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

[markis10]

The best car ever rented by Hertz was the Maxima (crica 2006). Large, comfortable and a smooth V6. It was only around for about a year.

The best car Hertz has currently is the G6E (Falcon with all the trimings). Just crunches through the miles. Unfortunatly Hertz only has about 10 of these in Melbourne so getting one is a punt. The alternative is a Presara, becoming rare as they are pretty old and a Calais which is noisy and has the worst Bluetooth ever.

Points to Hertz on this one.

I usually get a Statesman in Melbourne and they do not compare to the G6E, there are a stack of G6Es in Brisbane so maybe they have all been driven up the coast! While its good to see some variety I cannot see them adding too many cars to the fleet that vary from whats selling in the real world, and we are yet to see the rates for hiring the various models, so comparisons to current fleet options is moot.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Was it Hertz that used to rent out the BMW's? I remember being upgraded to a 5 series a few yrs back that was a very nice alternative to the old Ford.

 

[swylie]

Was it Hertz that used to rent out the BMW's? I remember being upgraded to a 5 series a few yrs back that was a very nice alternative to the old Ford.

Europcar used to have some BMW's back a few years ago, before they switched to Audi's. Not sure about Hertz.

 

[sr81]

Thrifty had BMW's for about 6 months 3ish years ago. They also currently have Mondeo's and they are not to bad.

The issue is the Mondeo is in the same class as a Camry - would you risk getting a Camry?

 

[RescuePilot]

Out of interest, are you #1 Club Gold, 5 Star, or Presidents circle? Which group do you book and how often?

Sorry for delayed response - have been off working!! #1 Club Gold - hire every couple of weeks usually for 2-3 days

 

[markis10]

Was it Hertz that used to rent out the BMW's? I remember being upgraded to a 5 series a few yrs back that was a very nice alternative to the old Ford.

Hertz had BMWs in 2001, I had a 3 series in ADL during the Clipsal, felt like a Corolla.

 

[Mal]

Sorry for delayed response - have been off working!! #1 Club Gold - hire every couple of weeks usually for 2-3 days

If you are hiring every couple of weeks, for 2-3 days, I would expect that you would be 5 Star, or even President's Circle based on the Australian qualification requirements.

 

[Keith009]

Any chance Hertz will be renting out one of these anytime soon?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/57298/aston-martin-rapide-review/

:shock::mrgreen:

 

[Febs]

Any chance Hertz will be renting out one of these anytime soon?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/57298/aston-martin-rapide-review/

:shock::mrgreen:

In Europe probably. Here - no chance!

I saw one driving around the Nürburgring a few days before its release at the Frankfurt Motor Show. SO much nicer-looking than the "squashed Cayenne" Panamera. Worlds apart.

I'd hit it.

If you are hiring every couple of weeks, for 2-3 days, I would expect that you would be 5 Star, or even President's Circle based on the Australian qualification requirements.

I was thinking the same thing! #1 Gold is basically the entry-level, given you can get it for free, and you don't need a minimum # of rentals to keep it.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[RescuePilot]

If you are hiring every couple of weeks, for 2-3 days, I would expect that you would be 5 Star, or even President's Circle based on the Australian qualification requirements.

Thanks Mal - I will be sure to chase that up - they have sent me paperwork in the mail to fill in but at the end of a week Hertz paperwork is the last thing I wish to fill in if u know what I mean
Thanks for the heads up anyway - i generally smile and never get cross if cars are late and have always been kissed on the head by the Hertz upgrade fairy

 

[AdMEL]

Just checked the Hertz website - they now have the Merc C200K available in Melbourne City (as of tomorrow) and SYD on March 6-8 (that's the dates I checked .. may be available sooner). Called them to find out the insurance details ... as I suspected:

CDW $5,500 ($38/day to reduce to $770)
Single Vehicle Accident Excess an additonal $2,200
No Max. cover, i.e. cannot reduce liability to $0 or waive SVA.

Base hire cost was $108/day - can be reduced by 3% with QFF (forgot to ask whether there was an excess reduction, though I doubt it).

Apparently the same excess conditions will apply to the Minis and Lexus.

Horrendously expensive (both hire cost and excess) for a $60K base Merc, or a Mini! Lexus IS250 for that matter too!

 

[AdMEL]

Forgot to mention Hertz could not tell me when the Lexus and Minis would be available.

With those costs and excesses, I think I'll stick to Falcon XR6/Commodore SV6's from Hertz or Audis from Europcar when I want a prestige vehicle! At least Europcar don't have a SVA and I get corporate rates through Ambassador Card!

 

[swylie]

Base hire cost was $108/day

Just out of interest, I took my CDP off a search, and noticed that from Sydney Airport (incl the airport fee), the C200 is $129.28 - but the Group A Yaris is $119.79!

Still reckon the Merc rack-rate pricing is a rip off?!

I guess we should all be glad that we have CDP codes

 

[markis10]

Just out of interest, I took my CDP off a search, and noticed that from Sydney Airport (incl the airport fee), the C200 is $129.28 - but the Group A Yaris is $119.79!

Still reckon the Merc rack-rate pricing is a rip off?!

I guess we should all be glad that we have CDP codes

You both missed a minor but somewhat important detail, the KM's per day, limited to 200 free rather then being unlimited like normal capital city rentals.

 

[swylie]

Interesting RE KM restriction - but I think it's good - will help keep those vehicles in the same state, plus not abused on bad roads etc (except for Parramatta Rd in Sydney

 

[AdMEL]

You both missed a minor but somewhat important detail, the KM's per day, limited to 200 free rather then being unlimited like normal capital city rentals.

Oops, I had meant to mention that! No different from Audis from Europcar.

Also forgot to mention that the fee for relocation, even from the city to the airport is prohibitive - CSR didn't state how much, just that it was expensive.

He did also say that he expected that over time the cost of rental, insuarnce and relocation would come down.

 

[AdMEL]

Just out of interest, I took my CDP off a search, and noticed that from Sydney Airport (incl the airport fee), the C200 is $129.28 - but the Group A Yaris is $119.79!

Still reckon the Merc rack-rate pricing is a rip off?!

I guess we should all be glad that we have CDP codes

Maybe not so bad ... hadn't noticed that! Yaris is often more expensive than a Comm/Falcon ... Hertz knows everyone wants one and charges accordingly!

 

[markis10]

Oops, I had meant to mention that! No different from Audis from Europcar.

Also forgot to mention that the fee for relocation, even from the city to the airport is prohibitive - CSR didn't state how much, just that it was expensive.

He did also say that he expected that over time the cost of rental, insuarnce and relocation would come down.

I was thinking of taking one from SYD to catch my cheap JQ Newcastle flight:

Price details for your rate
Selected Vehicle
200 Free Kilometers Included
0.25 AUD Each Extra Kilometer
Rate Details
Daily 1 day at 90.00 AUD Rate Code HPV1
Drop fee 5000.00 AUD
estimated mileage 0.00 AUD
taxes 628.01 AUD
airport concession fee recovery 1006.37 AUD
vehicle registration recovery 5.50 AUD
admin recovery 178.15 AUD
Discounts:
CDP Name INTEL
CDP Rate Total Approximate Charge 6908.03 AUD

 

[AdMEL]

I was thinking of taking one from SYD to catch my cheap JQ Newcastle flight:

Price details for your rate
Selected Vehicle
200 Free Kilometers Included
0.25 AUD Each Extra Kilometer
Rate Details
Daily 1 day at 90.00 AUD Rate Code HPV1
Drop fee 5000.00 AUD
estimated mileage 0.00 AUD
taxes 628.01 AUD
airport concession fee recovery 1006.37 AUD
vehicle registration recovery 5.50 AUD
admin recovery 178.15 AUD
Discounts:
CDP Name INTEL
CDP Rate Total Approximate Charge 6908.03 AUD

When I was told it would be expensive, I wasn't thinking it would be that much! They really don't want you moving them around!!

Interesting that your CDP appears to give you a lower rate ... none of mine do!

 

[AdMEL]

Hired a C200CGI (Not K as noted on the website) Merc 3 weeks ago from Melbourne Downtown. Cost has come down considerably and Hertz are giving #1 Club Gold members a free day with a min. 3 day hire if car collected Mon-Thurs until the end of June. Total cost ended up being $196! About $5 more than a grouop D would have cost!

Collected Thursday and spent the weekend staying in Jan Juc with friends.

Car had done 7,500 km and was optioned with Sat Nav, Bluetooth and sunroof, but unfortunately still had the 'artico' fake leather. Interior certainly isn't up to Audi standards! Smaller than an Audi A4 too - my head touched the roof (I'm 6'9" though) and no chance of anyone sitting behind me! Stereo was pretty good. Took it for a spin along one of my favourite roads, The Great Ocean Road - was very impressed with how it handled and the engine wasn't too bad either.

Overall, much more enjoyable and fun to drive than an Audi, but Audi interior is much better.