I'm looking at renting one of these. The site says it holds 5 adults with 3 suitcases & 1 bag in the trunk. We'll be 4 adults with 4 slightly larger than carry-on suitcases, and we won't be doing a ton of driving with suitcases. Do you think we'd be okay if we are willing to hve one of the suitcases in the backseat with us?

Is the Neon the sister to the Pontiac Sunfire? I owned a Sunfire for several years - it's certainly similar in size.

It will be very snug for 4 adults with luggage, even such luggage as you describe. Technically do-able, I suppose, but only for very short distances. Personally, I would go the next size up. Bon voyage.

I've rented four door Neons more times than I can count. Unless their new models have drastically changed, the claim that they hold 5 adults is a bit of a stretch (their test dummies must be really small).

I've gotten two large (29" Samsonite) suitcases and two roller type carry ons in the trunk no problemo.

I've also gotten two full dishpacks in the back seat, so I can verify that a Neon will accommodate two dishpack sized adults.

You should be fine as long as you're not spending alot of time in the car.

Betraying my lack of knowledge about cars here. Can I assume that a European Neon is the same size as the US models?

Yes, basically same car.

And is tiny.

My best friend has one. Holds 5 adults only if you tie one to the roof.

And there's no way the trunk would hold luggage for more than 3 people.

I've rented them many times. It's not a tiny car, it sure seats four people, but not generously. The trunk is quite large for that category of vehicle, but if your four carry-ons are even larger than the kind of bloated non-complying wheelies that most people use, they may not fit.

Go for the next one up, the Stratus - if they rent Neons, they probably have Stratus.

WK

Thanks much. Sounds like realistically it may be too small.

4 adults, 4 ways to split the bill, i'd get a larger car, try to find a free upgrade coupon

Halsar--4 way split would be nice, but it's us taking along our adult children. So, we're footing the bill for the car. that's why I was wondering about this--I found a cheap rental on one of these.

Ack! What was I thinking - it's the Chevy Cavalier that is the sister to the Sunfire - and those are GM cars, not Chrysler! (Blame my muddy thinking on this cold I have.) But I stand by my view that you'd need the next size up regardless. Cheers.

Why don't you hire a decent car that's designed for European roads. The last Neon I was in had spaghetti for suspension & a several second delay built into the steering

Are there no safety inspections or standards for cars which can be rented for "European roads" or is that whole idea another draconian big-brother-is watching-you notion that only happens in the US?

In that case I would pile my luggage on top of the free loaders! If they start to squeel put your seats back-that ought to teach them. If they still are complaining go over a bumpy road-I'm sure they will hit their heads on the roof-To make the greatest head injury make sure to do this on a full gas tank, with all of the body weight and the luggage you will have superseeded the suspension limits so a good pot hole ought to take care of them.

After you have done this be sure to leave the windows cracked-it will help keep the smell of decomposition down. Also I suggest to get a 2 door as this will limit the back window size and people will be less likely to notice them in the back. If you can dress them in colors that match the color of your luggage-and definatly close their eyes as others may think that they are sleeping.

i would buy return tickets for them as it would look less suspicious of foul play on your part, when they don't return. Unfortunatly you will spend a little more but it will help keep the suspicion away from you.

This is not really an area of experize for me. I would suggest starting another post with the title "What to do with the bodies" as other can probably be even more helpful. Good luck!