Mary_Huang

I am going to go to Granby Denver. The SUV rental is sky high. The lowest rate I found is $1525/wk(tax and fees are included) by Enterprise. Even I will split the fare with another family. It is still kind highfor me as $780/wk just for rental. I have tried to bid on Priceline. I lost bid for $150/per day.It says price is too low. PL won't allow me to enter any price higher than $150/day. So, I can do bid on PL for this SUV. Since it is winter time and I have kids and we are driving to Granby, so many people suggest me to have SUV instead of FULL size car which is only $370/wk(tax and fees are included). Is SUV worth it? Do I really need SUV? Any place that I can rent the SUV cheaper?

sylvia3

No. You will be on major highways. Plowed and sanded, if there is snow. Unless you are going into the high country, on unknown roads, you will be fine with a car.
I assume you are renting from the Denver International Airport. If you really want an SUV, get it off airport. Much cheaper (worth a cab or bus ride to the car rental agency).
This is from a different Fodors thread:
"take the RTD bus to the Market Street Station downtown and use one of the rental agencies near the 16th St. Mall (I'm pretty sure there's an Enterprise down there, maybe an Avis too). It's only $10 cash one-way, the bus stop is right outside baggage claim and they have a convenient schedule. Look at www.rtd-denver.com and click on RTD System Info -> skyRide."

There are also some rent offsite, return to the airport options.

fmpden

Unless you are an experienced user of AWD/four wheel in bad weather, the SUV will be more dangerous for you to operate than a standard vehicle. If conditions are bad enough you to need an SUV, then you should not be on the road. One reason for SUV high rental price is to cover the cost of all of the SUVs that end up in the ditch between the airport and the mountains.

Your front wheel drive full size sedan will be very safe if operated properly.

DebitNM

fmpden is absolutely correct; if you can't make it driving a sedan, you should not be trying to make it in an SUV.

DebitNM

The other thing to consider is that you have to drive over Berthoud Pass which is a pretty high pass. Once you get off I 70 you will be on mountain roads and if you aren't familiar with driving on mountain roads, you could find yourself driving in some severe conditions.

fmpden

There is little concern with Berthoud Pass if the weather is clear. It is well maintained with a high priority since it is a US highway that goes to Winter Park. If weather is bad it could be slow going but not overly damages.

If renting a car ask if the car has skid control or traction control. Works automatically and is terrific on slippy roads especially when turning or stopping. It is NOT anti lock brakes. That would be far more usefully than AWD.

PeaceOut

How many passengers do you have? Maybe you want an SUV to handle three rows of passengers?

I agree that an SUV can give drivers false security, so they can get into trouble. Especially in a long one and heavy SUV, drivers can 'lose the backend' of the car in slippery conditions.

But I would go for AWD vehicle, not just front wheel drive. We drive in the snow a LOT, and our front wheel drive Honda Accord is not good in the snow.

Call the rental agencies directly and see if you can find a better rate off-site from the DEN airport.

Gretchen

If you are renting fairly soon, then you will pay a lot. I drive a big SUV all the time, and some of what has been said is true, but the main thing to know about them is that they go forward better in snow but they stop no better than any other, and it is this false idea that leads to a lot of accidents.
I agree with all the assessment of the road situation, and Berthoud Pass is daunting (to me) but just go with the flow and do it. If the weather is bad, it will be plowed, or closed.
Our last mountain rental was not a 4WD because I missed the cheap rental 6 months out. We got a mini van and did well. They are heavy, and front wheel drive. The front wheel drive did fine.

Gretchen

Adding that if it is your family only a full size car will do fine also.
Yes, DIA adds a lot of surcharges. When I am shopping on Priceline I look on Hotwire first to find out what the surcharges will be--they give you a final amount you don't have to accept. Then I can bid on PL and know what will be added also.
As for going into Denver (or Broomfield, I've heard also, or Lakewood)--hassling with ski bags (if you are--we rent now, don't bring them), luggage, kids, tired, and then driving to the mountains. I've never found it worth it. Personal opinion.
When are you going?

Mary_Huang

Thank you for all the suggestions. They are very useful. It seems like SUV is not better than full size car for stopping. I have forward your suggestion to my friends. We have decided to rent two full size car instead of Full size SUV. We have one more month before the vacation. I have made reservation via costco travel for Ford Taurus $307/wk(all tax and fees are included). Sometimes the Priceline has last minutes deal pretty good. I will wait until last week before we go and to see if we can get better deal.

Rent the car off airport site might be too much trouble for us since we have kids.

Mary_Huang

We only have four people and other family has four as well.

Gretchen

You all wouldn't have fit in the SUV anyway with all the luggage. Sounds like a good price.