Last Minute Jeep Rental Dilemma

IslandTime · Post by **IslandTime** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:52 pm

Okay here's the deal, Connie from Philly posted some info on jeep rental rates this last Saturday. I called Discount and spoke with Alex as suggested. He seems like a nice man as stated and was very helpful although he doesn't have any Jeeps left this coming Saturday. I told him I already had one reserved through Budget but I had heard some "horror" stories. He said, "oh yeah they're the worst but I hope they stay that way because I get a lot of business because of them" He told me he thought I would be making a mistake if I rented from them. I could tell he was being sincere and this was no sales pitch. He offered me a new Jeep Liberty for the week and I took him up on it. Here is my dilemma, the fun factor is definitely decreased with the Liberty. We were really looking forward to the open air ride of a Wrangler, although I'm not sure if Budget allows you to take the top off. Sure I wouldn't mind saving money if we were talking apples to apples and I'm nervous about renting from Budget now. Are they that bad?? Which reservation should I cancel? I told Alex I'd be calling him every day to see if he had any cancellations on Wranglers next week. I'm so confused!!!

CHM · Post by **CHM** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:44 am

We have only rented from St. John Car Rental. They do not allow you to take the top off the jeep, only the doors and zip off sections. We have a large group this year so we had to get a large SUV. It will be windows down only for us. You will have fun no matter what you drive. Have a great trip!

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:14 am

The 2 times we rented from Budget, we took the top down. They never said not to and you can always call them and ask. After all, we had no back windows, they had taken them off.

It is fun to have a convertible down, but sometimes during the day it can get downright hot and after a long day, you want the top up.

A Liberty is a good second choice. More room. If you have more then 2 people, it's kind of hard getting in the back door. A friend found a solution to that, she climed on the back tire, then on the fender and then in.

I tried to get out of a Wrangler last year and I ended up with a 12 inch bruise on my thigh from hitting the door hinge..that's how tight it is and i'm not a big person.

You will have fun whichever you choose. Good luck!

WSUbeachcoug · Post by **WSUbeachcoug** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:48 pm

I have decided to come out of the closet.
We just returned from St John on Sunday and rented a 4 door jeep liberty from Budget. The car only had 1600 miles on it and ran great. It took about 15 minutes and we were on the road.
The lady that checked us back in had a attitude. Helpful hint, remember to write down your mileage when you bring the car back or you will have to hike back up to the lot.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:42 pm

We rented a Wrangler from Budget this past June and were told that we could not remove the top. We hadn't intended to anyway so it wasn't a problem, but I don't know of any rental companies that let you remove the top. They don't want them getting wet inside in sudden downpours, which are apt to happen in the islands. The only time I've seen Wranglers without tops they were clearly owned by locals.

The back window was missing from our Wranger, it was filthy, and it stunk like pee. We complained to Budget and they said "yeah, that's why nobody ever rents these."

Other vehicles we've rented from Budget have been fine.

wwbbd · Post by **wwbbd** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:48 pm

I hate to throw a whole new company into the equation, but did you check with Dependable? They get very good reviews on this forum and they actually advertise that they let you take the top off. (The lady I talked to at their office did make sure to let me know that the cost to replace a lost top is $800.) I don't know if they would have anything on such short notice, though.

crash · Post by **crash** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:21 am

We have rented wranglers, liberty and grand vitara from either St. John car rental or Conrad Sutton.
Had no issues from either. Never took the top off cause we just did not want to deal with it. Especially with the on/off rain showers you can get.

http://www.stjohncarrental.com/

http://www.conradcars.com/

I have to agree with Connie. There is nothing worse then getting those thighs on a plastic seat that been cooking in the sun all day. Not to mention the difficulty getting in and out of it.

We have never gone through Budget because we have been taken care of better by the either of the two we dealt with. Good luck and if you can get a rental this late in the game, I suggest you go for it!

p.s. If you can make the BB on 4/20 we will be there about 4 to 4:30...(look for the blond with a cherry up her nose...bevm)

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:38 am

Alot (most) of places will charge you a $500 fee (fine)for removing the top. You might be thinking how will they know? remember this is a very small Island.
Kirk

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