Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SF luxury car-sharing service shuttered after falling victim to theft ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/sf-luxury-car-sharing-service-shuttered-after-falling-victim-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/sf-luxury-car-sharing-service-shuttered-after-falling-victim-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/sf-luxury-car-sharing-service-shuttered-after-falling-victim-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

HiGear model with BMW M3 convertible

HiGear was a peer-to-peer car rental service that began in San Francisco six months ago, had opened up shop in Los Angeles, and was in the process of expanding to to other West Coast cities. Specializing in luxury cars under $100,000, members offered their cars up for rental to other locals at rather excellent rates. Cars above six figures were included after being vetted by the service - members were vetted as well - and the service provided comprehensive insurance to protect owners and renters.

According to TechCrunch, that apparently didn't stop a car-theft ring from targeting HiGear and making off with four cars worth between $300,000 and $400,000. The thieves created verifiable identities and paid with stolen credit cards, bypassing all of HiGear's safeguards. So as of January 3, 2012 HiGear was forced to shut down, citing untenable costs due to the thefts.

It's a shame, since the peer-to-peer social-networking nature of the service meant that you could rent cars you'd be severely challenged to find as easily anywhere else: a 1971 Eldorado could be had for $100 a day, a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was $300, and a 2006 Bentley Flying Spur was $400. Although this idea didn't survive, we hope this isn't the last we hear of HiGear CEO Ali Moiz.

SF luxury car-sharing service shuttered after falling victim to theft ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ali moizauto rentalcaliforniacar rentalhigearluxury car rentalpeer to peersocial networkingThu, 05 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20139874/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/sf-luxury-car-sharing-service-shuttered-after-falling-victim-to/20139874/article-detail.xml 20139874 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/higearshutdown_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/higearshutdown.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Prepare to shell out a lot more for your next rental car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-prepare-to-shell-out-a-lot-more-for-your-next-rental-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-prepare-to-shell-out-a-lot-more-for-your-next-rental-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/report-prepare-to-shell-out-a-lot-more-for-your-next-rental-car/#commentsFiled under:


Hertz Fun Collection Chevrolet Corvette ZHZ - click above to enlarge

The economy is in one of the deepest recessions in decades, and one pleasant side-effect of fiscal woes is that many companies are offering huge discounts to get you off the consumer sidelines. One industry that hasn't gone that route so far is the rental car industry. Abrams Consulting Group tells The New York Times that the cost of a week-long rental went from $199 in May 2008 to $345 this year; a 73% increase. The news hasn't gotten much better for June, as the prices went up 65% from $210 to $347. If car rentals are down 15% on the year, why the increase?

The reason for the jump in prices is that there are fewer vehicles to rent, as companies like Hertz and Avis have cut back on the amount of vehicles that they're buying. They're also selling vehicles to used-car starved dealerships. The result of smaller fleets is customers paying more for the cars and trucks that are left. And since customers have become accustomed to getting their rentals at the last minute, some aren't getting a rental at all.

To beat the car rental blues, The New York Times suggests that you start your search earlier. Not getting a rental from companies at the airport is also a good idea, as off-airport companies don't have as much demand. Sites like Priceline and Expedia also generally offer discounts over retail.

[Source: New York Times]

REPORT: Prepare to shell out a lot more for your next rental car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airport rentalAirportRentalalamoauto rentalAutoRentalaviscar rentalCarRentalEnterprise rent-a-carEnterpriseRent-a-carexpediahertzhire carHireCarrent-a-wreckrentalWed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19082878/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/01/report-prepare-to-shell-out-a-lot-more-for-your-next-rental-car/19082878/article-detail.xml 19082878 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/hertz-corvette-zhz-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/hertz-corvette-zhz-580.jpg <![CDATA[Kentucky man upset over rental car with bad coil]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/kentucky-man-upset-over-rental-car-with-bad-coil/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/kentucky-man-upset-over-rental-car-with-bad-coil/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/29/kentucky-man-upset-over-rental-car-with-bad-coil/#commentsFiled under:

Over the years, we've frequented some fairly seedy rental car places, and have found more than a few unsavory items in our vehicles' nooks and crannies, doubtlessly left by previous customers-everything from a calcified cheeseburger to a headless Barbie doll. That said, Dan McBride, assistant athletic director at Eastern Kentucky University has us beat. The rental whip he picked up on Tuesday in Paducah came complete with a complementary two-foot-long ball python. McBride apparently thought the wayward snake was a rubber toy, which must've made for quite a shock after went to pet it.

Sadly, no word on what kind of car McBride was renting. Our guesses? Why, a Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang Cobra, or an early-to-market Chrysler Aspen, of course.

[Sources: The Associated Press via News-Leader; StrangeZoo]

Kentucky man upset over rental car with bad coil originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto rentalAutoRentalbarbiecar rentalCarRentalDan McBrideDanMcbrideEastern Kentucky UEasternKentuckyUEKUPaducahrentalrental carRentalCarMon, 29 May 2006 17:07:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/622713/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/29/kentucky-man-upset-over-rental-car-with-bad-coil/622713/article-detail.xml 622713 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/snake-on-wheel-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/snake-on-wheel-resized.jpg -1 2