8 seater mini van or 8 seater suv??

[Benny24]

Ok we're about to sort our car hire from above, and need to decide between the 8 seater mini van or go for Dollars 8 seater SUV option, so we have a few questions......

There are 8 of us going, 6 adults and two kids (6&7), we will be having two vehicles as two adults are staying for three weeks, four adults and two kids for two weeks.

Firstly, the four adults and two kids will be returning to the airport with luggage in the SUV will it be big enough?

Secondly, there will be times when all 8 of us will be travelling together in the SUV to parks etc, again will it be big enough or is the mini van the better option?

And finally!!!......the second car we are hiring is a compact 4 door for three weeks. Is it better to go for the silver option?

Many thanks

Issy

[ncmurray]

Hi Issy,

If I were choosing for myself, then I would choose the 8 seater SUV from Budget. While the 8 seater mini van may be a little more spacious, the SUV looks and feels SO much better. The mini van is a bit "industrial"! I hope you understand what I mean!

There will be enough room for all eight in the SUV when you all want to go together, but when you are returning to the airport with 4 adutls and 2 kids plus luggage you may find it a struggle. You could ask the driver of the second car to take some passengers to the airport, and that way you would have plenty of room. I have attached a photo of the SUV boot, and you may be able to get an idea of what space you will have. It shows the boot with the two of the rearmost seats folded down.

I'm not sure which option to go with for the second car, but I usually find that the gold option is better value.

Have a great holiday

Nuala

[Gary-N_Vik]

Hi Issy

I was in the same dilema as yourself (4 adults & 3 teens). So as well as the SUV we hired a compact 2/4 door through budget as well. This way it gives us extra room to & from airport & freedon of 2 cars should the adults wish to split up. Also with the SUV we can all jump in & travel as a group [msnsmile2]

We went with gold option on both purely for the additional drivers as we can all share the driving if required.

[Benny24]

Thanks for your replies guys. We have gone for the 8 seater SUV, as we will be having the second car anyway.

[steph_goodrum]

Don't forget some space will also be needed for the childrens booster seats they will need as they are under 12 (unless they are exceptionally tall). It's just as easy to take your own as pay $5 a day fron Dollar. Depending on how much travelling/splitting up you are oding it might be worth paying a few dollars from Walmart and buying a second one each so you dont have to keep transferring them from one vehicle to another.

[roger]

In the USA their children will not require the booster seats as they are age 6 and 7.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
Don't forget some space will also be needed for the childrens booster seats they will need as they are under 12 (unless they are exceptionally tall). It's just as easy to take your own as pay $5 a day fron Dollar. Depending on how much travelling/splitting up you are oding it might be worth paying a few dollars from Walmart and buying a second one each so you dont have to keep transferring them from one vehicle to another.
[/quote]

[steph_goodrum]

Sorry Roger I thought it was the same now as in the UK where if they are under 12 or a certain height they needed them? Sorry for misleading info then.

Just double checked and it is under 6 needs booster in Florida.

Have been looking at UK ones recently for my niece and confusing myself.

[Benny24]

Hi guys.....sorry just to confirm, is it only under 6's that need booster seats in Florida?
Are there no height rules or anything?