Do you suggest a four wheel drive?
 

We are planning a first trip to Hawaii. We will have eight nights on the BI, including three in Volcano. I am trying to arrange a rental vehicle. We do enjoy getting 'off the beaten path.' In your view, is a four wheel drive SUV a good idea?? We will pick up the car in Kona and drop it off in Hilo. Thanks.

Yes it is a good idea. :S-

No. You don't need a 4WD SUV. There aren't that many off the beaten path places that you are allowed to go safely, anyway.

To break the 1-1 tie - NO !!

Why would you need a four wheel frive ??

Get a convertible instead.

Reply to Rusty:
See "Get Around" section:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Big_Island

Hi GBC

I put 1200 miles on a rental car in two weeks driving around the BI in July 08. You do not need a 4x4. There is no "legal" off roading. One exception is getting to the top of Mauna Kea for that you should take a guided tour.

Have Fun
GP

The only two sights I can think of that require a 4WD are the Saddle Road and Waipio Valley. That said, driving either of these roads will void your rental car contract, so it's a moot point.

Hubby loves off-roading, so we rented a 4WD Jeep on Big Island. Never turned on the 4WD -- couldn't find a place where it was both necessary AND legal.

Nope--don't need one--we've always booked the cheapest boring car possible and done fine!

Reply to JohnD: 6 to 1 against four wheel drive.

How big is your checkbook and I copied a paragraph from the link.

If you're thinking about renting a Jeep, Alamo doesn't disable the four wheel drive option in their Jeeps as some other rental agencies do. However, keep in mind that you are violating the rental contract by driving on "unpaved roads" (let alone some of the four wheel drive only roads). As long as you are careful and sensible about it though, you'll be fine. Just keep in mind that you are "on your own" if you get in trouble while violating the rental agreement. If you're going to violate the rental contract by driving on unpaved roads, you have less of a chance of getting stuck if you have the ability to shift to four wheel drive.

Harper Rentals [8] has four wheel drive vehicles that are allowed by contract to drive on unpaved roads. You will pay more for that right.

I believe though you still need to get permission from the property owner a small formality that unfortunately some don't find necessary.

Advising people that they "will be fine" if they violate their car rental agreement is VERY bad advice. Doing so could end up costing the total value of the rented vehicle.