thanks to all that responded to my usa car rental question
the dodge neon is sounding like a good deal..but im going to do a fair amount of miles in it and keep it for 3 weeks
anyone driven a late one..what are they like?? i dont want to be bombing about in a really nasty car
or can anyone comment on what car they got
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Rubbish aren't they?
(Based purely on what I've heard)
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Depends what you can afford.
Are you going with all the family and loads of luggage , if so I would go for something a bit bigger.
If its just you then you then it will probably be OK.
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They are really nasty. Unless you are absolutely forced into one, I'd avoid, especially as you'll have it for 3 weeks and do a lot of miles. Get something larger and more comfortable if you possibly can.
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Dodge Stratus is slightly larger, Ford Taurus similar to that, Dollar seem to be doing Suzuki Veronas which are badged Hyundai Sontatas. Staying small you might be able to get a Focus, in the US the 2004 Focus is still current though with a facelift, you could do a lot worse.
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i cant afford to waste money, but i will spend extra to have a nice car
theres 2 of us going...fair amount of baggage
some of the full sized cars look too flash
thought as much on the neon...always snigger when i see one
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I understand Neons are rubbish.
The worst car I had over there was a Chevy Cavalier. Terrible car - bargain basement in every possible way. I had a Ford Taurus one weekend and I liked that - not a great car for the UK but it suits US driving. If the budget will stretch to it go for something Japanese. I had a Camry that I liked while I was there and a Hyundai Sonata which was pretty good too.
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Life is complex; it has real and imaginary parts.
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Don't know about now but, in the early days of its life, the Neon had a 3 speed auto box! It is probably the worst car you buy or rent anywhere!
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Ford Taurus is quite nice to drive. I also like the Dodge Intrepid which feels nice and taut, quite roomy with a very large boot - also comfortable and with more grunt than usual on an American car.
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theres 2 of us going...fair amount of baggage
Do not make the same mistake as I did many years ago.
I went with my nice new Delsey hard cases and.....No way would they fit in the hire car so I had to double upgrade.
I would suggest a mix of hard cases and holdalls.
That way you can always partly upack the holdalls till things all fit.
A few 10p bags for life helped solve the problem.
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I've driven a Neon in Canada numerous times. They start, stop and steer predictably.
If anything better is going to cost any significant amount more then I wouldn't bother with an upgrade.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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Get a Pickup, Cheaper then a car, normally come with a hard cover for the back, so will cope with all the luggage with ease. You won't look like a tourist and you sit that much higher so you get to see over the top of the cars and as a result it is easier to navigate.
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I had a Neon for a week in Florida in 2002. I was alone so no problem with luggae space or size. I actually quite enjoyed it and don't recall any particular problem with it. Obviously a lot sdmaller than the Omega I drive here, but, as they say, "it did what it said on the tin".
ISTR the cheapest rentals are two door. I would say that a step up one or two classes probably won't make a huge difference.
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If you rent with Alamo you can pick any of the compact cars( a Neon is a compact) they have in stock.
I have had a Neon a several times - uninspiring certainly - but no worse than most of the cars in that category. They all keep up with the traffic flow.
I currently have an Alamo Saturn Ion which is by far the nicest compact I have driven - I always look for this car. Mind you as I have done nearly 200 miles in the last 3 weeks it hasn't had a lot of use - and it stinks of fish as the cooler tipped over!
Some compacts like the Neon/Cavilier are real 'rental specials'devoid of central locking, remote mirrors, electric windows etc. Other Neon/Caviliers have all those items.
Don't feel that getting a bigger car will always provide a better car - it won't. Some full size cars have the same engine as the compact and are real dogs.
If you are touring then I would treat yourself to a luxury/premium car - the Chrysler 300 is nice or go the whole hog like Helicopter and get a Caddy
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If you're renting for 3 weeks, and returning the car to the same place as you picked it up, you should be able to get a good deal if you trawl the Internet. There is generally not a big difference in price between Compact and Intermediate on a long term rental and in the Chrysler family Intermediate means a Sebring, otherwise known as a Dodge Stratus which is an infinitely better car than the Neon. Bigger is not always better with US cars but it is in this case, the Neon has a nasty underpowered 4 cylinder engine and is not a particularly pleasant place to spend any time, though in my experience the Chrysler cars in other price classes are generally the nicest of the American big 3 to drive.
I generally go for Full Size when I rent in the US which gets you a six cylinder engine and a decent stereo, sometimes with satellite radio. Anything bigger I take as a welcome upgrade if I get it, but not really worth paying extra for.
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It's around 10-11 years since I last drove a Neon. Very ordinary but biggest problem proved to be the stopping power - or rather lack of it - in the examples I drove at the time.
However, things have apparently improved in recent years and a point made in the following review:
tinyurl.com/ccubt
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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the Neon has a nasty underpowered 4 cylinder engine andis not a particularly pleasant place to spend any time,
I generally go for Full Size when I rent in the US which gets you a six cylinder engine
The full size does not always get you a 6 cylinder engine unfortunately. I had one last year from Dollar(forget which model) with the 2.2l 4 cylinder ECO engine - dreadful thing.
Alamo have the Impala as a full size "available with 4 or 6 cylinder engine".
The Neon has a 2.0l 16v engine producing 132bhp. Hardly a ball of fire but I wouldn't say underpowered.
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>>I generally go for Full Size when I rent in the US which gets you a six cylinder engine >>
As I said above Dollar are doing the Suzuki Verona as Full Size which is a badged Hyundai Sontata, 2.5 V6, no ball of fire.
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Had one last year in Florida. It's ok but cars but they tried to make me pay for a puncture which occurred on the 2nd day and was a slow one not a nail or the like. They are very pushy when trying to get you to pay out but luckily I had got the car through Virgin -- a call to the rep secured an apology and a good upgrade. If you are driving distances I would say get a larger car but for just shorter journeys the Neon is fine.
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We had a Chrysler Sebring whilst in Florida last year for 3 weeks. Not a bad car considering the cost. I would certainly reccomend it if you are planning on doing a few miles. Cruise control is standard, but be careful when you set it as they like to accelerate full whack until you reach the speed you set!
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Better name for the Neon would be the Chrysler Coma.
Will work but make no impression on you.
Be prepared for surprisingly small boot space
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chrysler coma..thats pretty funny :)
ive decided i'll plump for something mid range, as theres no gaurentee that i'll get a specic brand or model
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I drove a Neon for over 1000 miles in the NorthEast USA 18 months ago (two-up + two weeks luggage) and it seemed very reasonable for a "compact". Quite comfortable to drive and no problems with long-distance cruising. I booked through Airline Network in the UK, (which was very low cost at £131 for a week - but go for the Platinum Upgrade which gives you the first tank of fuel for £8 + additional driver if you need it.)
Airline Network bookings also cover ALL the insurances in the booking so no extras at the check-in desk!
Watch out as US rental companies usually try to persuade you to upgrade at extra cost or pay for extra insurances!
Mine came with cruise control, which was unexpected at that price and useful for keeping to the speed limits!
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I had a Neon in Toronto some years ago from Hertz. It was ok, but I think the suspension was softer than the UK version. Had no problems and cheap on the gas.
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