Do you have a sunroof?

 

Problem with that is, people who drive free loaners b/c their car is in for an oil change or other maintainance (sp?) are using car car very close to what they drive as transport to the office. As opposed to the rental car, which is the very cheapest car the rental place could get their hands on. And the customer instantly feels this, and being mad that they have to endure this until their car is fixed (less likely to be a simple maint. item as non-lux lines are much less likely to have free loaners on hand).

I used to be a porter at an Infiniti dealer, so don't get me wrong, some people are slobs, others return it as they recieved it, i.e. completely cleaned out/vacuumed/hand washed (I assume Lexus does the same). Also, the loaners will be taken care of much better, having techs who know what they are doing, not just the quicky lube place nearest the rental office.

Gotta say though, I was sure glad when they switched from I30/I35s (Maximas) to G35s as loaner vehicles. Made picking up and dropping off customers much more fun for me . Too bad none of them were 6-speeds.

 

Good point... I can see where you're coming from. The Lexus dealer gives out ES330s, RX330s, and IS300s currently as rentals, though mostly only ES and RX unless somebody requests an IS. And I can see people treating them better because they weren't really "downgraded". Well... unless they drove an LS430 or something, but most of them are old fockers anyway so it's not like they'd be beating on it.

 

So I decided to do a little research, and compare base model 2005 sedans. Here's what I've come up with:


Cobalt, Mazda 3, Honda civic

base price: $14190, $15090, $13260


engine: 2.2 L DOHC, 2.0 L DOHC, 1.7 L SOHC


(hp/tq): 145/155, 148/135, 115/110


EPA (mpg) 25/34, 28/35, 32/38
city / hwy:


Standard transmission: 5 spd man. 5 spd man. 5 spd man.



Brakes: front disc/rear drum, 4 wheel disc, front disc/rear drum



Wheels: 15 inch, 15 inch, 14 inch


Power windows: No No No


Power doors: No No No


AM/FM/CD: Yes Yes No



I found some other things. The cobalt has a power trunk release and variable wipers, which the other two don't have. The mazda 3 has telescoping steering wheel, which the other two don't have. Both the cobalt and the civic have a standard theft deterrent system, the mazda 3 does not.

 

An economy car is just that, an economy car.

I wouldnt agrue over the comfortness of 10 different bicyle seats. They are what they are.

Im sure the Cobalt does have an uninspiring drive, on the same note thats what $13,000 - $15,000 off the lot gets you these days.