Q: What is the difference between an 8-passenger and a 10-passenger limousine?
Answer: There is no difference. At Austin Cobalt Limousines we advise against dealing with companies who try to rent you a '10-passenger' stretch limousine they are trying to get a higher price for a regular vehicle. Generally speaking, if you are renting a 120" Lincoln or Cadillac Stretch limousine (the most common size limousine found in the USA) the vehicle seating can accommodate only 8 people of average size. (You can squeeze in 10, but it is awfully tight.)
In other words, there is no such thing as a 10-passenger Lincoln Town Car or Caldillac Fleetwood limousine. Lincoln and Cadillac only certify stretch limos for eight passengers (plus the driver and sometomes front passenger seate quals ten). Placing ten or more passengers in a 120” stretch will be uncomfortable at best, and a safety risk at worst. The simple question to ask -"How many seatbelts are in the back?"
The proper stretching of limousines is overseen by Lincoln and Cadillac through their QVM (Lincoln) and CMC (Cadillac) certification programs. Each stretched limo starts with a specially manufactured base vehicle with extra braking capacity and a stronger than normal suspension and drive train. Some companies cut costs (and compromise safety) by buying regular street cars and having them converted into stretch limousines in un-certified backroom shops. Only QVM/CMC vehicles have undergone the rigorous safety & crash testing required by the manufacturers and the Federal government. Companies who are advertising 10-16 passenger stretch Towncar or Cadillac limousines are operating non-QVM/CMC vehicles, or dangerously overloading an 8 passenger vehicle. At Austin Cobalt Limousines we operate only QVM/CMC certified vehicles. This is to help GUARANTEE that our customers will be riding in the safest vehicles on the road.
Please be advised that even true 8 passenger vehicles may not accommodate eight larger people (200+ lbs.) in a comfortable manner.
What about SUV stretch limos? Only since January 2003 have SUV limos have been certified by Ford or Cadillac for up to 14 passengers. Many people do not realize that the 14 passenger certification is only valid on 2003 or newer Excursion or Escalade SUV stretches! A Lincoln or Cadillac older than 2003 or advertised as more than 14 passengers has not been stretched by a company authorized to follow the safety and reliability processes mandated by Lincoln and Cadillac. Many times the situatiuon is that these vehicles lack the mandatory escape hatches on such a long vehicle (creating a safety hazard in case of an accident or fire), and may have lesser braking and suspension systems, thus creating a serious safety issue.