I have a reservation for a convertible when I go to Maui in two weeks. Is it worth the extra fees to rent a convertible? Please help, thank you............

You'd better take plenty of sunscreen with you if you're going to be driving around anywhere in Hawaii with the hood down. That sun is a killer. Personally, I'd rather spend the extra money on a good meal or two!

We recently rented a convertible when we went to Kauai. We had a great time and I would definitly do it every time. We went through Dollar but through our accomodation company. I'm thinking the difference was $10 per day.

We put our sunscreen on before we left our condo so we were covered in the car. Also if it got hot we turned on the air conditioning and it worked out very well. Have fun!!!

Without a doubt, get a convertible. The ability to see so much more as you drive around the island, makes it worth it. You get much more of a tropical feel when you drive in a convertible.

As a note, it is best to leave the car unlocked or ,better yet, with windows down when you park(especially at beaches and trailheads)

We learned the hard way when our top was slashed and out trunk contents where stolen. Although everything was covered by insurance( includng car damage) it was a time conusuming hassle to report to police, etc. The police told us it was common to bereak in to cars in parking lots.
Now we leave windows down. Although to locals, our rental car stands out, they pass us by knowing nothing of value is stored in the car

I don't think it's worth. We rented a very old car with "Coconut rentals" and we had a great time. Sometimes the streets are not very good (espcially to Hana) and you rather need a good than convertible car.

I think that any car from the major national firms would be a new car and be reliable. We took our car completely around the island after Hana.

When our convertible top was slashed...we were easily able to sawp it for another.

Mia:
As you can see, there are alot of varied opinions about a convertable vs a regular car (and for some,also vs a 4x4). The 2 times were were in Hi, we had regular sedans, and had the A/C onmost of the time.
So, you see it depends on what your lifestyle is. If you regularly drive with the windows downin the summertime where you live, then I would say go for a convertible. But if you are the type that feels more comfortable when there is A/C going on all the time, then I don't think you would be comfortable sightseeing in a convertible. In either case, I any case, I don't think a 4x4 is neccesary for most tourists, unless you're the extreme sports type of pople, and want to off road mnost of the time.

Upon arrival in Oahu 2 years ago, the woman at the car rental desk offered my family of 3 a convertible for only $5.00 more a day. As the vacation planner of the family, I frowned on the idea of spending the extra money and forgoing the roominess of a sedan. My husband and son insisted on the convertible and I absolutely loved it. I never would have thought that the difference would be so great. I have been to Oahu many times and it was like seeing it for the first time. Needless to say, the next trip we rented a convertible again, at a considerabley higher price than the first time, but I knew it would be worth it. Rent the convertible. Aloha

By all means, whatever you rent, take the advice of a previous poster and leave your rental car open and unlocked. I can't begin to tell you how many times our rental cars have been broken into and burglarized. Now we simply leave them open with nothing inside.

Thanks everyone for your great replies, this has really made the decision for me a lot easier!