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Standard SUV rental for 24 years old: any recommend?

Standard SUV rental for 24 years old: any recommend?

Old May 10th, 2016, 06:30 PM
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Standard SUV rental for 24 years old: any recommend?

Dear all,

I would like to ask for your suggestion.
I plan to rent Standard SUV-Class for 5-6 persons with luggage around 8th November this year.
I'm still not sure where to pick up the car (Phoenix Airport or Las Vegas).
but I am sure I will return at SFO. The rental period would be about 10 days.

The problem is, with my age 24, some companies do not allow me to drive SUV Class.
Could you please recommend me some good companies that allow me to rent this?
Although FOX Car rent allows me to rent every models as long as I'm over 21, this company is somewhat NOTORIOUS. Thus I don't dare to take risk.

I also would like to know the differences between Standard SUV and Full-size SUV.
And also the example of car models that I possibly get.

Many thanks
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Old May 10th, 2016, 07:06 PM
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You have huge obstacles -- your age, one-way drop off, SUV. Just accept you will have to pay an utter fortune or make other plans. How about 2 cars?

Pick up in Vegas and drop in Phoenix (or vice versa) and fly to SF.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 02:17 AM
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Also, and bizarrely, your rental contract will not permit you to drive off the paved highways without expensive penalties.

I don't think you are going to find a real rental car company that will let you do this, and small local companies that might let you rent won't let you do a remote drop off.

You are, as we say in the US, toast.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 11:00 AM
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Also, a "standard" SUV (as opposed to full-size) will not fit 5-6 people plus luggage. We rented a full-size SUV (GMC Acadia) last December for 4 adults and a baby, and we were stuffed into it.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 11:56 AM
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I noticed you have the same question for Calgary in early Nov. Same trip? My guess is you'll have the same issues up north.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 12:00 PM
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Why do you need an SUV? Have you asked if they will rent you a minivan?
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Old May 11th, 2016, 12:01 PM
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Looks like Alamo will let a 24 year old rent a full size SUV but they charge a $245 young driver fee.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 12:29 PM
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Thanks for all comments.

As I plan to travel on Nov, I just think that SUV might be better than minivan in case there might have some snow. And I could trust on the car in all road conditions.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 12:53 PM
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Sorry to burst your bubble but SUVs do NOT necessarily handle better in inclement weather (snow/rain/ice) than minivans.

Here's a dirty little secret people seem to forget: NOT ALL SUVs HAVE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. You must ask at the rental desk and make sure your vehicle does. If it is full-sized, the non-4WD models will be rear-wheel drive, and their handling in snow and ice will be tricky, to say the least. Most SUVs are meant to look tough and haul more stuff than a Honda Civic; their "utility" is, at best, a theory.

Most rental minivans (now that I think of it, probably ALL rental minivans) will have front-wheel drive. They won't handle like sports cars, but their handling in ice and snow is a bit better than RWD truck-based SUVs.

Don't forget that even with 4WD (or all-wheel drive), bad-weather driving can be treacherous. I myself drive a small AWD SUV, and I don't let myself get over-confident when rain falls (our roads get extra-slippery in southern California for various reasons).

The minivan, in your situation (5-6 people plus luggage) will probably be a better idea.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 01:11 PM
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Dear rjw,

After I read through many threads about driving in winter, i reckon that, regarding state highway sign, AWD could be allowed to drive on highway in some light snow condition without chain requirement. This is the point that turns my attention from minivan as most of companies do not allow chain on their cars. But, yeah, it s true that not all SUVs are AWD.

Any ideas on this?
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Old May 11th, 2016, 02:22 PM
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Sixt rents 3 different minivans in Las Vegas to drivers over 21 who have been driving more than a year. The Chrysler Town & Country should meet your needs.
Unless you are planning on driving over the Tioga Pass into Yosemite on the last day the pass is open, you will not need 4WD and certainly not chains.
Rent the vehicle in Las Vegas for 7 or 8 days and return it where you rented it and either fly or take the bus and train between Las Vegas and San Francisco. You don't need or want a rental vehicle in San Francisco.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 04:45 PM
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Sorry - but SUVs, esp the larger ones are really trucks. they are very top heavy, handle poorly in bad weather conditions and have a tendency to topple over, esp if you are not used to driving something so high.

I have seen so many of them just skid and flip for no reason at all - even in light rain, never mind snow - that I would focus on getting a minivan with 4 wheel or front wheel drive. (My compact sporty coupe - with front wheel drive and a very wide stance - is MUCH safer in bad road conditions that any giant SUV.)
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Old May 11th, 2016, 05:32 PM
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You guys do change my opinions on the American SUV.

At first, I think full-size SUVs; especially Tahoe, Explorer, Navigator, Suburban, are the American iconic.

With the big size of engines, ie. 4.8 V8 or 5.7 V12, I hardly get an opportunity to drive in my home country. I don't wanna rent mid-size SUV (for example Rav4) as this is somewhat similar to what I drive in Bangkok (Toyota Fortuner with 3.0 litres engine).

However, regarding your comments, it seems like I have to think twice (or maybe triple) before I choose one to drive in America.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 06:09 PM
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You're saying that large SUVs, such as Suburban's or Lincoln Navigators are top heavy and have a tendency to topple over? Where does that come from?
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Old May 11th, 2016, 06:45 PM
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I live in the Sierra Foothills between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. My hubby and I both have AWD SUV's, a Nissan Murano and a Toyota Highlander. We have them so we can drive in the bad weather and snow as we have a vacation home in central Oregon. The only time we will not drive them is when the CHP (California Hwy Patrol) closes the freeways or hwys. Otherwise, we can drive them without chains. We have to carry them, but the chains were purchased years ago for another vehicle. The chains do not fit our current vehicle, but as long as we carry a pair, we are OK. As with any vehicle, you must drive carefully in the snow...and go slow. Prior to my Highlander, I have an AWD Toyota Sienna. Never had a problem driving in the snow. It just had a lower profile. Never had a problem with ANY SUV being top heavy. They are heavy suckers. If the weather is so bad that the wind is howling and it is horizontal snow, you should not be driving in it unless it is an emergency. Just say'n.

My point is that I would rather drive an AWD or 4WD in the snow than a car with chains.
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Old May 11th, 2016, 09:26 PM
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The GMC Acadia we rented to drive up to Tahoe last winter was AWD. The problem is that NONE of the rental car companies would guaranty a car with 4WD or AWD would be available. We were just lucky to get one (we needed it).
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Old May 11th, 2016, 10:29 PM
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I understand wanting to try something new, but I'd actually go with a model that you have driven before and so know how it handles. That familiarity with my car has saved me more than a few times. And I agree with the poster who said you'll be crammed in an SUV. I'd do two different cars, unless you are all really light packers.

But for what it's worth, I definitely think SUVs handle better than a lot of minivans or lightweight pickups. I've only seen an SUV out of control once and that was because they were coming down a "chains req" pass without chains much too quickly
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Old May 12th, 2016, 01:52 AM
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Your passengers will be more comfortable in a mini van especially if you can get the longer version that has extra luggage space. Front wheel drive is usually pretty good in snow and I would definitely prefer it over rear wheel drive. I had better traction with a smaller SUV that I could put into 4-wheel drive when necessary but if you aren't used to driving in snow/ice conditions, it is better to stay off the road until highway crews can plow and salt/sand. I now drive a Honda CRV AWD which is similar in size to the RAV and it's only comfortable for 4 adults plus luggage. Some of the third row seats in SUVs have very little leg room.
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Old May 12th, 2016, 02:56 AM
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We rented a Chevy Suburban in las Vegas for 4 adults on a road trip in Sept 2014 through southern Utah, Arizona, Colorado - no snow but we did go off road to a bunch of interesting sites during our 12 day trip. With luggage and coolers, the vehicle was pretty full. Not sure how you will fit 5-6 people with luggage in any SUV and still be comfortable.

We always rent an SUV in Las Vegas for our adventures in the southwest because we like the ability to get off paved roads to visit ruins and petroglyphs. We've been lucky to find SUV's with high clearance and AWD but once or twice we've had to settle for an SUV that did not have AWD like the Jeep Grand Cherokee a few years back.

Don't assume that your SUV will have AWD. Some of rental car companies will let you choose from the vehicles available - my husband always gives them a full inspection before we choose our rental vehicle. For 5-6 people, you may need 2 vehicles.
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Old May 12th, 2016, 11:23 AM
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>

An old old old old old old old pair of Consumer Reports tests - one that essentially killed Isuzu brand vehicles in the US. The current view, which nytrav has not caught up to, is that rollovers are only slightly more likely in SUVs than traditional sedans/coupes/cars but SUVs have FEWER fatalities per capita than cars, according to the IIHS (which is the best testing organization for vehicle safety).
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