# Rent -a-car company with BUILT in GPS **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 1, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411 "2016-10-01T20:59:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/1 "2016-10-01T20:59:24Z")
So… I’m looking for a rental car with built-in GPS that would operate out of Houston International TX. Airport code IAH. I reserved (for 10-7) an Alamo Premium Chevy impala, but the GPS is not built in. I can get a plug in. Might as well use my phone. I’d much rather have a GPS built into the dash/car. We will be driving a lot, to different airports and out to the ‘country’. What rental company has premium cars that have in dash on board GPS? Alamo does not. So forget that. Before I start calling around, (the web sites are pretty useless) where would you go for a premium 4 door that has GPS built in. Price is nearly no object. (I’ve rented a Lincoln Town car for fun) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/2 "2016-10-01T21:21:22Z")
I don’t think car rental companies are doing this much – most people would prefer to use their own phone, which they are familar with, instead of having to learn a new gPS system in each rental car. And the built in ones are often harder to use. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/3 "2016-10-01T21:46:48Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > I don’t think car rental companies are doing this much – most people would prefer to use their own phone, which they are familar with, instead of having to learn a new gPS system in each rental car. And the built in ones are often harder to use. I suspect this is so. I like renting a fun car. I usually drive big SUV’s and pick-ups. Don’t want a sports car though. No point in it. Been there done that. And we need room for 4-5. Looking at Hertz Jaguar. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/4 "2016-10-01T22:02:51Z")
Some of the cheaper Garmin suction cup units are superior to any phone or built-in GPS unit for my dollar. Seriously, I just take mine in a carry-on and stick it right to the windshield of any vehicle I am in. It works great and serves as a HUD. I have an iPhone too and would never consider using it as an automotive GPS except as an emergency backup. Having a screen always at eye level with a simple and intuitive interface is invaluable. I won’t even buy GPS options for my vehicles because it is so much easier and cheaper to use a well designed standalone unit that has freely updated maps. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/5 "2016-10-01T22:24:19Z")
Of course if the rental cars had built-in GPS receivers, the rental agency won’t make money renting the add-on GPS. From a Google search, some suggested that in the rental cars with built-in GPS receivers, the memory card that contains the mapping data is absent, perhaps stolen by previous renters, perhaps removed by the agency staff. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-a-car-company-with-built-in-gps/767411/6 "2016-10-01T22:48:12Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Some of the cheaper Garmin suction cup units are superior to any phone or built-in GPS unit for my dollar. Seriously, I just take mine in a carry-on and stick it right to the windshield of any vehicle I am in. It works great and serves as a HUD. > > I have an iPhone too and would never consider using it as an automotive GPS except as an emergency backup. Having a screen always at eye level with a simple and intuitive interface is invaluable. I won’t even buy GPS options for my vehicles because it is so much easier and cheaper to use a well designed standalone unit that has freely updated maps. Pretty much all new cars come with a Navigation system. My Wifes new Subaru has one. It seems to work quite well. I can use my Android with no problems. My Wife can use her Android as well. I’m not happy with all the touch screens in new cars. But, I need to get used to them. Anyway, I’ve driven everything but a submarine. I like having fun with different cars. I’m used to big cars. Give me a Grand Vic or a Merc Grand Marquise and I’m right at home. My first car was a 1962 Olds '98. One of my favorite cars was my Hi-poed VW Scirocco. But… I’m not 22 anymore. I’ve a big Nissan SUV as my daily driver, my plowtruck is a short bed Hemi Dodge. I will be putting the chains on all four wheels of the Dodge truck and it’s snowplow on soon. Winter is fast approaching. I’m looking for a large sedan with all the bells and whistles. I’ve no problem paying a few hundred xtra for a long weekend to get it. Had great fun renting a Lincoln Town car for my wife and I a few years ago.