Will midsize car be big enough, or full size?

[frannn]

I have a 2 week ressie with National in Oct (they consider it 13 days, I believe). I got a midsize for DH, me, and DD1 for 256. including all taxes, etc. This is picking up at West Palm Beach airport & dropping off at Orlando airport. I also have a full size reserved at a total of 303. I thought that the mid size would be big enough, but now I am getting concerned with the issue of where to put the luggage. I have a 26" pullman, DH has a 24", DD has a oversized duffel (about the size of my luggage, with wheels). We'll also probably have one extra oversized (26") duffel lightly packed, with whatever we need to remove from our luggage to get under the 50 lb limit, as well as extra diapers, wipes, etc. In addition, I'll have a very large diaper bag for the plane, a regular sized duffel to carry on, and a camera bag. We'll probably pack an extra 26" duffel with no wheels just in case we have souvies that won't be shipped. And don't forget about the car seat and stroller.

I hate to pay the extra $$ for the full size car just to be able to squeeze in one extra bag in the trunk...but I don't want to have to leave half my stuff on the side of the road or piled on my DD either....This is our first time with a rental car with the baby-how much luggage have you been able to fit comfortably with the stroller, etc. in a mid size or full size? Best car make to get from their fleet? Thanks for sharing!

 

[Straitlover]

Taht sounds like an awful lot of stuff for a midsize unless you donlt mind packing the other side of the backseat down. If it were me, I'd splurge and pay the extra $47 for a fullsize.

I don't know what cars National uses, but if they have Fords, the Taurus had a very roomy trunk (at least my mother's Taurus does!).

 

[hercamore]

Those middize car trunks aren't very big. I'd go with the fulldize and try to get the Dodge Intrepid which has a HUGE trunk.

herc.

 

[Rpsemont]

Personally, I'd save the $47 and pack laundry detergent and take less stuff. (LOL!) But the other thing to consider is what exactly is your travel plan. If you're staying at one place in West Palm for 7 days, then onto Orlando and will really only have a couple times that you have to carrying ALL your luggage, then you could probably get by the midsize, squeezing stuff on the floor and extra seat in the back. On the other hand, if it's a day here, day there and always all the luggage in the car, I'd go with the full size. What size car do you have at home? Maybe you can get a guage of exactly how much space all this takes? Do you know anyone who owns a compact or midsize that you "sample" pack? I'm trying to decide the same thing - mid or full - but we are 3 adults, 8 YO, 4 suitcases, 2 carry ons....I figure if I go with the midsize, I'll probably end up with a suitcase crammed between DD and me and one under her feet and maybe one on my lap - But it will only be the short drive from MCO to WDW.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm trying to decide the same thing - mid or full - but we are 3 adults, 8 YO, 4 suitcases, 2 carry ons....I figure if I go with the midsize, I'll probably end up with a suitcase crammed between DD and me and one under her feet and maybe one on my lap - But it will only be the short drive from MCO to WDW.

National's benchmark midsize (intermediate) is a Grand Am. I used to own a Grand Am. You're really going to be crammed. I could only fit 2 full size suitcases in the trunk.