Do I rent the convertible for an extra $25?

[klpca]

We (just my husband and I) are headed to Maui for 3 days after spending a week on Kauai at the end of next month. I see a convertible for $125 for three days, or an intermediate (or std also) for $100. We have rented convertibles twice before - not sure I get the fascination - so talk me into this because I feel like renting one for some reason We will be staying at Kahana Beach Resort and I am not sure about their parking situation. Maybe it's tight and we should just get a small car? We won't be doing the Road to Hana most likely - we are going again in Sept with friends who haven't been, so we will save that drive for them.

So would you or wouldn't you rent a convertible?

Btw, this is not about the $$. Mostly about the experience.

 

[JIMinNC]

We always rent a convertible in Hawaii, but then I like convertibles and also drive one at home. For us it is part of the Hawaii experience. For Hawaii, a convertible IS the sensible car in my opinion!

 

[susieq]

OMG ~ YES ~ go for it!!! We were on Maui such a long time ago ~ our 25th,and rented a Mustang Convertible ~ was such a great experience!! I'm so glad we had it, and given the choice, wouldn't go any other way. There's so much beauty there, you don't want to miss anything. If you can, don't miss the road to Hana ~ and the Black sand beaches at the end. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[klpca]

For Hawaii, a convertible IS the sensible car in my opinion!

That made me chuckle!

 

[Luanne]

Go for it!

A few years ago in San Diego we were offered an upgrade to a convertible (I think for the same price). We took it, but ended up with the top up the whole time as the weather did not cooperate.

 

[klpca]

Go for it!

A few years ago in San Diego we were offered an upgrade to a convertible (I think for the same price). We took it, but ended up with the top up the whole time as the weather did not cooperate.

Years ago we rented one on the big island in July. It was so hot that we ran the a/c with the top down for a few days then gave up and left the top up because we couldn't take the heat any more. Maybe that's why I don't have any fun memories, lol.

 

[Luanne]

Years ago we rented one on the big island in July. It was so hot that we ran the a/c with the top down for a few days then gave up and left the top up because we couldn't take the heat any more. Maybe that's why I don't have any fun memories, lol.

I also remember quite a few years back we were on Maui the same time as a woman I worked with (and her husband). We decided to get together for dinner one night. They had been talked into upgrading to a convertible. They thought they were going to get a Mustang, but instead got a Pontiac Sunbird (which I don't think Pontiac even makes anymore). We had also gotten a Pontiac Sunbird, but the "sensible" model. Both of them were pieces of junk.

 

[klpca]

I also remember quite a few years back we were on Maui the same time as a woman I worked with (and her husband). We decided to get together for dinner one night. They had been talked into upgrading to a convertible. They thought they were going to get a Mustang, but instead got a Pontiac Sunbird (which I don't think Pontiac even makes anymore). We had also gotten a Pontiac Sunbird, but the "sensible" model. Both of them were pieces of junk.

On Maui, we once had a Nissan Versa that was so gutless that I actually checked to make sure that I hadn't forgotten to release the parking brake. Nope. It is the only car that I refuse to rent. On the other hand we once reserved a 4wd and received a Chevy Tahoe LTZ with pretty much every option known to man. It was fabulous.

 

[DaveNV]

I rent convertibles whenever they seem appropriate. Hawaii is one place where it is. For the money difference, sure, I'd do it. The weather then should be great.

However, be aware, the vehicle will likely be a Ford Mustang, and Mustang Convertibles have a relatively small trunk. Your luggage may not fit, and you may have to transport luggage in the back seat. If you intend to stop someplace while transporting your luggage, you'll have to decide how to deal with that.

All told, I'd say go for it, if you like the idea of driving a convertible. If wind or excess Hawaiian sun bother you, might mess your hair, or whatever, you may not be as comfortable. It is harder to see out of a convertible with the top up, in my opinion. But maybe that's just me.

Dave

 

[brianfox]

MiniVan. Definitely get a MiniVan.

Just had to be contrarian
Get what makes you feel good. $25 delta (I presume a day) for a Convertible sounds great.

 

[DrQ]

BUT, keep in mind that convertible comes at a cost of trunk space.

 

[Luanne]

BUT, keep in mind that convertible comes at a cost of trunk space.

With just two people and if you only have to take the luggage twice (from the airport and back to the airport), it's doable.

 

[klpca]

MiniVan. Definitely get a MiniVan.

Just had to be contrarian
Get what makes you feel good. $25 delta (I presume a day) for a Convertible sounds great.

Ahhh...the all practical minivan! I had forgotten about those days. They were pretty fun honestly, all except for the minivan part. I am still recovering and now drive a mini-cooper.

It's actually just $25 more - $125 vs 100. Not truly meaningful money (although in my brain I always convert to "how many mai-tai's could I get for that" ) and in this case not enough to matter.

 

[Luanne]

Ahhh...the all practical minivan! I had forgotten about those days. They were pretty fun honestly, all except for the minivan part. I am still recovering and now drive a mini-cooper.

It's actually just $25 more - $125 vs 100. Not truly meaningful money (although in my brain I always convert to "how many mai-tai's could I get for that" ) and in this case not enough to matter.

We rented (and owned) minivans for years. When you travel with 5 to 6 people minimum, plus "stuff", it's the only vehicle that will hold everything.

 

[klpca]

BUT, keep in mind that convertible comes at a cost of trunk space.

With just two people and if you only have to take the luggage twice (from the airport and back to the airport), it's doable.

We are light packers. Just two carry-ons. I went with a friend once who had two regular suitcases and one carry-on. I never figured out what she brought with her in those bags, but it was an amazing sight to see.

 

[klpca]

Well, the majority has spoken. I booked it. I will post a picture from the front seat!

 

[DaveNV]

We are light packers. Just two carry-ons. I went with a friend once who had two regular suitcases and one carry-on. I never figured out what she brought with her in those bags, but it was an amazing sight to see.

You haven't met my spouse. Egads! I have to heft those bags, and have more than once had to transfer excess items to my underweight suitcase to compensate for a seriously overweight one. But we won't talk about that, especially when it happens at the luggage counter in an airport. We now carry a suitcase scale, and I weigh things before we go anyplace.

A few years ago on a trip to Virginia, a certain person's mega-overstuffed suitcase zipper exploded in protest, and was never the same. Some parts were never found. So there we were, suitcase shopping while on vacation. Miraculously, we found something suitable at a Burlington factory store in Virginia Beach, and our trip continued mostly unimpeded - except I just about had to wear a truss from all the lifting. (Do guys still wear trusses? I have no idea... )

Dave

 

[Sandy VDH]

I need to stay out of the sun. The wind really bothers my ears. And on most convertibles I am just too damn tall, at 6' and My head is usually just at the top of the window and my hair becomes a rats nest. I would pass just for personal reasons.

 

[Luanne]

You haven't met my spouse. Egads! I have to heft those bags, and have more than once had to transfer excess items to my underweight suitcase to compensate for a seriously overweight one. But we won't talk about that, especially when it happens at the luggage counter in an airport. We now carry a suitcase scale, and I weigh things before we go anyplace.

A few years ago on a trip to Virginia, a certain person's mega-overstuffed suitcase zipper exploded in protest, and was never the same. Some parts were never found. So there we were, suitcase shopping while on vacation. Miraculously, we found something suitable at a Burlington factory store in Virginia Beach, and our trip continued mostly unimpeded - except I just about had to wear a truss from all the lifting. (Do guys still wear trusses? I have no idea... )

Dave

We now travel with a suitcase, and a duffel, each. Well, dh travels with a suitcase and duffel, I can usually get by with just the suitcase.

I had to buy a new suitcase in NYC last year because the airline lost my suitcase for three days, and when they finally returned it the frame had been bent. Dh took me to Orchard St and there was a great luggage store there. I got a suitcase with 4 wheels and LOVE it! So much easier than the 2 wheeler I had before.

 

[VacationForever]

We don't like to have the top down on a convertible as it messes up my hair. Plus we end up smelling the fumes from other cars. A sports coupe, absolutely!

 

[JIMinNC]

BUT, keep in mind that convertible comes at a cost of trunk space.

I was actually a bit surprised at the trunk space we had in the Mustangs during our recent Hawaii trip. The design of the retractible roof doesn't take up that much trunk space, unlike my Saab convertible at home where the trunk space is much less with the top down than up. I prefer driving my Saab, and don't really like driving the Mustang, but the trunk space isn't all that bad, at least for a convertible.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

A few years ago on Kauai they rented us a new red Mustang convertible with a white racing stripe.

When I tried to load my wife's large suitcase in the trunk, it wouldn't fit. Not even close regardless of what I did. So then I tried putting it in the back seat. It looked like a tight fit. So I slid the passenger seat all the way forward and folded it over. It wasn't going to work no matter how I positioned the case. I ended up having to drop the convertible top to put the suitcase in. Luckily we only had one large suitcase.

So, if you have a large suitcase or suitcases, don't be surprised if you have a luggage problem.

 

[JIMinNC]

A few years ago on Kauai they rented us a new red Mustang convertible with a white racing stripe.

When I tried to load my wife's large suitcase in the trunk, it wouldn't fit. Not even close regardless of what I did. So then I tried putting it in the back seat. It looked like a tight fit. So I slid the passenger seat all the way forward and folded it over. It wasn't going to work no matter how I positioned the case. I ended up having to drop the convertible top to put the suitcase in. Luckily we only had one large suitcase.

So, if you have a large suitcase or suitcases, don't be surprised if you have a luggage problem.

First rule of renting a convertible with larger suitcases...you will have to use the back seat, and you will have to put the top down to get that larger suitcase in the back seat. But it IS a convertible after all, so putting the top down is what we usually do anyway.

On our recent three-week trip we had two carry-on sized bags, one 25" bag and a 28" bag. The 28 inch and one of the carry-ons went in the back seat, The 25" bag and the other carryon went in the Mustang's trunk along with a camera/photo backpack. Worked perfect.

 

[Passepartout]

I also remember quite a few years back we were on Maui the same time as a woman I worked with (and her husband). We decided to get together for dinner one night. They had been talked into upgrading to a convertible. They thought they were going to get a Mustang, but instead got a Pontiac Sunbird (which I don't think Pontiac even makes anymore). We had also gotten a Pontiac Sunbird, but the "sensible" model. Both of them were pieces of junk.

Pontiac doesn't build ANYTHING anymore. Went the way of Desoto, Essex, and so many more.

Jim
P.S. I wouldn't rent the convertible either. DW always complained of the wind in her hair when I put the top down on my sports car, and the lack of trunk space and invitation to thieves clinches it for me.

 

[mentalbreak]

I would much rather sit higher on the road than a convertible sedan. I’d say go for the sporty Jeep over the convertible.