Renting two cars for a trip vs. one minivan?

[mrsilv04]

I'm trying to figure out if my math is faulty here.

Needing to take a minivan to get 7 people to a family reunion. However, there isn't a minivan to be had in this area.

Enterprise did tell me that *IF* they had a minivan, it would be $107.99 per day.

So, my only option appears to be to rent one large and one small car (4 people in one, 3 in the other). The trip is 400 miles round trip, 90% interstate / 5% highway / 5% city.

I'm doing a cost comparison of renting 1 minivan versus renting 2 cars. I excluded tax to keep the numbers as simple as possible.

Here's my math.

Minivan:
2 days at $108 per day = $216.00
400 miles at 21 mpg = 19 gallons of gas x $3.50 = $67.00
Rental & gas = $283.00

1 small car:
2 days at $24 per day = $48.00
400 miles at 32 mpg = 12.5 gallons x $3.50 = $43.75

1 large car:
2 days at $28 per day = $56.00
400 miles at 27 mpg = 15 gallons x $3.50 = $52.50

Rental & gas = $200.25

So, I save $82.75 by renting two cars?

As far as the mpg's, I'm figuring the small car being a Focus, and the large car being an Impala. The minivan number may seem a bit low, but it would be fully loaded with 7 passengers and overnight luggage.

And the two car solution almost works better, as there will be a dog in the small car, and someone who is mildly allergic to dogs will be able to ride in the large car.

The dog cannot be left at home or boarded, as it bites *everyone* on this planet, except for the four people that will be in that car with it.

 

[sciphi]

Hmm, those car rental numbers seem quite low. If they're accurate, I'd say your math is correct. If they're a little bit higher, then it's breaking even.

 

[Quattro Pete]

What about insurance? Won't it cost more to insure two cars rather than one? Or is your own insurance fully covering this?

Also, with two cars you will now need to have two drivers, obviously. So, not only you but also another person will not be able to drink, if that was even a factor. Maybe you'll sober up by the time you need to drive back from that reunion.

Other than that, the dog allergy aspect certainly makes two cars a better solution. But can't that person take some allergy meds for the ride?

 

[JHZR2]

Meep in mind that there are often severe, excessive taxes charged on rentals... They may not be equivalent to bill charges, etc. Sometimes they are just whole dollar costs added on. Also consider insurance if you're going to go that route.

If you were going to have multiple drivers for the van, they would charge you for that. Rental car places are amongst the worst thieves.

Two cars would give more flexibility... But why not use one of your own?

 

[duaneb9729]

I would rent a suburban, I haul a group relitives up north about once a month, every one except myself and my gal are over 80, the suburban is very comfortable and the rental ones I get seem to do 18 mpg easily. My trips are about three hundred miles and last the day.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: duaneb9729
I would rent a suburban, I haul a group relitives up north about once a month, every one except myself and my gal are over 80, the suburban is very comfortable and the rental ones I get seem to do 18 mpg easily. My trips are about three hundred miles and last the day.



Nothing is available locally on the days that I need it, except cars.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Hmm, those car rental numbers seem quite low. If they're accurate, I'd say your math is correct. If they're a little bit higher, then it's breaking even.


The daily rates are what I pay, as I rent quite frequently.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
What about insurance? Won't it cost more to insure two cars rather than one? Or is your own insurance fully covering this?

Also, with two cars you will now need to have two drivers, obviously. So, not only you but also another person will not be able to drink, if that was even a factor. Maybe you'll sober up by the time you need to drive back from that reunion.

Other than that, the dog allergy aspect certainly makes two cars a better solution. But can't that person take some allergy meds for the ride?



I don't buy rental insurance. If something happens, I'll turn it in to my personal insurance.

Two drivers isn't a problem. No one will be drinking to the point to where someone's driving ability will be in question.

The allergy sufferer is the patriarch of the family. You try and tell him to do something.... ;-)

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Meep in mind that there are often severe, excessive taxes charged on rentals... They may not be equivalent to bill charges, etc. Sometimes they are just whole dollar costs added on. Also consider insurance if you're going to go that route.

If you were going to have multiple drivers for the van, they would charge you for that. Rental car places are amongst the worst thieves.

Two cars would give more flexibility... But why not use one of your own?


The rental fees and taxes aren't significant in this area. Usually only around 10% of the total rental cost. That's why I excluded them.

Additional drivers aren't a problem either. I'll be on one car. and my Dad on the other. Since we'll go together to pick up the cars, it won't be an issue.

Use one of my vehicles? To save the $50 rental fee... but only get 18 miles per gallon? It doesn't make sense. Since I have to rent one car, I might as well rent two...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: duaneb9729
I would rent a suburban, I haul a group relitives up north about once a month, every one except myself and my gal are over 80, the suburban is very comfortable and the rental ones I get seem to do 18 mpg easily. My trips are about three hundred miles and last the day.


I recently coordinated rentals for two family trips, both involving 6-7 people. I can say with certainty that a Suburban, Yukon XL, or Expedition EL has LESS room for 7 passengers than most minivans, especially the current Toyota Sienna. They sometimes have a tad more cargo room, but this comes at the direct expense of legroom for all passengers. Combined with the fact that they usually cost more to rent (and fuel) than minivans, that makes them essentially pointless unless you intend to tow something relatively big.

 

[Steve S]

Rent two cars 1 car for the wife and kids and another car for you and your hot new girl friend that you want to show off to all the guys in the family .

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Rent two cars 1 car for the wife and kids and another car for you and your hot new girl friend that you want to show off to all the guys in the family .

Show off a rental car to the family?

Yeah, only if you're a loser...

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Rent two cars 1 car for the wife and kids and another car for you and your hot new girl friend that you want to show off to all the guys in the family .

Show off a rental car to the family?

Yeah, only if you're a loser...

 

[The_Jeff]

Oddly my credit card covers rental car insurance but not "premium cars" or trucks, suvs, vans, etc.

A grand marquis is what they call premium.

Had some idiot at DollarThrifty try to bump me from a Dodge Charger to a Ford Exploder. Told him if he threw in the insurance for free I'd consider it. Got my Charger.

 

[D189379]

Why bother comparing if you can't get a minivan?

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: D189379
Why bother comparing if you can't get a minivan?


So he knows if he's getting hosed or not.

Knowing those are the rates the OP will pay and taxes will only bite about $10-15 off of his savings, I'd rent 2 cars.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04

Use one of my vehicles? To save the $50 rental fee... but only get 18 miles per gallon? It doesn't make sense. Since I have to rent one car, I might as well rent two...


Your sig doesn't exactly say what your cars are.

I doubt the final bill will be only $50. And if the numbers make sense, why not do that from the start?

 

[javacontour]

Renting two cars adds flexibility. If you arrive at the destination and some want to go one way and others another, there are two cars at your parties disposal.

One other thing to consider. If your fuel usage estimates are accurate, it's probably cheaper to use your large vehicle since even using double the fuel of your estimate for the large car is still less than the cost of the large car rental.

Keep in mind, the large car rental doesn't include tax, so it's likely close to $62-65 with the taxes added.

Since you estimate fuel for the large car at $52.50, even doubling the fuel use for the vehicle in that role gets the cost for that vehicle to $105. The more realistic number for fuel using your MPG figures is around $75-80. Add in the just under $100 for the total costs of renting and driving second small car and you have costs of about $175 vs the $283, so you save a bit more using your own car.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Your sig doesn't exactly say what your cars are.


And unfortunately, that's the way it will stay.

There's a few individuals who can't seem to be able to handle knowing information, like specific makes and models.

So, it's now intentionally vague.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Your sig doesn't exactly say what your cars are.


And unfortunately, that's the way it will stay.

There's a few individuals who can't seem to be able to handle knowing information, like specific makes and models.

So, it's now intentionally vague.


Wish I could disagree with you.