Rental car for 6 plus luggage?

[corndog]

We need some car rental advice.

Having thus far failed to convince DW that we need to buy a new Toyota Sequoia for our upcoming Disney trip, I need to figure out how we are going to get there.

There will be 4 adults, a 4-year old, an infant and luggage for an 11-day trip. So, we’re going to need something with a third row and luggage room.

My biggest concern with the car rental places is the uncertainty concerning what make and model you actually get. For example, I am not tall, just 6’2”, but I cannot drive, say, a Ford Expedition because it is so cramped. I have to bend my head down to the side. I seem to have that problem with many American makes.

I also recently saw that at least one rental company classifies a Dodge Caliber as a minivan! It only seats five.

So, what is the ideal car for our trip, and I how do I make sure we get it?

 

[Pokemom]

You should be OK with a minivan rental (I can't see any company saying that a Caliber is a minivan - probably just a glitch). We have travelled with 6 and 7 people our last two vacations and have been able to fit everyone and luggage in a minivan (just remember to pack light and do laundry once). At Alamo and National locations, you can usually pick your vehicle from what is available. We got a KIA Sedona from Alamo in Vegas that held 7 of us plus 7 medium suitcases. We just rented from Thrifty in Phoenix and got a brand new Chrysler Town and Country Extended model - very nice. Seeing as you are renting in your home area, you could phone around to different companies and see what kind of vans they are currently offering.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Is flying an option? It seems like by the time you pay for a large rental, gas, tolls, and meals, it would be a lot cheaper to fly. Remember with a large size vehicle fully loaded you are going to use a ton of fuel.

 

[Kitzer]

We need some car rental advice.

Having thus far failed to convince DW that we need to buy a new Toyota Sequoia for our upcoming Disney trip, I need to figure out how we are going to get there.

There will be 4 adults, a 4-year old, an infant and luggage for an 11-day trip. So, we’re going to need something with a third row and luggage room.

My biggest concern with the car rental places is the uncertainty concerning what make and model you actually get. For example, I am not tall, just 6’2”, but I cannot drive, say, a Ford Expedition because it is so cramped. I have to bend my head down to the side. I seem to have that problem with many American makes.

I also recently saw that at least one rental company classifies a Dodge Caliber as a minivan! It only seats five.

So, what is the ideal car for our trip, and I how do I make sure we get it?

Hey brau are you flying down or driving all the way. If your flying there's a rental code at Dollar at MCO "Kiss2" that should get you a pretty good price. Anyway, most rental places indicate that a mini seats seven, so that couldn't inlude a caliber. Anyway, maybe you could use that code on a luxury and get yourself something with more leg room.

 

[auntie]

Last two trips we have rented from Budget and had a Lincoln Grand Marquis. I don't think you will have a problem..height wise. My husband is around 6ft. and my sons are 6'1" and 6'2"..like yourself. It has a HUGE trunk and accomodates all the luggage. We are 5 adult sized people and fit comfortably. I would think it would accomodate 6..in fact, I know it does..one year we had my mom along. I'd also recommend you check out the mousesavers site and see the discount codes available for car rentals. Problem I find with mini-vans is that they accomodate the people..but not a whole lot of luggage, and usually five or six people have quite a bit of luggage..even if they bring only one bag each.

 

[Hannathy]

I would fly! I don't see how you will save any money if you have to rent a vehicle that size, pay for the gas, tolls, food, etc on that long of a trip plus have that many people together that long if it is just to get there not stopping at places. The gas alone for a big vehicle loaded for that long of a drive would probably cover 3 tickets easily and then the rental. Gas has been staying at $2.50 a gallon without moving lately and it doesn't take long to go thru a few hundred dollars of it. And my biggy how much is your time worth? Is an extra 2-4 days worth a couple of hundred dollars? Is anyone on a limited amount of days?

Whatever you do my main reason for posting was before setting off on a journey with all that stuff and people- I would rent the vehicle you have in mind for a day or weekend and get everyone in it and ALL THE STUFF and see if it A. does fit and B. does fit comfortably enough to ride for that long.

 

[auntie]

For a number of years we owned a "Conversion van"..which is basically a full size van. We had a Ford. They are luxiously appointed on the interior..and often you will see them with raised roofs as well. We drove to Fla. quite a few times in that..and it's the way to go. I know there is rental company where we live that provides them. We decided to buy our own at one point as we used it for transportation as well. We had three kids..and car pools..and everyone fit in It was great as the kids grew older and larger..and fit adult sized people comfortably. Four captain chairs..and a bench seat in the rear that coverted to a sofa bed at the flip of a swtich. They are manufactured(the interiors) in the same way RV's are. You won't have any problems with head room, and they are equiped with TV's and DVD players many often accomodate a game system as well. We used ours for about 4 or 5 years..and now we have an Expedition..but we don't have the problem with head room you mention. While I love he truck..it wouldn't be nearly as comfortable for a family vacation as the conversion van was. Look into rentals in your area. There are usually companies that specifically do this. I've never found one from a major car rental company. You might even call an Recreation Vehichle dealer in your area..they could help you out as to where to find a rental company.