Recommendations for Vehicle Size - National G6?

[Braque]

We are looking to book thru National but I am concerned that National's Intermediate vehicle: the Pontiac G6, will not have enough trunk space.

We are two adults and two kids with enough luggage for a two week trip (not crazy with packing, but you can imagine). I worry that if we use EA and the G6 is the only available option, we won't be able to fit all of our lugage in the car. Should I reserve a larger size? What vehicle would you recommend to ensure that we enough space for 2 weeks worth of luggage? The small SUV's have very little storage space and the standard SUV is pretty pricey. Full size or premium car? I'm confused and I just started!

 

[gshumaker]

We booked a van through Dollar.

We have the same situation - 2 adults and 2 kids for a 10 day trip.

The van was actually cheaper than a full size car thru Dollar.

 

[DebbieB]

With an intermediate, you probably will not be able to fit more than 2 full size pieces and a couple smaller. With a full size, you can probably fit 3 full size. When I was there last month, we had a standard SUV and had no problem fitting luggage for 4.

 

[pbharris4]

We're also a family of 4 flying down with 10 days of luggage. Before reserving a car...we took all the luggage we'd be using and put it into the trunk of our Altima to see how it would fit. (The Altima has 12 cubic feet of trunk space). In there..we fit..1 Garment Bag, (2) 26" upright Pullman suitcases, and 2 small to medium suitcases. We'd also have a stroller, but if it doesn't fit..it'll go between the girls just from the airport to the hotel.

We reserved a Full Size Pontiac Grand Prix from Alamo..it actually has more trunk space (I think 2-4 more cubic feet). Are you going to do any laundry on your trip? Even if you just do it once..you can cut down on some of the clothes you take. I'd reserve a Full Size car to be safe. You want to make sure you get a car that will hold everything.

 

[Snoozan]

I say pack 1/2 of what you're planning and do a load of laundry while you're there! I was there the first week of May and ended up wearing the same set of clothes 2X as they were my coolest clothes. Did one load of wash for DH & myself. Came home with a suitcase of clean clothes, one of dirty clothes. Of course, we don't dress up on vacation and wore only shorts/T-shirts as that's how we're most comfortable.

 

[boBQuincy]

National's Emerald Aisle is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. We have found G6s, Impalas, and more at MCO. The problem is that you may very likely get a G6 but the trunk is large and we have managed to get four sets of luggage in one.
* Our luggage is mostly "carry on" size, 22 x 14 x 9 and a smaller bag that fits under the airline seat. If yours is larger than that it may not fit.

boB

 

[DonnaL]

A little off subject here.....but, keep in mind when packing luggage these days to try and stay away from your larger pieces.....they tend to go over the weight limit of 50 lbs pretty easily. Our past few trips we've been using our weekender sizes and I also picked up a couple of good size duffel type bags almost identical to our luggage. Now I don't worry about going over the limit and also, if necessary two duffel type bags can fit on the middle seat in the back just for the ride from airport to DW without much problem.

 

[ktbugsmom]

We always rent from National because we love the convenience of the Emerald Aisle. But, that being said, the last two trips, we ended up with the smaller G6. Nice car, but with a husband who is 6'5" and two kids (last trip they were 11 and 5) - we were crammed! So crammed, we could not stop at the grocery store on the way to the hotel because there was no way we could fit anymore in the car. The trunk was full and we had stuff on our laps.

But, my husband had his golf clubs with and we had a stroller for our 5 year old (smaller one - but still took up space). Then we had 2 checked bags (larger rolling suitcases) and we each had one small carry on. But that was enough to fill up the car!

Had we eliminated the golf clubs and stroller - we would have been okay. Still tight, but doable.

Good luck!

 

[Braque]

Thanks, everyone! I had a feeling the G6 would be too small - great suggestions, as usual for the DIS.

 

[Piglet Fan]

I'll throw in my 2 cents since I just went through a similar situation. I took my chances and reserved an intermediate through the Emerald Aisle. (We had 4 adults for about a week.) We had once large suitcase, one medium and two smaller week-endish ones, as well as a few carry-ons (backpacks, duffels), so I was concerned about the trunk space. The EA had an Impala which had a very large trunk, but all of our stuff fit in the G6 so we went with that anyway. I'd say if you're concerned, go with a full-size; reserving on the EA is always a gamble.