As 95% of you seem to be based in the US, I was wondering if anyone could drop me some advice....
Me and a mate are planning on a driving holiday in 3 weeks time and am planning on doing route 66 (the famed PG amp!!) from chicago to los angeles....the thing is... i want to do it in a typically American motor.... a mustang, pontiac, dodge etc, etc... something convertible and american would be nice, i was looking at about $1000 to rent it for 2 weeks. Does ANYONE know of any cheap hire places that will let me hire a car from chicago to los angeles for 2 weeks and leave it in los angeles, ie. one way.
Also if anyone knows of any good sites for flights from the UK to chicago or has any advice or info for me all will be v. appreciated if any of you are on route let me know, as it would be nice to meet some of ya..
Look at Finnair for the flight, but I think they only fly into NY. My misses searched everything (I think she is saving to be Jewish) and it was the cheapest by far of any flights she could find.
Also if you are gonna make the drive on Route 66 make certain you carry lots of water with you as it is a really long stretch and hot as hell through the desert areas with services a good distance apart.
I think we've established that "Ka Ka" and "Tukki Tukki" don't work.
Bfowler wrote:i would compare all the big car hire players (hertz, enterprise, Avis, budget) and compare them to each other and maybe even play them off on another.
no idea on flights. mastiff might have a good idea though
the mastiff flight discount would serve to usless to him because of his location.
cars I would stay away from = anything with an american badge.
Cheers mastiff.... i dont know if i could bring myself NOT to use an American car though! it just wouldnt feel as authentic doing the drive in a hatchback... its gotta be huge with a 3ltr plus engine...
lol, that shouldn't be hard. Americans cant make any power with anything under 3 liters (unless they steal the design)
the mustang with get you there....and it will be an American convertible...and even though the drive it's self will be full of nostalgia...the mustangs drive will not inspire you one bit
my ex-girlfriend said "its car audio or me"
i've had tougher choices at a soda machine...
well if thats the case stop by my place take my GMC 4x4 pick up....5.7 liters of gas guzeling fury !
you can get much more american than a Pick Up Truck.
the bigest reason i say no to american cars = plastic interior + they just plain out suck.. but if you must then get a cadie they are still somewhat big and have decent interier.
american cars + long drive = no fun while driving.
If you have to though see if you can get a corvette at least it should have enough power to move you if the need arises. However the storage area is a bit cramped.
I think we've established that "Ka Ka" and "Tukki Tukki" don't work.
VW337 wrote:american cars + long drive = no fun while driving.
If you have to though see if you can get a corvette at least it should have enough power to move you if the need arises. However the storage area is a bit cramped.
dude....2000 miles (or close) would be hell. great track car....no so good touring car.
A Mustang was my 1st choice after checking out the prices of an old Cadillac... as the new cadilac (in my eye) dosnt resemble what us British think of when we think Cadilac.. Its gotta have rear fins really!
Although i am still open to a cadilac if anyone knows of anywhere i can rent one for under $1000 for 2 weeks and be able to drop it off in los angeles from chicago...
I highly suggest you skip the eastern half of Route 66, and focus on the western half. The eastern part is mostly a waste of time, if you take into account all there is to see on the western half, and you take extra time to see it.
Go with an American car like you originally intend. You can drive Asian or German cars anywhere in the world and get the most of an experience, but using an American car on a historical American road would complete the deal. And, if you do make a lot of stops to see things, you will find you are welcomed more if you drive an American car. Most of the towns along the way are uneducated rural populations, with jobs in manufacturing or farming, which are not the most accepting of any non American vehicles.
Thanks for the tips Eric ...all noted....The only problem im having now is trying to find a link to a half decent mustang for rent over the internet.... and trying to find a half decent flight.
Do you think its worth me getting a return flight to the same airport travelling from the UK to the US and then flying internally from wherever i am in the US back to the original airport or is it possible to get a flight into chicago for example and then fly back out from los angeles? because if i have to buy two single tickets then its gonna set me back a small fortune.
If I may make a suggestion, see if you can rent a Pontiac Solstice (GXP if you can), or Saturn Sky Redline (really the same car). They're a 2006-current model and garner some looks when driving or parked (definitely a bold style for a GM product). You can have the benefit of top down cruising as well. They are not as prevalent as the Mustang or Corvette, which are a dime a dozen.
lopezi wrote:If I may make a suggestion, see if you can rent a Pontiac Solstice (GXP if you can), or Saturn Sky Redline (really the same car). They're a 2006-current model and garner some looks when driving or parked (definitely a bold style for a GM product). You can have the benefit of top down cruising as well. They are not as prevalent as the Mustang or Corvette, which are a dime a dozen.
There is also 0 trunk space to speak of. I looked at buying one of these when they first came out. The thought of a cheap, semi reliable convertable really appealed to me, until I saw the trunk. I live 6 hours from Vegas and there is no way me and the girlfriend can take a weekend trip there because there is nowhere to put a bag.
lopezi - Thanks for the input....i'll look into it although luggage space may be a problem....
On another note, as Eric mentioned its worth skipping the eastern part of the route... would anyone suggest an alternative route? Wanna see as much US as possible in 2 weeks really...
Still looking into the cars... popped into a travel agent today in the UK and she suggested to give the hire company dollar ago as did somebody else on the forum...so im gonna look into that this evening.
Keep it coming though guys you've really helped me a bunch and i really appreciate the info from people that are acutually livin' it.
The Solstice idea is a great one, it will turn heads.
I highly suggest you start in St. Louis, and head south, and then east to Oklahoma City (go through Memphis). It is worth seeing the gateway arch in St. Louis (IMO), and you probably should also see the memorial for the Oklahoma City bombing.
While in St. Louis, also check out the Anheuser Busch brewery. Even if you don’t like shitty Budweiser, the brewery is still damn cool. I think the tour is free, and you get to try some real beer they make, but only sell in Missouri (I liked Mule Kick, and Bare Knuckle Stout)
The chunk of road from Chicago to St. Louis is pretty lame (IMO), and your time would be better spent elsewhere.
Cheers Eric for the info... booked the flight today for the 21st of june till the 6th July... Still no car rental sorted -- Im not over keen on the Crysler Sebring that EVERY rental company seems to be offering so unless something more american comes along it looks like im gonna chance it on arrival..
If ANYONE knows anyone that can sort me out for a car please let me know.. .
Avoid the Sebring at all cost. I had one of those in Daytona, they look Ok but have no sign of performance, no power, horrible ride and they are very blind to drive. The engineers were out that day I guess and left it to the secretaries to produce a car.
I think we've established that "Ka Ka" and "Tukki Tukki" don't work.
Thanks VW337.... you confirmed what i was thinking
Still stuck with no car though... i dont suppose anyones got a link for a car hire place in chicago that has a good selection of soft top\convertibles?
Have you looked into possibly starting in LA and then drive east? I suggest this since you are going to have a easier time locating a convertible there vs. Chicago.
I think we've established that "Ka Ka" and "Tukki Tukki" don't work.
-- Im not over keen on the Crysler Sebring that EVERY rental company seems to be offering so unless something more american comes along it looks like im gonna chance it on arrival..