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macjakob · May 14, 2006, 10:42 AM

Hi, everybody!

This summer, me and my family (4 persons) + our friends (3 persons) are going to Florida for a roadtrip. We want to rent a car (van, suv, whatever - as long as it works!

)

I was thinking maybe one of those big Fords? – The 'Expedition'?

So it has to fit 7 persons, 4 medium-big sized luggage, and still be comfortable (nobody wants to sit 'squished' for a very long period of time...)

What's your recommendations?

sek929 · May 14, 2006, 11:12 AM

Conversion van with a TV

MaxPower2k3 · May 14, 2006, 11:15 AM

You're driving from Copenhagen to Florida? Impressive

Keep in mind the price of gas for a big car like that. The bigger the car, the bigger your gas bill. Maybe check out a smaller SUV that still seats 7, or there's also a few hybrid SUVs out now that'll save some gas money.

edit: here is a list of currently available hybrid SUVs. All of them get around 30mpg, compared to 15-19 with the expedition. None of them are as big, granted, but if it'll almost halve your gas bill, it might be something to consider.

Athens · May 14, 2006, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by macjakob

Hi, everybody!

This summer, me and my family (4 persons) + our friends (3 persons) are going to Florida for a roadtrip. We want to rent a car (van, suv, whatever - as long as it works!

)

I was thinking maybe one of those big Fords? – The 'Expedition'?

So it has to fit 7 persons, 4 medium-big sized luggage, and still be comfortable (nobody wants to sit 'squished' for a very long period of time...)

What's your recommendations?

Personally I think your better off going in 2 cars, would prob be cheaper on gas and if something did happen your group is split up between 2 cars.

my 2 cents.

greenamp · May 14, 2006, 12:13 PM

Only way two cars would be better is if they were something like Civics or Corollas, ie, something that gets 35+mpg. The Expedition is rated at 19mpg hwy, so figure about 15mpg in real life driving.

Most bigger sedans average around 25-30mpg on the hwy (possibly less with passenger/cargo load). So figure 30mpg/2 = 15mpg == may as well go with the Expedition.

Doofy · May 14, 2006, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by macjakob

What's your recommendations?

Sorry, urge too strong to not make a Clarkson joke here...

Answer: Hire a two-seat Ferrari, take the hottest chick and let the other five people work it out for themselves.

Everyone seems to be worrying about gas prices, but since you're from Europe and thus will be laughing at the "high" gas prices over in the US, go with the SUV. Maybe two medium SUVs (Explorer or something).

itistoday · May 14, 2006, 01:14 PM

Just be prepared to be surrounded by a sea of morons and idiots who drive like 5 year olds hyped up on meth. I want to get out of here.

Kenneth · May 14, 2006, 01:15 PM

I would also vote for 2 sedans. Car rental can be a hassle and mini-van/SUV is pretty pricey. I have never rented a car in the FL area, so better call the rental company before hand.

dampeoples · May 14, 2006, 01:49 PM

Renting 2 cars is just silly, it's a FAMILY vacation, right? There's no way two cars would be cheaper to drive than one.
Get a minivan, I've got a Town & Country, 2 rows of Captains chairs, front and rear climate control, a bench seat in the rear that folds down into a bed, and the ride is better than any truck out there, I have one of those as well. The wife gets around 21MPG going to work and back, should get a bit more on the road, I've not had it long enough to take a long trip with it to see what that mileage is.

Spliffdaddy · May 14, 2006, 02:10 PM

Thrifty rents minivans that seat 7 and get 18-23mpg example: Dodge Caravan

Budget rents full-size 12 passenger vans (that's what you really need, because of the volume of luggage) rated at 17-20mpg example: Ford E350

Also check out Avis and Hertz

The Godfather · May 14, 2006, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

You're driving from Copenhagen to Florida? Impressive

Keep in mind the price of gas for a big car like that. The bigger the car, the bigger your gas bill. Maybe check out a smaller SUV that still seats 7, or there's also a few hybrid SUVs out now that'll save some gas money.

edit: here is a list of currently available hybrid SUVs. All of them get around 30mpg, compared to 15-19 with the expedition. None of them are as big, granted, but if it'll almost halve your gas bill, it might be something to consider.

What car rental company offers hybrids?

turtle777 · May 14, 2006, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

You're driving from Copenhagen to Florida? Impressive

So, he needs something that drives and swims

Here you go:

-t

Doofy · May 14, 2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

So, he needs something that drives and swims

Me want!

turtle777 · May 14, 2006, 04:53 PM

Yeah, but parallel parking it suxx.

-t

Rumor · May 14, 2006, 05:08 PM

Don't get a van, get a RV.

http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rv_rentals/default.asp

cjrivera · May 14, 2006, 06:29 PM

C'mon people...
what better way to go on Vacation....

than the The Wagon Queen Family Truckster!

stevesnj · May 14, 2006, 06:51 PM

Where are you traveling from?

Railroader · May 14, 2006, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by MaxPower2k3

You're driving from Copenhagen to Florida? Impressive

Keep in mind the price of gas for a big car like that. The bigger the car, the bigger your gas bill. Maybe check out a smaller SUV that still seats 7, or there's also a few hybrid SUVs out now that'll save some gas money.

edit: here is a list of currently available hybrid SUVs. All of them get around 30mpg, compared to 15-19 with the expedition. None of them are as big, granted, but if it'll almost halve your gas bill, it might be something to consider.

Did you miss the part where he said 7 people and their luggage are going to be going? A road trip in a small vehicle is asking for enemies at the end of the trip. I say do what this person recommends:

Originally Posted by Spliffdaddy

Thrifty rents minivans that seat 7 and get 18-23mpg example: Dodge Caravan

Budget rents full-size 12 passenger vans (that's what you really need, because of the volume of luggage) rated at 17-20mpg example: Ford E350

Also check out Avis and Hertz

I have a Chevy Venture that seats 6 adults comfortably, but not 7. It will seat 4 adults and 3 medium sized children quite comfortably though.

Go with the 12 passenger Ford. You won't regret it.

Railroader · May 14, 2006, 08:49 PM

Slightly off topic, but close: My dream road trip car with the family is a Buick Park Avenue Ultra. Like driving a VERY soft sofa. Plus, with supercharged engine, it's a fast sofa.

Athens · May 15, 2006, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by dampeoples

Renting 2 cars is just silly, it's a FAMILY vacation, right? There's no way two cars would be cheaper to drive than one.
Get a minivan, I've got a Town & Country, 2 rows of Captains chairs, front and rear climate control, a bench seat in the rear that folds down into a bed, and the ride is better than any truck out there, I have one of those as well. The wife gets around 21MPG going to work and back, should get a bit more on the road, I've not had it long enough to take a long trip with it to see what that mileage is.

Its not just about saving money, do you really want the entire family in one car incase of a accedent?

Doofy · May 15, 2006, 06:08 AM

Moreover, what happens when half the family wants to go to a nice restaurant and the other half wants to go munch a burger on the way to the crazy golf?

Mithras · May 15, 2006, 07:49 AM

Oh man: no question -- go with the custom Dodge Tradesman rig. My family did a road trip in 1982 in one of these, and it was fantastic. We built a fold-down bed in the back, had a nice little table setup, I could pop my head out of the mini-sunroof in the back... really, there's no reason not to go full-size.

You may also recognize the Tradesman as Uncle Rico's van (he had the RV edition) in Napoleon Dynamite:

Mithras · May 15, 2006, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Yeah, but parallel parking it suxx.

-t

Q: Where does a Unimog park?
A: Anywhere it wants to

harrisjamieh · May 15, 2006, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

Its not just about saving money, do you really want the entire family in one car incase of a accedent?

Yes actually. If half my family were in one car and half in another, and one car crashed killing everyone in it, and I was left alive with half my family gone, I would want to crash my car too..