luvtravl

Does anyone know where we can rent a jeep wrangler in Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque or Denver for a week at a decent price? Finally hoping to make a trip out west to visit Zion, Bryce, Moab, GC in May 2007 and soft top jeep wrangler seems like the way to go. Thanks!

dfrostnh

If you search the archives, I know a year or so ago someone posted a place in or near Phoenix that rented modified jeeps and also offered jeep tours. Insurance for off-roading was high. Of course, if you don't plan on off-roading, you wouldn't need a modified Wrangler. If you want a stock Wrangler and plan to go off the pavement, I would double-check the rental policy and insurance.
ttt

Dayle

Hi luv,

Some things to consider:

Wranglers are not the most comfortable cars for long distance driving. Noisy and bouncy.

Also, while the idead of a convertible is fun, you have to think about how much time you will actually want to spend "topless". The sun beating down on you and our dry climate will take its toll.

Regular car rental agencies won't let you off road. Local, specialized vehicle rentals, like in Moab, are for local area only and definitely do not have one way drop offs.

Good luck! I hope you find what suits.

Ag3046

Read Dayle's comments again and think about it. Soft tops are noisy, dusty, hot (no A/C) and offer no security from theft or vandalism. They are thieve magnets. You don't need 4WD. You don't need a jeep. You need A/C and a lockable trunk.

peterboy

It sounds as though you're going to be covering quite a few miles. The idea of a Wrangler sounds great but it wouldn't be. Bouncy, noisy and bad gas mileage.

I also doubt that you'll find a traditional rental agency that will have one. They stopped renting them in Vegas because, guess what, they were all getting trashed by inexperienced drivers taking them off road. Even the Jeep Grand Cherokees seem to be getting phased out in favor of things like the Pacifica which I ended up with after reserving a Cherokee in Denver...so much for backl roads on that trip gt;( Yes, I like to take them off road a bit but they are onto folks like me. It is still possible to get a Liberty in Vegas (the best starting point for this trip IMHO) although you might get stuck with an Equinox...not something with any ground clearance. Best advice I can give is to shoot for a Liberty (Dollar has them) so the long drives are comfy and you can still tackle some moderate dirt roads (that you've agreed not to do in your rental agreement BTW) and then rent a Wrangler for a day or two in Moab to enjoy a real off roadexperience in a Jeep that is set up for just that purpose.

Sounds like my kind of fun!

PaulRabe

A fairly fundamental question to ask is whether you'll even need a 4WD auto at any place you'll visit other than Moab. There aren't a lot of 4WD roads at either Zion, Bryce, or the GC -- most access is by paved roads and trails. Near Moab there's a LOT of 4WD roads worth driving on, but that would require you only rent such a vehicle in Moab. If you rented an economy car without a drop off at (say) Salt Lake City, did a loop to all these sites, and then rented a 4WD only at Moab for a few days; you'd probably spend less money then renting a 4WD for the entire time. The comfort you'd gain while driving many hours between these parks (as noted above) would be a bonus.

luvtravl

Thanks for all the great feedback!