How to rent a smart car? (San Diego)

[mini_06]

Hello all, i am new here. this is my first post. I currently drive a mini. I am interested in smart cars, and wanted to know if there is a way to rent a smart car from a rental agency so i can drive it for a couple of days. As i am traveling to San diego, i am looking to rent in that area. Is that possible?

Thanks for your responses.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by carolthompson323

You can rent a Smart in Beverly Hills, CA for about $125 - 140/ day depending upon whether it's a coupe or a cabrio. They might cut you a deal for a 2-3 week period. Call Avon Car Rental in Bev. Hills 310 277 4455.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

In Los Angeles you can rent one from Midway...

Midway Car Rental Los Angeles - LAX, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Torrance and Downtown LA

Those were two suggestions posted recently, though in LA. Hope that helps.

[smartHHO]

Well, not sure if they are doing it in your State/City, but here in Austin, they are starting the CAR2GO program with 2 smarts. A trial run so to speak.

[mini_06]

thank you for your responses.

Just curious, what is this CAR2GO program about?

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by mini_06

thank you for your responses.

Just curious, what is this CAR2GO program about?

It's like Zipcars elsewhere in the US; strategically parked short-term rental cars you can grab for an hour or two or a day or whatever. You pre-register with a charge card and they send you a coded key-card that'll unlock the car. Sign up for a given car for a given time period online, then just go to the car, swipe your key card over the window sensor to open the car. The ignition key is left in the car. Take the car, do your business, return it to the pre-ordained parking place before your time runs out, swipe your card again to end the rental and re-lock the car, and there you have it.

That's the one thing I keep bugging Zipcar about: Get some ForTwos in the fleet! I'm sick of driving Mini Coopers and Yarises and xBs.

[Jordon]

If they put smart in the fleet then the value and exclusivness of your smart drops.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Jordon

If they put smart in the fleet then the value and exclusivness of your smart drops.

Exclusive-schmexclusive... We're talking about rental cars, not Picasso paintings. The more Smarts are on the road, the more dealers will open up, the distance I have to drive to get service shortens, and the likelihood I can find service parts at the local NAPA/AutoZone/Advance Auto/&c. increases.