Car info needed

[Freyja]

I´m looking for a rental car for our upcoming trip to California. We need a car that will hold 6 passengers as well as quite some luggage ("normal" luggage for 6 people, a stroller and LOADS of shopping bags).

Since I don´t have a very good feeling for the size of American cars (SUV´s) I was hoping someone here could help.

Thanks
Freyja

 

[Nala56]

I'm going to California this summer with dd and my parents. I rented a mini-van from Hertz for a very reasonable price. It supposed to hold 6 passengers and hopefully enough room for our luggage. If you get on Hertz website, you should be able to get some info and see a picture of what you will be renting or a car similiar. Good Luck

 

[mrsv98]

You will definitely need a mini-van or even a full-sized van. I would not go with an SUV because the storage space will be tight with 6 people in the car. If you have a stroller then you must also have a car seat and that will take up more space also.

I have rented mini-vans from Hertz and been happy. Make sure you tell them you have to have the mini-van and not just that "class" of car. Otherwise, they may try and give you an SUV and then you would be squished!

 

[golfgal]

I would say that with that many people, luggage and the stroller you are going to want a Suburban or Yukon. They are 8 passenger SUV's. A mini-van of any sort would work for the people but the luggage might be an issue. A Grand Caravan (not just a Caravan, a GRAND Caravan) would be a possibility for a mini-van since there is more cargo space, especially if you can get a 2005 or 2006 with Stow and Go seats (they fold into the floor). With the back seat up there is extra cargo space in the well that holds the rear seat.

 

[Freyja]

Thanks guys! I actually thought we would have more space in a full size or premium SUV than in a mini-van.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks guys! I actually thought we would have more space in a full size or premium SUV than in a mini-van.

You will definitely have more room in a full size 8 passenger SUV but not a 6 passenger one then a mini-van. The mini-van might be a better route because if you aren't hauling the luggage a long way, people can have some under their feet or on their lap from the airport to where ever. The mini-van will get much better gas mileage then the SUV.

 

[Freyja]

We´re gonna be driving quite a bit, so the 8 passenger SUV may still be a better option for us. We´ll be driving from LA to Las Vegas and from there to San Diego and then back to LA, and then of course lots of day trips from each place. Gas milage is not that big of a factor for us, since we still feel that gas prices in the US are hillarious compared to here. Here in Iceland we pay $6.15 pr. gallon.

 

[ahutton]

The minivan will also be much easier to get in and out of for those sitting in the back of an SUV. We had a Ford Expedition - not comfortable for those in the very back and with that seat in place you had limited cargo space. Our van is the Mazda MPV - I put everything we needed for a week in it to drive from Texas to Arizona and we were able to get around in it still.

 

[cepmom]

We´re gonna be driving quite a bit, so the 8 passenger SUV may still be a better option for us. We´ll be driving from LA to Las Vegas and from there to San Diego and then back to LA, and then of course lots of day trips from each place. Gas milage is not that big of a factor for us, since we still feel that gas prices in the US are hillarious compared to here. Here in Iceland we pay $6.15 pr. gallon.

OT, but just wanted to say that my grandmother is from Iceland! I about fell over when she was there last summer visiting her niece and told me how much gas was!!

 

[Freyja]

OT, but just wanted to say that my grandmother is from Iceland! I about fell over when she was there last summer visiting her niece and told me how much gas was!!

Oh, really? I can imagine that you almost fell over. Most americans don´t believe me. Keep saying that I must be messing up gallons and litres. But, nope, that´s not the problem