4 x 4 SUV or Premium Chrysler 300

[Mrs. Incredible]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum, I've only viewed your website since this morning my time (Hong Kong)and had Roger answer so many of my questions over the email already. All your comments and Roger's super prompt replies to me and to other users have given me enough confidence to go ahead with booking a car on this website. [sporty]

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids aged 5 and 8. We're coming for an 18 day trip, from HK this July. We'll start our car rental at LAX, drive to San Diego before heading up on the coastal highway thru Big Sur, Muir Woods, Napa, then Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and finally San Francisco. We have 2 big luggages, probably a handcarry, a stroller for pushing our backpacks in the themeparks. Given the mountain driving and windy roads and narrow parking in San Francisco, plus hopefully best gas mileage/safety/comfort, which car would you recommend, a 4x4 SUV or the Premium Chrysler 300? Back home, we drive a Toyota Picnic, not sure what the equivalent is in the US/UK.

Would you recommend I do Dollar's silver inclusive, return full tank or Gold inclusive for 17 days on either of those cars. If the majority votes for 4x4 SUV, Alamo seems to have more choices. I have seen many forums voting for Durango or Toyota Highlander or Jeep Commander - are these more available at Alamo. [angel]

Also does anybody have any experience with the car rentals at LAX, for either Dollar or Alamo, in terms of service, car quality, etc.
Thanks for reading [beer]

[MarkJan]

We hired a Toyota Highlander through USCARHIRE but not from LAX. Great drive, not bad mpg. Don't forget US gallons are only 3.8litres, not 4.546 litres like imperial gallons. I would suggest all passengers would have a better viewpoint from an SUV compared to the 300C.

We had the 300c last year with 2 children aged 5 and 9 and they prefer being up high like at home so I would go for the $x$ SUV - we are also getting this model on Friday[clap][clap][clap]

[DaveL]

I have done this trip with almost the same route and the 4x4 is the right choice. The views are part of the trip and you can see much better out of the 4x4.

Regards Dave

[KevinT]

We have had both the 300C and the Highlander before. The 300C is a lovely comfortable car
and good for longer distances (although a little greedier on gas!). The 4 x 4 was very flexible with lots of space and as the others have mentioned , you get a good view from the high seats. The Highlander suited our needs very well. Three large suitcases easily fitted in the rear section without having to reposition seats.
Another option worth considering is the Chrysler Pacifica which we also loved. Up to six seats (or loads of space) and very comfortable to drive.

[Mrs. Incredible]

Thank you for all your advice. I checked with Roger about whether I could get Chrysler Pacifica as choice for premium car at Dollar, California and he said that Pacificas are mostly offered in Orlando and not LA. I will look into the Toyota Highlander and Pacifica at both the Alamo and Dollar Websites at LAX and see what my chances of getting them are.