Best Prices on Car Rentals?

[PassiveTheory]

Hey peeps, basic survey-of-the-board's-opinion-type question on car rentals: Who, nationally, has the best car rental rates (or if you're from the bay area, locally)? What should I be paying to rent a SUV-type (or at least a van or something that can seat 4 people + camping gear) car for 5 days? What type of car should I rent if I intend to carpool? Muchos gracias.

[Courtney]

http://www.kayak.com/cars

[captncrzy]

Lee-I always always always go to www.carrentals.com. They do a search for you of all the major car rental places and show you the best rates.

Recommendation-reserve a car through them now, and then start checking the prices (I'd check every week); the rental car companies drastically lower their prices on rentals about a week or so ahead of time hoping for some last minute rentals. . If you find the car cheaper, just cancel your old reservation and then make a new one at the lower price. The last several times I've rented a car, I've paid $10-15.

[sassypants]

the weekly rate is usually cheaper or the same as 5 days.

[justinaqui]

Name your own price on priceline. I got a mid-size for 4 days for $15/day plus taxes, so it worked out to $99 for the weekend. Other people have said to always pick the compact, because the companies don't stock many compacts so you're almost assured a free upgrade to at least a mid-size.
I can't help you with what size car to get. I've camped once, but there were only 2 of us and everything easily fit into the trunk of our rented Ford Taurus. Last year I think we ended up with a Jeep Liberty which was quite comfortable, and the extra ground clearance allowed for unplanned late night parking lot detours.

[angelique]

i have always gotten the best deals at hotwire.com

[sandinista]

does anyone know companies that rent cars to 19 year - olds ?

[Corporate Cannibal]

Lee-I always always always go to www.carrentals.com. They do a search for you of all the major car rental places and show you the best rates.

Recommendation-reserve a car through them now, and then start checking the prices (I'd check every week); the rental car companies drastically lower their prices on rentals about a week or so ahead of time hoping for some last minute rentals. . If you find the car cheaper, just cancel your old reservation and then make a new one at the lower price. The last several times I've rented a car, I've paid $10-15.

Bullshit! These rat bastards are asking for double that.

[Pancho confucious]

$1,000,000

[Fourthisto]

Name your own price on priceline.

I'll agree with this whole-heartily. I beat Kayak/Hotwire/Carrentals.com 's best prices by 50% a day by hitting up Priceline and just throwing in something sick like $15 a day and negotiating from there. Never fails!