Prius Premium

[AussieOwner]

I am heading to the States next month and need to rent cars almost every stop across the country. Thought that I would take to opportunity to rent a Prius, just to compare the US model with mine.

So I pulled up my regular rental car operator - Avis - and plugged in my dates for Los Angeles, and got the following options:

Intermediate - Pontiac G6 or similar - 197.97
Prius - 179.52

Hey! this looks good

I was just looking at what was available around the country, so then flipped back and chose Chicago, which is my next stop - no Prius, and none on the East coast.

OK, lets go book the car. Noticed that one of the questions was country of residence, so changed this to Australia, and then got the following options:

Intermediate - now 209.97
Prius - now 287.82

Not so good. Then I found that Avis is offering a deal for International visitors for the second half of September - which is when I will be visiting, so give it a go.

Now the rates are:

Intermediate - now 209.61 (0.36 discount - big deal)
Prius - now 317.97

Looks like Avis is trying to keep all their Prii just for the US drivers - because there is no way that I am going to pay that amount of premium. In LA, I just will not be doing the mileage to justify the additional costs, and with no Prii available at any of my other stops, it looks like I am stuck with some GM pos every time.

I did do a little searching for others, but only Hertz seemed to have Prii, and they were all booked.

[tekn0wledg]

Hmm, that's mind boggling.

Did you try Enterprise, Budget Rent A Car, Alamo and Thrifty? Just throwing out names of car rental places that might be able to provide a Prius for cheaper. Not even sure if they have a Prius tho.

Seems like a ripoff to me. Not to mention the prices are higher even with the "deal" they provide.

[qbee42]

It's probably the fear of you stealthing down the wrong side of the road, mowing down unsuspecting pedestrians.

Tom

[zenMachine]

I think it's a simple matter of supply vs demand. There aren't a whole lot of Prii for rent (compared to the other cars). Also, Avis and Hertz are the only two major car rental companies I know that have "announced" their intention to add hybrids to their lineup. It may take a while for them to get enough units in to spread around. Obviously Southern Cal is a huge market and gets more of them first. I'm sure the rest of the country will follow. In time...

[hyo silver]

'Supply and demand' doesn't seem to address the question of the rates being so much higher for a 'foreigner' in a Prius. The Pontiac is about $10 more, but the Prius is nearly $140 more. Why, Avis?

[Godiva]

There are Prii available from other rentals besides Avis. I'd try one of those eco car rental places.

[AussieOwner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tekn0wledg @ Aug 21 2007, 10:49 PM) [snapback]499680[/snapback]</div>

Hmm, that's mind boggling.

Did you try Enterprise, Budget Rent A Car, Alamo and Thrifty? Just throwing out names of car rental places that might be able to provide a Prius for cheaper. Not even sure if they have a Prius tho.
[/b]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had already looked at Alamo, Enterprise and Thrifty - don't have any Prii. Just looked at Budget - they have a Prius, but it is even more expensive than Avis - 342.39


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Aug 22 2007, 01:54 AM) [snapback]499765[/snapback]</div>

There are Prii available from other rentals besides Avis. I'd try one of those eco car rental places.
[/b]

Can anyone suggest a few names? I have tried EV Rentals, but just cannot get a price from their web site.

[AussieOwner]

Could not find a Prius to rent, so ended up booking a compact at Avis.

So got to LAX, over to Avis and.... - er, sorry sir, but we do not have any compacts available, do you mind taking a Toyota Prius.

And before anyone complains that a Prius is not a compact, I know that, you know that, but if the rental people are happy to give me a Prius instead of a compact, why should I complain.

So I can now see what all of you who complain about the driver's seat are talking about. It feels like it is just the standard passenger seat that I have on my (right hand drive) car. I have sat in my passenger seat a couple of times while supervising my Learner driver daughter, so I do have a feel for it - and it does not feel any different to the driving seat on this rental.

It certainly makes me feel happy that the right hand drive cars do have at least height adjustment for the driver.

Also had the joy of peeling off the 101 at Calabasas right behind what looked like a new grey Prius. Managed to pull up next to the car at the next set of lights and gave the driver a big grin and a thumbs up. Got a grin back.

So, Avis, all is now forgiven.

[Godiva]

So. What did it end up costing you compared to the quotes you were getting?

[mcbrunnhilde]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 16 2007, 02:17 PM) [snapback]513388[/snapback]</div>

So. What did it end up costing you compared to the quotes you were getting?
[/b]

I think when THEY change the car on you (i.e. run out of what you ordered), they honor the rate that you were quoted for the car you originally wanted.