Can anyone recommend a town car service? I might want to book my family (3 adults, two teenagers) a van to take them from Newark to Midtown Manhattan (a taxi would be too small, I think). Thanks!

Yes, taxis take only 4 adult passengers.

A lot of people use Tel Aviv or Carmel - assuming you want one of the bargains. (There are a lot of more expensive services used by businesses - that have actual limos - but don;t suggest that you really need that level of car/service.)

Please note most of their cars are only sedans. You will need to let them know you have 5 people plus luggage so they send a large enough car. Also, you need to decide if you want to schedule in advance (in which case you will be stuck with waiting charges if your plane is late) or book in advance - but call for the pick up only when your plane arrives (which means you may need to wait until they have a car available). If you do the former find out what the waiting charges will be so there's no surprise.

Both of those have websites.

carmellimo.com
telavivlimo.com

FYI, I think you should be able to get a minivan size taxi at the airport.

On the website for ground transport

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/egtsmain.HTM

They list as follows

Private Car/Limousine/Van Service

Limo One Transportation 1-888-904-5466 or 1-908-686-9399
Capital Limousine 1-800-263-1279
Super Saver by Carmel 1-800-924-9954 or 1-212-666-6666
Tel Aviv Car & Limo Service 1-800-222-9888 or 1-212-777-7777
Transportation Info counter at Airport
Prices vary

If you are staying in a hotel in Manhattan, the hotel could probably arrange the car/van for you, as well. My hotel did so for me, and I was blissfully unaware of extra charges, etc.; the flat fee was added to my bill (I tipped the driver, of course). Good luck!

My daughter just had a very good experience with Carmel with pickup from Newark.
She had a sedan, but their website offers limos and vans as well. click on my name to find up my post 'newark to columbia"

I've used Carmel many times. You can book online and there are coupons you can use too. I've had to wait a few times at the airport for pick up but they have always been right on time at the hotel to take me for my flight.

thanks for the info, guys!

Mitch,
Car services can be a great way to avoid cab lines, etc. One warning. Double-check the tolls and parking the driver adds. I've caught a few drivers for the car service my firm uses padding their tolls and parking.

One guy last week tried to claim $7 for parking. When I asked him why the meter at the booth showed only $3, he claimed he'd paid twice even though I'd met him ten minutes after my flight landed.