SUV vs Minivan Which Vehicle Is Right For You

There are a variety of vehicles on the general market today and each type has its own beneficial attributes which make it a good purchase for certain individuals. There are two types of vehicles in particular which tend to attract some of the same types of individuals and these are SUVs and minivans. Many of the individuals that are looking into the purchase of one of these two types of vehicles are looking for a high-occupancy vehicle and are trying to determine which vehicle is best for their needs. The following paragraphs will highlight attributes of both and perhaps help individuals to better decide which vehicle is right for them.

Seating Capacity

When individuals are in the market for a high-occupancy vehicle, they look to both the SUV and minivan as potential choices. Because both of these are larger in size with regard to occupancy standards than their normal car counterparts, the size factor attracts individuals to vehicles of these types. Therefore, size is a beneficial aspect of both the SUV and minivan although the overall size and seating capacity varies among makes and models.

Family-Oriented

The term family-oriented has often been associated with the minivan in the past. Recently, this term has also been used when discussing SUVs as they can seat more individuals than regular automobiles just as the minivan can. However, if one is looking to purchase a family vehicle that can fit into other categories besides the family-oriented one, then perhaps looking into the purchase of an SUV is a good idea. Although if one wishes to purchase a minivan due to the fact that it is family oriented, then a minivan might be better suited to that type of individual.

Fuel Issues

Another factor individuals should consider when they are looking into the purchase of either an SUV or a minivan is with regard to fuel mileage. Fuel issues are high on everyone’s list these days due to the high prices of gas that have been evident lately. For those individuals who view fuel issues as a serious concern, purchasing a minivan may be the best bet. It can be stated that in the contest between SUVs and minivans with regard to fuel mileage, the minivan will win. If individuals wish to get the best fuel mileage out of their vehicle, a minivan is the better choice of the two vehicles.

Safety

Safety issues are extremely important ones with regard to automobile operation. Safety on the road is something which all individuals should consider when purchasing a vehicle. The one safety issue that has been linked with SUVs relates to the incidence of rollover accidents. Since SUVs tend to be higher than most of the other types of vehicles, they tend to be more likely than those other vehicles to roll over when taking sharp turns, changing lanes erratically, etc. On the other hand, minivans tend to have less of an incidence of rollover accidents than SUVs.

As for safety with regard to size, SUVs may lead the pack on being safer in that regard. Because they tend to be larger in size than minivans, their impending structure may be able to handle more in an accident than minivans. It is important to note however that safety standards and statistics vary from vehicle to vehicle.

Storage Capacity

SUVs and minivans are also purchased largely at times due to their storage capabilities. Both of these vehicles have large rear components where large objects and a great deal of small items can be placed for the road trip. It is hard to state which vehicle has the best storage capacity as this attribute varies amongst the different types of SUVs and minivans. Therefore, if one is looking to obtain a vehicle for storage capabilities, they really cannot go wrong with either the SUV or minivan.

Environmental Issues

Environmental issues are widely discussed and quite concerning these days. Some individuals look to issues of this nature when contemplating the purchase of a vehicle. If one is looking for the best vehicle with regard to being environmentally friendly, then the minivan may be the better choice in some instances. Since the minivan uses less fuel than most SUVs, it emits less harmful gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, it can be stated that minivans may be more environmentally sound than many of their SUV competitors.

When looking for a larger vehicle with a high seating capacity, one really cannot go wrong with either the SUV or minivan. What the decision really comes down to is personal preference and identifying specific qualities that one looks for in a vehicle. By contemplating the previously mentioned factors, one may be better able to narrow down their choices and be able to decide whether they want to purchase an SUV or a minivan.

Steven Anderson is the reservations director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals. We specialize in rental cars and Maui, Hawaii jeep rentals.

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Do You Make These Car Rental Mistakes

Cheap car rental deals are spread all over the web. But not all are good deals. There’s a few thing you must look out for… or your cheap car rental deal might work out a lot more expensive than you planned !

Here’s some things you mustn’t do :

* Forget to check the car’s condition

When you pickup the car, be sure to check it carefully. Some companies will blame pre-existing scratches & dents on you. They know it needs fixing, and wait for a sucker to pay for it. This is less likely with the big, reputable companies, but can be avoided with these tips.

Check it over with the delivery guy, or when you go to pick it up. If you have a digital camera or camcorder, which you probably do if you’re going on vacation, then give them a quick run over the car. Then you can prove the exact condition of the car when you first took it.

* Don’t use the Internet to check for best deals

Of course you’ll check for deals on the Internet ! That’s probably where you’re reading this article. But there’s still people who don’t check, and just take the first offline offer they see. Check online, and use one of the search engines that scans lots of different car rental offers.

* Don’t check Offline too

Even though the Internet is probably the best place for car rental deals, it’s worth checking offline too. I found when searching for Hotel deals, I often get the best deals by calling ahead and negotiating with the receptionist (it’s hard to negotiate with a web page). Yet, with Airline tickets the best deals are usually online, and the telephone/walk-in prices are higher and can’t be negotiated.

But with car rentals, if you want to cover all your bases, be sure to check online and offline. Your local car rental dealer might have a special offer he’s forgotten to update on the web site, or maybe someone’s just cancelled a booking and you can take it cheap at short notice.

* Don’t carefully check the terms of your car rental deal

Make sure you’ve got unlimited mileage if you want to drive a long way. Some deals have a mileage allowance, after which you get charged high dollar per extra mile. Unlimited works out best most times.

Check the terms to see if you need to return the car gas tank full or nearly empty. I once made the mistake of returning it full when I didn’t need to - the car rental company refused to refund the cost.

* Fail to clean the car if you genuinely do get it dirty

It’s okay to return it dusty from driving a couple hundred miles, but if your kid sicks inside, or someone spills coffee, or drops a burger & fries, then clean it up ! If you don’t the car rental company will add an extra cleaning charge onto your credit card.

Follow these tips and you’ll have a relaxed and stress free car rental experience, all ready to enjoy your vacation or business trip.

About The Author

Neil Stelling B.Sc, MBA - Marketing Manager,

DigiLectual Inc. ==> http://www.cheap–car-rentals.com/

© DigiLectual Inc. 2004

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10 Rules to Follow When Renting a Car Online

The world has really gone cyber one can fly, find a date, buy a house, make arrangements to move and rent car online, great conveniences at the click of a button. As a consumer you must find out all the pros and cons of renting a car and carry out “comparison” shopping.

1. Visit company websites to determine what is on offer. Look for competitive rates and great facilities.

2. Try and locate a rental company close to where you intend to use the car it will save you money.

3. Before you proceed list your needs: what kind of car, how many people will travel, how many days you need the car and so on.

4. Use a reputed agency and call on their toll free number. Be sure to read all the terms and conditions carefully. Make sure you use a safe payment gateway and that you receive a confirmation e-mail. Some well known companies are Hertz (https://www.hertz.com), Dollar, Alamo, and Avis (http://www.avis.com). Or, try travel sites many have great offers for clients who book hotels, air tickets, as well as cars.

5. Ask for packages and find out when rates are cheaper.

6. Be sure to ask for an agreement.

7. Ask about the age of the car, its condition, and how many miles it has been driven. If you expect to drive in bad weather be sure to check about tires, snow chains, and other equipment.

8. To rent a car online keep handy your driver’s license, passport, photo-ID, and proof of address. Ask about travel insurance and whether the car has a current insurance.

9. Check the charges carefully and whether any additional payment will be charged for drop off and pick up.

10. Check whether your driver’s licence is valid for the state/ country you wish to drive in or whether you need to obtain a new license.

It is a competitive world and online there are company’s like Fox Rent a Car http://www.foxrentacar.com that offer discounts, reward points, coupons, hotel discounts and more. Check as many sites as you can to get a great deal. Popular companies are: Yahoo travels, priceline.com, and Travelocity. Be a discerning consumer and hire a great car at a great price. Many car rental companies offer special rates if you are a member of one of their affiliate clubs or professional organizations.

Before you drive away in the rental car find out as much as possible about traffic rules, laws where you intend to drive, and safety norms. If your family is with you then choose a safe and comfortable car that will accommodate luggage, boisterous kids, and pets. If you intend to drive alone then you could opt for a compact car. Gauge your needs before you make a choice and carry your driver’s license and insurance papers with you at all times. As a precaution inform a friend, family member, or the office of your travel plans. Cary a mobile phone for emergencies or arrange to call in at specific times. Enjoy your rent-a-car experience.

Andrew Bermam is a freelance writer for http://www.1866Cars.com, the premier website to find help on Cars including topics on car rental, national car rental, thrifty car rental, online car rental, pickup trucks rental, cargo van rental and more. He also freelances for the premier Car Insurance Quotes site http://www.1888Carinsurance.com

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