"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/01/2016 at 11:28 • Filed to: None
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"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
09/01/2016 at 11:28 • Filed to: None | 6
| 13 |
Lets get this out of the way: National Rental Car is one of the least expensive rental car agencies out there and you really don’t get to pick your car. So I take what they give me and just drive it.
Last time I picked up a car at the Kalispell Airport for a drive to Spokane WA it was a 2016 Toyota Camry, and I loved it. This time I was a bit disappointed to find my key fob said “Kia Forte-Grey”.
Initial impressions: slow, grey, and boring, but the seat was comfortable and the controls were easy to use. The entire interior is black plastic, but it’s easy to look at and for some reason doesn’t seem as cheap as the interior on the VW Jetta I had a while ago.
Final impressions: slow-ish, grey, comfortable, wholly hell that gas mileage is great. Spent 5 minutes trying to get into a Hyundai Elantra at the hotel Tuesday morning, until I realized it was not my car. Fits a 63 cm cannondale fairly well with the front wheel removed. 6 speed auto is better than a CVT.
It is a very straight forward car, trying to do nothing exceptionally well and doing nothing poorly either. Check out the weird A-pillar window, completely useless but kinda cool too. 10/10 would rent again.
Handling: steering is dead feeling from 11-1 o’clock then gets weighted. A bit floaty in the front, doesn’t make you want to speed around corners. At least the shocks and springs are well matched. I’ve driven so many cars recently that had soft springs and under dampened shocks, that just makes the ride harsh then the car rolls and dives really bad when pushed.
Power?: it has an engine, it moves the car. It feels like a standard utility item, nothing special or nothing especially bad.
AR24-7
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 11:30 |
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I drive a Corolla, this is good to know for when it needs replacing thanks
For Sweden
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 11:36 |
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You can’t be mad that National doesn’t offer Emerald Aisle service at GPI
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> For Sweden
09/01/2016 at 11:40 |
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My car was parked in “Executive Isle Stall No. 12". Still had to get the key from the counter, not as convenient at other airports where the key is already in the car.
Party-vi
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 11:40 |
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Wholly Hell, as-in all of the Hell available.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> AR24-7
09/01/2016 at 11:40 |
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MSRP is $2000 less than a carolla too.
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For Sweden
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 11:43 |
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But at GPI, either you’re renting a van for Going-To-The-Sun, or your car is meeting you by your jet.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> For Sweden
09/01/2016 at 11:46 |
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Seriously, the other day we drove by and counted 15 private jets, and that is just the jets not in hangers.
Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 12:14 |
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I constantly have to double-take these because their rear end looks so much like a Focus sedan.
For inexpensive cars, I am very impressed by Kia’s offerings these days. I don’t see how the Japanese makes are really competing with them anymore - they’re too expensive and don’t offer as much at the same price point.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Eric @ opposite-lock.com
09/01/2016 at 12:22 |
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The car I drove has an MSRP of $17,500. The Carolla is $19,500 for an “S” model trim package.
Dru
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 12:24 |
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We have a 2011 Hatchback, which has hydraulic steering. I find it to fantastic with its feedback, and am kind of sad they switched. My MIL has a sportage and your description of that forte's steering sounds exactly like the feel of the sportage. Good to know the forte remains a seriously competent, yet not overachieving car.
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Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Dru
09/01/2016 at 12:44 |
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“Good to know the forte remains a seriously competent, yet not overachieving car.”-Exactly.
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Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 12:50 |
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Add $2k to that Kia and you’re up a full trim level...
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AR24-7
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2016 at 13:55 |
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Sweet thanks