9 in a 8

[Mick-H]

We've hired a 8 seater for our trip later in the year, thing is 9 of us are now going.
I'm not worried about luggage, if needs be a couple can get a taxi to the villa from the airport taking a couple of cases, freeing up some space in the people carrier. (same on the way home)
I can only see all nine of us being in the van when going out for meals and maybe the odd trip out.
Soooooooooo
Should I stick with the 8 seater, get a 12 seater or 2 cars

[Bazamor]

Imho i would go bigger.You have no chance of getting 9 in an 8 and luggage. Alternativley if you have a mini van (7 seater) and a car you are not tied to going everywhere together and if someone wants to nip off for a game of golf? A mini van and a car are roughly same price on the car hire link on this site so cost should be similar.

[dolphinv]

We had the same trouble in August, but the Irish DL will not allow me to Drive the 12 seater.[msnsad] The trouble is if you get caught, you are in major trouble! The other issue is where to put the 9th person as they will not fit in the seats and therefore must go in the boot/trunk area..........[msnscared]bad idea if you have an accident.

We went for the second car a Neon or even smaller would do, it worked out better because not everyone wanted to do all the parks, if you go with Dollar gold option you can have a number of Drivers on each car! Those that stay at home have the option to take a short drive to shops etc. if a driver stay home! Have Fun[msnsmile2]

[Daybreak]

I totally agree, you wont be able to all fit in the 8 seater
We stuggled in summer to fit 7 of us in a 7 seater
Especially on the return journey with all that extra shopping
[msnsmile2][msnsmile2]

Dawn

[DiannaUK]

It would also invalidate your insurance if you have an accident whilst carrying 9 people in an 8 seater vehicle. In my opinion it is simply not worth the risk of (1) injury because people are not securely seated and (2) the trouble you will get in with the insurance company/police.

Hiring cars through the link on this site is such good value anyway that it shouldn't put a strain on the finances.

Dianna.

[Mick-H]

We had a 8 seater last visit and I feel we should be able to seat everyone, due to 3 of the passengers being on the small side, not sure how we'd fare on the insurance side of things though.

[Mick-H]

I'll work out some alternatives, if insurance is a definite no then it's not worth the risk.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
We had a 8 seater last visit and I feel we should be able to seat everyone, due to 3 of the passengers being on the small side, not sure how we'd fare on the insurance side of things though.[/quote]You can't legally seat 9 in an 8 seater because there aren't enough seats or seat belts to go around and Florida law is strict on everyone having their own seat and seat belt. Even small children or babies must have their own child seat secured by a seat belt and thus take up a seat in the vehicle.

As has been pointed out, it will also invalidate your insurance. Please don't do this, it really isn't worth the risk of getting arrested or, worse, being in a accident and not insured.

[eagleydo]

We are 9 and I have booked an 8 seater and a 4 dr intermediate car. This way everyone has a seat and there is plenty of room for cases(always need lots of room for cases when going home)If I want just a few things from the shop I can take the car and also up to 4 others can go else where if they choose when we go out in the 8 seater, result happiness and no worries about being stopped for overcrowding.
We tend to book a 7 seater for 5 people and if there is 6 to 7 we book an 8 seater(have to allow for suitcases).

[Mick-H]

9 in a 8 is definitely a no goer, no way I'll risk it.

Eight seater was £600, 2x compact is £780 so not a mega jump up price wise once split between us