In article <
[email protected]>, John Stokes
<
[email protected]> writes
>I'm heading off to California in about six weeks time and it's just occurred
>to me that cars out there tend to have automatic gearboxes. As I've never
>driven with an automatic gearbox and hate driving with all the controls on
>the wrong side of the car, does anyone have any experience or information on
>landrover hire companies over there?
> Cheers, John
Not exactly a small state! Where are you going?
There's a rumour that you can hire stick-shift from Hertz at SFO and
possibly LAX, but I've never managed to yet. The SFO branch moved to a
purpose built car park a few years back and has a lot more space now, so
they may have some, but don't bank on it. For smaller companies, I'd say
there's no chance, unless you find a specialist, and it'll be very
expensive. The Land Rover marque is even more of a premium package than
here (there's a dealer, I think on El Camero, in San Jose whose prices
made me laugh out loud). Because of that, Rangies and Discos are more
common than generic Defenders.
Personally, I'd try to hire a decent mid-size car instead and get used
to automatic. If you haven't driven over there, you'll have quite enough
to do getting used to the dreadful freeway signage, 4-way stops, etc.,
without trying to manage a gear stick and hand brake on the wrong side
too. SFO is right on highway 101 (4-6 lanes of armed maniacs), and
there's no other practical route out of the airport. LAX is a bit better
for getting orientated, but not much, and the freeways there are more
militarized down there. I've never been down to San Diego.
IMHO, the Japanese (or AP designed/made GM cars) handle better than
anything 'traditionally' American. I once took a Subaru Legacy from
Sacramento to San Jose via the San Andreas valley, Yosemite, and Modesto
and it was great. In contrast, a Buick Century for an afternoon in the
hills above San Jose left me seasick and a little shaken. I didn't know
such a poor-handling vehicle could be put on the road anywhere in the
world, let alone America.
You can get quite decent Jeeps and people carriers ("MPV" -
multi-purpose vehicle) from most rental companies, and they give you a
better view and handling, but the hire cost is considerably higher than
a standard car.
Have a play on the Expedia web site, as it's linked to a number of hire
companies, but you will get better deals with the smaller ones by going
direct. I did this with Dollar in Florida last year (Orlando) and got a
Chrysler MPV for the cost of a mid-size saloon. Turned out to be very
necessary as the family had grown (heightwise) quite a bit between the
booking and the trip!
Two final suggestions if you're funding it: take the insurance they
offer(!), and "Buick: just say 'NO!'"
HTH.
Regards,
Simonm.
--
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