Dollar - economy cars - how big?

[andrychowski]

We are traveling to DW on May 1-9 and staying offsite. Our party has 8 (4 adults and 4 kids). We are planning to rent 2 economy cars ($172 each incl. taxes, etc). They don't have many "big" vehicles we can rent for everyone and get the luggage in.

Can anyone give me any input on luggage room? We can split 4 in each car or 5 in one and 3 in the other to give backseat room. I am trying to pack in smaller duffle-type bags instead of oversize bags. On their site, they list a Caliber which seems pretty roomy but I am wondering what they actually have to offer when we get there.

Any ideas would be great. This is our first time flying and renting a car.

 

[ZekeKelso]

First, just to be clear, unless there has been a change, a Caliber is in Dollar's "Compact" class. The "Economy" class is some sort of KIA - but I think most Economy renters get moved up to Compact class for free.

I've rented Caliber's a number of times, and really like them. There's a lot of space in the back, and the hatchback design works well - you can really pile stuff up.

Caliber's have pretty much completely replaced all the old Neons, so I don't think you have to worry about that. There's always a chance that you get "upgraded" to a mid-sized car that has a trunk instead of a hatch, but with the larger car you should still be OK. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[CarolA]

First, just to be clear, unless there has been a change, a Caliber is in Dollar's "Compact" class. The "Economy" class is some sort of KIA - but I think most Economy renters get moved up to Compact class for free.

I've rented Caliber's a number of times, and really like them. There's a lot of space in the back, and the hatchback design works well - you can really pile stuff up.

Caliber's have pretty much completely replaced all the old Neons, so I don't think you have to worry about that. There's always a chance that you get "upgraded" to a mid-sized car that has a trunk instead of a hatch, but with the larger car you should still be OK. I wouldn't worry about it.

I have told this story several times, but...

I was once at the National Aisle at MCO watching a family have a HUGE fight over this. Dad had booked an economy because "you get upgraded for free" This is RISKY especially at MCO where they have some of the LARGEST fleets in the industry. This family of four did NOT get upgraded and there was NO way they were going to fit in the economy. (Mom was crusing at Dad to just pay the "XYZ upgrade" fee and Dad was curisng back that there was no way in "XYZ" he was paying. I left, but my bets are on mom!)

I would NOT rent 2 Economy's for 8 adults. Dollars site shows this as the KIA as was pointed out and says it holds four adults and 1 medium and 1 small suitcase. My experience has been that rental car companies are "optomisitic" about the size of thier cars.

 

[andrychowski]

I am sorry for the mispost....

We have reserved a compact (Caliber type). I wouldn't chance renting a economy and hoping for an upgrade. We are too budget conscious for that and NEED the space.

Thanks for the info on the Caliber. It looked pretty roomy to me, but I was afraid to count on any particular car since they don't guaranty it. I think I will lean toward more smaller suitcases since it is easier to stack them and put them in small corners or at the kids' feet in the back. We also have a fullsize stroller, but with 2 cars (and light packers...renting a townshouse and planning to wash) we should be ok.