tdbonz

Hi, can you rent a mini moke on the island?

DavidSXM

I don't think I have ever seen a Moke on the island. The reason probably is that - as far as I know - the vehicle has not been manufactured for a long time, and genuine car rental companies on SXM normally don't rent any vehicle which is, at most, more than 4 years old.

If you are looking for a 'fun' car, try either Coconut Car Rental where you can rent a little car (made in Brazil I think) which is highly amusing to drive, but has limited weather equipment, or Route 66 Car Rental where you can rent a variety of 'odd ball' vehicles.

Both are reputable, and are located on the French side of the island. You may have a problem finding their websites - if they even exist - but the St Martin Tourist Office (NOT the St Maarten Tourist Office, which represents the Dutch side of the island)can probably he;p you.

Right now I am off island until the 19th of August, otherwise I could give you their phone numbers.

If you want to remind me at the end of next week, I will be happy to do so.

tdbonz

Thanks David, We will be arriving on the 17th, so I will look into those two this week. If i do not find them, I will look at other car rentals. Can you recommend any in particular that are reputable?

DavidSXM

Well, there are the usual Hertz, Budget, Avis type companies, from whom you will get airmiles and easily book on line - you won't get air miles from the local outfits though they are cheaper.

As I live on the island and don't rent, I can't really help much, but you could try pretty well any of the medium sized Dutch side based rental companies, and rates are cheap right now.

As far as I am aware, the only companies that rent a Moke type vehicle are the ones which I have already mentioned.

DavidSXM

Hi Again.

I think that the sort of vehicle that you want can best be found at Coconut Cars.

They don't seem to have a website, but their phone number - from the US - is 011 590 690 57 67 17 - the people are not always there as they go to the airport to collect clients, but if you keep trying, you will eventually make contact.

You ahould also explain that you understand that they rent 'little cars manufactured in South America', so that they realize what you are looking for, as they also rent 'regular' cars.

I would be interested to know how you make out.

DavidSXM

Hi yet again. The proprietor of Coconut Cars just returned my call - so there is someone there right now. The thing to ask for is a 'buggy'.

tdbonz

Thanks David, I will give them a call tomorrow!

ITM0nk3y

How did it go? I rented one of the Buggies from Coconut Cars for a couple of days until my wife insisted that we get a real car. The fact that the steering wheel and the direction it travelled in were only vaguely related to each other only added to it's charm and appeal for me and even my wife (who previously thought that there was something wrong turning up for dinner in a nice dress and climbing out of something with no doors and sounding like a tank) admitted to missing the little thing once we were back in a boring real car!

DavidSXM

That's all part of the charm !!

More fun than a 'real' car, though I would not want one for 12 months of the year.

After all, they are made in Brazil, so maybe you have to make some allowances.