USVI-On-Line

So, if the price for a 2 door Wrangler and the Vitara is pretty comparable, which would you choose and why? I have zero experience with the Vitara, so send me your opinions, please!

Speaking as a person with a screwed up back, stay away from the Wrangler at all costs. I have never rented the two door Vitara, but the four door Grand Vitaras are very nice. And since they have a hard top, they are more secure.

The two door Wranglers are just too rough for this old man.

Hey Sun,
I'll toss in a vote for the Wrangler. I guess it depends on how new the Vitara is; I rented a slightly older vitara and was very nervous driving out to Little Lameshur and had wished I had a rugged jeep! Depends on what kind of driving you want to do, if you think you'll be staying on the main drags and don't have to do any crazy steep driveways, then a vitara could work.
But, I'm pretty much a diehard jeep fan myself, feels like island to me!

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Wrangler...hands down. It will climb like a goat. The other will act like a goat.

Based on our rentals on STJ, I bought a Wrangler. Seriously, that's the machine you want on island.

Well Sun4MySoul I have no experience with the Wrangler but alot with a Grand Viatra. The GV worked great for us nice ride got us whereever we needed to go. This Last trip we had a Jeep Liberty and it was a much rougher ride. I vote for the GV over the JL. I would guess the Viatra has a softer ride also.
Now that being said the Wrangler has a way more coolness factor than the Viatra in my opinion and if ya are really going four wheelin in the true sense I would guess it would be the better choice. But I would put money on the Viatra has more cush for your tush and get ya were ya need to go.

Wrangler it is!

We had always rented Wranglers until last year, we chose Vitaras to save a little change! We stayed way on top of the hillside above Aqua Bistro in Coral Bay, drove EVERYWHERE on island,including Lameshur with no problems at all and my favorite part, as I am not a spring chicken anymore, was the ease of getting in and out compared to a Wrangler. I would suggest that you make sure the tires are in good shape if you choose Vitara.

We've rented a grand vitara 3x and never had any problems.

I'm a big fan of the Vitara but that's because they were always cheaper. If it's the same price I'd go with the Wrangler. The only problem I have ever had with either vehicle was because I had a Wrangler once that had bald tires and it was slippery on the wet roads (switchbacks). The Vitara is also tiny and easier to find parking for at places like Maho and Salt Pond, you can tuck that little thing anywhere. It's a little cheaper on gas too.

I second the Vitara for parking-it is so easy. We also like it for the added security it gives us in driving-it seems like you have more room on the road when you meet another car on a narrow spot. We never had trouble on wet roads except once when we had forgotten to switch into 4-wheel drive when it was raining but a fast switch got us going again.
Sharon

Our first trip down, we had a beat up 2 door Vitara, I assume because we were up Calabash Boom they didn't want to give us a new car. It had no AC or radio, but we had a good time in it! It went everywhere (even Lameshure) without a problem and we didn't have to worry about dings from rocks thrown about. Last year we had a brand new Nitro and while nice (AC and a Radio), I found we worried about damages going up and down Calabash Boom (again!). Both cars were good going up and down and around, but I really kind of liked that beat up Vitara, on the other hand it was our first trip, so that could account for my fondness!

I've gotten a white 2 door Vitara from Conrad Sutton a couple of times and thought it was good for two and I never used 4WD in it. My brother had that same vehicle and complained about it going up Gifft Hill, but he was going faster than 20 MPH, so it did the job. The luggage area is small, but it works for two.

I like the Wranglers for their clearance. I stay away from the soft sides because of security concerns. The 4Door Wrangler is my ride of choice.

Cheers, RickG

Great topic and very timely for us! 23 days...

We own a Wrangler and so usually rent a Wrangler and we love it! - But - this year we are on island for a month(woo hoo!) and to save a bit we went with the Vitara. We stay way out on the East End so we'll have a lot of testing and comparing experience. I'll report back.....

I'm with you benchill...I had back surgery and have herniated and bulging discs. The Wrangler killed me. I had to take a pillow from the bed and use it in the car...UGH!