[milspec]

The words "or similar" are what I hate most.

On the web site, cars are listed by class. I care about models, not classes. I see the example car, google it to determine if I like it, choose it, and then... show up at the place and find I'm given some horrid substitute that I don't know much about. Oh, it's a "full size sedan" and all such cars are interchangable? No, really, they are not.

It is super-important that I know exactly what I will end up driving. I'd like to know the options, trim level, and ideally even the color.

Best would probably be that I check a box for every acceptable model, with a minor discount if I check lots of boxes. (being non-picky makes my order easy to fulfill) This way I can exclude models that I hate, and I have plenty of time to research all the different choices in advance.

[jasonkester]

You win. This is the correct answer.

Our car was in the shop for the better part of a month this summer and I was considering just buying a new one. I'd heard lots of good thing about the BMW 3 Series but hadn't ever driven one. Hey, since I need to rent a car anyway, why not grab one o' those for a week to see it I like it?

So I find a national chain that advertises them. I get my rental confirmation with a big picture and the words BMW 3 Series on it. I call the local office just to make sure they'll have one ready for me. The answer? We don't rent BMWs.

Yes, they have a couple. But no, you can't have one. They're reserved for a special program exclusively for bmw owners. No BMW, no BMW rental.

But that doesn't stop them putting a picture of one one the homepage of their site or 'renting' one to you.

Awesome.

[aaronpeck]

To solve this, the rental company could show a picture of the worst thing you could end up with in that class. Leaves the disappointment out with a statistically high chance you ending up with something better.

[marketmaker]

100% agree.

When I choose a model, I choose that model for a reason. I get frustrated when I get a car that doesn't have features in the way I'd expect.

If I were buying the car, maybe I'd have time to get used to the placement of controls and the handling. If I'm renting for a short period of time, I don't have as much time to get used to the quirks of a particular vehicle. I want the experience to be as close to cars I'm familiar with, so I care about the model. This is even more important in cities with a lot of traffic and congestion.

Whether the experience is positive or not almost always comes down to the car I get stuck with.