Car suggestion for trip

I am planning a trip from LA to Sequoia and Death valley or Yosmite. I am confused between a convertible mustang or Jeep Wranglar or a Sedan (like BMW 530 or Audi A5 sportsback) which car should I rent for a good drive experience.

Unless you are combining the renting of a car to drive on your trip with an opportunity to evaluate a car like the Mustang or the Wrangler for possible purchase I'd rent the BMW or the Audi.

Now I did own and put >150K miles on a '96 Mustang GT: 4.6l V8, 5-speed manual; and it was a nice drive but unless you are a big fan of top down driving the Mustang convertible will be a disappointment on the road.

As for the Jeep Wrangler... I wouldn't.

More than once I drove from CA east over I80 or 50 and I don't recall any real issues with diminished power at whatever altitudes were encountered. While I did not drive at any higher elevations in the Sierras I'd recommend a vehicle fitted with a turbo charged engine would be preferred to better deal with the altitude.

I did drive the more southern route (I40 starting at Barstow) more often and my naturally aspirated car engines were ok at Flagstaff (~7K feet). And off of the interstate at Steamboat Springs (~9K feet) in a rented Cadillac the engine manifested a noticeable loss of power. And on I70 at the highest elevations such as the Eisenhower Tunnel (~11K feet) on I70 in Colorado I almost had to get out of the Mustang and push it up the mountain.

My take:
Mustang convertible: going anywhere that you would worry about someone cutting the top to get in? Sunburn easily? Rainy season? Any power poles or trees on your route? All reasons to avoid.

Jeep Wrangler: plan to be uncomfortable on the road. Noise, tires, etc although a rental may be pretty tame, and therefore lame.

BMW 530: sure, nice ride but kind of boring

Audi A5 Sportback: see BMW 530

There are some good side roads where you’re going, but the main roads are just typical main roads with traffic and speed patrols. Consider something like the X5 or Q5 to have more room, see above and around traffic, and go “off road” a bit (gravel/dirt roads) if there is opportunity. Or save some money and go with a mid-size suv rental like Toyota, Ford, or whatever.

I have to agree with 2000cs about the Mustang and the Jeep. I wouldn't be caught dead in either of them on a long trip.

Since you are posting this on a BMW Forum I'm guessing that you are expecting some BMW biased replies. Here's one: I few years ago I took a three week long vacation in Europe. I rented a 530d with the M Sport pkg. It was a very comfortable car with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage. It also had enough spunk to have some fun on the Autobahn when traffic allowed. I'm sure the Audi would be similar. The only drawback I encountered was it's size in some of the older towns I visited. One hotel I stayed at had very limited parking that I had to back into through an old horse and carriage archway that was so narrow the car wouldn't fit without the mirrors folded. It was approximately 50ft long. Did I mention that I had to back in? That should not be a problem for you on your trip.

Buug959 wrote

I have to agree with 2000cs about the Mustang and the Jeep. I wouldn't be caught dead in either of them on a long trip.

Since you are posting this on a BMW Forum I'm guessing that you are expecting some BMW biased replies. Here's one: I few years ago I took a three week long vacation in Europe. I rented a 530d with the M Sport pkg. It was a very comfortable car with plenty of room for both passengers and luggage. It also had enough spunk to have some fun on the Autobahn when traffic allowed. I'm sure the Audi would be similar. The only drawback I encountered was it's size in some of the older towns I visited. One hotel I stayed at had very limited parking that I had to back into through an old horse and carriage archway that was so narrow the car wouldn't fit without the mirrors folded. It was approximately 50ft long. Did I mention that I had to back in? That should not be a problem for you on your trip.

Well i didnt expect a biasad reply 🤣 because i already own a 530i so i am kinda biased already. I just love driving cars and I wanted to know which car gives me the best experience in these areas. Last time i was in Death valley i drove a 3 series and it was fun.

bimmer_2026 wrote

I am planning a trip from LA to Sequoia and Death valley or Yosmite.

I've done that trip (plus Grand Canyon and Sedona) a few years back, with the family. That's a lot of highway and mountain miles in beautiful parts of the country.

Are you going by yourself, or with entourage?

bimmer_2026 wrote

I am confused between a convertible mustang or Jeep Wranglar or a Sedan (like BMW 530 or Audi A5 sportsback) which car should I rent for a good drive experience.

Definitely not a Wrangler - the worst highway/city crouser I've ever rented in my life. If you plan a lot of off-road, maybe, otherwise no way. It's a total POS highway vehicle.
Convertible is OK for 2, but not if you have more occupants. Heat of the summer will be brutal with convertible roof, but top-down will be fun in the mountains.

If going with a family, get a luxury sedan or SUV.
I rented Q5, and it was great all around (except Death Valley, where it started over heating, but made it out), including mild unplanned off-roading.

530 or A5, or similar, will be the best.

HTH,
a

P.S.: If renting, make an extra stop at Walmart and buy sun-shade for the trip.
P.P.S.: Get RainX and supplies to apply it as well - will save you unnecessary excitement if you get caught in a downpour.

Death Valley? Better pick the one with the coldest A/C...............😆

Out of curiosity, what did you pick as a rental for your trip to Niagara two weeks ago...the X5 or 7-Series?????

RockCrusher wrote

Unless you are combining the renting of a car to drive on your trip with an opportunity to evaluate a car like the Mustang or the Wrangler for possible purchase I'd rent the BMW or the Audi.

Now I did own and put >150K miles on a '96 Mustang GT: 4.6l V8, 5-speed manual; and it was a nice drive but unless you are a big fan of top down driving the Mustang convertible will be a disappointment on the road.

As for the Jeep Wrangler... I wouldn't.

More than once I drove from CA east over I80 or 50 and I don't recall any real issues with diminished power at whatever altitudes were encountered. While I did not drive at any higher elevations in the Sierras I'd recommend a vehicle fitted with a turbo charged engine would be preferred to better deal with the altitude.

I did drive the more southern route (I40 starting at Barstow) more often and my naturally aspirated car engines were ok at Flagstaff (~7K feet). And off of the interstate at Steamboat Springs (~9K feet) in a rented Cadillac the engine manifested a noticeable loss of power. And on I70 at the highest elevations such as the Eisenhower Tunnel (~11K feet) on I70 in Colorado I almost had to get out of the Mustang and push it up the mountain.

I am just like renting different cars to experience them I already had a 530i but due to much traffic and speed enforcement in coast i am not able to enjoy it much. But in places like death valley traffic is less and i like curved roads too. In such places i would like to rent different cars and experience them.

afadeev wrote

Definitely not a Wrangler - the worst highway/city crouser I've ever rented in my life. If you plan a lot of off-road, maybe, otherwise no way. It's a total POS highway vehicle.
Convertible is OK for 2, but not if you have more occupants. Heat of the summer will be brutal with convertible roof, but top-down will be fun in the mountains.

If going with a family, get a luxury sedan or SUV.
I rented Q5, and it was great all around (except Death Valley, where it started over heating, but made it out), including mild unplanned off-roading.

530 or A5, or similar, will be the best.

HTH,
a

P.S.: If renting, make an extra stop at Walmart and buy sun-shade for the trip.
P.P.S.: Get RainX and supplies to apply it as well - will save you unnecessary excitement if you get caught in a downpour.

Thank you for the insights. I am taking this trip with a friend. Its just 2 of us. He seems interested in convertible but like u mentioned cabin heat is my one of my concern with roof material. Last week Deathvalley has 120F temp at some spots so worried about engine heat too with mustang.

SpeedBuggy wrote

Death Valley? Better pick the one with the coldest A/C...............😆

🤣🤣

vreihen16 wrote

Out of curiosity, what did you pick as a rental for your trip to Niagara two weeks ago...the X5 or 7-Series?????

Well i dint go to niagara due to smog. I went to vegas though. I rented a 330i in Vegas. Covered zion caramel drive, grand canyon north and Death valley too in same trip last week. Going to LA on August first weekend so looking for suggestions again 😁. Trying to make use of summer full before getting locked in the house for winter.

For road trips, rent an S-class. Nothing else chews up the miles/hours while you remain relaxed and comfortable.

dmatre wrote

For road trips, rent an S-class. Nothing else chews up the miles/hours while you remain relaxed and comfortable.

I dont think rentals have S class

bimmer_2026 wrote

I dont think rentals have S class

I figured the OP was using Turo. My bad.

I have rented various cars to experience them when they were on my long list of candidate cars. But my rental usage was not a long road trip but a few days just using the car. I certainly did include highway driving.

Based on my experience driving hundreds of thousands of miles in the west speed enforcement is everywhere.

RockCrusher wrote

I have rented various cars to experience them when they were on my long list of candidate cars. But my rental usage was not a long road trip but a few days just using the car. I certainly did include highway driving.

Based on my experience driving hundreds of thousands of miles in the west speed enforcement is everywhere.

I know on freeways there is lot of enforcement but not in the deserted national parks. Atleast from my experience.

2000cs wrote

My take:
Mustang convertible: going anywhere that you would worry about someone cutting the top to get in? Sunburn easily? Rainy season? Any power poles or trees on your route? All reasons to avoid.

What? Man how bad are some of the neighbourhoods you guys live in, cut the top??? jesus H. And rain? Sunburn? Jesus what have we turned into?

The answer to the original question is a 5 litre mustang drop top, all day, every fucking day. It's just a rental, fantastic engine, drop top experience in fair weather, reasonably priced and no issues with it being too fancy or an exotic. No brainer...... power poles......... jesus h.

Alfisti wrote

What? Man how bad are some of the neighbourhoods you guys live in, cut the top??? jesus H. And rain? Sunburn? Jesus what have we turned into?

The answer to the original question is a 5 litre mustang drop top, all day, every fucking day. It's just a rental, fantastic engine, drop top experience in fair weather, reasonably priced and no issues with it being too fancy or an exotic. No brainer...... power poles......... jesus h.

I wasn't aware that there were companies that rented out 5.0 Mustangs, seems like a bad idea for them considering their crowd killing capabilities.

I had a Mustang convertible rental (ecoboost) last month for a work trip, figured I'd try it since it's not like I was paying for it. I didn't have high expectations, but man that thing was a total shitbox. The ecoboost would literally vibrate your spine at idle. Interior was creaky and bad, and the transmission didn't let you manually shift it whatsoever. The convertible was nice when the weather was decent but it was so bad in every other aspect I would've just preferred a generic crossover as my rental.

I'm sure a V8 non rental spec would be much better than what I experienced, I drove a friends S550 Mustang GT and had fun in that car. But I'd never consider a rental spec unless you can get a 5 liter.

Leucosticte wrote

I wasn't aware that there were companies that rented out 5.0 Mustangs, seems like a bad idea for them considering their crowd killing capabilities.

I had a Mustang convertible rental (ecoboost) last month for a work trip, figured I'd try it since it's not like I was paying for it. I didn't have high expectations, but man that thing was a total shitbox. The ecoboost would literally vibrate your spine at idle. Interior was creaky and bad, and the transmission didn't let you manually shift it whatsoever. The convertible was nice when the weather was decent but it was so bad in every other aspect I would've just preferred a generic crossover as my rental.

I'm sure a V8 non rental spec would be much better than what I experienced, I drove a friends S550 Mustang GT and had fun in that car. But I'd never consider a rental spec unless you can get a 5 liter.

I used to set up call centres as a gig so travelled a bit, would book a basic vehicle and at the counter ask how much for the 5 litre stang convertible. Often it was less than $10 a day, sold sir!.

Had great fun blasting through Wichita or Nova Scotia in them, it's a monumental engine, loves a rev.

As others noted, skip the wrangler, total POS on the road.

Mustang rental is going to be a 4 cylinder, skip that as well.

You have a BMW, so rent the Audi. We were in Chicago last month for several days and I rented an A4. I don't like 4 cylinder cars, but it was OK and pleasant to drive.

I was surprised though that it didn't have a license for the navigation. Nor Sirius. Probably too old for the latter's trial period, but the former surprised me. Alamo. Kind of hit & miss with those guys.

I literally just said I have rented 5 litre stangs regularly. Just clarify what they are before booking or go through Turo.

Rent an audi, jesus, missionary position with the lights off.