- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 5,294
Well not really. I should use the term rate instead of price. Rental rate to be specific. I needed a last minute one way rental yesterday to take advantage of a weather window to go pickup my Ducati from the 15,000 mile service. Called to get a car lined up, ask for the bottom of barrel, which would be a Chevy Spark but for a dollar more they offered a Versa so took that. Gave me the reservation number to give to the counter agent. Go to get the car, paperwork done, hands me a key fob set, directs me to the ready lot space 103. Off I go. Not a Versa in 103, a 300 instead. Look down at key fob. Chrysler emblem. Moral dilemna. Go tell agent it's not a Versa or take the free upgrade and ride in style. Took the upgrade
Downside is that now I'm spoiled and what I usually drive now seems like a Trabant
At the destination, hand over the paper work to the agent who courteously checks it in,logs mileage and doesn't say a thing about the difference.
About the car. 5000 miles showed on the odo. Admittedly I have no comparison within the class the 300 competes in, but wow, what a nice car. Suspension smooth as fine silk yet just the right firmness. The Pentastar V6 and 8 speed transmission combo worked seamlessly together and even minor presses on the pedal rendered a crisp yet smooth down shift, firm increase in thrust, satisfying growl from the motor, yet silenced in a tasteful way. On the interstate it felt more like I was in a hovercraft skimming on a tight cushion of compressed air instead of rolling on concrete-- yet still connected somehow and precisely responsive to steering, throttle, and brake inputs. Not an audiophile so can't comment on the sound system but compared to what's in my Forester it was like attending a live symphony orchestra performance. Although at times I simply turned it off and enjoyed the muted hush of the cabin to become lost in thoughts about life, motorcycles, and women. And some other stuff.
All in all, a good day, if not a dichotomy of travel experiences considering the chilly two hour ride home in full gear with the copious wind noise of my Nolan helmet (need to get ear plugs).
At the destination, hand over the paper work to the agent who courteously checks it in,logs mileage and doesn't say a thing about the difference.
About the car. 5000 miles showed on the odo. Admittedly I have no comparison within the class the 300 competes in, but wow, what a nice car. Suspension smooth as fine silk yet just the right firmness. The Pentastar V6 and 8 speed transmission combo worked seamlessly together and even minor presses on the pedal rendered a crisp yet smooth down shift, firm increase in thrust, satisfying growl from the motor, yet silenced in a tasteful way. On the interstate it felt more like I was in a hovercraft skimming on a tight cushion of compressed air instead of rolling on concrete-- yet still connected somehow and precisely responsive to steering, throttle, and brake inputs. Not an audiophile so can't comment on the sound system but compared to what's in my Forester it was like attending a live symphony orchestra performance. Although at times I simply turned it off and enjoyed the muted hush of the cabin to become lost in thoughts about life, motorcycles, and women. And some other stuff.
All in all, a good day, if not a dichotomy of travel experiences considering the chilly two hour ride home in full gear with the copious wind noise of my Nolan helmet (need to get ear plugs).
