Malibu vs Taurus: rental face-off

So, I'm bringing the family to California this summer. It's time to reserve a rental car, and I would like some opinions from frequent rental car users.

Since I have 3 kids (aged 4, 6 and 8), I need something big enough to carry everything, which means a full-size. I wanted a minivan, but they are DOUBLE the price of a full-size.

Now the cheapest full-size are Malibu's, but I fear they will be a little small inside and be the 4-banger, which has to be painfully slow.

Should I spend the extra 40$/week to get a Taurus?

Any other suggestions?

P.S. I happen to go in August, so should I buy my ticket for the Monterey Historics in advance?

Taurus. Hands down.

I thought a Malibu was a midsize (Fusion/Accord/Camry class) and the Impala was the full-size Chevy?

Tom_Spangler wrote: I thought a Malibu was a midsize (Fusion/Accord/Camry class) and the Impala was the full-size Chevy?

The other way. GM decided to flipflop the names.

Taurus all the way. I rent fairly often and I sprint when I see a Taurus in the Emerald Club lot.

We had a Malibu rental with two kids (7 and 9) and it was a tricky game of luggage tetris to get all their crap in the car. We had a bag between them on the seat and under the 7 year olds feet. I have no idea if the Taurus is better, but I was impressed with the Malibu as a car.

Another vote for the Taurus.

I actually really like the Malibu as a rental car (I travel frequently for work). That said, we rented one for a ski trip with the kids over this past winter. 2 adults, 2 kids and reasonable luggage (no skis, no boots, etc) and it was TIGHT.

With 3 kids and luggage, you're really going to need the Taurus.

Ranger50 wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote: I thought a Malibu was a midsize (Fusion/Accord/Camry class) and the Impala was the full-size Chevy?

The other way. GM decided to flipflop the names.

What? On chevy's website: Malibu 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space and the Impala has 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Both labeled as 2013 model year.

In reply to RossD:

You couldn't fool me... The 08 Impala in the drive here may have trunk space, but it sure doesn't have any interior space. I have to drive with my knees nearing touching the dash to have my wife sit in the rear seat behind me. Any farther back and she can't really even put her feet down in the footwell.

It does not matter. The rental company is only showing you those cars as an example of what they will have. Truth of the matter is, the day you show up they will give you what they have. Try to rent from a local office and not at the airport. The airport rental will be loaded with fees and additional taxes.
Try to avoid Enterprise. Try to go with a company like Hertz, Budget, or Avis because those companies will allow you to swap out the vehicle you have at another location if it does not meet your needs.

Ditto, this is an exercise in futility other than trying to decide what size car you want. You don't pre-rent a particular car, you pre-rent a size car.

Ranger50 wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote: I thought a Malibu was a midsize (Fusion/Accord/Camry class) and the Impala was the full-size Chevy?

The other way. GM decided to flipflop the names.

I beg to differ, sir.

Malibu: 108" wheelbase, 191" long

Impala: 110.5" wheelbase, 200" long

Per: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Exterior.aspx?year=2013&make=Chevrolet&model=Malibu&trimid=115885#VIP_TAB http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Exterior.aspx?year=2013&make=Chevrolet&model=Impala&trimid=115515#VIP_TAB

Since Chevy's useless website doesn't have the dimensions of the cars.

Malibus are tiny. Get a Taurus/Impala. Or, if it's an awesome rental car agency, a Crown Vic.

In reply to Tom_Spangler:

Ok, I retract my previous statement. But I will stay with the basic premise of the Impala is NOT a full size car and the Malibu is bigger inside for passengers.

I don't want to say your wrong...but...the information taken from the EPA on www.fueleconomy.gov for vehicle specs seems to say you are.

'08-'14 Impala Large Car Classification
Passenger Volume: 105 ft3
Luggage Volume 19 ft3

'13 Malibu Midsize Car Classification
Passenger Volume: 95 ft3
Luggage Volume 16 ft3

The Impala is indeed a full-size car, as is the Taurus.

The Fusion competes with the Malibu.

I rent cars frequently, and although none are bad cars (for rentals), I prefer the Ford offerings.

If you need the space--- Impala or Taurus, or other full size car.

Check out Kayak.com for deals as well as www.Southwest.com for rental cars.

and yes, you absolutely should check out the Monterey Historics--- its a grouping of car events that every enthusiast should have on their bucket lists!

How much driving are you going to do and how long are you going for? If you're driving a lot and/or only staying one or two weeks, then I'd agree the larger car is worth the money. But if you're not driving much, maybe go with the Malibu sized car. We're going to Disney in June. Besides the drive too/from the airport, we're not going to drive much (Disney is 5 miles from our rental house). We reserved a Malibu sized car, and I have no doubt we'll be fine. We also have 3 kids, ages 9, 5, 5.

JohnRW1621 wrote: I don't want to say your wrong...but...the information taken from the EPA on www.fueleconomy.gov for vehicle specs seems to say you are. '08-'14 Impala Large Car Classification Passenger Volume: 105 ft3 Luggage Volume 19 ft3 '13 Malibu Midsize Car Classification Passenger Volume: 95 ft3 Luggage Volume 16 ft3

Agreed. The only way your knees would be on the dash driving so your wife could ride in the back is if the driver is 7'6", and hte person behind them is 6'10" with size 18 shoes. My father has had two, and he's just shy of 6'. I'm 6' and have plenty of room behind him when he's driving. TONS of room.

Either you aren't sure what an Impala is, or you're absolutely monstrous and your family belongs in Guinness Book of World Records.

I did not get to finish my early post.
Here is my experience and how you may benefit from it...
I used to rent a lot in years past. On one particular trip it was a Tues morning pickup from Hertz near Toledo. The plan was to drive to Louisville that morning and see some customers/employees on Tues afternoon, Weds in Cinci, Thurs in Dayton, Thurs night in my own bed. On the way down, and a number of miles away, I discover that the car had a shake at about 70 mph that would go away if faster or slower. Likely a wheel out of balance. I knew it made no sense to head back to the Hertz lot because this was the only car they had available at the strip mall location I rented it from. I called the Hertz 800 number. They advised me to exchange the car out a nearby location. I knew in 2 hours I would be going right past the Dayton, OH airport. They agreed that this location would have the best selection/availability.
I pulled in to the airport car return and explained my situation. They were more than grateful and helpful. I was not questioned but rather given my choice of another car, some updated paperwork and on my way at the same rate. I seem to remember that I left with a better car grade than what I entered with. Again, they just wanted me to be happy and I was.
I suspect the car I brought in was then test driven my an employee some time later in the day to verify the issue. No backlash was ever experienced by me.

So...It would seem if you do not like the car you get at the local office, claiming a wheel wobble will get you a fresh one (that you might like more) at an airport. In your case, when the employee tests the car later in the day, they will not be able to duplicate the issue and the car will go back into the fleet.

Do not try this with Enterprise. Unlike most of the companies, their cars are often owned by the individual branch so the office in the next town over has no help for you other than to direct you to a mechanic they will pay for.

If Enterprise comes up as the cheapest (which it may) call the local office of a competitor directly. They will often price match.

Additional advise: there is not a single company that has a fuel purchase program that benefits the consumer. They all only benefit the rental company unless you consider the convenience a benefit to you (but that convenience will cost you.) Just buy gas before you return.

JohnRW1621 wrote: Additional advise: there is not a single company that has a fuel purchase program that benefits the consumer.

Did anybody ever think there was?

It was often common that the rental companies would offer a "free upgrade."
Back in my hey-day of renting, Hertz loaded up on Escapes because SUV's were what people wanted. Most were 6 cyl. Then, gas hit $4. They were charging a premium for Corollas with 30+ mpg and if you rented the cheapest car you got a 19 mpg Escape.
In 2007 every cheap Hertz rental was Taurus. This was the year that Ford only made Tauruses for fleet customers (and sold them to them for cheap!) I had heard at the time that these new Tauruses were retailing for $13k, new.

Duke wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: Additional advise: there is not a single company that has a fuel purchase program that benefits the consumer.

Did anybody ever think there was?

The counter will sell it to you like you are a fool to not take it.

Just get the taurus.....the new ones are massive.

Bobzilla wrote: Agreed. The only way your knees would be on the dash driving so your wife could ride in the back is if the driver is 7'6", and hte person behind them is 6'10" with size 18 shoes. My father has had two, and he's just shy of 6'. I'm 6' and have plenty of room behind him when he's driving. TONS of room. Either you aren't sure what an Impala is, or you're absolutely monstrous and your family belongs in Guinness Book of World Records.

Really? I prefer to not have my head hit the headliner every time I drive it. So, the seat is as low as it can go against the floor. That precludes her feet being able to use the dead space under the seat. So, then the seat is even farther forward for her to have any room for her feet. My right knee is jammed up into the space where the dash rolls into the center stack. See where this is going? The Impala just doesn't "fit" us.