jeep cherokee or vittara

[naturegirl]

Just wondering if it would be better for two people to rent a open-top cherokee jeep or a vittara. Does any one have a preference and why?

[Ksea]

I prefer traditional hard top enclosed vehicles for A/C purposes and I hate my hair flappin in the wind and getting in my eyes! My other half prefers the jeep with the convertible top. I always win. Just depends on what kind of experience you are looking for I guess!

[b-as-u-r]

My experience has been that the STJ rental companies do not allow you to take the tops off the Jeep Wranglers. We did it once and got a call within the hour that we'd been seen with our top off. Rules are, leave them on. You could probably rent in St. Thomas and car barge a jeep over. Ali~

[traveler22]

Hi, for just two of you I would go with the Vitara, it's cheaper, better on gas and as stated, you can't take the top off the jeep anyway. I reserved mine for Feb.08 already.
Good Luck, Scott

[naturegirl]

That's odd. Why won't they let you take the top off the jeep? Isn't that the point?

[bj]

With a hard top vehicle you can lock it up. However, it is not advisable to leave anything of value inside anyway. The rental companies have the policy of not taking off the top because sometimes they are too hard to put back on properly. The climate is hard on the fabric and there is shrinkage and dry rotting that takes place.

[Pia]

They also do not want you to take the top off because of the sudden downpours that occur - one minute dry, next minute soaked with no time to put that top back on - nothing worst than having a soaked car seat for the rest of your trip (and the next renters) - along with an eventual moldy fabric car seat

Pia

[naturegirl]

Makes sense. Thanks all!

[jenrale]

We found the Vitaras to be grossly under-powered. Had to go up some hills on the East End in first gear and thought we weren't gonna make it at all. We did, but just barely. After that fiasco, we've always rented a Wrangler.

[naturegirl]

Really, anyone else have this problem with the Vitarra or do you think it was an older rental with some problems. What company did you rent from?

[ccasebolt]

Our Vitara rental (nick-named "the poor car") was underpowered as well. I know exactly the East End hills jenrale is referring to - my husband opened the door and pretended to help push with his foot. It did help to turn the AC off, but because it was July, it was a bit warm when we did. Next time we'll rent a Wrangler.[/url]

[naturegirl]

I wonder if I would be able to switch to a wrangler. I think I will check with ST John Rentals. Thanks all!

[Jo Ann - VA]

Here's my two cents worth. We rented a Vitara in April of last year and it was everything we needed it to be. We never turned the ac on because it wasn't needed so we had enough power and we are used to driving large 4WD's at home.

[naturegirl]

Anybody else have any experience with the Vitarra or a bad experience with the cherokee?

[nothintolose]

One question, are those that are mentioning the Vitaras talking about the regular Vitara or the Grand Vitara? Is there a difference in power?

We have always rented an Escape but this time it's a/c was having trouble (I think it was the same one we have rented every other time). Gonna try a Liberty or a Grand Vitara next time (unless he has newer Escapes).