Driving to Vacation...Instead of Driving You Crazy

Advice on What Kind of Car is Best for Your Vacation

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

My husband says that our car is way too small to take on family vacation and that we need to rent a bigger car for the trip. I say that it’s a waste of money and since we’re family, we should be able to get along in the car for vacation. What do you think?

Sincerely,

Vacation in a Car

Dear Vacation in a Car,

Believe it or not, the vehicle you take on your vacation trip will affect your relationship! I bet you didn't expect a relationship expert to weigh in on this, but you really need to consider your relationship when choosing a vehicle for a vacation trip -- where the relationship is as important as getting there!

What car you should take based on your relationship:

For feuders - If your relationship is on the rocks or has been, you might consider paying a little extra for gas mileage and a little less at the therapist's office. Consider a bigger car with more space for road trips where there's a couple who feuds. A Prius is great for honeymooners, long-marrieds (happily marrieds), and single parents with kids, but give your loved one and yourself a back seat that someone can snooze in, a lot of trunk room -- you have no idea how many fights happen because there's not enough trunk room for everything she packed, and the next thing you know it's the packer's fault rather than the chosen car's fault. Choose a car that will alleviate fights.

Budgeteers - If you're short on cash, go long on gas. A hybrid is the perfect way to save money, get a great parking spot, and discipline you into packing ONLY what you need in your backpack, as opposed to your suitcase. If you're going green, go green all the way -- don't pack too much, and make your vacation an easy, breezy one with the right good gas mileage, smaller car.

When ADD prevails - Those family vacations with three to six kids and two parents who should be medicated (before the trip starts), but aren't, MUST HAVE a car that's loaded with not just space, but bells and whistles. Spring for the TV screens, the front, mid and rear air-conditioning controls, the highest quality stereo, etc. Don't have fights because of the vehicle you've chosen. If you've got the deck stacked against you because you're trying to do something noble (family vacations), give yourself and your family a break.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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