Rental car Roulette

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
02/25/2019 at 16:40 • Filed to: Rental, Rental Cars, Hertz

It was either this or a sonata optima or camry in Hertz “ Fullsize” . Haven’t driven the new Malibu yet so tried it. It’s unremarkably mediocre. At the rental spec level they’re all the same really. Mushy steering underpowered engines spongy brakes road noise and ride like they are on floppy stilts. It seems to have decent handling chops based on the off ramp I took at speed but zero feel . Interior trim is the same as the hard seats and looks like public bus seats. Visibility is not bad.

Top marks to the newest chevy myL ink. Easy fast and user friendly.

DISCUSSION (20)

fintail > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 16:42

What is it with rental cars and bent license plates? Do the automated car washes do it, or is it some secret code to pick out rental cars from the crowd?

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 16:49

I’m picking up a rental on Wednesday from Enterprise, it’s connected to a Ford dealer, so I assume I’ll be getting a Ford. Last time I got a car from them I ended up with an Expedition XL EL, it was a riot, it’s so comically giant.

I haven’t driven the Malibu, although I had already imagined it was unremarkable. I do think the exterior styling is quite good.

412GTI > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 17:01

Wait, so you didn’t think it was an Audi A7?

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fintail
02/25/2019 at 17:09

Yes

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > 412GTI
02/25/2019 at 17:10

You know I totally did for like 5 seconds when i saw just the silhouette while blinded by the evening sun.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fintail
02/25/2019 at 17:10

Yes

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
02/25/2019 at 17:11

It looks sharp in highest trim. I would have been happy with a ford fusion speaking of.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fintail
02/25/2019 at 17:16

It’s amazing how much damage a brushed car wash can do. Went I Works at a dealership we’d get ex rentals from auction occasionally. The always had the most scratched up swirled paint you could imagine. I wouldn’t be surprised if the also had the power to pull up and bent a license plate

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 17:19

Haha yeah and in that lower trim I definitely chuckled at the public bus seat comment. Agreed, not bad in a higher trim!

I like the Fusion, I may rent that if given the opportunity. I imagine it won’t drive quite as nicely as my A6 though (which will be in the body shop thanks to a deer).

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 18:07

I HAAAAAAAATED the stupid gearbox in that. The kick down was erratic and jerky. Was yours better?

fintail > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/25/2019 at 18:25

I’ve actually seen it happen to a plate.

No doubt the rentals are bad, imagine a never-waxed car with 30K hard miles on it that was washed probably a couple time a week on average.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
02/25/2019 at 19:12

I didnt even notice it so I guess it’s a good thing when it comes to rentals.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 19:22

Aah good for you. I had to deal with Chicago traffic in that thing. PITA.

It works extremely well as a cruiser tho.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 21:05

And engine that quits at every stop sign. But if you were not so picky, you could enjoy it more.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
02/25/2019 at 21:19

I’ve had better cars for the same money from Hertz before and I wish every airport would have a Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger or Nissan Maxima in their lot. But I guess they get picked first before a Malibu.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/25/2019 at 22:23

I learnt to drive on a ‘77 Caprice and the Caprice/Impala have always been favorites, but the more recent iterations are lacking. I rented a Malibu last year and it had a 4-cylinder eco-poof engine that moved the car well enough. I found the driver seat to be quite comfortable, but in all, a rather forgettable car.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
02/26/2019 at 22:12

Update: Until today it was mosly freeway driving but today did some city and rural roads. The kickdown is herky jerky. I think it would be worse in heavy traffic. Honestly I would be fine if all these cars had CVTs. They’re rentals anyway.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/26/2019 at 22:21

Exactly what I said to a friend. I would prefer a Toyota CVT than this shit.

Its a shame that the gearbox is so bad,the engine is fine and the chassis felt amazing to me. Good body control and extremely comfy.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
02/26/2019 at 22:38

The chassis is definitely capable. Out of curiosity I googled reviews and MT says with 2.0t and 9 speed it’s as fast as the new Accord 2.0t. Guess it needs better suspension and steering and brake feel tuning more sound deadening and better tires and can hang in there with the best

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2017/2017-chevrolet-malibu-20t-premier-first-test-review/

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
02/26/2019 at 22:56

I hope the new 9 speed is good.