aponyfan

Hi, all. Been lurking here a while since I've been considering buying my first Mustang. The 05's looks really blew me away.

I a question I'm hoping the experts here can help me answer. I live in a warm, tourist destination where mustang rentals are very common. When I finally get get my brand new 05, I don't want it to be accidentally mistaken for a rental. They suffer way too much abuse in parking lots and are more frequent robbery targets.

Does anyone know what color/option combinations are most common with the rental companies like Hertz and Budget who rent mustangs?

My first obvious thought is to stay away from both Torch Red and Redfire with a Dark Charcoal interior. That screams rental car. I also remember a statistic that white is one of the most common rental car colors, so that's another one I plan to avoid.

Any other thoughts/guidance would be appreciated - especially from dealers or rental agents who are really in the know.

One important point. I don't mean this to be an V6 vs GT thread. I know most rentals are V6s, but some botique companies offer GTs, as well. The problem is those people who might be abusive in parking lots (inadvertantly or maliciously) won't know or consider any of those things.

TIA for your attention!

Order#2

this may sound a little silly,but dont put door grds on it, that will just scream rental !!!!!!!!

SixtySix

The only thing that screams rental are the license plates, and /or rental badges.

I would think it may be harder to find optioned out V6 premiums as rentals than the deluxe models.

wild stray

Consider putting stripes on it! B)

Badandy

Be careful :nono:


My Torch Red GT perfectly clean looks NOTHING like a rental car. I would stay away from redfire, and if you get black keep it spotless.

outdoorstom

Now that is the perfect solution Wild Stray!

KenP

Custom plates:

NOTRNTL

vwAirCooled

Put a really BIG wing on the back. That way people will know its not a rental. I mean like ironing board size.

USA-Adam

Consider buying another car if you care what people think

A lot of people at my school don't like Mustangs, but that doesn't stop me from liking them ...

MrWick

I live very near Orlando International Airport and many rental car lots and by what I see they have about every color available.I have seen nothing but V6's with and without spoilers but that didn't stop me from buying a new Torch Red V6.Rental car companies rent everything from Chevy Geo's to Lincoln's so it really doesn't make much difference what you buy it will look like a rental at one time or another.The only thing that will make your Mustang or Lincoln not look like a rental is your own personell touch whether its wheels,stripes or other add ons.

kerafaith

Let's see, some stripes, personalized plates, tint, a radar dector, custom wheels, etc. Of course I also have some stuffed animals in my car, stuff hanging on the rearview, a steering wheel cover, & seat covers. So, I don't have that problem.

And all of that will probably go in my 05 when it gets here too. Although I haven't made up my mine on the steering wheel cover & I think I am going to get some more seat covers & have them altered, along with some new floor mats & an airbrushed plate for the front. EDIT~I forgot the foglights I also have for the front. I don't think they will be mistaking my car for a rental.

Anyway. I am sure you can come up with something.

Happy Holidays

upstate

popular color for southern cars and rental cars is white. Enterprise used to get a lot of dark green. Torch red is not a rental color. If you're talking sports cars they maybe red,white or black because those are the most popular colors for sports cars and they have the best resale value. The only three colors to concider a vette in for top resale.

dustindu4

put some phat new shoes (rims) on it and it won't look like any rental

tom_vilsack

Maybe a custom plate might help?

wild stray

Have the words "PARKING ENFORCEMENT'stenciled on the sides.
Prolly safest car in the lot! :cop:

poldrv

mount a .50 cal machine gun on the passenger side, won't look anything like a rental at all.

thestanger

It sounds like having your car look like a rental car should be the least of your worries in the scheme of things. And if you trully want to be original buy a GT and make it your own, i.e., customize it. Still, i think your worrying about the stang looking like a rental is trivial, but I respect your concern. So, definitely GT and then spend some money on customizing. You should know, however, that in 6-8 mos. the "new" mustang will be everywhere. I feel sorry for those poor souls that are paying MSRP or the stinkers paying mark-ups. :bang:

Sonic 05

Now that is the perfect solution Wild Stray! [/b][/quote]
What they said

Mas35NYR

Aponyfan,

I rented one of Hertz's V6s about 2 weeks ago for 5 days while in Florida, it was Silver with a spoiler and black MUSTANG lettering on the sides. It had no interior upgrades what so ever but was still wonderful to play with (I even brought down my radar detector). There were no typical rental car markings on it. I know Florida law requires normal plates with no rental markings to protect tourists after there were a lot of bump & rob crimes in the early 90's. To make your car stand out add a better audio system than stock, get the upgrades, stick an EZ Pass/Sun Pass to your windshield, get better stripes (if you want stripes), tint your windows(rentals don't have tint) & a custom plate definitely says your Mustang is not a rental.

I'm going back to Florida on the 31st and will be renting another Mustang for the week. If I get a different color I'll let you know. Good luck with your Mustang!

Michael

Mach One

This is kind of silly, as said before...rental cars have different plates to avoid this exact scenario.