Top dvd rental 2004

It's summertime and the traveling should be easy--but not if you're in a cramped ear, the kids are jumpy, and tension is high. A spacious. comfortable family vehicle goes a long way toward ensuring an enjoyable summer road trip. And you don't have to be rich to find wheels that will make those miles fly by. You can choose from a wide range of family-compatible vehicles right now, when many dealerships look to clear 2004 cars to make room for newer models. The summer months are an especially good time to negotiate a deal.

Family cars have evolved tremendously over the years. Today's sport-utility vehicle rides and ban dies morn like a car and has spawned a whole new breed: the crossover, which has car styling plus the cargo capacity of an SUV (the Lexus RX330 is most popular in this genre).

But SUVs aren't the only answer, nor are they necessarily best for the job. Truth be told, the single best vehicle for an active, growing family may be a minivan. What it loses in cool points, it makes up for in practicality. Minivans drive and park a lot like cars. Side doors slide for easy entry, particularly in crowded parking lots, and high seating positions make you the ruler of the road. And don't underestimate the value of separate seats in the second row, which are great for separating squabbling siblings.

Even the station wagon is still hanging tough. In fact, wagons are enjoying a resurgence as the new, hip, anti-SUV/minivan. Many car companies now have several wagons in their lineups that are sleek, sophisticated performance vehicles that just happen to carry a family and their stuff. And, of course, there's the versatility of four-door sedans.

On these pages we'll show you the best of what's new, offer tips for organizing your auto, and share ways to keep your family entertained on the open road.

organize your ride

Organization is the art of having things accessible when you need them and out of the way when you don't. Jen M.R. Doman, owner of Get It Together! Home, Office and Estate Organization in Brooklyn ([718] 783-2077), suggests the following strategies:

IN THE DRIVER-DOOR SIDE BIN Store a copy of your driver's licence, emergency contact numbers (family, friends, insurance company) and maps in a resealable plastic bag.

IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT Keep your insurance card and vehicle registration together in an envelope. Store the owner's manual, warranty card, service records and service receipts in a separate envelope. (And always discard expired documents so you won't have to sift through useless papers if asked to present them to a police officer.)

UNDER THE FRONT SEAT Use flat containers to house small toys and games.

ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT Hang a small bag or container for trash (Lillian Vernon sells one we like, #017776 401, $9,98, lillianvernon.com), and stash disposable wipes (Swifter works well, swiffer.com) in the backseat pocket for quick cleanups.

INSIDE THE TRUNK In a clear, airtight container, store enough dry-food items--snack bars, for example--and water to last for three days. Also keep a first-aid kit, emergency car kit (see the "Emergency Must-haves" section), change of clothing and a blanket in a separate container,

keep it together

You've organized your car; these products can help keep it that way

CD HOLDER Case Logic's CD Visor is available in several different styles; other versions also hold sunglasses, cell phones or garage door openers ($6.95; call [866] 778 4080 or go to casealliance.com).

TRUNK ORGANIZER Creekside Products' Cargo Pak (shown, top right) has multiple compartments that can hold bags of groceries as well as small loose items. It also folds away easily (about $69; call [626] 280-0843 or go to creeksideproducts.com).

BUSINESS CENTER If at times your car serves as your office, the Auto Sport Catalog Auto Business Center puts everything you need at your fingertips. Conveniently sized pockets hold pens, files, a PDA and other accessories. It securely attaches to the car seat and comes with a removable writing surface ($39.95; call [800] 953-0814).

ROOF CARRIER Thule Roof Mount Carriers are easy to install, come in a range of sizes, and significantly increase a vehicle's carrying capacity. This lightweight style, shown right, is padded throughout to protect its contents (Thule Escape Carrier, $180; call [800] 238-2388 or visit thuleracks.com).

emergency must haves

Every woman should have these five safety essentials in her car, according to Catherine Comer, coauthor of The Traveling Woman (Impact Publications):

1. CELL PHONE and cell-phone charger.

2. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS for roadside assistance, family and the person you're going to visit (when traveling).

3. DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RECORDS--photo ID, car insurance and registration, health-insurance policy numbers, credit card, phone card, cash.

4. FIRST-AID TRAVEL KIT that includes adhesive bandages in various sizes, gauze and scissors, antibiotic ointment, anti-itching cream, insect repellent, diarrhea medication, pain reliever, antibacterial towelettes and sunblock.

5. EMERGENCY CAR KIT with a spare tire and equipment, flashlight, flares or emergency flashing light, maps, travel blanket, change of clothes, hat, gloves and umbrella.

entertainment to go

Long car trips need not be boring, especially for kids in the backseat. Many vehicles now have optional video entertainment systems, and some let you hook up video-game consoles

If your car doesn't have a built-in video entertainment system, Sony offers a portable all-in-one solution called the DVD Dream System that comes with everything you need to play movies in your car (around $500; sony.com). DVDs Netflix.com, an online DVD-rental service, allows you to keep any movie as long as you want, with no late fees--a perfect option for vacations. CAR-FRIENDLY BOOKS AND GAMES Technology aside, traditional car games work fine and get the whole family involved. Books like TravelMates: Fun Games Kids Can Play in the Car on the Go by Lise O'Haire and Story Evans and Richard Salter's Are We There Yet? list tons of activities you can do in the car (both by Three Rivers Press; amazon.com). Amazon also offers a wealth of board and card games to play on the road. Pretty soon "Are we there yet?" will become "We're there already?"