GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck

- 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142

For residents of Florida, and particularly those in the bustling Miami area, securing reliable and affordable car rental services is a frequent necessity. Whether it’s for daily commutes, weekend getaways to the Keys, or navigating visitor traffic, having access to a dependable vehicle is key. Among the numerous car rental options in Miami, you might encounter GO Rent A Car, which also operates under the name Rent a Wreck. This article aims to provide a clear and factual overview of this particular car rental provider, drawing from publicly available information and, crucially, from direct customer experiences, to help local Floridians make informed decisions.

GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck is located at 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA. This address places it in a commercial area of Miami, known for housing several off-airport car rental facilities. While not directly at Miami International Airport (MIA), its proximity to the airport, approximately 3 minutes away, is a key aspect of its accessibility. GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck provides a courtesy shuttle service for customers arriving at MIA. To utilize this service, customers are instructed to proceed to the MIA Mover Station on the third level, then head to the "off airport courtesy shuttles" area, specifically between station 1 and 2. The shuttle is identified by "Rent a Wreck" or "GO Rent a Car" logos and runs approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. This off-airport location often implies potentially lower rental rates compared to agencies situated directly within the main airport rental car center. For local Floridians, the address is generally accessible from major Miami thoroughfares, though reliance on their shuttle service for airport connections is a critical factor to consider for timely travel.

Based on typical car rental operations and information from their online presence (including references on third-party booking sites like Expedia and Rent-A-Wreck's official site), GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck offers a range of services designed to provide basic transportation solutions.

• Diverse Vehicle Fleet: GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck generally offers a variety of vehicle types, ranging from economy and compact cars (like Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander, Kia Rio mentioned in reviews) for budget-conscious travelers to potentially larger sedans and SUVs, catering to different passenger and luggage needs. Their website suggests a broad inventory from "compact cars" to "spacious SUVs."
• Flexible Rental Periods: They typically provide options for various rental durations, including daily, weekly, and monthly rates. This flexibility is crucial for locals needing a car for a short period, such as when their personal vehicle is being repaired, or for extended family visits.
• Airport Shuttle Service: A fundamental service for their off-airport location is the complimentary shuttle that transports customers between Miami International Airport's Rental Car Center and their office. This service is intended to provide a seamless transition for travelers.
• Toll Pass / E-toll Transponder: Given Florida's extensive toll road network, GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck equips its rental cars with a SunPass/e-toll transponder. While not mandatory to use, there is a "Prepaid tolls" option available for a daily fee ($14.99 USD per day). If a customer declines this, a penalty of $25 USD for each toll used in addition to the cost for each paid or unpaid toll will apply, making it an important consideration for Floridians familiar with toll roads.
• Online Booking and Specials: The company advertises online booking capabilities, often through partnerships with major travel platforms like Expedia and Kayak. Their own website (gorentacar.us) also lists various daily, weekly, and monthly specials.
• Insurance Offerings: Like all car rental companies, they offer their own insurance policies. However, customer reviews strongly indicate that these can be presented as mandatory, even if customers possess their own full coverage.

Based on the provided customer reviews, the features and highlights of GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck present a concerning picture that Floridians must critically evaluate.

• Alleged Discrepancies in Pricing: This is the most significant and frequently highlighted issue. Customers consistently report that the "cheap rates online" or "reasonable price online" advertised through platforms like Expedia and Travelocity dramatically increase upon arrival. Actual rates were reportedly "five times as high as initial and written quoted price," with examples of a $55 rental escalating to "over $600" or a car reserved for a certain amount ending up costing "practically double."
• Mandatory Additional Fees: Reviewers frequently mention being pressured into paying "mandatory" fees that were not transparently disclosed upfront. This includes a reported "$30 per day for insurance plus $10 in the application," even for customers with their own comprehensive insurance. Charges for tolls, around "$15 per day," are also cited as adding to unexpected costs, along with "out of hours drop off" and "no refund for early hours" fees.
• High-Pressure Sales Environment: Customers describe a "high pressure environment" at the counter, where agents refuse to "write out the price" and use tactics like stating it's "late and they were closing" to coerce customers into accepting unexpected charges to avoid being stranded.
• Poor Customer Service and Communication: Despite their professional appearance on booking sites, customers describe "terrible service" and "dishonest company." There are complaints about staff being "unprofessional," "rude," and providing "no training" or assistance. Issues like a "canceled reservation though we had called to confirm" and an inability to resolve disputes highlight a severe lack of reliable customer support.
• Vehicle Condition Concerns: While some reviews mention the car being "clean" and getting "great gas mileage," others on broader review platforms (not explicitly provided but found through related searches for "Rent a Wreck") have noted issues such as "dirty" cars upon pick-up and "engine light was on," suggesting inconsistencies in vehicle maintenance and cleanliness standards.
• Frequent Name Changes: One review points out that the company "constantly cycles through new business names," which could make it difficult for customers to track their reputation or past experiences. This highlights a potential lack of long-term accountability.

For contact with GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck, you can use the following information:

Address: 2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA

Phone: (305) 962-6801

Mobile Phone: +1 305-962-6801

Their official Rent-A-Wreck Miami location website also lists specific shuttle instructions and phone numbers, advising customers to call +1 (305) 962-6801 for the courtesy shuttle. While these contact methods are provided, the strong customer feedback regarding unresponsiveness and unhelpful interactions should be taken into account when attempting to communicate with the company, especially for dispute resolution.

For locals in Florida, selecting a car rental service in Miami should prioritize transparency, reliability, and fair pricing. While GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck may initially appear to offer appealingly "cheap rates online" and a convenient off-airport location with a shuttle, the overwhelming and consistent negative customer reviews present significant red flags. The numerous accounts of "bait and switch" pricing, unexpected mandatory fees for insurance and tolls, and a high-pressure sales environment at the counter are deeply concerning. Floridians who rely on clear, upfront costs and honest service will likely find the experiences described to be frustrating and financially damaging. The sentiment "I would rather walk than rent from them again" from multiple customers underscores a profound dissatisfaction with the service and perceived dishonesty. While the promise of "affordable and dependable car rentals" is stated on their associated websites, the direct experiences contradict this. Therefore, despite its physical presence and advertising, GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck appears to be a less suitable option for locals seeking a stress-free and transparent car rental experience in Florida. It is strongly advised that Floridians exercise extreme caution and consider providers with consistently positive reviews for fair pricing and reliable customer service to ensure a pleasant journey across the Sunshine State.

GO Rent A Car / Rent a Wreck

2301 NW 33rd Ave, Miami, FL 33142, USA