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Which car?

748s

748s

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 14, 2001
692
31
Tiger Bay
I'm renting a car for 28 days of driving in the U.S.A.
Decided on a rental company.
They have 2 cars for similar cost, Hyundai Accent and Dodge Neon ($23 difference over 28 days).
I know nothing about these cars and I'm looking for any feedback on them, comfort, reliability, safety, power etc.
All I know is the Hyundai gets 31mpg and the dodge 25mpg.
Just to complicate things for an extra $175 I can get a dodge Magnum (V6 model 24mpg).
It looks comfortable and spacious.
Is it worth paying more for a bigger car?
A rough outline of the trip is CA-AZ-NM-TX-LA-MS-TN-MO-NE-SD-ND-MT-WY-NV-CA.
The deal is unlimited mileage. Does unlimited mean unlimited? couldn't find any * on their site/policies to suggest otherwise.
All feedback welcome. Thanks.
 
That's a lot of driving... I guess I'd probably end up getting the Magnum as a treat. It'll probably be more fun. But it'll probably also be a lot of gas money compared to a Hyundai or Ford Focus or some other econobox.... If you could get a Focus or a Mazda3 or Protegé, I'd say those would be really fun econoboxes and I'd be happy driving all over the place in them. I wouldn't be thrilled being trapped for long periods of time in a Neon or a Hyundai....
 
get the magnum. if you don't want that get the neon. if all else fails and you are stuck, get the hyundai.
 
For what it's worth...you mention gas mileage... I wanted to mention, that, unless that Neon is the SRT or whatever it's called with the 200 HP engine, it will probably get more comparable practical gas mileage to the Hyundai than to the Magnum. From your numbers, it seems to be rated low, but I suspect the amount of gas you consume in those two small cars will be comparable....
 
I would probably go with the Magnum as well, just for the fun and somewhat the look of it. Even though the Magnum is classified as a station wagon the interior is pretty cramped and the cargo space is also (almost) worthless.

Check with your rental company about out of state driving they might add a premium to that. Some place don't like to see that.
 
748s said:
I'm renting a car for 28 days of driving in the U.S.A.
Decided on a rental company.
They have 2 cars for similar cost, Hyundai Accent and Dodge Neon ($23 difference over 28 days).
I know nothing about these cars and I'm looking for any feedback on them, comfort, reliability, safety, power etc.
All I know is the Hyundai gets 31mpg and the dodge 25mpg.
Just to complicate things for an extra $175 I can get a dodge Magnum (V6 model 24mpg).
It looks comfortable and spacious.
Is it worth paying more for a bigger car?
A rough outline of the trip is CA-AZ-NM-TX-LA-MS-TN-MO-NE-SD-ND-MT-WY-NV-CA.
The deal is unlimited mileage. Does unlimited mean unlimited? couldn't find any * on their site/policies to suggest otherwise.
All feedback welcome. Thanks.
Click to expand...

how many people traveling? f one or two, no real need for the Magnum, but if it will be in the summer, it will give you much better AC.

I once did a one-month coast-to-coast-to-coast in a Ford Tempo (approx 12000 miles). It was great fun. I only wish they had invented the iPod then.

Make sure you get yourself an iTrip and a car recharger.
 
Get the Accent. Better MPG, and I doubt you'd need the size of a Magnum.

Ignore what people may say about Hyundai's reliability...our family has 3 Hyundais (Tiburon, Sonata and Elantra) and all 3 of them have been on very long road trips and haven't had a problem with any.
 
SharksFan22 said:
Get the Magnum. Driving a small call over all those miles will wear on you very quick. The extra money is worth it.
Click to expand...


A small car can be fun and do things bigger cars can't do, like have fun around curves and whatnot. I've driven my Tiburon from STL to New Orleans and back in a weekend, and drive from STL to Rolla, MO and back nearly every weekend (approx 200 miles both ways), not to mention other shorter road trips and have never been worn out from driving a small car.
 
Magnum.

Why? If you'll be driving that much (through all those states), then you'll apreciate a comfy, roomy car that cruises like a boat. :p
 
Just so everyone knows what we're looking at here... ;)

I'd go for the Magnum if you can afford the extra petrol it'll consume. And those MPG figures are always quite ambitious!
 

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yankeefan24 said:
get the magnum. if you don't want that get the neon. if all else fails and you are stuck, get the hyundai.
Click to expand...
yg17 said:
Ignore what people may say about Hyundai's reliability...our family has 3 Hyundais (Tiburon, Sonata and Elantra) and all 3 of them have been on very long road trips and haven't had a problem with any.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my Hyundai Getz (the Accent's replacement, but not in America or Canada (yet)) is fun and reliable, and and I really don't think its size is a problem at all in terms of comfort. It's just as big in the front as any other car. I'm talking about a Hyundai hatchback, but generally, you don't need a Magnum if travelling alone or with another person.
 
Mustang or Charger. :D

Stuff the MPG figures and do it in style... ;) American Style! :cool:
 
The accent is ugly

if you don't want to shell out for the magnum -- get the neon.

i'de get the neon if you are traveling alone --- and take the 175$ and spend it on some sort of car charger/fm transmitter for you're iPod - and a taco

i loved having mine when i drove from Ontario, to Arizona
 
Abstract said:
Yeah, my Hyundai Getz (the Accent's replacement, but not in America or Canada (yet)) is fun and reliable, and and I really don't think its size is a problem at all in terms of comfort. It's just as big in the front as any other car. I'm talking about a Hyundai hatchback, but generally, you don't need a Magnum if travelling alone or with another person.
Click to expand...

The Getz is a smaller model than the Accent. The Accent was the replacement for the Excel but is slightly bigger and more expensive so Hyundai brought the Getz in for a more budget oriented model.
 
I've always rented the Neon if offered a choice.

It has a bit more pep than the Hyundai, which I have also rented.

I wouldn't be seen in a Magnum, even a rental.
 
Thanks for all the input, it's very helpful.
I wanted a '62 Pontiac Parisienne, purple with white leather interior.
None about for rent.
The mustang did cross my mind but I don't want to spend time in prison.

I'll be arriving 22nd june and leaving 23rd july.
So I'll be driving through the hottest parts in summer.
Gotta love flying across the international date line, I arrive at LAX 3 hours before I leave Sydney (leave 9:45am 22nd, arrive 6:45 am 22nd)
I will be alone for this trip. There was some interest from friends but they are all off to Thailand, AGAIN!
It could be an ambitious distance. I was going to the east coast but that was just to ambitious.
I'll see how I feel at Gracelands, if I'm ok I'll head up to SD, ND, WY etc. If I'm over it I'll head back to L.A.

The rental company is 'Dollar'.
They are international and the cheapest (drive anywhere/unlimited).
Searched their site for restrictions on where you can go.
Doesn't seem to be any restrictions on states.
They don't want their cars to go into Mexico, taking the car to Canada is allowed.
I will talk to someone from Dollar before they get my credit card number,
just to make sure there is no fine print that will add $$$$ at the end of the rental.

I'll pick up the iTrip and car charger when I arrive, cheaper than here.
Excellent info on the cars from everybody, so good, I'm now more undecided.
Looks like the magnum is a popular choice followed by the Neon then the Accent.
I've probably got a few weeks left before I have to reserve one, more thinking time.

Thanks to everyone.
I'll let you know what I get.


mmmmmmmmmmm Mustang........only $1594.51 for 28 days mmmmmmmmmmmm 17MPG mmmmmmmmmmm prison mmmmmmm
 
748s said:
I wanted a '62 Pontiac Parisienne, purple with white leather interior. None about for rent.
Click to expand...

Here's one... have you considered buying a motor instead???

I'd love to buy some piece of American metal on the West Coast, and drive cross country and sell it again on the East Coast. :D have to be something from the '60's early '70's though... and a rag top too. :D

It's (potentially) more troublesome, and more expensive of course, but... it's the real classic way of doing it isn't it. :D

748s said:
mmmmmmmmmmm Mustang........only $1594.51 for 28 days mmmmmmmmmmmm 17MPG mmmmmmmmmmm prison mmmmmmm
Click to expand...

*begins subliminal chants* do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it :D

Though... don't rule out the Charger, one of the U.S. folks (3rdpath???) hired a Charger not all that long ago... seemed quite complimentary about it. ;) awesome looking piece of kit too. ;)
 
748s said:
Is it worth paying more for a bigger car?
Click to expand...

Generally, yes. Unless you get a very good small car (see below).

Unlike Gary I absolutely hate the Dodge Neon as a rental car, in fact I just hate the Dodge Neon. It's probably OK for metropolitan east coast driving, but it is severley lacking in power and produces way too much road noise for extended freeway driving.

Small cars I actually don't mind renting are the ford Focus and Toyota Echo.

B
 
give it a laugh...

ok- so i spent all day thinking about this post-
i read it around 5am this morning and it's now 3pm

here's my advice:
-- better gas mileage means a lot
(esp if you are paying)
-- cheaper is better
-- since it is just you- more space = no advantage
-- but- a car w/ a bit of power through the Mtns won't be a bad idea-
-- Dollar is a fine company- check other companies though for price comparisons
-- Ask about 'break-down assistance' -- maybe purchase AAA?
-- look into a Hybrid? -- again- cost cost! -- summer gas prices will be a bear this year-


questions:
hotels? camping?
http://www.couchsurfing.com/
(good resource)

do you have a GPS unit?
i recommend the Garmin 2720 - street pilot
runs about 750-1000 depending on where you get it-
requires NO COMPUTER to run- all the maps are pre-loaded...etc
i use it- & love it-
plugs into the power adaptor in the car to run off of-

--
background: for a full time job- i travel as a public speaker around the US (& canada) - so i do lots of long distance driving- daily in fact
200,000 miles in 2 years - was my old record.
 
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