AC in van is toast - what now for our drive?

[Marionnette]

The van is nearly 12 years old and has over 120000 miles on it. That's why we are not interested in fixing the AC.

I've had it to our reliable mechanic and he's told me that it will be nearly $1000 to fix it. We recharged it last year and early this summer, but now it will not cool at all even fully charged.

If it were only $250 or so, we'd have it fixed. I just don't want to put that much money into something that is probably on it's last year or so of life.

I was in the "fix the AC" camp until I read this post. I wouldn't dump that much money into a vehicle that old and with that many miles on it.

But I wouldn't rent a van either since it would likely cost you nearly that amount for the rental.

As much as I would hate it, I would either postpone the trip until I had a comfortable vehicle to make the trip in or I would suck it up and deal with no AC. And I would probably lean towards postponing the trip, because I would also be wary of driving a 12 yo van to Florida -with or without AC.

 

[lovehoney]

Take the car. My sisters and I have great memories (okay maybe not great ones but we can laugh now) of 12 hour trips in the Honda hatchback to Mississippi to visit Memaw!

Also think of all the gas you will save. Tell the kids they are doing their part for the environment.

 

[thomas998]

I really like that no one is suggesting we rent a vehicle.

DH wants to do this. I do not.

Usually if you rent a mini-van it will not be cheap... Where I work we can use our corporate discount and get one for $50/day... but without any discounts they usually cost closer to 80 or 90 a day... if you are looking at that price and going for a week, just get the cooler fixed.

In fact you will probably end up getting the cooler fixed anyways next summer so why not fix it now.

 

[Jitzy]

then I would take the van. It can be warm here in FL in October, but it is not as humid.

If the kids are going to be sleeping and you are driving overnight, they might appreciate the space.

 

[kirstenb1]

I might rent a car or borrow one. You'll have 2 carseats, which is a whole different wrinkle than just 3 kids. We keep cars for nearly 300,000 miles though, so I'd have the a/c fixed, although it sounds like you really don't want to do this.

Our drive is about 14 hrs too. We have a Camry, with 2 kids in teh backseat, only one in a carseat. It gets pretty packed back there by the time you add in coloring books, gaming systems, snacks, etc.

 

[DisneyCher]

Maybe I am a total weirdo, but I'd take the car. You don't have to bring a stroller and pack & play, and Florida heat & humidity is BRUTAL, IMHO. A van with no a/c would be a no-go for me, and I wouldn't waste the money on renting a van. My sister and I were entertained with books, small toys or walkman when we were little (or me, naps, since I have self-diagnosed vehicular narcolepsy ).

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I was going to suggest you just fix the AC in the van, until you mentioned it was almost on it's last leg. I was thinking about my van, it just rolled 141,000 miles and the AC is perfect and I wouldn't hesitate fixing it, because we use the AC almost year round and it is definitely not on it's last leg.

Have you checked for a rental code thru Sams club, or on Mousesavers. We rented a minivan on one of our first trips so we wouldn't be crammed into a small car for the 6 hour drive, I think it was $225 for a week and unlimited miles. We haven't had to rent in several years, so the deals may not be out there.

Driving with the windows open will use more gas, although in the long run, I think you will be fine. If you head out early in the morning to go to the parks, you probably wouldn't need the AC and even late in the evenings you wouldn't.

We traveled in cars without AC when I was a little girl and we survived. I remember my mom telling me about them driving to SC with 2 adults and 3 to 4 children with no AC.

 

[lovehoney]

Oh man, Sam's doesn't do travel anymore.

http://samsclubanswercenter.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/247/~/sam%27s-club-travel

I just went there to check on renting a van for our trip after seeing the pp.
I had great deals in the past too. I'll check Costco.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Oh man, Sam's doesn't do travel anymore.

http://samsclubanswercenter.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/247/~/sam%27s-club-travel

I just went there to check on renting a van for our trip after seeing the pp.
I had great deals in the past too. I'll check Costco.

I didn't make the reservation thru Sams, I used a code from the booklets they have in the store.