Is it worth $160 extra to rent a convertible in Maui?

We have a deal through Westin where we get $185 off the price of car - We have rented a compact which equals to about $50 for the week after the $185 is taken off. We could however rent a convertible for $213 for the week after $185 is taken off, and would like an opinion if it would be worth the extra money for the convertible or not really make that big a difference. I know this may be a personal preference but I%26#39;d like to hear some opinions. Thanks

Is it worth $160 extra to rent a convertible in Maui?

We have always rented convertables every time we have gone. To us it is the only way to go. Yeah you stick out like a sore thumb because for the most part locals don%26#39;t drive them but hey, coming from the midwest we stick out anyway...lol

It is a personal choice but I like all the fresh air and unimpeded views you get, plus it is kinda fun. Not much sense having a rag top here in Michigan, only be able to have the top down a couple months a year.

Is it worth $160 extra to rent a convertible in Maui?

Many will tell you that convertibles scream ';tourist';, but I don%26#39;t care--I love them! We always rent one when we go to Hawaii. It is great not only to let the sun in, but convertibles allow you to have a 360 degree view of the mountains, water, landscape, etc. Just make sure you wear a ton of sunscreen and a hat as the sun is pretty strong in Hawaii.

I perosnally don%26#39;t think it is worth the extra money. I think you could spend the money in a more ';exciting'; way.

A convertible is the only way to go. We always rent one. It makes driving an enjoyable part of the vacation. Truth be told, we actually bought one last summer after a trip to the Keys. I don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll be without one again.

If I had a chance I would. But let me put in my 2 cents and don%26#39;t forget the sunblock. You will be driving around with your top on for the rest of the time you are there if you end up burnt the first day.

absolutly personal preferance.Personally I love convertables and drive one at home but not in Hawaii I find you cook in them during the day and I would end up with the top up and the air on most of the time, but hey if the money is not a big issue there is nothing like driving with the top down on a clear night

Think it depends on: 1) how much you plan on driving and where, 2) at what speed, and 3) the time of day.

With reference to 1); If you view a car as strictly a means of transportation between points A %26amp; B and are concerned with wind-blown hair, then a convertible would be a waste of money. If, however, your interests include leisurely scenic drives; both coastal (especially eastern-south %26amp; north) and upcountry (at a minimum to include the cute little town of Makawao), then a rag top will produce big time enjoyment dividends.

2) Suppose it%26#39;s a personal preference thing, but going topless reaches the initial stages of diminishing returns somewhere around 30 mph and is completely gone by 50. The upper limit of this range would apply to perhaps 3% of Maui roads (primarily a portion of the trip between the airport and Lahaina) while Oahu, the Big Island and even Kauai offer the ';opportunity'; for much faster commuting.

3) Not a biggie, and again subject to imo, but our favorite drive times are afternoon/evening and morning with mid day being a distant third. If you%26#39;ll consistently be doing other thing at prime times that will chip away at the convertible advantage.

As far as the extra cost is concerned, who%26#39;s to decide but you? The rate you%26#39;re seeing compares favorably with the $250 that Discount Hawaii Car Rental is quoting. Two alternatives come to mind: A Take the compact deal and see if you can obtain an upgrade to a convertible for something in the range of $15-20 daily. IF successful, this would save you some bucks, but you%26#39;d run the risk of getting shut out. As an alternative, you could try a Priceline bid; there have been a couple of recent justifiable braggings here on TA wherein folks scored a convertible for approximately $20 a day/$140 for a week. Unless you could cancel the compact deal, you%26#39;d need to add the $50 to the effective cost, but even $190 total (+ taxes/fees) is better than average.

Long story short: If Maui isn%26#39;t THE place for a convertible, then where? (and as previously advised, don%26#39;t scrimp on the sunscreen).

Go for it, you won%26#39;t regret it, we didn%26#39;t.

And yes, we realize we looked like tourists...wait a minute, we were tourists. And proud of it.

Southern California and Maui are the places for a convertible. I don%26#39;t think there is anything like driving up and down Front Street in Lahaina or cruising around Kaanapali in a convertible. We are actually too cheap to reserve and rent convertibles but we%26#39;ve received them as a result of the rental places running out of compact cars. Absolute great experiences. We cannot do convertibles now because we take our kids with us and the convertibles are not known for their ability to store suitcases. Do it while you are young or old and childless.

Well...could you have a convertible for part of the itme? Maybe for driving the Road to Hana?

I don%26#39;t like them for several reasons:

I get sunburned and wind-burned. Nothing like crawling through traffic at noon in a convertible.

There%26#39;s little trunk space. Car cannot be secureed. Have to raise the top every time you park.

Shall we mention sudden showers? Bird doo? Hot seats?

I want a sedan with great air conditioning -- where I can turn off the outside air intake when driving through cane fields that are being burned or plowed (red dust).

My first car was a convertible; Second one a Healey 3000. I like cars. I just don%26#39;t like convertibles in hot climates.