Car Talk 4: The Richard Hertz Rent-A-Car 500

[Huckleberry]

Looking like he's about to pick up his grandson for a tour of a chocolate factory.

[CaleDeRoo]

[wap]

Whenever I do this, I find that 40% of the people parking next to me park according to where MY CAR is not where the lines for the spot are.

That is a real thing as well.

I swear, as I get older I'm more and more tempted to carry a church key to go apeshit on cars. I never thought I would feel that way, but today there are way more inconsiderate assholes that don't know how to drive/park, or what's going on around them.

For those that are wondering what a Church Key is... here you go:

use of vernacular.

[wap]

Rental in Vegas was a brand new 2020 Hyundai Elantra from Alamo. Side note, Alamo was awesome and I'd get another vehicle from them, you get to pick the car out of the lineup and all. It was this or a handful of Sentras so it was an easy pick.







This car didn't suck. It's slow and passing power doesn't exist. 2400 RPM at 80 MPH. Averaged 41 MPG for the 500 miles I had it. Held its own on a back road and was still fun to drive. Good ride quality. Super quiet on the highway for a cheap car. Top notch infotainment, worked better than any system I've tried using.

Solid entry in the compact cheap car segment. Enjoyable, if forgettable, car.

I'm becoming a fan of H after spending a bit more time in my wife's Sonata. The thing is quiet and quite solid, with a satisfying thunk when you close the doors. Kind of numb steering (what isn't these days) but it tracks straight as an arrow. Brakes have decent linear feel and the LED headlights are . Seats are decently comfy if a little short on lateral support, but they're electric for driver and passenger, so that's nice. Plenty of room up front and back, soft touch points on the dash and door cards, and very nicely damped switches and knobs. Can't speak to the stereo as wife refuses to listen to anything louder than a whisper. Heated seats and steering wheel, and the anus whistlers work well, too. For the price, it's hard to do better, IMO.

[max225]

Oh wow a production version

[Apex]

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Oh wow a production version

There's probably quite a bit of the production styling here. Surprised to see it so boxy. Wind noise will be no better than a JL.

[Johnny_P]

Oh wow a production version

There's probably quite a bit of the production styling here. Surprised to see it so boxy. Wind noise will be no better than a JL.

Roof line is about the same as a 4Runner and that thing is pretty much silent at speed. So it just depends. I'm surprised its so boxy as well.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

There's probably quite a bit of the production styling here. Surprised to see it so boxy. Wind noise will be no better than a JL.

Roof line is about the same as a 4Runner and that thing is pretty much silent at speed. So it just depends. I'm surprised its so boxy as well.

It's more the flat/upright windshield and slab sides. The 4Runner has quite a bit more curve to the windshield.

[max225]

Roof line is about the same as a 4Runner and that thing is pretty much silent at speed. So it just depends. I'm surprised its so boxy as well.

It's more the flat/upright windshield and slab sides. The 4Runner has quite a bit more curve to the windshield.

Mini is a box too, and it’s relatively quiet.

[dubshow]

Okay, THIS is a clown car.

Is that you?

waxer doesnt exist in any photos online.

[Johnny_P]

Roof line is about the same as a 4Runner and that thing is pretty much silent at speed. So it just depends. I'm surprised its so boxy as well.

It's more the flat/upright windshield and slab sides. The 4Runner has quite a bit more curve to the windshield.

I can’t tell the curve of the windshield in these photos. But I can tell it’s overall shape looks nearly identical to the 4R. We will have to wait and see how the noise levels are on the highway nobody can predict that by looking at a desert runner concept that shares almost nothing with the production version.

[max225]

It's more the flat/upright windshield and slab sides. The 4Runner has quite a bit more curve to the windshield.

I can’t tell the curve of the windshield in these photos. But I can tell it’s overall shape looks nearly identical to the 4R. We will have to wait and see how the noise levels are on the highway nobody can predict that by looking at a desert runner concept that shares almost nothing with the production version.

It’s the same body bro
It’s obviously not some sort of plastic cladding that loosely resembles it on a rando tube chassis trophy truck
Ima walk over to ford and demand a lookalike

[ChrisoftheNorth]

It's more the flat/upright windshield and slab sides. The 4Runner has quite a bit more curve to the windshield.

Mini is a box too, and it’s relatively quiet.

Windshield is curved

[ChrisoftheNorth]

I can’t tell the curve of the windshield in these photos. But I can tell it’s overall shape looks nearly identical to the 4R. We will have to wait and see how the noise levels are on the highway nobody can predict that by looking at a desert runner concept that shares almost nothing with the production version.

It’s the same body bro
It’s obviously not some sort of plastic cladding that loosely resembles it on a rando tube chassis trophy truck
Ima walk over to ford and demand a lookalike

Yea...that body has to be pretty damned near production intent. Otherwise people will go if it doesn't look like much that.

It's a bold move on Ford's part...it sets the tone for the vehicle and better deliver.

[max225]

It’s the same body bro
It’s obviously not some sort of plastic cladding that loosely resembles it on a rando tube chassis trophy truck
Ima walk over to ford and demand a lookalike

Yea...that body has to be pretty damned near production intent. Otherwise people will go if it doesn't look like much that.

It's a bold move on Ford's part...it sets the tone for the vehicle and better deliver.

Ford hasn’t delivered on anything for 20 years.
I would be shocked if it’s good....
ranger half assed
F150 with all that aluminum weighs same as before
Mustang half assed on the interior once again
Not one single decent car
Suv line up old and half assed
New explorer hit with production issues

How are they still in business is the question.

The only decent vehicles were the Lincoln’s. New navigator is arguably one of the best in the business same with aviator

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Yea...that body has to be pretty damned near production intent. Otherwise people will go if it doesn't look like much that.

It's a bold move on Ford's part...it sets the tone for the vehicle and better deliver.

Ford hasn’t delivered on anything for 20 years.
I would be shocked if it’s good....
ranger half assed
F150 with all that aluminum weighs same as before
Mustang half assed on the interior once again
Not one single decent car
Suv line up old and half assed
New explorer hit with production issues

How are they still in business is the question.

The only decent vehicles were the Lincoln’s. New navigator is arguably one of the best in the business same with aviator

It's been hyped for way too long to be a failure IMO.

But anything is possible.

[CorvetteWaxer]

Oh wow a production version

There's probably quite a bit of the production styling here. Surprised to see it so boxy. Wind noise will be no better than a JL.

I like it, but it's still a Fraud.

[max225]

Also, there's this:





https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/c ... -the-year/

VelobsterN won Performance Car of the Year from R&T. Beat out the new Corvette, M2 comp, Supra, 911 CS.... Maybe clickbait article but nonetheless.

This one makes way more sense than the CD test which was . I can totally see a veloster being a disposable DD that you ride hard and put away wet.

I don’t think I’d pick it over an m2 though ... unless price is an issue.

[CaleDeRoo]

Also, there's this:





https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/c ... -the-year/

VelobsterN won Performance Car of the Year from R&T. Beat out the new Corvette, M2 comp, Supra, 911 CS.... Maybe clickbait article but nonetheless.

This one makes way more sense than the CD test which was . I can totally see a veloster being a disposable DD that you ride hard and put away wet.

I don’t think I’d pick it over an m2 though ... unless price is an issue.

There's only one way to find out

[D Griff]

Listening to my coworkers who aren't car guys discuss CUVs next door.

[max225]

Listening to my coworkers who aren't car guys discuss CUVs next door.

Live stream that beeyotch. I would have to say...
if an average person is about a 2/10 on the car "guy" scale....males being closer to 3 and females closer to 1....
Most "car" guys at work are around 5ish
You guys are around 7ish...
Jay leno is a 10...
so... yea... Um... most people are far below this forum... lets hear it.

[D Griff]

Listening to my coworkers who aren't car guys discuss CUVs next door.

Live stream that beeyotch. I would have to say...
if an average person is about a 2/10 on the car "guy" scale....males being closer to 3 and females closer to 1....
Most "car" guys at work are around 5ish
You guys are around 7ish...
Jay leno is a 10...
so... yea... Um... most people are far below this forum... lets hear it.

"Subarus last a really long time"
"I would never drive a minivan... the Honda Pilot is really nice though"

I mentioned that the current line of Mazderp CUVs are and it didn't seem to carry much weight.

[Johnny_P]

Went for a drive. Don't know why, it was pointless. It's just not enjoyable to drive around here anymore. Really need to get rid of the STI.

[max225]

Went for a drive. Don't know why, it was pointless. It's just not enjoyable to drive around here anymore. Really need to get rid of the STI.

mang... you've been talking about this for over a year. What is stopping you?