Rental car size ???

[StephMK]

Please help us settle a decision!

There are 5 of us - 2 kids in car seats & a tall 10 yr old. We will be renting a car & staying 1 mile outside of Disney - yeah, I know, we'll try & stay onsite next time.

We can't decide what size car we need. We're used to a mini-van but I want to get a regular car to save $. The longest we should be in the car is the drive to/from the airport. Could we fit 3 kids in a full size w/2 car seats w/o a lot of complaining? DH doesn't think it will work.

Please let me know what you think.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Full size will work. Especially if you can rent from somewhere that has an Impala or Intrepid or Century.

 

[n2mm]

People wise you can do it, but it depends on your luggage! There is not much room for that in either car. We can fill the trunk of a full size easily for just the 2 of us with 2 reg. suitcases, 1 small carryone and one duffle. We had 2 adults, 2 adult kids, and one 7 year old and had to get a minivan because of the luggage for one week. We had to fold down the middle seats just to pile the luggage on it and it was tight.

 

[hercamore]

dodge Intrepid has a big mama back seat and a big mama trunk.

Dollar or Natinal rents them.

herc.

 

[BobH]

A Buick Lesabre (Avis or National) has more trunk room than the Century but to be safe Budget rents the Mercury Marquis which has the most room. You'll have to compare rates to make sure it makes sense. Even after you reserve keep checking back for the best rates on mini-vans. You may see a drop in prices. It often happens. You can then reserve another vehicle then cancel the first.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by BobH
A Buick Lesabre (Avis or National) has more trunk room than the Century but to be safe Budget rents the Mercury Marquis which has the most room. You'll have to compare rates to make sure it makes sense. Even after you reserve keep checking back for the best rates on mini-vans. You may see a drop in prices. It often happens. You can then reserve another vehicle then cancel the first.

The LeSabre and the Grand Marquis are large cars, but they are both considered 'Premium' car class and not fullsize. Sometimes the rental company may give those out on a fullsize reservation if they have run out of the typical fullsize, but generally they charge extra for the premium car class. Fullsize at Budget is considered a Taurus and at Avis and National it is a Buick Century/Pontiac Grand Prix or Dodge Intrepid.

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for the info! DH has heard about all I've learned here already so he will be happy w/this info. Now I can look for a good deal on a few more classes.

 

[BobH]

Sgt Disney is correct about the Lesabre and Marquis being premium cars but I would suggest keeping and eye on the prices I have often rented a premium car for only slightly more money than a full size by checking the rental prices frequently.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by hercamore
dodge Intrepid has a big mama back seat and a big mama trunk.

Dollar or Natinal rents them.

herc.

Yes, the Intrepid has a "big mama back seat and a big mama trunk" it is :18.4 cubic feet. The Impala also is a big mama at 18.6 cubic feet, followed by the Regal and Century at 16.7 cubic feet.

National and Alamo rent these.
LeSabre has an 18.0 cubic foot trunk.
Grand Marquis - 20.6 cubic feet.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by hercamore
dodge Intrepid has a big mama back seat and a big mama trunk...

Yes, an Italian-American friend once jokingly described the trunk on her Intrepid as a "3 body trunk"

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by pumpkinboy
Yes, an Italian-American friend once jokingly described the trunk on her Intrepid as a "3 body trunk"

LOL, that is about right.

 

[ttichenor]

I own an Intrepid (bought from Thrifty ironically enough) and it does indeed have a huge trunk. The large trunk was the selling point. Routinely holds 2 full size softball bags, 2 folding chairs for park and golf clubs, all stacked perpendicular to back of car, leaving one side free for groceries and other items.

Haven't tried 3 bodies yet though, although DD8 does have to get inside trunk to retrieve loose items from very back because we can't reach!

 

[leebee]

If you are a Sam's Club member, they have a coupon for a two car class upgrade at National. Try reserving a compact or intermediate using contract code 6600330 and coupon code 10009013 (if you have access to a Sam's coupon- you'll need the coupon at checkout). It should give you a pretty good price for a standard or full-size car.