Avis Group E or Hertz Group D

[peter]

Just wondering what sort of cars do they rent out these days.

For a 1 week rental, Avis Group E is about $350 which will be a full size, Ford Falcon or similar.

Hertz Group D is about $400, also a full size, Toyota Aurion or similar.

I have rang up both locations but they were reluctant to confirm because cars come and go, they can't predict what will be available.

Anyone rented from Avis or Hertz lately and can comment on the cars they have? If choices were available, what would be a better car to pick?

Cheers!

 

[markis10]

Aurion/SV6/XR6/Falcon/Commodore is probably the choice for both.

 

[swylie]

Can't comment for Avis, but I've so far made 18 Group D rentals this year with Hertz.

This year I've had (I've just been entering my Hertz invoices into MYOB!):
1x Aurion Sportivo
7x Commodore SV6
4x Ford XR6
1x Ford G6
1x Commodore Omega
3x Calais (Upgrade to P)
1x Statesman (Upgrade to F)

I rent mostly from Sydney Airport, Sydney Downtown, Adelaide Airport, Brisbane Airport - all seem to currently be stocking more Holdens on average. Most seem to be phasing out the Aurions.

Hope this helps - always a lucky dip - but I guess gives you a bit of an idea of averages (from one renter anyway!)

 

[peter]

I will probably end up renting from Avis due to cheaper rate, reduced excess ($1000), and slightly more convenient location. Does Avis include roadside assist (can't find any info on their website)?

On a side note, just found out that CBA platinum doesn't cover domestic excess reduction (only international rentals), rang up Zurich and they confirmed Westpac platinum covers domestic rental.

 

[AdMEL]

It depends, to a certain extent, which location you are hiring from, as the fleet varies, particularly between corporate and franchised locations.

An example of this is Tasmania, where Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar (and I assume Thrifty, but I don't know for sure) are franchises.

Avis in Tasmania only had Toyota Aurions in group E late last year - I rang and asked, prior to hiring a car for a few days from Launceston in August 2009.

By contrast, Avis in Victoria (my experience is mainly at Melbourne City, which I understand is also reflective of the airport, as the cars live at the airport and are transferred to the CBD when required), almost all group E cars are now Falcons XT's, with some Commodore Omegas and only the odd Toyota Aurion. I would expect the fleet to be similar in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide - my last Avis car from SYD a couple of weeks ago was a Commodore SV6, but that was an upgrade (It should be noted that Avis now have Commodore SV6's and Falcon XR6's in group P, at a higher price).

For Hertz (again, my experience is mainly at Melbourne City, but would be similar to MEL airport and Sydney), group D is roughly equal spread of Falcon XT's, Falcon G6's, Commodore Omega's, Toyota Aurions, Falocn XR6's and Commodore SV6's (Hertz do not have a separate group for XR6/SV6, unlike Avis).

When I ring to inquire, I always ask what is in their fleet and approx. proportions, making it clear that I know they can't guarantee anything. If they feel you're trying to pin them down, they clam up.

Both Avis and Hertz will allow you to add a preference to your booking, but they won't guarantee it.

Which car comes down to personal preference - most people who enjoy driving prefer the SV6's or XR6's as they tend to handle better. Toyota's tend to be at the bottom of the list for those who enjoy driving.

 

[AdMEL]

I will probably end up renting from Avis due to cheaper rate, reduced excess ($1000), and slightly more convenient location. Does Avis include roadside assist (can't find any info on their website)?

On a side note, just found out that CBA platinum doesn't cover domestic excess reduction (only international rentals), rang up Zurich and they confirmed Westpac platinum covers domestic rental.

With an excess of $1,000, I assume this is a corporate rate with an Avis Worldwide Discount Code (AWD). If that is the case, be aware that is usually the base excess, with GST applying in addition and if hiring from an airport, the airport fee also applying in addition - e.g. at Sydney airport, the actual excess would be $1,298 ($1,000 + 10% GST + 18% Airport Fee).

Westpac Platinum covers $5,500 excess - I rely on this.

ANZ also have car rental cover of $2,400 with a $350 excess (net $2,050) available on any of their cards at a cost of $24 per year.

 

[2muchplastic]

Which car comes down to personal preference - most people who enjoy driving prefer the SV6's or XR6's as they tend to handle better. Toyota's tend to be at the bottom of the list for those who enjoy driving.

I enjoy driving, but my personal preference is the Aurion over the Falcons.

My Hertz "D" rentals over the last 4 months or so have been all Toyota (which in most cases have been a fair way from being new), with just one G6 thrown in, which was only a few thousand kms old.

 

[AdMEL]

I enjoy driving, but my personal preference is the Aurion over the Falcons.

My Hertz "D" rentals over the last 4 months or so have been all Toyota (which in most cases have been a fair way from being new), with just one G6 thrown in, which was only a few thousand kms old.

I did say most people! And I was generalising!

I understand that since the GFC hit, the large car hire companies have kept their cars alot longer, partly due to lower demand. At the same time they've doubled their prices! I also read recently that they've recently managed to stem their ongoing losses and start making profits ... hardly surprising. I always thought car hire prices were well under sustainable levels two years ago. I think we'll have to get used to older cars and higher prices, as I don't think it's likely to change soon.

 

[peter]

With an excess of $1,000, I assume this is a corporate rate with an Avis Worldwide Discount Code (AWD). If that is the case, be aware that is usually the base excess, with GST applying in addition and if hiring from an airport, the airport fee also applying in addition - e.g. at Sydney airport, the actual excess would be $1,298 ($1,000 + 10% GST + 18% Airport Fee).

Westpac Platinum covers $5,500 excess - I rely on this.

ANZ also have car rental cover of $2,400 with a $350 excess (net $2,050) available on any of their cards at a cost of $24 per year.

Yes, it's a corporate rate with AWD. We also have a CDP through another partner but the discount is not that great.

I was under the impression that CBA platinum will cover excess reduction, so I didn't think $50 difference between Avis and Hertz over a week is a big deal. But now that I know CBA platinum is of no used for car rental, I would have to either pay nearly $30/day or get separete travel insurance, the difference starts to add up. Though $1100 excess is still too much for my liking but it's certainly better than $3300.

Is Avis Parramatta corporate or franchise? Someone was telling me the Parramatta fleet definitely do not have Toyota Aurion, so I guess it's going to be Falcon XT or Commodore Omega. I haven't driven a full size Ford or Holden for ages, which one will be a better car for a 900km trip (thinking of Sydney to Gold Coast)?

 

[AdMEL]

Yes, it's a corporate rate with AWD. We also have a CDP through another partner but the discount is not that great.

I was under the impression that CBA platinum will cover excess reduction, so I didn't think $50 difference between Avis and Hertz over a week is a big deal. But now that I know CBA platinum is of no used for car rental, I would have to either pay nearly $30/day or get separete travel insurance, the difference starts to add up. Though $1100 excess is still too much for my liking but it's certainly better than $3300.

Is Avis Parramatta corporate or franchise? Someone was telling me the Parramatta fleet definitely do not have Toyota Aurion, so I guess it's going to be Falcon XT or Commodore Omega. I haven't driven a full size Ford or Holden for ages, which one will be a better car for a 900km trip (thinking of Sydney to Gold Coast)?

I don't know whether Parramatta is corporate or franchisee - I thought when making a reservation it mentioned this, but it must only be Hertz that do that.

If it's a choice between a Falcon XT or Commodore Omega, the Falcon is better - it has a bigger more powerful engine that is no less fuel efficient, plus bluetooth and ipod integration. Commodore Omega does not have bluetooth and ipod integration is not available on any Commodore. Both are very spacious and comfortable and both handle very well, with 5 star safety and excellent ESC.

You may be lucky and get upgraded to a Falcon XR6 or Commodore SV6 and then the differences are less - they both have similar engines and transmissions, both handle extremely well, both are comfortable and spacious, both have bluetooth (Falcon's is more advanced), 5 star safety. The only signifiicant difference is the absence of ipod integration in the SV6. In my opinion the SV6 looks better, but that's just personal preference!

Would be interested to know what you end up getting and what yours thoughts on it are.