do we need 4 wheel drive.

[Robbin]

Thank God for LULU! I called depndable and the rate for a jeep is about $150.00 more than a non 4 wheel. We are staying at Villa Adeste in Coral Bay, does anyone know if we will need a jeep or if we can get along with just a reg car. Do want to do sight seeing, but I don't think we will be doing any bush driving in a palce we have never been.

[loria]

i really would do 4wd--there are certain (parts of the north shore rd, eg) roads that after a rain can be really hard to get up and 4 wd really helps--
I really think it is well worth the added expense

[Pia]

I have been to Adeste and while it is not on the worst road by any means on STJ, if it rains you may want extra traction especially on one of the switchbacks leading up to the house (I know I would) as imho it is needed.

Personally I would not use a car on STJ - only a 4 wd but it depends on how "good" you are in rain (and remember it only takes a few min shower for the roads to become slick)

Hope this helps

Pia

[MistB'Haven]

Oh yea, 4wd all the way.

[byado18]

And check the tread on the tires when you pick up the car!

$WD & good tires make all the difference!

[Lex]

I don't know where Adeste is, but here's a video that shows what the road up Calabash Boom is like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PITOhT4n5R0

Then imagine if it had just rained. Not even talking about going off-road. Some of the switchbacks on the main roads are really astonishing. I always like to save a buck, but the vehicle is one place I wouldn't be cutting corners. Whenever we start thinking about cutting costs, we look to the accomodations. That's where there's really a significant range of prices available.

[Diana2]

There is one switchback going up to Adeste that you'll need 4WD is the pavement is wet. We never would rent anything but a 4WD. Can you get by without it? Probably but nearly everytime we've been to STJ we've needed that extra bit of traction that you have with 4WD. Especially for first-timers I believe 4WD is a must.

[Boston Mike]

4WD is a must.

[toes in the sand]

You can get around to most places easily in a non 4WD...until it rains. The north shore road especially. I could not count the number of times that I have pulled over to leave room for a car trying to to negotiate an uphill switchback after even a light rain.

I would spend the extra for the 4WD.

[Xislandgirl]

I will echo everyone else. You never need it until it rains and then it can get pretty dicey on some roads with out it.

I lived on island with a non 4wd drive car and I hated when it rained. It was just a little too scary at times. I would never rent a non 4wd when I visit.

[Lulu76]

You don't have to get a jeep. You could get one of those little Japanese 4-wheel-drive SUV type things. Vitaras? Courtesy has them, and I don't remember them being too expensive. I can't even imagine traveling around St. John even on main roads in a car, even with front-wheel drive.

When I called one of the car rental places on STT, I was talking to the guy about cars and I jokingly mentioned a Toyota Corolla. And he told me they had those. I laughed and said "Would you try to take on the switchback between Trunk and Cinnamon in the rain?" He said no, and went back to recommending an SUV.