Anyone here ever rent a specific SUV?

[M A V I C]

For some camping trips this summer, I'm thinking of renting a SUV. But I'm picky about cargo space, so I want to know what I'm getting. Plus I prefer it has a factory roof rack so I can put my roof rack on.

I've read that Avis and Hertz do this, but apparently not for SUVS.

Has anyone here done this? Tips?

TIA.

[jdc]

I think enterprise does, but be prepared to pay a hefty fee no matter who you use. Id think close to $500 for a week with something like a nissan pathfinder, which is a pretty decent SUV.

[Racer X]

I have in the past, gone with specific rental companies based on their vehicles, not price. I have then reserved well in advance, and requested a specific model. Then called several times in the week leading up to the rental to keep on top of what I was going to get. YMMV.

Instead of a SUV, possible a minivan and remove the rearmost seats. Minivans are usually cheaper than a SUV.

[pRICE cUBE]

I find that it is still a crapshoot as a reservation means absolutely nothing in the car rental world. One time I was told I would have a truck based SUV for off road and muddy road conditions. The person on the phone said, "for sure, 100% positive sir" only to be given a car based SUV with no 4WD. They said, "The vehicle is the same dimensions as the vehicle you requested." I kept pushing and they had to upgrade me to a full sized SUV to meet the 4wd requirement. On two other occasions, a 4 door sedan reservation turned into a convertible. Good thing I didn't need practicality on those trips.

[davemchine]

My experience has been the same as pRICE cUBE's. Rental company never knows what they are going to have. Usually they tell me to go out in the lot and pick whatever I want.

[Robert M]

Mavic,

Hertz does it. I wanted a long term test drive of the 2009 Toyota RAV4. I rented one from Hertz and. Helped me decide that while awesome in nearly every respect, it was just too noisy on the road. That's how I determined it wasn't the right vehicle. I bought the Mazda CX-7 a day or two later. If the Rav had been as quiet as the Mazda, I'd own one today. Very happy I rented the Rav before making my final decision between the two vehicles.

Robert

[pRICE cUBE]

Just give yourself enough time from pickup to the actual day you need it to resolve things if your reservation really isn't one.

[Buzz]

We've done it successfully a few times over the years, but as others have noted, it doesn't always work out... when Baby Buzz was in utero we requested, and got, a white Mitsubishi Diamonte in AZ when they were new to the U.S. market (I also asked for tan interior, but we got gray; oh well, but in all fairness, the guy I spoke with said most of their white Diamonte's had gray interior). A couple of years ago we got the requested 4WD midsize SUV in Anchorage, and before that we got the requested 2WD SUV in Hartford, CT. We even got the requested Prius (but not one of our color choices) once in Oakland when Mrs. Buzz wanted to basically go for an extended test drive.

There have been a couple of horror stories, too, but tip would be to also try Alamo, National, and Enterprise, then possibly Budget or Dollar, depending on the area; Budget seems to do better near bigger metropolitan areas. Tip number two, make sure you state that it's an insurance related rental, because your car is gonna be in the shop at the time of camping trip, right?! Tip #3, call the actual location(s) you like to rent from, not the call center in gawd nose where... and check for club rates, be they wholesale (Costo, Sam's, etc.), affinity (Auto Club, AARP, etc.), and travel industry, including the rental agencies' programs. Those things help, and the more you can combine, often the more helpful they will be you to meet your goal... may not save you any more than whatever offer the best rate, but if they accommodate your request, it's a win. Good luck.
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[mrbigstuff]

I rent at the airport, where they have dozens or even hundreds to choose from. I've been upgraded to an SUV on numerous occasions. we take it as we usually have lots of luggage (not my fault...) and two kids.

[datbeme]

Idunno, but worth a try. We rented a couple of Ford Expeditions on a big family vacation through some national parks a few years back. I didn't arrange for it, but I enjoyed the extended test drive. Way too big to own—and not much extra storage space—but it was perfect for a week or ten days.