Large vehicles always attract a stupid premium. Our Van and 5 passangers return comes to about £480, booked a couple of months ago. I just did a check to see how much it would be if I booked now, and it's gone up by £250!!
The road travel is always more fun when you're all in the same vehicle, with space to relax and beer already cool in the fridge. (Not so much for the driver though... but still no worse than in a regular sized vehicle)
Although the only decent car any of us owns is an Audi S6, but that's the same guy who owns the van and we wouldn't all fit in the Audi!
I hope saffronrob's team members are simply making other plans, and not that they can no longer attend...