I am currently on vacation in Orlando. We rented a car and I chose the compact category, usually when choosing this I have gotten a Corolla or similar, unless I am thinking wrong. We got a Kia Rio. It's horrible. I got it because it had a Sirius sticker and a trunk. The only other choices were a PT Cruiser and some other hatchback. I needed a trunk for the luggage. But this car really feels like an economy car, not a compact. It is so much smaller than the Corolla. Do you think Alamo's version of compact is different than the rest of the worlds? The '10 Prius feels so luxurious compared to this thing. I have heard people refer to the Prius as a go cart, but the Rio definitely feels like a go cart compared to the Prius. ETA: I just realized on the Alamo site that the compact and economy are the same price. Probably the only true compact available at the time was the PT Cruiser. Should have taken that and just dealt with our luggage being exposed in parking lots.
I live 35 miles NW of Orlando. Welcome to the area. Have a red V. How much do you REALLY miss your baby? Mine could serve as a temporary adoption if the price is right You chose a good week for your vacation - cool; actually below 90 during the day and 75 at night. Finally. I'm going to L.A. next month for 4 days and reserved a car thru Alamo. Total was $176. My son mentioned that Costco had great discounts. Checked into that and....$75 for the same period and one category up to full size. Still Alamo - $100 difference.
All things considered, I would have taken the PT Cruiser. I would have turned down the Kia Rio on its looks (and not because it drives like an economy car of years past ... an attribute which I actually kind of like). Its use of oversized black body side moldings/bumper trim is just wrong ... reminiscent of the original Aztec (and just as ugly).
I have had a POS Cruiser as my rental car for the past month and a half while my car has been in the shop, and I'm pretty sure I'd choose darn near anything over this piece of junk.
I survived the Rio. I get back in my Prius tomorrow. I can't wait!!! I will take it out for a nice car wash! Although, I do find it "funny" that the Rio has a USB port.
After driving our Prius for over a month, then I go drive my wifes car and I could not believe how much different it was! The feel was off, the steering was sloppy, the throttle felt funny, etc.. Then my wife has her car in the shop, so we get a Brand new Dodge Caliber for a rental. Sounds great right? Wrong, this car sucks. With 7k miles on it, it makes a swooshing noise in the dash on left hand turns, when the AC is on. Not to mention it leaks water into the floor board when the AC is on. So your feet get wet when you drive this thing. My wife is ready for her car, and I am happy to be back in my Prius. Sorry for hijacking the thread.
My 2010 is in the shop as well, and I ended up with a Mazda 6 as a rental. I missed my Prius alot when I dropped it off at the body shop. I missed it 100x more when I drove the Mazda from the rental place to my office. No offense to any Mazda 6 owners. I'm sure this rental has been beat to heck.
That's fine...but you realize your comparing your Prius to probably the cheapest or one of the cheapest vehicles available in the USA. About 8 months ago, KIA was running a special where if you bought a Sedona Mini-Van they threw in a KIA Rio for free...like a bowl of soup. Not kidding, don't know if it was a national offering or just a local dealer. I'd be very suprised if you didn't find your Prius to be much more luxurious.
What did you expect? You can buy 2 Kias Rio with the price of a basic 2010 Prius (model 2). Makes you wonder if your Prius model 4 was highly overpriced, doesn't it?
Left my Prius at the dealer for a few hours and they gave me a Venza to drive as a loaner. Not a bad car, but I was happy to get back into my Prius.
