mrkindallas

I'll be in Nova Scotia exploring the Cabot Trail in early October. I'll be in an economy car. Are there any concerns about doing the Cape Breton Trail in such a small car? If so, is there someplace in Baddeck or nearby where I can leave the economy car for a few days and rent a larger car? What is the minimum size recommendation for driving the Cabot Trail?

Thanks for your help!

mrkindallas

Sorry...meant to title this "Cabot Trail - Car rental question"

OceanBreeze1

You shd be fine in your economy car. However, it doesn't cost that much more to upgrade so maybe you shd consider a bigger car from the beginning if you feel you will be more comfortable in a larger car. Why not give the rental company a call in Nova Scotia & ask them what you should do. They will know all about the Cabot trail! Where are you picking up your rental?

mrkindallas

Picking up in Boston...It's actually a huge cost difference to make the change there...Economy car is about $450...Anything larger being rented at this point is hovering around the $1,000 mark. If the economy car will be fine, then that's what I'll stick with. Thanks for the help!

OceanBreeze1

Wow! That is a huge difference. Maybe try another rental co? Or, is it too late for it to make a diff?
See how you feel when you get to Baddeck. I don't know if they have car rentals in Baddeck if you do decide to park your rental for 2-3 days & rent a larger one. I know there are car rental agencies in Sydney....Avis, Hertz, Budget, maybe National. Do you plan on going to Sydney? Or, even North Sydney/Sydney Mines?...not sure about the availability in those 2 places either.
What kind of car would be classified as "economy"?
You said you will be going around the Cabot Trail in "early Oct". Canadian Thanksgiviing is Oct 12 so if you need to reserve around that time better do it soon.

artsbabe

We rented a compact car (not the smallest but the next up) at Halifax from Budget and we got a Hyundai Accent. We almost did it in doing the Cabot Trail. If what you've rented has an engine like the Hyundai (little, inefficient 4 cylinder) then I would consider getting something larger (I know, the cost is really high). If you stick with what you have, pay attention to what the owner's manual says about putting the car in a lower gear to climb and descend the hills.

Don't recall (and we were there last month) whether there is a car rental place in Baddeck.

OceanBreeze1

artsbabe, I was wondering about that. Did you use low gear?

mrkindallas

The economy is Chevy Aveo or similar (which is built by Daewoo). The car rentals in Boston are just outrageously priced and I lucked into the $450 for the rental that I currently have reserved. Even for an economy, renting today would cost over $650 including taxes..and over the past couple of months has fluctuated up to about $1,000 - for an economy!! I do plan on making a last-minute Priceline bid just to chance getting a better price, but I'd prefer not to drive a larger car all that way since it means using more gas.

I'm not planning on heading into Sydney, but if someone told me that the Aveo absolutely wouldn't make it, then I could make some alterations to my plans. Obviously, since I'm already paying for the Aveo, I'd prefer not to just park it somewhere unused for several days if not necessary.

It'll just be me in the car and I don't plan on having heavy luggage, so I shouldn't be adding too much weight to it.

I have no problem shifting gears if that's all it takes.

I have since found a few websites describing the Aveo's inefficiency in handling hills, but none that said that the car broke down. I know that it won't be anything like having my V6 with me, but if it's capable of making it, even at a slightly slower less powerful pace, that's fine...I just don't want to meet a hill that it absolutely can't take.

mrkindallas

I managed to reserve a Chevy Malibu or similar for the entire rental period for about $630, which is less than it was going to cost to have two rental vehicles during the same time period. I'm still holding the Aveo reservation as well. I'd prefer the cheaper rental if it will work.

OceanBreeze1

For an extra $180, go w/ the Malibu! Then you don't have to worry. I always rent a Malibu when I am in Florida & they are great cars. In fact, I think the Malibu won some "Best Car" award last year!
Whatever you drive, you will want to "gear down" on the steepest parts of the Cabot Trail....Cape Smokey ( maybe Kelly's...I can't remember...but Smokey, for sure) going in a counter-clockwise Trail route from Baddeck & therefore, climbing up Cape Smokey...my favorite way to do the Trail!
Mr. K...I am soooo jealous...wish I could "do The Trail" soon! It is spectacularly beautiful & early October is the perfect time to be there!

artsbabe

I would definitely go with the larger car. With the little Hyundai, we found it sounded better in "2" both going up and down the steep grades, like Cape Smokey. It didn't die or break down, but it smelled really really hot, like something was burning up inside (perhaps the engine). After we punished it on the trail, we drove straight from Neil's Harbour to Halifax, so the car survived.

mrkindallas

I just hate to spend that much on a rental car...especially since I was trying to keep the costs on this trip minimal. I'll hope for some good results on a last minute Priceline bid.

By the way, I'm female...It's MRK in Dallas...wish I could change my screenname since everyone makes the same mistake.

I am very excited about spending several days taking my time to go around the trail...and am hoping for beautiful colors.

Thanks for all the help!

OceanBreeze1

Sorry, MRK. You cld always register under a new name if it is a problem.
When do you leave for Boston/Nova Scotia?

mrkindallas

Leave on Oct 2nd...Will be in Cape Breton from about the 7th to 10th.

OceanBreeze1

Beautiful! Can you give us a trip report when you get back? We can "do The Trail" vicariously!
Have a great trip! Say "Hi" to Ingonish Beach for me!

Hellion

We had a little Ford Focus around the Cabot Trail and had no problems, although we did have to gear down on several downslopes.

mrkindallas

Well, unfortunately my trip is being cancelled, so the trip report will have to wait --- maybe sometime next year.

OceanBreeze1

Awhh, that's too bad, MRK. Hope everything is ok w/ you.