Hiring a Ford

**Polyal** · 10-09-2013, 09:05 PM

Are there any companies that will 100% rent a Falcon these days? Im heading south for a few days and last time I hired a car in the large segment under the premise of "Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon" I got stuck with a god forsaken Camry. Guess it could have been worse.

Is there anyone when I book online can make sure its a Ford? G6 is fine but Ill settle for a XT.

smoo · 10-09-2013, 09:09 PM

I always go thru Budget or Avis booking XR6, and occasionally get an SV6. If it's a large rental depot I can't see why you couldn't request a Falcon when you pick up the keys. Personally I don't care if its Falcon or Commodore, just as long as its not some 4 cylinder pos out of Asia then I'm happy.

Smoke Pursuit · 10-09-2013, 09:11 PM

Nope... Its a matter of getting what you are given, unless the attendant on the day is nice and will give you something you request. Usually they will give you an option providing you turn up there early! Ive requested a few cars and been given them, but occasionally I get a dog (VE Omega!).

AJ09 · 10-09-2013, 09:15 PM

Last time I hired a car from Budget, they had Falcons. Not sure if it has changed.

I thought I would get an XT, instead it was a brand new XR6.

The reason for the hire car was I had a run in with skippy in my VE work car. It seems something finally went right for me as I got to drive a real car for 3 weeks while the VE was being repaired!!

bobthebilda · 10-09-2013, 09:21 PM

Hertz will do it, just make the booking for a large car, and ask for what you want. Unless very very busy, they will give you a car (that they have), that you ask for.

XR Martin · 10-09-2013, 09:34 PM

Hertz have just about phased out their Falcons, if you get one it will be fairly old (for a rental)

tranquilized · 10-09-2013, 09:40 PM

I just booked a Falcon through Hertz in New Zealand for January. Their category stated Ford Falcon or similar with a picture of an FG XT. I emailed the branch I was hiring from to ask what else I may end up with, and they replied saying the only car they have in that class is the Falcon XR6. So I booked it

Its more difficult in NZ cause so many of the rental companies have grey imported garbage from Japan, I was keen to avoid those especially considering the caliber of the roads I'll be driving.

smoo · 10-09-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquilized

I just booked a Falcon through Hertz in New Zealand for January. Their category stated Ford Falcon or similar with a picture of an FG XT. I emailed the branch I was hiring from to ask what else I may end up with, and they replied saying the only car they have in that class is the Falcon XR6. So I booked it

Its more difficult in NZ cause so many of the rental companies have grey imported garbage from Japan, I was keen to avoid those especially considering the caliber of the roads I'll be driving.

Stick with the main companies and they have the usual new stuff the same as Australia. The smaller cheaper ones (like Apex) have old imported crap usually driven by back packers. I needed a car last year between xmas and new years, and everything was booked out across all companies including camper vans, except this heap of ****. Worst car I've driven. Looses speed on hills, pull out to pass a truck on a hill and it nearly beats you to the top. This is the result of lax import laws - NZ roads flooded with them.

xr gr8 · 11-09-2013, 12:06 AM

We where in Melbourne for a small vacation last week and with the hope of seeing some snow at Lake Mountain I pre booked a XR6 from Budget.
Rocked up 8am to pickup our wheels only to be told in a most enthusiastic voice that we had the choice of two SV6's

or an Aurion

....much to my disgust we drove away in a Commy and I couldn't see a Falcon in the rental car park anywhere.

NX74205 · 11-09-2013, 12:18 AM

Yeah I think Budget had phased out their Falcons. Last time I hired an FG XR6 from budget was in April last year, they had a two year old XR6 with 66,000kms on the clock or a brand new SV6. I quizzed them about getting new XR6s and they said that they wouldn't be getting any more Falcons in ... :(

ILLaViTaR · 11-09-2013, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

Yeah I think Budget had phased out their Falcons. Last time I hired an FG XR6 from budget was in April last year, they had a two year old XR6 with 66,000kms on the clock or a brand new SV6. I quizzed them about getting new XR6s and they said that they wouldn't be getting any more Falcons in ... :(

Lots of businesses have retired the trusty old falcon, but the FBT is now fixed so that's all going to magically change. Ford is saved. The local hire companies will now support the local manufacturing companies like best friends. Our country will be rich before you know it anyone who thinks otherwise is a deadset harry flarry with an invalid opinion. The local businesses all care too much for each other to risk destroying local business by sourcing overseas because it simply suits their financial interests. Have faith.

blueprinted_xr · 11-09-2013, 01:13 PM

Ive always used hertz and had fg xr6's. it all depends on what they have at the time but they normally can note down on your booking that your prefer an XR6. If they actually look at the note before you turn up to pick up the car is a different story. I can only suggest you get there as early as you can as then you generally will have your option of whats in the yard before everyone else picks up their "ford falcon or equivalent", give you the ford falcon, and everyone else the equivalent

xisled · 11-09-2013, 02:38 PM

I needed a car about a month ago. Booked large car through Hertz. Got a great FG 2012 XR6. Mrs loves holden but she was excited that she got to drive the FG. But then again she loves driving the GT.

superfly · 11-09-2013, 03:37 PM

I've booked cars through Europcar and normally get a XR6 but one time in NZ they gave me an Aurion SX6 instead.

rancidpunx · 11-09-2013, 03:41 PM

I always try to book cars over the phone and always request a Falcon or Focus depending on the size of car I need. I never had a problem getting a Falcon but usually end up with a Corolla when blasting to the airport and only need the small. Geez the new coralla is cack as well.

OCTANEBOSS · 13-09-2013, 10:31 PM

I got a choice of colours at the melb airport recently.... Il take the red fg xr6 thanks, they are faster lol. budget stock them, didnt book it thou early in the working week, 5 days $280, not to bad for the the comfort... reckon the are slightly detuned thou

Rico 110s · 14-09-2013, 01:16 AM

Went to Melbourne a couple of weeks ago, asked for the XR6 through Thrifty and they delivered, it was an awesome car!
I think i missed the XR6 more than Melbourne when I had to leave. :-(

**PepeLePew** · 14-09-2013, 08:25 AM

Hertz XR numbers in Aus are dwindling sadly. They've got a right soup of different vehicles these days hiring can be an adventure. Book large and you have a better chance but my last one last week had 56000kms. Then this week Camry. Gives me something to do on the Tulla carpark thinking up smart lines for when I'm asked 'how was your car sir?'

Matty4 · 14-09-2013, 10:00 AM

We're off to Cairns Monday week and have booked a car through Avis for the 5 of us.
It states "Full size sports Holden SV6 or similar."

As we're not arriving there until 7.30pm I imagine I'll get whatever's left.

duaned · 14-09-2013, 12:45 PM

My brother recently visited and hired a XR6 from Hertz. He made that car's presence know by showing the neighbours which wheel hooks up when the go pedal and brake pedal are pressed simultaneously!

**Polyal** · 14-09-2013, 01:53 PM

Thanks for the feedback all, seems it might be a bit of a gamble then.

Yellow_Festiva · 15-09-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty4

We're off to Cairns Monday week and have booked a car through Avis for the 5 of us.
It states "Full size sports Holden SV6 or similar."

As we're not arriving there until 7.30pm I imagine I'll get whatever's left.

Which is exactly what happens. My mate runs a CBD Avis and the surrounding offices are forever swapping and trading cars on a daily basis. The 'Or Similar' clause is there to cover their behind. Often, you will be given a larger car or an 'upgrade' only because the car you should have got was not returned on time, returned to the wrong office or left somewhere inconvenient like the hotel car park or 2 streets away from the office due to the returning customer being unable to find parking, rushed or both.

In the case of the Sydney CBD offices the only thing they will confirm is the style of car 'or better'. You cannot confirm colour, brand, model etc due to the nature of the business and the supply of cars being out of the hands of the manager. A lot of customers try to request certain brands, colours (especially for weddings) and it is made clear at the time of booking that those requests can not be 100 certain upon collection.

**GasoLane** · 15-09-2013, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty4

We're off to Cairns Monday week and have booked a car through Avis for the 5 of us.
It states "Full size sports Holden SV6 or similar."

As we're not arriving there until 7.30pm I imagine I'll get whatever's left.

We are also going back up there next Feb and will be renting another VW Golf ($550 for 14 days)

I could never see a reason to get a big car. unless you've got lots of kids, on holiday.
The money I save on getting a smaller car I can spend on other fun stuff

Matty4 · 15-09-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

We are also going back up there next Feb and will be renting another VW Golf ($550 for 14 days)

I could never see a reason to get a big car. unless you've got lots of kids, on holiday.
The money I save on getting a smaller car I can spend on other fun stuff

Yep............I still have to take the 3 kids with me

**Polyal** · 16-09-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty4

Yep............I still have to take the 3 kids with me

Yeap me too, but truth be told we have managed with a Golf MkV before and survived.

But I want a Falcon.