New vehicles from Hertz in AU (Mercedes, Lexus, Mini)

[swylie]

I booked a Lexus IS250 from Sydney last week as Group D wasn't available. Cost was very reasonable considering.

I'm certainly no fan of Lexus, but it was actually a surprisingly good drive. The seats were fantastic (although not much leg room in the rear - but I did have a passenger in the back for a short trip who didn't complain!).

I'm not sure if I would prefer the Merc or the Lexus, but either way, great work from Hertz making these available.

Also had a Mini last weekend which was a bit of fun

 

[Moopere]

The CDW on all rental cars in Australia is completely insane. Seriously, its like the various companies are daring you to put them out of business by not hiring cars.

Luckily most decent credit cards will have some attached insurance against such stupidity.

I also noticed the appearance of the C200. Pity the CLC200K is still not here and as they are being phased out now perhaps they won't appear. Not overly exciting cars these I know, but pretty good value at 80-100/day compared to other offerings.

Other Merc rentals in the big cities will seriously look you in the eye without laughing and charge you $400-500 per day with equally large CDW charges.

I'd love to see one of the big names like Hertz bring out a CLS or E class rental at an appropriate daily rate. Something with a bit of size to it.

 

[Moopere]

Couldn't help coming back to this one. After having a read and leaving the post above I nipped off for a look at the hertz website. Something weird going on there I think.

I was looking for a rental in MEL over easter in April. Started by doing a dummy book from 20th Apr through 28th and was astounded that the Merc C200K was available and costing 47$ a day, compared to a Corolla at 40$ a day (!!!!???)

Had a second thought, adjusted my pickup date to the 21st instead of the 20th and the rate immediately jumps to 88$ a day!!! Making the rental longer or shorter makes no difference, the key is to rent it on or before the 20th April.

Rentals from late April right through to June and beyond are 'sold out', which smells suspicious to me, seems more likely the cars are just unavailable for some reason, perhaps the lease agreement with Mercedes is falling over in May??

Did another dummy, just to see whats going on, MEL again, Feb 11th - 19th, 42$ a day now!

Can't tell if its an error or not. No current promotions on their site are indicating 50% discounts before 21st April. I didn't use any CDP or other discount mechanism either, just a random web surfer doing a dummy booking.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I've also found that, from Melb airport, over the next couple of months, a Lexus costs less than a Corolla... :shock:

 

[bossreggie]

Rentals from late April right through to June and beyond are 'sold out', which smells suspicious to me, seems more likely the cars are just unavailable for some reason, perhaps the lease agreement with Mercedes is falling over in May??

I think you will find that Hertz will continue the agreement.

The C Class is about to have its' Mid-Cycle facelift and the new spec cars start arriving in June. There is a shortage of C Class and C200's in particular at the moment.

MBAuP only has enough for around 6 weeks orders even though the update is almost 4 months away. You can not "build" a pre-update car now it is only what is in dealer stock or on the water.

 

[herman_aussie]

Is the CLC200K nicer interior than the C200K? and which one is easier to park? I am thinking to hire the car for my sydney trip. Thanks beforehand.

 

[Moopere]

Is the CLC200K nicer interior than the C200K? and which one is easier to park? I am thinking to hire the car for my sydney trip. Thanks beforehand.

I've got a CLC and have driven a couple of C200. Firstly, the C200, despite how Hertz is naming it, is almost certain to be a C200CGI, turbo charged, not supercharged (C200K = Kompressor = Supercharged). Makes no difference to the driver really, slightly better economy apparently.

The CLC is based upon a W203 body and the interior pretty much follows the earlier models as well, as a result, its more 'curved' inside (which I personally like) as opposed to the more angular interior fit-out of the more modern W204 based C200

"Nicer" is hard to define, but you may enjoy fiddling with the COMMAND computer in the C200 which the Hertz base model CLC doesn't have. Reverse parking a CLC is a nightmare. Because its a coupe and has a high rear with small hatch window you essentially can't see out the back. They compensate with comparatively large side mirrors which work really well when you know the car, but for the first few weeks of owning one I didn't have the confidence to reverse park it at all.

Either car is a pleasure to drive with an aggressive front aspect and distinctive look. Be aware that a coupe/sports/luxury car may not be covered by many credit card or travel insurances.

 

[herman_aussie]

Thanks Moopere for the very detail insights.
Does these units have aux input jack, and GPS on the centre console?

 

[Moopere]

Thanks Moopere for the very detail insights.
Does these units have aux input jack, and GPS on the centre console?

All the W203/W204 body cars I've seen have an Aux input in the glovebox - I've never used it though so can't vouch for ease of operability (will be available in both C200 and CLC200)

The built in GPS will only be on the C200 as part of the COMAND computer system (presuming Hertz has spec'd that option which they almost certainly have). That will appear to you as the in-dash screen.

On the low end CLC Hertz have spec'd you will get a small colour screen near the sound system which is only an indicator or sound/telephony related activities - as the CLC has not been spec'd with COMAND there won't be a built in GPS.

Either car will be tons of fun to drive, though neither is going to be a _fast_ car (both are 1.8 litre). Handling is great, looks are great, comfort levels are quite sufficient.

 

[AdMEL]

Does these units have aux input jack, and GPS on the centre console?

C200CGI sedan comes optioned with GPS and sunroof, however they do not have a 3.5mm aux input jack. I've had one out of 5 which had an apple connection cord in the glovebox. Also includes tolls.

CLC200 coupe does not have GPS. Not sure about anything else about these, as I've not driven one.

 

[herman_aussie]

Thank you Moopere & AdMEL for the confirmations.
I shall hire the C200K instead then...

 

[Andyzx]

With Hertz, check that you have insurance and what the excess is. Recently had a very very bad experiance with a car i booked online and assumed that i had the standard $2-3k excess - how wrong could I be:evil::evil::evil:

 

[Moopere]

Yep, agree. Hertz has some seriously nice cars available now, but there are a raft of gotchas and the T&C's will take you an afternoon to read and digest.

If I understand correctly, the Prestige line of vehicles is likely to have an excess of $5500 or even more dependent on accident circumstance. I notice also that my company CDP which reduces all other cars from Hertz to an excess of about $700 does not apply to the Prestige line...

Be cautious.

 

[equus]

Also note that they tend to come with only 200kms per day included, then 25c per km after that, unlike the unlimited kms for metro rentals for the regular cars.

 

[herman_aussie]

Just gave Hertz a call to ask about the insurance. Apparently only MAX Cover available for prestige car which is a hefty $49.90 per day...

but zero excess on anything except if the car is stolen... :shock:

 

[Keith009]

Booked an IS250 for an upcoming trip to Perth. Last time we booked one they left the in-car GPS on. But apparently they now de-activate the GPS to ensure people get their NeverLost system? Is this true?

 

[AdMEL]

Yep, agree. Hertz has some seriously nice cars available now, but there are a raft of gotchas and the T&C's will take you an afternoon to read and digest.

If I understand correctly, the Prestige line of vehicles is likely to have an excess of $5500 or even more dependent on accident circumstance. I notice also that my company CDP which reduces all other cars from Hertz to an excess of about $700 does not apply to the Prestige line...

Be cautious.

Accident Damage Excess (ADE) for prestige vehicles including Mercedes and Lexus is $5,500 when collected from a non airport location. When collected from an airport location, the excess is increased by the airport fee %, which for Sydney is now 22%, so the ADE will be $6,710.

In addition to the ADE, a Single Vehicle Accident (SVA) Excess applies if not other car is involved. SVA excess is $2,200 when car collected from a non airport location. When car collected from Sydney Airport, SVA excess will be $2,684.

Total excess if you damage the car and no other car is involved when collected from Sydney airport is $9,394!

In my experience, the website does not disclose the higher airport excesses, nor do the call centre reservations staff, when asked what the excess will be. I've been told numerous times that the excess is $5,500, then when I ask what about the airport excess they say yes that applies on top!

Just gave Hertz a call to ask about the insurance. Apparently only MAX Cover available for prestige car which is a hefty $49.90 per day...

but zero excess on anything except if the car is stolen... :shock:

$49.09 (rather than $49.90) is the base rate, with GST and Airport Charge applying in addition, making the actual rate $65.88 when collected from Sydney airport! Per Day! Reduces ADE and SVA Excess to zero.

I did see something recently about an excess applying when the car is stolen and possibly also when vandalised. $500 seems to ring a bell, but I can't find it on the Hertz website. The frequency with which Hertz change their policies and charges is very annoying!

Also note that they tend to come with only 200kms per day included, then 25c per km after that, unlike the unlimited kms for metro rentals for the regular cars.

Note that the additional km rate of $0.25 per km is pre GST and Airport Charge, making the actual rate $0.3355!

Booked an IS250 for an upcoming trip to Perth. Last time we booked one they left the in-car GPS on. But apparently they now de-activate the GPS to ensure people get their NeverLost system? Is this true?

Mercedes C200 has built in GPS which is left on (I have hired a number from Melbourne Downtown), however it appears from the Hertz website that is not the case for the Lexus IS250.

 

[herman_aussie]

Thanks adMEL for the detailed fine print.



I had a look again on the website, and currently there is a promo for #1Gold member.

50% disc for prestige hire of 3days+
valid until end of July 2011.

woohooo....

"
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Exclusive to Hertz #1 Club Gold Members.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
For a limited time only, Hertz is offering 50% off its Prestige, Fun and Green Collection rentals of 3 days or more*.
[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Who says indulgence has to take a back seat? Why not hit the road in style with a car from our luxurious Prestige Collection or enjoy the thrills that only a Fun Collection vehicle can provide. Looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative? Then perhaps a vehicle from our fuel efficient Green Collection is for you. Whatever your reason, there’s never been a better time to rent from the Hertz Collections.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
*Terms and conditions apply.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Book now and save!"[/FONT]

 

[docjames]

Of course, that's 50% off the daily rate, it doesnt give a discount on all the fees and charges and airport fees etc

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks adMEL for the detailed fine print.



I had a look again on the website, and currently there is a promo for #1Gold member.

50% disc for prestige hire of 3days+
valid until end of July 2011.

woohooo....

"
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Exclusive to Hertz #1 Club Gold Members.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]For a limited time only, Hertz is offering 50% off its Prestige, Fun and Green Collection rentals of 3 days or more*.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Who says indulgence has to take a back seat? Why not hit the road in style with a car from our luxurious Prestige Collection or enjoy the thrills that only a Fun Collection vehicle can provide. Looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative? Then perhaps a vehicle from our fuel efficient Green Collection is for you. Whatever your reason, there’s never been a better time to rent from the Hertz Collections.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*Terms and conditions apply.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Book now and save!"[/FONT]

No worries and thanks for the heads up about the 50% off!

In the year that Hertz have had the Mercs, I've never paid full price, because they always have a special, usually #1 Club Gold, but also others, including general public and credit cards (ANZ). The best I've done is $70 total for a two day weekend in February this year!

Note that you can get an extra 4% off as an RACV member and 10% off if you are a member of a participationg union (e.g. FSU), including off the excess km rate.

Also, I don't know whether there was a glitch at Melbourne Downtown, but whenever I've hired one from there, they've always charged less than the quote, as their system calculates the 4% or 10% off the total days, then applies that amount as a discount after the 50% off! I.e. 10% off 3 days at say $50 per day = $15 discount, which is then applied to $75 (50% of total), giving a reduced base amount of $60, instead of 10% discount on $75 = $7.50 discount, giving a base rate of $67.50.

My biggest issue is they always seem to be sold out at Melbourne Downtown (and Melbourne Airport), but available everywhere else in the country. Very annoying!

EDIT: Just checked and the C200 sedan is sold out every weekend in Melbourne until the promotion ends, but appears to be available everywhere else!

Of course, that's 50% off the daily rate, it doesnt give a discount on all the fees and charges and airport fees etc

Effectively, it gives you 50% off almost everything, including daily rate, GST, admin fee, airport charge, as these are all % calculated on the discounted base rate. The only exception is the registration receovery, which is a fixed daily fee of $5-6 depending on location. In my experience, they also give you 50% off the excess km rate too, although that may not be the case for this promotion.