Newer Corolla and space in the backseats

[jeromedawg]

Hi all,

I've reserved (not prepaid) 3 reservations for different car classes (mid-size like a Toyota Corolla, standard like a Nissan Altima, and full-size like a Chevy Malibu) in Kauai and am wondering which we should go with if it's going to be myself, my wife, our kid in a car seat in the back, and my in-laws. My father-in-law will probably be in the front (he's about 5'9 tall) and my mother-in-law (5'4) and wife (5'8) will be in the back with our kid hopefully in the middle seat.

First off, how is the car seat install for the middle seat in the presumably newer Corollas? And secondly, will it be really tight compared to a Nissan Altima (standard) or Chevy Malibu (full-size)? We'll also have at least 4 pieces of rolling (or similar sized) luggage to fit in the trunk plus maybe a backpack or two. Would the Corolla be sufficient + spacious for all this?

[tobitonic]

From what I've read, you're not supposed to have 3 buckled seats/people in the back seat of the current Corollas. Even if you could, I'd still go with the Malibu (or to be honest, probably something larger given your luggage requirements).

[ETBen]

What kind of car seat and how will you install?  you can't use the Latch in the center seat. And if its one of the typical monstrous seats, it would still be tight for two adults on either side.  But if you aren't doing too much driving, you could install the seat in the center with the belt and squeeze the adults in. 

[jeromedawg]

From what I've read, you're not supposed to have 3 buckled seats/people in the back seat of the current Corollas. Even if you could, I'd still go with the Malibu (or to be honest, probably something larger given your luggage requirements).

Thanks. Maybe we'll bite the bullet and rent a mid-size SUV. What about the "specialty" or "wildcard" rentals? Are those not worth reserving in these sorts of situations?

[Astatine]

DH and I recently test drove a new Corolla. I can't imagine they would have enough room to comfortably seat 3 across the backseat. I think it's a great sized car for 2 adults and 1-2 small kids, but not for 4 adults (other than for brief trips). In your circumstances I'd choose the next size up car.

Edit: also the boot space was pretty small. I've gone blank on the American word for boot. It's the storage space at the back of the car.

[jeromedawg]

What kind of car seat and how will you install?  you can't use the Latch in the center seat. And if its one of the typical monstrous seats, it would still be tight for two adults on either side.  But if you aren't doing too much driving, you could install the seat in the center with the belt and squeeze the adults in.

So the main bulk of driving with the car packed with luggage and everyone will be when we are getting the car from the airport and driving to Poipu as well as driving back to the airport. The thing is, my brother in law and his partner are renting an SUV and will pretty much be with us the whole time. I think the sketchiest part might be getting to the condo from the airport IF we go earlier than they do. Otherwise, going back to the airport shouldn't be a huge deal - we can probably all go have dinner out that way and they can help transport one or two people for the airport drop-off. It's going to be hard though trying to all get in at the same time because we would like to go earlier (also because I want to use awards for flights and the flight times are limited coming from HNL)

Seems like we could squeeze by in a Chevy Malibu or possibly even the Altima? If the Corolla really isn't ideal, I'm fine with  not going that route.

[Pylortes]

For what you need (which sounds like a limited amount of driving) I'm sure you'll be fine with a Malibu or similar mid sized car.  I wouldn't think twice for a Malibu type car.  I think you could even do it with the Corolla but everyone in the backseat would be cramped and the luggage could be really tight.  I think the Malibu is a good compromise and shouldn't be a whole lot higher rental price hopefully.

[Dicey]

Sounds like you're worrying about a small upgrade expense that could become a total pain in the ass. Don't be the guy who cheapskates out on the rental and then obliges the folks who didn't go that route. Cut expenses at home so you can splurge a bit on vacation. You won't be driving that many miles, so gas consumption is not worth worrying about.

Vacationing with family is tricky. For family harmony, be careful about keeping the spending scales fairly balanced. Spend where it matters, save where it doesn't. Plan on visiting Costco at least once. If you don't have a membership, buy one for the trip. Seriously, you will save that much money. Oh, and be sure to price your car rental through Costco. They have great prices.

www.kauai-vacations-with-kids.com/kauai-costco

Aloha!

[lbmustache]

I would go for the Malibu. I personally think it'd be better to have a bit extra room in the car and trunk on vacation rather than being packed in like sardines and spending 30 minutes trying to jigsaw puzzle luggage into the back.

[Khaetra]

Forget the Altima as well.  I own one and the backseat space is tight.  There's no way you could fit two adults and a kid's seat in there.

[Paul der Krake]

DH and I recently test drove a new Corolla. I can't imagine they would have enough room to comfortably seat 3 across the backseat. I think it's a great sized car for 2 adults and 1-2 small kids, but not for 4 adults (other than for brief trips). In your circumstances I'd choose the next size up car.

Edit: also the boot space was pretty small. I've gone blank on the American word for boot. It's the storage space at the back of the car.

I beg to differ. As a reasonably fit 6'0 dude, I have sat in the backseat of a 2010 Corolla for long road trips with 3 other adults very comfortably. BTW, the word you're looking for is "trunk".

But yeah, with a car seat and luggage for 5, that's not going to be comfortable. Get something with 3 real seats in the back, not all SUVs have them.

[ltt]

We own a newer (2010) Corolla.  While the trunk size is quite spacious in the Corollas, there is no way you will be able to have a child in a car seat in the back seat while also having two adults in the back seat.  Just too tight.

We went to Maui several years ago--there were five of us (2 adults, 2 pre-teens, and 1 younger child).  We ended up renting a mini-van.  It worked out well.  You might want to consider that type of vehicle versus a car/SUV.  You will have plenty of room for everyone to "stretch out" so to speak, and room for your luggage. 

Don't cheap out on the vehicle while driving around on a gorgeous island---not worth it.

[WildHare]

I just rented a minivan there.  It was under $200 for a week.  I use hertz gold for the initial rental, and then auto slash. I think it would be worth it to upsize.  You won't stay in Poipu the entire vacation, and the minivan has room for beach stuff, coolers, etc.   I like to vacation in comfort.

[jeromedawg]

I just rented a minivan there.  It was under $200 for a week.  I use hertz gold for the initial rental, and then auto slash. I think it would be worth it to upsize.  You won't stay in Poipu the entire vacation, and the minivan has room for beach stuff, coolers, etc.   I like to vacation in comfort.

That's a really good rate - how long ago was this and what time of year? For my timeframe (Jan 7-10, 2017), I'm seeing a quote of $365 for Hertz through AAA. I'll check-out Auto Slash -I guess that's price tracking to alert you that the rental fare(s) dropped?

We will only be there for a few days though, and Poipu is where we'll be staying. But we will be venturing out to Waimea and possibly Polihale beach on one day and possibly the north shore/Princeville area the other day. We're not going to be bringing our luggage with us though but yea, we may have a cooler and some beach gear (probably not much as it's winter and we wouldn't plan on entering the water much since the surf will likely be crazy)

[WildHare]

It was last month. For a week.   Try signing up for Hertz gold through their website and booking direct there. They have the AAA discounts, etc.    My rate was well over $300 to start.  Go over to autoslash, input your info, and let them go to work. You have lots of time.  Nothing to lose because you can always cancel. I like Hertz gold because I never have to stand in line or fill out any paperwork.   Enjoy Kauai! 

[Dicey]

Another Hertz Gold fan here. Take Wild Hare's advice. Book anything with Hertz and then keep checking back for better rates. Use any discount code you can scrounge up. Try clearing your cookies and searching from another address. Don't forget to check Costco!

Thanks for the Auto Slash tip - I'll try that next time I need a car.

[jeromedawg]

It was last month. For a week.   Try signing up for Hertz gold through their website and booking direct there. They have the AAA discounts, etc.    My rate was well over $300 to start.  Go over to autoslash, input your info, and let them go to work. You have lots of time.  Nothing to lose because you can always cancel. I like Hertz gold because I never have to stand in line or fill out any paperwork.   Enjoy Kauai!

Thanks! How do they factor in PCs and other discount codes, etc? Or do you just get whatever standard rate is that you can get and AutoSlash will look all the best rates up including those that require codes, etc?


BTW: I was curious about one more thing. If the reservation I made is under my name, but it is the pay-at-counter type, is it possible to change the name of the driver to my dad's name if he goes in with me to pick it up and pays for it?