Car Rental Deals

[JayB]

It's been years since I've had to rent a car, and when I did, it was from these guys:

 

http://www.mauicruisers.net/

 

Awesome deal, great service, run out of a shipping container on a vacant lot featuring a legit junk-yard dog, and a one eyed mechanic. Very memorable. Insurance was included in the daily rate ($20), and there was no dicking around with upgrades and whatnot.

 

Which car rental company do you like to do business with? Any outfits to avoid? Any outfits that provide chains?

 

(Driving from LAX to Mammoth)

 

 

[Hugh Conway]

(Driving from LAX to Mammoth)

 

I never put on chains on that run (and no they never hassled me in my civic). Park at the eagle or whatever base lodge.

 

Avis includes chains if you rent a car in Switzerland or New Zealand

[tvashtarkatena]

Expedia, dude. Or Travelocity. Or some other travel site. You might not find the funky little cheap deals in LA like in small town HI.

[JayB]

Word. Checking the rates online, but it seems like some outfits are better than others (from what I hear) when it comes to dealing with breakdowns, not-hosing you with extra fees, etc.

 

Pondering bringing along chains if it'll work weight-wise.

[tvashtarkatena]

Just make sure the rear seat folds down into the trunk for the skis/boards, brah.

 

The roads to Mammoth are pretty well maintained, but, then again, storms do happen.

[iciclespyder]

I rented from maui cruisers. The hand gun under the front was an unexpected bonus. They really beleive in customer service.

 

 

[Hugh Conway]

The roads to Mammoth are pretty well maintained, but, then again, storms do happen.

 

If the road is open the only time you'll "need" chains is at the checkpoint, in my experience they didn't bother. I wouldn't trust any "cheap" option at LAX - thats scam central because of all the foreign tourists.

[willstrickland]

Are you already committed to LAX? Ontario is a little easier to deal with and closer.

[KaskadskyjKozak]

Are you already committed to LAX? Ontario is a little easier to deal with and closer.

 

is it as cheap to fly in there?

[Off_White]

Jay, if you haven't rented a car yet, check out what prices you find via Travelocity then put in a bid via Priceline. You can't always get a deal, but I recently got a car for 40% under the best regular price in Phx that way, and have had similar success for years. On a NE snowboarding trip about 6 years ago (4 out of 7 days were powder days, including Cannon and Jay Peak) I asked for a compact and got upgraded to some huge cadillac rig with leather seats and a cd changer. Snowboard looked pretty fab parked on all those acres of tan leather.