View Full Version : 7 seater
I'm having second thoughts on the size of people carrier, I've booked a 7 seater as their are 7 of us going, but will it be big enough? or should I upgrade to an 8 seater for the extra luggage space?
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
09-04-2004, 21:58
I'd go for the 8 seater as I think you might get away with a 7 seater but it would be cosy[msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
I'm having second thoughts on the size of people carrier, I've booked a 7 seater as their are 7 of us going, but will it be big enough? or should I upgrade to an 8 seater for the extra luggage space?
[/quote]
Are they all adults or are some small children?
I'd go for the 8 seater. There are five of us and somehow we always seem to go home with more luggage than we arrived with and it's always a squeeze.
Herbie
5 adults 3 of them are over 65 and 2 kids.
I've booked through this site, if I do upgrade should I do it here or wait till we get there?
We go on the 15th, 6 days [msnsmile2]
We managed to get 7 people (4 adults & 3 kids) + luggage into a 7 seater but wouldn't recommend it, the 8 seater is that bit bigger and I'd def. go for that if we did it again!.
Nostromo
09-04-2004, 22:52
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
I'm having second thoughts on the size of people carrier, I've booked a 7 seater as their are 7 of us going, but will it be big enough? or should I upgrade to an 8 seater for the extra luggage space?
[/quote]
Absolutely definitely. Dollar ususally use a Dodge Grand Caravan for for a 7-seater and I can tell you from personal experience that Its luggage space is too small with all 7 seats in use. On the other hand, their usual 8-seater is a Chevy Astrovan, which not only has adequate luggage space, but you have the empty eigth seat for odds and ends.
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
09-04-2004, 23:35
Upgrade now as we can do it for the difference between 7 seater and 8 seater prices on our site. If you do it on arrival, Dollar will charge their normal rates for it and it will cost you a small fortune.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
5 adults 3 of them are over 65 and 2 kids.
I've booked through this site, if I do upgrade should I do it here or wait till we get there?
We go on the 15th, 6 days [msnsmile2]
[/quote]
Pikey1999
09-04-2004, 23:38
I never seem to get a 7 seater whenever I order one.
I always end up with an free 8 seater upgrade.
Still, can't complain...:D
We have a 7 seater for 5 of us and we find that a tight fit(but we do have a golf bag as welll[msnwink]) but as the 8 seater will be roomier
didn't think dollar did an 8 seater vans as we couldn't get one 3 weeks ago
Tony:D:D
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
10-04-2004, 01:15
Yes they do - they do not hold as many as the 7 seaters as they are not as popular with renters but there are certainly plenty around. I would advise booking well in advance for high season dates if you need 8 seaters as they do run out of them very quickly.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sully62
didn't think dollar did an 8 seater vans as we couldn't get one 3 weeks ago
Tony:D:D
[/quote]
Ray&Sarah
10-04-2004, 01:19
We go for the 7 Seater, and try and get the extended wheel base version. Dollar have a few of these, but you cannot book them in advance, so it is pot luck when you arrive. Usually there are only 6 of us, and so this works well. The 8 Seater we hired from Dollar a few years ago when in the Keys, was like a hippy wagon, (Apologies to any modern day hippies out there), it drove like a bath tub (not that I have driven a bath tub). We did try a 8 seater one other time, that was in Vegas, it drove a bit better, but you could never get the air con cool enough. Guess we were just unlucky.[msnsmile]
Despite ordering an 8 seater from dollar over a half term break last year, they had still run out when we arrived (late evening). We ended up with a 15 seater. Hubbie said not so stable to drive and you have to sign a disclaimer about roll over! There were 8 of us 4adults 4 kids (but teenages are like adults). Went to the coast in it but not as comfy. Hopefully you are early enough. I think there was a golfing on at the time. Good luck.
Andrea
andy and ann hales
10-04-2004, 12:53
we hired a 15 seater for 8 of us 4ad and 4 ch
it as great kids had loads of space and not ploblems driving it
We always have a 7 seater (3 adults 2 kids) we find thats the right size for us, So as said above
go for an 8 seater
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
10-04-2004, 14:23
It is now illegal under Florida Law to rent a 15 seater as there were too many accidents with them rolling over when fully loaded. 12 seater is now the maximum size for rental.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andy and ann hales
we hired a 15 seater for 8 of us 4ad and 4 ch
it as great kids had loads of space and not ploblems driving it
[/quote]
Pikey1999
10-04-2004, 14:56
It also depends on how much driving you'll be doing.
In the past we have driven over to Clearwater, down the west coast to Key West before driving back up the east coast to Orlando via Cape Canaveral.
That was two adults & 3 children (2,5,7).
We were in an 8 seater and it was fine.
If you are only driving local then I wouldn't worry about it too much! [msncool]
SunLover
10-04-2004, 16:15
When we were out in January, we got upgraded from a 4 door compact to a 7 seater, and it was brilliant :D
There was just two of us, but we soon discovered a way to fill all the empty space in back ~ lots of trips to WalMart & Home Depot !!! :D;)
Because of the size of your party, I would definitely advise going for the upgrade to an 8 seater, and like John says, do it here in the uk. It will cost an arm and a leg to do it in the US.
We always have a 7 seater as we drive a Pontiac Transsport 7 seater here at home some would not want anything smaller, I would say if there are 7 of you it will be a very tight fit and depending on how much luggage you have almost impossible to fit in, I would definitely go for an 8 seater.
Have a great holiday
(I have just been watching or 1st Video from 1993 and can't wait to go)
Lyn
The 8 seater is definitely the way to go. The luggage space is HUGE compared with the 7 seater.
we have just returned and had the chrysler town & country from dollar which was classed as a 7 seater( although where the 7th seat was?)for 6 of us (4 adults 1 large teenager 1child). We originally booked an 8 seater - but they obviously didn't have any left 'cos we were given one of those 12 seaters which looked like a mini coach!! Great if you have a lot of people but not so great for the luggage - just too many seats & not much else! When we asked for it to be changed they suggested an SUV which they said would definitely take us and the luggage - no chance for the luggage - so the Chrysler was the third choice after actually going looking at the vehicles. the grand caravan was actually more roomy for luggage but they didn't have one spare.
We take A LOT OF LUGGAGE and come home with even more and found the t&c fine - remember the only times you are going to be carrying all the luggage is just to & from the airport so a little discomfort would be preferable to the van-like 12 seater that they have to offer....well that's my opinion after seeing them side by side. I know there's one more of you so I think an eight seater would be the best of both worlds - although if you're not happy with the vehicle they give you, look around at what they have on their lots.
ONE OTHER HINT - whoever is driving, go to wait in the rental queue early rather than wait for the luggage - there's always someone else to do that - and the queues get very long when a flight gets in plus you'll have more chance of getting a vehicle that you want
Ray&Sarah
13-04-2004, 03:19
Farida we found the same thing with the Town & Country, luggage space was limited, but the drive so much better than the 12 seater. Last time, we were offered an up grade from the Town & Country, and ended up with a GM Astro, wish we had stuck with the Town & Country or Dodge Grande Caravan. The Astro's driving position was cramped, and the ride not as car like as the Dodge. Hope you had a great time in Orlando, bet you wish you were still there![msnwink]
We had a great time, thanks ... got carried away a bit though --- know the ad 'we liked the product so we bought the company' well we liked the area so we bought a house!! (Well, technically its still two weeks to closure so we haven't officially bought yet)
I'm desparately hoping I'll have an excuse to go back to sign rather than do things over the water 'cos I adore the house ... the trouble is the family might never see me again ( although whether hubby would find that a bad thing is debatable - or so he says!!)
Ray&Sarah
13-04-2004, 03:44
Where did you buy Farida, and I guess from you comments it is finished sitting there waiting for you.[msnsmile2]
we bought a resale on Hampton Lakes - a huge 7 bed - not what we went looking for but you've got to be flexible in this market, right?! I think our realtor had never had clients like us. We'd given her guidelines but we saw this on the first day when we were driving around ourselves and loved it...and so bought it within the couple of hours of meeting her!!
Ray&Sarah
13-04-2004, 04:04
Well done, and Good luck
I/we have decided to risk the 7 seater [:0] main reason being we won't be taking to much luggage and as has been said in one of the replies the only time that it may be a little cramped is to and from the airport, so me being the driver I'll be ok :D
Thanx for the help we fly tomorrow so it's to late to change anything now, I'm sure we'll manage.
Have a great Holiday, im sure you will find the 7-seater ok
Ray&Sarah
14-04-2004, 22:23
Enjoy Florida, don't forget to post you report when you get back. We will all be thinking of how you got on with the 7 seater you know. :D
The 7 seater was fine, the holiday was fantastic, we're now looking to book again (4th time) for next year.
Ray&Sarah
07-06-2004, 02:06
Mike H, glad you had a great time in Orlando, get planning on the next trip.