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car rental w/LO in mind - help!

stargirl76stargirl76
in Hawaii Babies

Hi ladies,

DH and I are planning on renting a car when we go home to HI so we won't inconvenience family, etc. One of my dad's extra car is a truck, and obviously we can't use that this trip Stick out tongue

We're looking at the Enterprise cars, but now that I think about it, I have no idea what type of car would be best with a LO in the back...?! My dad says economy, compact and intermediate are all too small, so we're looking at standard sized cars.

To give you an idea:
Economy: Chevy Aveo or similar
Compact: Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, or similar
Intermediate: Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra or similar
Standard: Ford Fusion or similar

Any tips? Is a Corolla sized car really too small? We'll be home for 2 weeks, so the price really does add up quite quickly (but if it's for his safety, then of course we'll spend the $500+).

Thanks in advance!!

cai(o)&cullen+ahk
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Re: car rental w/LO in mind - help!

  • MauiWedding08MauiWedding08

    I have taken LO on some work trips (along with my sister as a nanny) and they always get me an economy or compact car I think (usually a focus or elantra).  I had no problem fitting his cosco scenara in both cars (rear facing, center install with the seat belt and 2 5'7"+ size adults in the front seat).

    I drive a jetta , compact cars don't bother me, I would be inclined to save money.

    Are you a costco member?  They usually run promos for a free upgrade and free 2nd driver. That might help a little?

     

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  • MrsIHMrsIH
    We were in the same boat :)  We're off to Hawaii in just over a week.  We always rent from Enterprise and have had the best cust. service w/them.  Having said that when it was just MH and I we would always rent the smallest car and go and pick it up late, 9:30 or so.  All of the small cars are usually gone by that time so we always get an upgrade- jeep twice, convertible twice, Subaru wagon, etc.  So we've had great luck with that!  With LO we didn't want to take a chance so we have rented an intermediate and will pick it up at the same time and see if we get what we reserved or a free upgrade again :)  
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  • MrsIHMrsIH
    And that would be 9:30am ;)
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  • lola808lola808
    We're traveling next month and are taking a spare Cosco Scenera with us. I was looking for an intermediate class or higher when I was booking, not really for the car seat situation, but more for a feeling of safety since we'll be driving some distance. I def don't think a Corolla-sized car would be too small -- those aren't Mini Coopers or anything!
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  • lisakeikolisakeiko member
    Our Prius is in the shop right now and the loaner car that we got is a Corolla. Our Britax Boulevard fits in the backseat on the passenger side. As long as the front passenger isn't a giant who needs max leg room, the Boulevard fits fine in the backseat. =)
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  • inamrainamra member

    imagelisakeiko:
    As long as the front passenger isn't a giant who needs max leg room, the Boulevard fits fine in the backseat. =)

    Ah, yes, like MH. It's sad but we're actually talking about selling our SUV(!!) and getting a new car because every convertible seat we've tried doesn't work with MH's seat configuration (he needs the seat slided back in the farthest setting). We'll definitely need to dish out the extra money if we have to get a rental car (maybe that's why we're avoiding vacations now...)

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  • Married2MrWrightMarried2MrWright member
    Honestly, with gas prices being what they are I'd go for economy. You can fit a carseat in them. I mean plenty of families drive smaller cars...and since it's just two weeks, it should be fine. We have Cosco Scenera 40RF that we'll travel with and we've been looking at rental cars too and plan to go the cheapest route possible. FWIW, my SIL has a Corolla and could fit her foster daughter's carseat in the back just fine.
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  • Married2MrWrightMarried2MrWright member
    imageinamra:

    imagelisakeiko:
    As long as the front passenger isn't a giant who needs max leg room, the Boulevard fits fine in the backseat. =)

    Ah, yes, like MH. It's sad but we're actually talking about selling our SUV(!!) and getting a new car because every convertible seat we've tried doesn't work with MH's seat configuration (he needs the seat slided back in the farthest setting). We'll definitely need to dish out the extra money if we have to get a rental car (maybe that's why we're avoiding vacations now...)

    A bit OT, but MH also needs his seat fully back and slightly reclined (he's not as tall as your DH, but he's 6'3" and has long legs)...he's obsessed with legroom and headroom in vehicles and is really interested the Buick Enclave because of it. He also likes the Nissan Altima has good legroom too. He likes Subaru's too. My brother is 6'5" and is most comfortable in big SUVs like Escalades and Suburbans.

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  • expatjenexpatjen member

    When we were home in Hawaii for 2 months, we rented a car for the weeks that we were on Oahu (other than that we were in Hilo, using my parents spare car - which is a Ford Focus).  The first time, was for 1 week and we rented from Avis (via Priceline).  

    We paid about $30/day and brought our own car seat (Britax Marathon).  I have to say it was a struggle to get all our suitcases (3 suitcases and 2 carry-ons) and the car seat and the stroller into the SUV (it was a Nissan Murano).  We actually had to have my parents (who also came with us to Oahu and rented a car) take one of our bags because it would not fit.  

    The second time we rented a van.  :)

    While I was on Oahu with just LO and my mom for a weekend visit.  We rented a VW Jetta from National (again about $20/day) and it was fine.  I would think the Corolla would be about the same size.  

    Good luck! :)   

    **a girl from Hawaii, living and driving in South India**

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  • inamrainamra member
    imageMarried2MrWright:
    imageinamra:

    imagelisakeiko:
    As long as the front passenger isn't a giant who needs max leg room, the Boulevard fits fine in the backseat. =)

    Ah, yes, like MH. It's sad but we're actually talking about selling our SUV(!!) and getting a new car because every convertible seat we've tried doesn't work with MH's seat configuration (he needs the seat slided back in the farthest setting). We'll definitely need to dish out the extra money if we have to get a rental car (maybe that's why we're avoiding vacations now...)

    A bit OT, but MH also needs his seat fully back and slightly reclined (he's not as tall as your DH, but he's 6'3" and has long legs)...he's obsessed with legroom and headroom in vehicles and is really interested the Buick Enclave because of it. He also likes the Nissan Altima has good legroom too. He likes Subaru's too. My brother is 6'5" and is most comfortable in big SUVs like Escalades and Suburbans.

    Ahhh yeah, we were talking about Escalades and Suburbans! I'm just worried about it being a bit more gas-guzzling than what we're used to (Japanese cars) =P I'm surprised...the Altima has a lot of legroom?

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