Renting an SUV or minivan

[jennilouwho]

We are going to need to rent either an SUV or a minivan for our upcoming trip. Does one get better gas mileage than the other?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Lets take for example, the Chevrolet Trailblazer (suv) and the Chevrolet Uplander (van).

Trailblazer: 16 City/22 Hwy

Uplander: 18 city/25 Hwy

Not much of a difference. From a comfort standpoint I would stick with a van...

 

[calgarygary]

A full size SUV will not get the same mileage as a minivan. I drive a minivan at home and have rented both a minivan and a full size SUV when visiting WDW - my preference was for the SUV.

 

[bgirl29]

When we switched from a Chevy Venture to a Trailblazer we were shocked by how much more we started spending on gas. The minivan was much better cost wise.

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll stick with the minivan (that I already have reserved). I appreciate the input!

 

[GAN]

Hi Jennilouwho,
Regarding your rental, have you tried naming your own price at price line. I can tell you that they have been accepting bids of approx. $20/day(plus tax) for MiniVans -that could add up to a significant savings. I've used them at least a half-dozen times with NO problem at all. Just an FYI. Best of luck.

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanks GAN! I'm going to try that last minute, as right now I have a reservation with Thrifty for $320 total for 10 days. That's including all taxes and everything. We don't go until October, so I have a little time to look around.

 

[Jennyvelaz]

Hi Jennilouwho,
Regarding your rental, have you tried naming your own price at price line. I can tell you that they have been accepting bids of approx. $20/day(plus tax) for MiniVans -that could add up to a significant savings. I've used them at least a half-dozen times with NO problem at all. Just an FYI. Best of luck.

For which companies?

 

[jennilouwho]

Priceline gives you one of the main companies and I have always gotten an onsite one using them.

 

[sulleyfan]

Hi jennilouwho,
You might also want to check out the Crossover SUVs (I know for sure National and Alamo have them, haven't checked any of the others)...They seat 7 and are built more on a car frame than a standard SUV, so they're supposed to get better gas mileage and better ride. The GMC Acadia which is what Alamo/National has listed as one of the possibilities is supposed to get 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I have a rental through Alamo at $402 for 10 days in March, but that's not out of MCO, its out of a much smaller airport so rates are quite a bit more.

 

[knation5]

typo sorry!

 

[knation5]

What would $20/day plus tax run for 7 days? (I have NO IDEA how much taxes would be!) That might be the way I need to go!


Thanks!
Kayla[

 

[GAN]

Surcharges would be approx. $2.50/day plus 10% --so for 7-days @ $20/day is $140.00, thus the surcharge would be about $22 for the week. Then you have to add the 6.5%(I believe)tax, which would be another $10. The total for the week should be roughly $172. These are all estimates but you can start to see the savings. To me it's more money I can enjoy on my vacation, I don't care if I save $10.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Surcharges would be approx. $2.50/day plus 10% --so for 7-days @ $20/day is $140.00, thus the surcharge would be about $22 for the week. Then you have to add the 6.5%(I believe)tax, which would be another $10. The total for the week should be roughly $172. These are all estimates but you can start to see the savings. To me it's more money I can enjoy on my vacation, I don't care if I save $10.

Just keep in mind though, that the $10 you save could end up slowing you down big time, especially if you get a company like Alamo who often has 1hr+ lines.