Hertz "Mystery Vehicle" option

[jmphoto]

I've had mediocre experiences since my original experience. Typically getting the lowest, or slightly-better-than-lowest class vehicle on the lot, and the rates have been "normal", not $25. Not quite the fan I used to be.

Disconcerting, I saw this for the first time when booking a car in ADL. Went for it, hoping for more than a Hyundai Getz...will report back.

 

[albatross710]

We took up this offer for a hire from Melbourne earlier this year. We got a Hyundai i40 which we were happy with for our Great Ocean Road drive.

The Mystery stock seems to come from cars that were prepared for other renters and for some reason they don't take them. Late cancellations, car mismatch, not clean enough or whatever. So, in or case, the mystery car was by itself but had clearly be waiting for another renter who didn't show.

So, I think that what the mystery renter will be will be unknown until the day and even then will change as the day goes on. It seems like a way that they can move their prepared inventory and keep everything turning over.

I would do it again if it was available on the days I need rentals.

Alby

 

[puppysparkes]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Has anyone had recent experiences with this option? I'm new to the program and am totally clueless.

 

[WLGFlyer]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Just to add my experience, had 2 recent rentals in CNS and TSV for a mystery vehicle. Received a Camry both times, which from what I recall would have been a few dollars more expensive if booked directly. Only needed it for short drives so didn't really care about the car. Have status with Hertz but don't think that matters.

 

[hydrabyss]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Finally took the plunge and booked a mystery vehicle with PC status at Cairns City. Price was a few dollars dearer than a swift so was very pleased driving away with a Colorado 7 4wd with 5000kms on the clock. With the added ground clearance and better visability I could not have asked for a better upgrade for heading up to the daintree and surrounds.

 

[sschen]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I hope it is okay bumping this thread which is a few months old.

Going to Melbourne this Friday, and will be hiring a car for 3 days with Hertz. Since the 3 days hire is the same price as the lowest rental (Corolla Hatch), I decided to try out the Hertz Mystery rental.

I will report back after this weekend.

 

[sschen]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I hope it is okay bumping this thread which is a few months old.

Going to Melbourne this Friday, and will be hiring a car for 3 days with Hertz. Since the 3 days hire is the same price as the lowest rental (Corolla Hatch), I decided to try out the Hertz Mystery rental.

I will report back after this weekend.

Got a Toyota Camry with 48xx_ on the odometer. Considering I paid for Toyota Corolla Hatch price, it is a good outcome.

 

[jb747]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I ordered a Renault Megane 265 (I like hot hatches). I was offered a Mustang GT for the same $. Didn't think the Mustang was really me, so I passed. Wish I hadn't. The Renault was easy to dislike.

 

[WLGFlyer]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I ordered a Renault Megane 265 (I like hot hatches). I was offered a Mustang GT for the same $. Didn't think the Mustang was really me, so I passed. Wish I hadn't. The Renault was easy to dislike.

So you didn't book a Mystery car at all?

 

[docjames]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I ordered a Renault Megane 265 (I like hot hatches). I was offered a Mustang GT for the same $. Didn't think the Mustang was really me, so I passed. Wish I hadn't. The Renault was easy to dislike.

I hired the RS and thought it was fun. Drove it to the blue mountains and back. Took about 50km to work out how a lot of the controls (including weird radio adjustment "stub") worked (it's very French!). Would have loved a mustang for the same price!

Would never want to live with the RS long term though.....

 

[jb747]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

So you didn't book a Mystery car at all?

Perhaps not. Only the way it drove and behaved was a mystery.

But, if you do go with the mystery car, and are offered a Megane...take something else.

 

[jb747]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I hired the RS and thought it was fun. Drove it to the blue mountains and back. Took about 50km to work out how a lot of the controls (including weird radio adjustment "stub") worked (it's very French!). Would have loved a mustang for the same price!

Would never want to live with the RS long term though.....

I normally drive German hot hatches, so I don't expect torque steer, nor headlights that would be hard pressed to better a candle. The controls were horrid, but probably related to Airbus. I took it 'cos I wanted to try 'French', but I was extremely unimpressed with the outcome.

Actually the seats were ok.

 

[docjames]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Seats good, and if you drive it hard, it seems to get better. Would be entertaining on a track. But how often do we get to drive there?

Drive it under "80%" for any period of time, and you're better off in a GTI.

I normally drive German hot hatches, so I don't expect torque steer, nor headlights that would be hard pressed to better a candle. The controls were horrid, but probably related to Airbus. I took it 'cos I wanted to try 'French', but I was extremely unimpressed with the outcome.

Actually the seats were ok.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

We've got a mystery vehicle booked in the US next month so I'll be interested to see what we get. I did note that is was from a certain size upward, so no chance of a super tiny buzz buzz.

 

[jb747]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Seats good, and if you drive it hard, it seems to get better. Would be entertaining on a track. But how often do we get to drive there?

Drive it under "80%" for any period of time, and you're better off in a GTI.

Actually I thought it was very much the other way around. The harder you drove it, the worse its behaviour. Actually I'm very surprised that none of the car companies have GTIs. Practical, and still fun.

 

[docjames]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Actually I thought it was very much the other way around. The harder you drove it, the worse its behaviour. Actually I'm very surprised that none of the car companies have GTIs. Practical, and still fun.

We had such different expeirences, I wonder if there was something mecahnically wrong with yours? Mine had done ~ 25,000 (clearly hard) kilometres, but still felt tight and handled well.

The GTI sells well enough (~25% of all Golfs sold) that VW dont need to flog them off cheaply to rental companies.

Renault on the other hand......

 

[jb747]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

We had such different expeirences, I wonder if there was something mecahnically wrong with yours? Mine had done ~ 25,000 (clearly hard) kilometres, but still felt tight and handled well.

Much newer. About 15k from what I recall. Perhaps it comes back to whatever we normally drive.

The GTI sells well enough (~25% of all Golfs sold) that VW dont need to flog them off cheaply to rental companies.

Renault on the other hand......

Probably explains all of the Camrys and Hyundais....

 

[docjames]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

Much newer. About 15k from what I recall. Perhaps it comes back to whatever we normally drive.



Probably explains all of the Camrys and Hyundais....

With a close friend who works for a car company, the answer is yes.

There's quite a few mitsubishis and nissans popping up on rental fleets at the moment too......

 

[AdMEL]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I normally drive German hot hatches, so I don't expect torque steer, nor headlights that would be hard pressed to better a candle. The controls were horrid, but probably related to Airbus. I took it 'cos I wanted to try 'French', but I was extremely unimpressed with the outcome.

Actually the seats were ok.

Actually I thought it was very much the other way around. The harder you drove it, the worse its behaviour. Actually I'm very surprised that none of the car companies have GTIs. Practical, and still fun.

We had such different expeirences, I wonder if there was something mecahnically wrong with yours? Mine had done ~ 25,000 (clearly hard) kilometres, but still felt tight and handled well.

The GTI sells well enough (~25% of all Golfs sold) that VW dont need to flog them off cheaply to rental companies.

Renault on the other hand......

My experience driving a Hertz 265 was similar to jb747's - I hate torque steer and it had loads. Awful clutch too.

 

[AdMEL]

Re: Hertz: Upgrading Mystery Cars

I ordered a Renault Megane 265 (I like hot hatches). I was offered a Mustang GT for the same $. Didn't think the Mustang was really me, so I passed. Wish I hadn't. The Renault was easy to dislike.

Haung also driven a Mustang GT in Hawaii, not sure which I dislike more!