Hey JC98, not to hijack, but I need to tell billy something....when I got divorced a zillion years ago, instead of going blond, I bought a convertible!!!!varooooooooom

JC98, I'm topping this in the hopes you'll see it and comment on how you are finding the great convertible prices. I've booked economy cars on four different islands for September/October with great rates mainly from rentalcarhawaii, but I just checked again and all of them are quoted me double the cost for a convertible. What's your secret? Or what do you consider a good price? I'm paying a total with all taxes of $350 for 10 days on the Big Island, and $295 for 10 days on Maui, and $175 for a full week on Kauai. Are you finding convertible rates to match that?

Patrick, I know I have seen where you don't want to use Alamo, but if you could stand it, I just plugged somes dates and found a convertible for a week for $234. This is thru the Costco site. Used the dates 09/18-09/25.
Use ID #7014627
Product Code - QVWHI
Coupon Coe - AD63637RM

iceeu2, thanks. That's the best I've seen, but actually that $234 ends up after a discount plus the taxes as $266 compared with the total of $175 I have now for an economy car. I still have to ask myself if it's worth 50% more to get a convertible? Maybe on one island -- not all four. Which would be the best island for the splurge? Maui with the drive to Hana? Big Island? (not Oahu where I'll only have it a few days)

Oh, well never mind with that last question. Using the same codes for Alamo on Big Island I got a total for the 10 days of $507 for a convertible, compared to my current price with Avis of $350. I guess that is still almost 50% higher, but a lot of money ($157 more). And Alamo showed sold out for my dates on Maui.

Maybe I should splurge the extra $91 on Kauai after all.

My only objection with Alamo is I've had a couple of really bad experiences with them (the worst involving pick up and drop off at LAX taking hours) and some bad cars. I have no reason to think it would be the same in Hawaii. But when Avis was something like a few pennies more (literally) than Alamo, I quickly jumped for Avis.

Patrick, a convertible is a MUST do on the road to Hana! But if they are sold out....go ahead and do the splurge on Kauai!

I'd splurge in Kauai. There are less splurge restaurants there than Maui, so it evens out! The road to Hana only adds up to about 5 hours to 12 hours, depending on your stopping habits, compared to 9 days of glorious hellhole drives. Plus, if you do take 12 hours to drive to and from Hana, you'll likely tire of putting the roof up and down!

NeoPatrick, we rent yearly in Kauai and we also objected to Alamo as they would offer great rates BUT upon pick-up aggressively and repeatedly try to upsell you-creating those long line-ups of very weary travelers. We never had that same problem with Avis. Only with Alamo did my normally very polite husband finally 'lose it' and just demand 'the damn car!' Didn't use Alamo again until last year. I booked them because their long term rates were SO good for our dates. Surprisingly we had friendly, wonderful service, no pressure. Change of policy?

JC98 I think a convertible is fun for short term island sightseeing. My brother off a cruise ship loved touring in a convertible for the day. But longer term agree with Marginal for all 4 of his reasons. We've once turned down a free upgrade to a convertible.

Actually, if the truth were known, I'd really like a jeep on Maui and maybe the Big Island too.
OK, I think I'm going to switch to Alamo for the convertible on Kauai. What's another $100?

Just returned after 2 weeks in kauai and I rented a toyota
solara convertible and it was great!!

The view is great, the wind feels wonderful, and the sun is perfect. Just wear a cap and sunscreen and enjoy the unencumbered views. You can really see everything with a convertible. It's one of the joys of this life.

Sometimes procrastination pays off. I didn't sign up for that week's convertible with Alamo in Kauai that I mentioned above for $266, but checked today and it is now a grand total of $240 so it is booked. Convertible after all -- and hopefully worth the measly extra $10 a day!

But the other islands are now higher than they were two weeks ago using those same codes.

Thanks again for those codes, iceeu.

Hey, Patrick, you can keep checking and if you find anything still cheaper, you can just modify your reservation instead of cancelling and rebooking. Saves lots of steps and paperwork. We are here now......get ready for the upsell at the counter. I just politely(at least I tried to be polite) kept saying "no, thank you"!

The check engine light came on on our vehicle yesterday, and we took it back and they were very service oriented and immediately exchanged it for another. Juat an inconvenience to us since we were near the end of the road on the north shore and we had to go all the way back into Lihue. Oh well, better than being on the side of the road and having to call a tow truck!

Aloha, it's beautiful here on Kauai.

iceeu2, I recall once when I modified a reservation by phone when it became cheaper. But when we arrived the computer only showed the original price which was higher. I just somehow feel safer starting all over with a new reservation and the clear print out with the most recent price -- although I suppose usually you can do that as well. I've signed up for everyone's "fast track" or whatever, so it remembers all my information. Cancelling and starting over really is pretty easy and I just feel safer.

I'd still love to find a good deal on a Wrangler on Maui and the Big Island though, or else a convertible as well.

I can think of NO significant drawbacks to renting a convertible in Kauai. What a great way to view the sights while touring a beautiful island. We had a Mustang convertible on our last trip. How cool were we?!?!?

We had one and loved it - the only problem was cramming all our luggage in there.

There are a lot of Jeep Wranglers being driven here also.

I was talking to someone about really wanting a Jeep Wrangler on Maui and also Big Island, but was told how involved they are to close up when the brief showers come. I guess I've never really had to do that -- and only recall having one in Greece where it never rained. How involved is that with a Wrangler?

It's probably a moot point anyway, as I sure haven't been able to find a great rate on one, but still working on that.

The only time I have wanted to use a softsided jeep is on Lanai where big wheels matter and most of the very few roads are off road 4wheel and quite easy to rollover, and I have once verry close call to remember.

Otherwise, I prefer a convertible. Pull over to the side of the road, hit a button, clamp the roof and then continue on, pull over, unclamp, hit a button and then take off. The soft sided jeep is a bit of work, unless you don't mind a wet ride.

there are few places that require 4x4 and I have been lucky to visit Polihale and the beaches past Poipu by closing up the car, hitting the ac and going painstakingly slow if necessary.

Soft sided jeep 4x4 on Maui and Kauai - not so much. Big Island, I have no first hand experience to comment.

I came back to comment because I realize that although I never thought to rent a softside jeep on those islands, I have rented the newer model 4x4 jeep on Nantucket and it is sweeeeet! Love that vehicle. So if the larger newer jeep was available, I would certainly consider it.