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Madison Motorsports
Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Printable Version

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Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - JustinG - 09-15-2015

90% sure someone probably tried to break into the car and that's how the trim got jacked up.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Sijray21 - 09-15-2015

JustinG Wrote:90% sure someone probably tried to break into the car and that's how the trim got jacked up.

this would make sense. I didn't think about this; it's been too long since my last break-in

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - WRXtranceformed - 09-15-2015

JustinG Wrote:90% sure someone probably tried to break into the car and that's how the trim got jacked up.
That would be my first guess too, but the mgr said he talked to Chevy service after I called and apparently this is a known issue. They asked whether it was that exact trim piece before he said anything about it being on the door. Here is what it looks like underneath, doesn't seem real sturdy and not a whole lot of judicious use of automotive tape:

[Image: 20150915_111436_zpsuw4ry7br.jpg~original]

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - SlimKlim - 09-28-2015

T-T-Triple Post

1.) White 2009 BMW 128i

[Image: qLF5gw1.jpg]


"Where the hell did you rent a BMW?!" You're probably thinking.

Relayrides.com. You're welcome, sorry about the money you're gonna spend on there. Yes, I "just went to some guy's house" and "got in his car and drove away". Which most people have asked me in a tone of abject horror after I explained that yes you can rent a sporty stickshift car.

Here's how it works. You find a car you want, arrange to either pick it up from the owner's house or have them deliver the car for an additional fee. You take photos of all 4 sides of the car and any existing damage, as well as the odo/fuel tank, and upload them to the RelayRides website before you drive off. You present your DL to the owner of the car so they can verify that you are you, and off you go. RelayRides takes 25% of the rental fee from the owner and in return provides the platform to find renters (obviously) and an umbrella insurance policy. The renter can choose to go with the policy built into the rental with a $3k deductable, or you can drop an extra $30 and have full coverage with a $0 deductable, I chose that option.

The actual experience of renting it was perfect. I picked it up, put 250 miles on it driving it from Seattle to Mt. Rainer and back, topped the gas back up and dropped it off at the guy's house, no muss no fuss. The cost was within spitting distance of what we payed for the rental car to go whale watching later on the trip. I would absolutely do it again, and recommend it to anyone that wants to rent a fun car, but not pay $1500 for a "exotic" rental. I'm actually even toying with the idea of throwing the VW on there and use any income it generates to help pay off the loan early.

2.) 2015(?) VW Jetta

[Image: TyarJ06.jpg]

Flaccid. That's the best way to describe this thing. The gas pedal is ineffective, but that's probably a good thing because the overboosted electric steering combined with soft suspension had me seriously questioning its roadworthyness as we wafted around the highway. Not even a vague sense of comfort or quality. Seats that feel like autozone covers, hard plastics everywhere, including but not limited to the steering wheel. Luckily our time spent in this shitbucket just involved driving it straight up I-5 from Seattle to Anacortes and back, so I didn't have to subject myself to it that much. I thought this was the worst car I had ever driven, but it wouldn't hold that title long.


3.) 20?? "Nissan Fit"

After proudly announcing the exciting new Nissan model I would receive, the Enterprise agent scurried out to check it over before I took the keys, and came back in with a sheepish, almost embarrassed look on his face. I thought, "it can't be that bad." Boy was I wrong.

[Image: CMR0KuB.jpg]

I'm stuck with this floppy sack of shit for the next three days while the VW is having the rear bumper replaced. :vomit: I have to admit, a couple things are actually nicer than the Jetta. Namely that the steering actually has a feeling of resistance, so a bump in the road doesn't send you drifting into the next lane with no real sense of how much steering input is needed to correct it without causing an accident. Also, it's wrapped in fake leather. See that VW? Even a fucking Versa has a nicer feeling steering wheel.

Beyond that it loses it's lead quickly. It has 27k miles and driving it with the air conditioning on sounds like its going to disintegrate right out from under you. It is shockingly slow, probably has a CVT or something, and driving it makes me sad. I can't even think of sarcastic shit to say about it, it's just that dull, it doesn't even inspire me to make fun of it, it just makes me sad.


Somewhat unrelated, but we also took a decent number of Ubers on the trip and I got to passively review some more "normal" cars that I'm not typically interested in. In short, the Pruis and Sonata Hybrid both sound like you're inside a steel barrel when it's raining. The Camry Hybrid is remarkably cozy with pleather seats, fake suede inserts and pretty nicely done fake wood trim. The new Fit has a remarkably large backseat and lots of little clever features to make the most out of such a small car, the camera on the passenger mirror was particularly neat for city driving, really helps you see curbs and pedestrians.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Mike - 12-16-2015

Brand new A4 w/ S-Line package.

Same basic car as mine. A tiny bit more go that really seems to wake the car up (9hp more, 150lbs less, and an extra gear in the box). No wagon sucks butts, but I know they're not for everyone.

Sport seats are super grippy and comfy, but it seems like placing the heaters in them was an afterthought as they have major hot and cold spots.

Interior updates and new tech are nice (2009 [my car] was the beginning of car tech seeming to get "modern" and it's a bit flaky, but not now).

The S-Line package drops the car a tiny bit and stiffens up the suspension. Steering feel is GREATLY improved and leaves the driver with a feeling of actually driving the car as opposed to the other way around like it is with our soft wagon. The downside to the stiffened suspension is obvious. I think on Portland's roads (they suck) I'd rather have the grandpa suspension.

Sight lines are VASTLY improved over our wagon. I don't know if it's just the body style or mirrors that give you a lot more vision - I feel I can see the world in those suckers. Even if it's entirely due to the shape of the car, I don't know why you'd buy a sedan over a wagon unless you lack confidence.

The car has had only minor updates in the past 7 years, but it's still damned sharp looking (I'll snap a pic today) and doesn't feel dated. I do believe they're due for an all-new model next year. Pretty excited to see that.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - CaptainHenreh - 01-12-2016

You bros remember that time I got a V6 Mustang in Florida?

Well I got back from Puerto Rico on Sunday, yeah?

[Image: IMG_20160109_101411_zps86lv1shx.jpg]

Beautiful place. Sunny, warm. Great waves, great beach, great people, great food, great booze. Amazing time. A+ cannot recommend more highly. :thumbup:

This plate of food was 7.50!
[Image: IMG_20160108_133038_zpsymlulify.jpg]
That baller-ass fresh mango mojito? Best I've ever had? 3 dolla, and slap ya momma.

yo bebo mojito, graciaaaaaaaaaaas.

Oh and this, lol:
[Image: IMG_20160108_141400_zpsxfcsxli4.jpg]

In case you were wondering it tasted like grape-flavored mashed assholes. Awful stuff. Getcha drunk tho.

Anyway, I digress. I do have a point. I get to the rental car counter and lo! and behold! They are out of Subcompacts. "What else would you guys like?"

I see a line of ponies...and I point to the green one:
[Image: IMG_20160109_123242_zpstwvblhty.jpg]

BOOM! V6 Mustang drop top, couldn't ask for a better ride on a caribbean island. It was apparently a popular choice since we met our twin:
[Image: IMG_20160109_092640_zpsg0ojjuth.jpg]

Let's compare all the things I hated about the Old S-197 'stang rental hooptie I got with this thing:
#1: The greenhouse.

Hard to compare, since the top was off like the whole fucking time I was there. I had no visibility problems with no roof, el oh el.

#2: THIS THING IS FUCKING ENORMOUS.
It's still a big car for what it is, but even in the tiny double-parking back streets of San Juan... I didn't have any issues. Seriously they park on both sides of a one way street and you're just supposed to, I dunno, deal with it. I'm also not the greatest parallel parker in the world, but the backup cam with the "trajectory markers" made it pretty painless.

#3: The rear seats.

These still suck. No way around it. With the front seats at a comfortable rear location, there was sufficient room for amputees
.
#4: The transmission.

Better! No, really! Almost acceptable! And not just because I drive a prius every day, fuck you I remember what it's like to shift my own gears and putting the trans in "S" from a stop meant it holding second gear until the rev limiter and then staying there until I slapped that paddle and got an immediate shift. I'd still prefer a stick but for a rental, with an auto, it was damned good.

Bitchpoint 5: The fuel economy sucked.

I drove this thing either in dense urban traffic or like I fucking hated it on the interstate. 22mpg. With the top down all the time which can't help the aero.

On top of all that the handling was much more confident the brakes were waaaaaaay better than I remember, plenty of power and GREAT steering compared to the S197. And I got the opportunity to use all that because turns out, in puerto rico they drive like fuckin puerto ricans. Who knew? Lots of brake checks and evasive maneuvers, but much much more confident than the old car.

Really, I liked it. I liked the GT I drove and I liked this BS V6 Auto tragic and goddam if I don't need one of these in my life but BAD.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - CaptainHenreh - 01-12-2016

Also iguanas:
[Image: IMG_20160109_102911_zpsd0obyfta.jpg]

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Senor_Taylor - 01-12-2016

I'm not exactly sure how I missed your instagram posts of all of this.

Now you just need to drive an Ecoboost so you can compare all three. I rode passenger in an auto Ecoboost and it was pretty uneventful except for it blowing a transmission cooling line.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Ken - 01-13-2016

CaptainHenreh Wrote:This plate of food was 7.50!
[Image: IMG_20160108_133038_zpsymlulify.jpg]

God I love traveling to places with awesome exchange rates.

I just got back from Cartagena where you get about 3100 pesos to the dollar - lived like a king for a week. Similar plate of food down there? $3-4. Went to a 5 star restaurant that is reportedly up for a Michelin star, had the 5 course chef's tasting menu, home made sangria and bottle of wine, all for four people. $250. Not per person, fucking total. It's amazing and it was easily one the best meals I've ever had.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - WRXtranceformed - 02-18-2016

Current and former Focus owners: is this car supposed to jerk really bad when moving forward from a stop? Had this issue with a rental SE with 22k miles. It was basically undrivable in stop and go traffic. Also the "easy filler cap" was loose and popped out. Why does this car have such a small gas tank? 36mpg is irrelevant if I still have to fill up twice before I drop it back off at the rental counter. 12.4G bone dry is laughable

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - JPolen01 - 02-18-2016

WRXtranceformed Wrote:Why does this car have such a small gas tank? 36mpg is irrelevant if I still have to fill up twice before I drop it back off at the rental counter. 12.4G bone dry is laughable
I feel your pain. My car only has an 11 gallon tank. I have to fill up once a week usually even getting 30mpg.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Senor_Taylor - 02-18-2016

18 gallon master race checking in.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - SlimKlim - 02-19-2016

WRXtranceformed Wrote:Current and former Focus owners: is this car supposed to jerk really bad when moving forward from a stop? Had this issue with a rental SE with 22k miles. It was basically undrivable in stop and go traffic. Also the "easy filler cap" was loose and popped out. Why does this car have such a small gas tank? 36mpg is irrelevant if I still have to fill up twice before I drop it back off at the rental counter. 12.4G bone dry is laughable

1.) They stuck a dual clutch in them without telling anyone it was a dual clutch, and it's a shitty one at that, nothing like the VW/Audi/BMW/Porsche units. So your brain is expecting it to act like an automatic and instead it acts like a 15 year old learning stick, which is pretty jarring.

2.) My personal theory is they shrunk the tanks to trick people into thinking the cars were more efficient because it "only takes $XX to fill it up." The '15 GTI has a noticeably smaller tank than the '09 did, I used to be able to go 2 weeks between fill ups in the old car.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - WRXtranceformed - 02-19-2016

SlimKlim Wrote:
WRXtranceformed Wrote:Current and former Focus owners: is this car supposed to jerk really bad when moving forward from a stop? Had this issue with a rental SE with 22k miles. It was basically undrivable in stop and go traffic. Also the "easy filler cap" was loose and popped out. Why does this car have such a small gas tank? 36mpg is irrelevant if I still have to fill up twice before I drop it back off at the rental counter. 12.4G bone dry is laughable

1.) They stuck a dual clutch in them without telling anyone it was a dual clutch, and it's a shitty one at that, nothing like the VW/Audi/BMW/Porsche units. So your brain is expecting it to act like an automatic and instead it acts like a 15 year old learning stick, which is pretty jarring.

2.) My personal theory is they shrunk the tanks to trick people into thinking the cars were more efficient because it "only takes $XX to fill it up." The '15 GTI has a noticeably smaller tank than the '09 did, I used to be able to go 2 weeks between fill ups in the old car.
Wow that's good to know....I mean if I bought a car like that I don't know that I could live with it. It almost felt like the engine was misfiring the way it drove. Do the high power STs or whatever have the same issue?

I love being able to drive to ATL and back on one tank in a bigger SUV even if it costs more to fill up. The same thing happened with the Altima I rented the week before, I had to like time when I would fill up on the way back because otherwise I would run out of gas on the interstate but then would inevitably have to stop again to top it off before I dropped it off at the rental place.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - SlimKlim - 02-19-2016

WRXtranceformed Wrote:
SlimKlim Wrote:
WRXtranceformed Wrote:Current and former Focus owners: is this car supposed to jerk really bad when moving forward from a stop? Had this issue with a rental SE with 22k miles. It was basically undrivable in stop and go traffic. Also the "easy filler cap" was loose and popped out. Why does this car have such a small gas tank? 36mpg is irrelevant if I still have to fill up twice before I drop it back off at the rental counter. 12.4G bone dry is laughable

1.) They stuck a dual clutch in them without telling anyone it was a dual clutch, and it's a shitty one at that, nothing like the VW/Audi/BMW/Porsche units. So your brain is expecting it to act like an automatic and instead it acts like a 15 year old learning stick, which is pretty jarring.

2.) My personal theory is they shrunk the tanks to trick people into thinking the cars were more efficient because it "only takes $XX to fill it up." The '15 GTI has a noticeably smaller tank than the '09 did, I used to be able to go 2 weeks between fill ups in the old car.
Wow that's good to know....I mean if I bought a car like that I don't know that I could live with it. It almost felt like the engine was misfiring the way it drove. Do the high power STs or whatever have the same issue?

I love being able to drive to ATL and back on one tank in a bigger SUV even if it costs more to fill up. The same thing happened with the Altima I rented the week before, I had to like time when I would fill up on the way back because otherwise I would run out of gas on the interstate but then would inevitably have to stop again to top it off before I dropped it off at the rental place.

The STs only come with a 3-pedal. I think the issue is their unit is a dry clutch set up, every other successful DSG uses a wet clutch which has much smoother engagement and quicker shifts. If you're really thinking about it you can tell my car isn't a regular auto when you set off from a light, but it's pretty darn good at pretending.

I agree, the only saving grace of the new car is it can somehow eek 36-37 on the highway with me driving and 39+ with Lauren driving, so the range for road trips is still pretty decent, its the NOVA surface-street battleground where you get 20-22 and just eat through tanks.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Jake - 02-19-2016

WRXtranceformed Wrote:Wow that's good to know....I mean if I bought a car like that I don't know that I could live with it. It almost felt like the engine was misfiring the way it drove. Do the high power STs or whatever have the same issue?

I love being able to drive to ATL and back on one tank in a bigger SUV even if it costs more to fill up. The same thing happened with the Altima I rented the week before, I had to like time when I would fill up on the way back because otherwise I would run out of gas on the interstate but then would inevitably have to stop again to top it off before I dropped it off at the rental place.

It's a "dry" dual-clutch setup which is unlike the VW/Audi/Porsche units. The VW DSG has fluid involved (aka "wet clutch") which helps make it smoother. Ford went with the dry clutch setup for longevity and it not needing periodic fluid changes - VW charges you for a DSG service every like, 30k or so - but it slips the clutch like a motherfucker away from a stoplight.

I had a rental Focus SE with the same transmission. Seems like they are fine for the first 20-30k and then they get all shuddery. Ford has issued a bunch of TSBs to update the programming and stuff, but it's just not a very good dual-clutch setup. The tech I spoke to said they replace a ton of clutches under warranty to try and alleviate customer complaints.

Fortunately, the ST's are all a proper three-pedal, so aside from too-soft motor mounts and all the other ST crap, they drive far better.

And yes, one of my complaints with my FoST was how small the gas tank was. Even my BMWs being ~17 gallons is more useful than the 12 or so of the Focus.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - SlimKlim - 02-19-2016

Jake Wrote:VW charges you for a DSG service every like, 30k or so - but it slips the clutch like a motherfucker away from a stoplight.

80k TYVM.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - BLINGMW - 04-02-2016

How about a 2016 MB Metris Cargo Van!

I have a window covering business and our 15yr old 175k mile GMC Safari isn't proving reliable enough. We're shopping for its replacement. I took it to the shop for a few repairs, borrowed a MB Metris for a couple days and put ~120 miles on it. Looked like this one:
[Image: 6a00d83451b3c669e201b8d1296fc5970c-800wi]

This is a unique vehicle in the US. What we have are full size monster vans like the Ford Transit, Dodge ProMaster (this one is FWD), GMC Savana. They weigh 4500+ lbs, drive like a utility shed, and get 12 MPG. Then we have little 4cyl FWD Mr. Paint Pig wagons like the Ford Transit Connect, Dodge (Fiat!) ProMaster City, Chevy Shitty, and Nissan Eggmobile. Nice to daily drive, 25+ MPG. But all of them are a little smaller and shorter than the Astro/Safari, and that's the wrong direction for my needs. FWIW a large minivan like the Dodge Grand Caravan is the closest thing but they stopped selling the stripped down "Tradesman" version last year. :dunno:

Enter the Metris:
[Image: Attach2675_20160328_151317_zpsji6pe0pq.jpeg]

This is a RWD Smile , ~3500lb Big Grin , turbo :o , 25+ MPG :thumbup: van with height and width similar to a Safari/Astro, but as long inside as some full size vans. Approx 8.6 ft to the front seats, which I really do need. It somehow has crazy load capacity and towing capability too which I don't need, but it does occur to me this thing could haul a fleet of motorcycles.

My impressions:
>Seating position is comfortable but oddly high. The dash and steering wheel are very low and A-pillars are thick and in my field of view. I wish I could lower the seat like 6 inches. Odd but liveable.

>The upscale dash, controls, steering wheel make me feel important.

>The cargo version transmits all kinds of sweet road noise, including fun raspy turbo.

>And that's road noise, but no chassis noises. Smooth ride, tight suspension, sounds and feels stiff and well built.

>Real 7-spd auto with paddle shifters is one of the best autos I've driven. Usually in a good gear, holds a gear for a few seconds if you get on it, and paddle shift overrides work great.

>Power delivery is impressive and with no load it's quick. Turn off the traction control and goose it at slow speeds for hilarious lack of grip even though independent rear suspension is trying its best. Likely I would get in trouble. In a VAN.

>I'm assuming driving in snow would be horrible, which would likely hold me up a few days a year.

>Brake is overboosted and really hard to get anything less than 50-100%.

>The passenger mirror is unacceptable. I cannot fathom why, but it seems to be flat glass instead of convex, ie, objects in mirror are NOT closer than they appear. The view and blind spot on that side is lose-a-whole-truck horrible which is extra bad when you don't have side windows. Is this to force me to add the blind-spot-detector package or die?

>91 octane recommended, which seems like a big miss for what might be used as a fleet vehicle. Says 87 is "ok", which I put in and could tell no difference. But I'm awaiting a response from MB on the result of extended use. Unless paying 20% more for fuel is going to net me 20% better fuel efficiency, then no thanks.

>Even on 87 octane had no trouble getting 28 MPG highway and returned 26 in mixed use including driving like a maniac. The Safari my mixed use is about 17.

>If I had to work on it, the underside was not crowded, and it has the most accessible engine I've seen in a van. A little concerning though that the ECU is on top of the engine, hopefully MB knows what they're doing...

>Cruise control is an option, but one I'd have to go for. Turbo + high seating position + composed ride = I'm going 20 over everywhere.

>If I had 6 kids (and didn't kill myself?), the passenger version is pretty sweet too. I'd prefer that over most minivans, with option for sliding doors on both sides.

Overall I'd much enjoy driving this thing every day over my Safari. We'll see... there's not much else to choose from!

I also drove a full size, long wheelbase Dodge Promaster. Diesel. Worst Thing Ever. Nothing to discuss. I can think of no good comment other than I could live in it if forced to. Oh I take that back, the side mirrors were good. Worst, slowest, this-has-to-be-broken transmission and throttle response I've ever experienced. Might as well have been driving a semi.

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - ScottyB - 04-02-2016

BLINGMW Wrote:How about a 2016 MB Metris Cargo Van!
[Image: 6a00d83451b3c669e201b8d1296fc5970c-800wi]

:lol: yeeessss

BLINGMW Wrote:RWD Smile , ~3500lb Big Grin , turbo :o , 25+ MPG :thumbup: van

paddle shifters

independent rear suspension

Confusedhock: wait, what? this sounds...awesome? if we have another kid this is the only minivan alternative this side of a flex that i'd consider

Re: Rental Car Ruckus 2: Electric Boogaloo - Apoc - 04-02-2016

I saw the commercial for this a few weeks ago and thought to myself, "they're right, there isn't anything like this in the US." I wonder how well it'll do since, I think, tradesmen tend to buy American.