Focus that was a fun car. Too bad the interior (and to a lesser extent, the exterior) is so ugly. Also, worst engine sound ever. I had a 2003 rental Corolla. Ugly car, but quiet as a tomb, comfortable, and awesome gas mileage compared to my Protege. Too bad it wasnt as fun. If you don't care about cars, get a Corolla. Would recommend to my mother, sister, grandmother.... everyone who isn't a hoon. I had a rental 2002 Focus that was a fun car. Too bad the interior (and to a lesser extent, the exterior) is so ugly. Also, worst engine sound ever.

I had a 2003 rental Corolla. Ugly car, but quiet as a tomb, comfortable, and awesome gas mileage compared to my Protege. Too bad it wasnt as fun. If you don’t care about cars, get a Corolla. Would recommend to my mother, sister, grandmother…. everyone who isn’t a hoon.

]]> By: sarcaustic http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-441001 sarcaustic Wed, 21 May 2008 15:29:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-441001 I'll pile on and agree somewhat with the 'rent to buy' theory. 6 years ago my wife and I lusted after a new Discovery. We had a well used land Cruiser that we needed to let go and knew lots of friends in Arizona who swore by them. We went to Hertz, rented a new one for a week and took off to California. Ummmm.....off road? Nothing better. On road? Ugh. We saved ourselves from a mistake and went with another Land Cruiser for our off-road adventures. I’ll pile on and agree somewhat with the ‘rent to buy’ theory. 6 years ago my wife and I lusted after a new Discovery. We had a well used land Cruiser that we needed to let go and knew lots of friends in Arizona who swore by them. We went to Hertz, rented a new one for a week and took off to California. Ummmm…..off road? Nothing better. On road? Ugh. We saved ourselves from a mistake and went with another Land Cruiser for our off-road adventures.

]]> By: Gottleib http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440972 Gottleib Wed, 21 May 2008 15:28:27 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440972 Try before you buy, and with a rental you can get it for a long weekend or even a week to really experience it before having to live with if for years. I have been fortunate to have had dealers let me take a car home for the weekend before deciding if I wanted to make a purchase. 2 out of three attempts before I made my final decision. Try before you buy, and with a rental you can get it for a long weekend or even a week to really experience it before having to live with if for years. I have been fortunate to have had dealers let me take a car home for the weekend before deciding if I wanted to make a purchase. 2 out of three attempts before I made my final decision.

]]> By: Brendino http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440671 Brendino Wed, 21 May 2008 14:01:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440671 Hiring a Corolla hatch for two days over Easter made me not hate Corollas. Fun story, but ultimately irrelevant. Like Sajeev said, the guy is right. The stats are a crock, but then again, what stats aren't? I know I don't need to bust out that one quote about statistics that everyone busts out when they talk about how statistics are a crock... If a company has a decent fleet and the cars are in okay condition, you'd be surprised at what effect it has, especially on people who aren't "car guys." My aunt was having problems with her car so when she went on long road trips she'd rent a Magnum. Probably would have bought one because of her experiences, had it not been for the gas crunch. Hiring a Corolla hatch for two days over Easter made me not hate Corollas. Fun story, but ultimately irrelevant.

Like Sajeev said, the guy is right. The stats are a crock, but then again, what stats aren’t? I know I don’t need to bust out that one quote about statistics that everyone busts out when they talk about how statistics are a crock…

If a company has a decent fleet and the cars are in okay condition, you’d be surprised at what effect it has, especially on people who aren’t “car guys.” My aunt was having problems with her car so when she went on long road trips she’d rent a Magnum. Probably would have bought one because of her experiences, had it not been for the gas crunch.

]]> By: Tummy http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440551 Tummy Wed, 21 May 2008 13:47:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440551 Over the years I've rented several Hummer H2, Audi A8L, Audi A6, Corvette Convertible, so many G35s I can't remember, a Cadillac XLR, various Jaguars, various Volvos, a BMW 730D in Germany, and the normal rental cars like Mazdas, Fords, and Lincolns. I rented a FX35 for a month just to be sure I would like it, before deciding to buy our FX45. It works especially well if you can get a client or business to pay for your extended test drives on business trips. Avis in the US has a rather boring fleet, where Hertz is really where you want to go to see the interesting cars. Avis is getting better, but without an awards program, you are limited to the normal rental cars when on vacation. Hertz customer service though has really gone into the toilet after being sold by Ford. 70% or so of their fleet are now "risk" cars (owned by them) instead of leased, so they tend to keep them until they reach 30,000 miles or more. By that time they're very beat up. Over the years I’ve rented several Hummer H2, Audi A8L, Audi A6, Corvette Convertible, so many G35s I can’t remember, a Cadillac XLR, various Jaguars, various Volvos, a BMW 730D in Germany, and the normal rental cars like Mazdas, Fords, and Lincolns. I rented a FX35 for a month just to be sure I would like it, before deciding to buy our FX45. It works especially well if you can get a client or business to pay for your extended test drives on business trips.

Avis in the US has a rather boring fleet, where Hertz is really where you want to go to see the interesting cars. Avis is getting better, but without an awards program, you are limited to the normal rental cars when on vacation.

Hertz customer service though has really gone into the toilet after being sold by Ford. 70% or so of their fleet are now “risk” cars (owned by them) instead of leased, so they tend to keep them until they reach 30,000 miles or more. By that time they’re very beat up.

]]> By: tulsa_97sr5 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440392 tulsa_97sr5 Wed, 21 May 2008 13:21:23 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440392 My wife and I have been pleasantly surprised by a handful of rentals over the years, a montero, contertible mustang, liberty and avalon all spring to mind as something we'd never have test driven but enjoyed after renting. My wife actually wanted a liberty for a bit after renting it. I've said on here before that struggling car makers would do well to exploit this opportunity. My wife and I have been pleasantly surprised by a handful of rentals over the years, a montero, contertible mustang, liberty and avalon all spring to mind as something we’d never have test driven but enjoyed after renting. My wife actually wanted a liberty for a bit after renting it. I’ve said on here before that struggling car makers would do well to exploit this opportunity.

]]> By: Sajeev Mehta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440342 Sajeev Mehta Wed, 21 May 2008 13:13:23 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440342 Motivations aside, he's kinda right. I didn't know how much I hated the Jeep Compass until I had to rent one last week in Dallas. Motivations aside, he’s kinda right.

I didn’t know how much I hated the Jeep Compass until I had to rent one last week in Dallas.

]]> By: bunkie http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440302 bunkie Wed, 21 May 2008 13:06:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440302 At Enterprise, I got a chance to rent a previous-gen Infiniti G35, a car I've wanted to drive ever since it came out. I discovered that the lovely motor could not make up for the twitchy steering, grabby brakes and hyperactive gas pedal all of which conspired to ruin the experience. At Enterprise, I got a chance to rent a previous-gen Infiniti G35, a car I’ve wanted to drive ever since it came out. I discovered that the lovely motor could not make up for the twitchy steering, grabby brakes and hyperactive gas pedal all of which conspired to ruin the experience.

]]> By: guyincognito http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440281 guyincognito Wed, 21 May 2008 12:56:59 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440281 How about elminate dealers entirely or convert to service only centers? Make sure your whole fleet is available for rent, even re-imburse rental fees for those who purchase, and run the whole business online, build to order? Consumers get the added benefit of evaluating a vehicle during and after heavy abuse and for as long as they want...I mean, I love the car dealer experience. How about elminate dealers entirely or convert to service only centers? Make sure your whole fleet is available for rent, even re-imburse rental fees for those who purchase, and run the whole business online, build to order? Consumers get the added benefit of evaluating a vehicle during and after heavy abuse and for as long as they want…I mean, I love the car dealer experience.

]]> By: ash78 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440262 ash78 Wed, 21 May 2008 12:48:55 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440262 In the US, this idea works great if you're interested in a new Camry or a 2003 Chevy Classic (3-gen-old Malibu). The only things I've ever learned from US rental companies is which cars to hate. In the US, this idea works great if you’re interested in a new Camry or a 2003 Chevy Classic (3-gen-old Malibu).

The only things I’ve ever learned from US rental companies is which cars to hate.

]]> By: Hraefn http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/comment-page-1/#comment-440222 Hraefn Wed, 21 May 2008 12:35:32 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/how-to-re-write-an-avis-press-release/#comment-440222 Lets see... slightly or much more... what did he leave out? 56% that said "no change", "less likely", or "much less likely"? Lets see… slightly or much more… what did he leave out? 56% that said “no change”, “less likely”, or “much less likely”?

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