In the threads I am reading that a pick-up is probably the best rental car for Bonaire. My wife and I plan to do a lot of snorkeling with the occasional diving. We will want to explore the land areas too. Is there one rental company that stands above the rest? I will need the vehicle for approx. 10 days so if someone offers a weekly rate that would be fantastic. Thanks.

Recommend ABCarrental.

I haven't posted a trip report yet, but this was to be included in it. We just had an unpleasant experience with ABCarrental. We were a group of 12, with 3 trucks rented. One truck was turned in earlier in the day, and the last group in the two trunks met to gas up and turn in the trucks. However when trying to gas up the second truck we discovered that sometime during the week the gas line had been cut. We were still on the original tanks of gas, had not done any remote shore diving, and had only gone between the Inn and town. We surmised that the line could have been cut right in the rental lot, before we even picked up the trucks. There was additional $70. charge for the cut line, and then another $80 dollars for about $40 worth of gas, that we were unable to put back in the truck. Our group leader has been taking this annual trip for about 18 years, renting as many as 5 or 6 trucks each year. She's been using ABCarental since they've been there. She told them all of this, explained that it was through no fault of our own that this occured, and that she shouldn't be charged. They were not at all sympathetic. They finally agreed to reduce the gas charge to a more reasonable amount, but would not back off of the change for the cut gas line. It was a very frustrating experience, because it was totally out of our control. Donna insisted that the $70 change was written up separately, and is challenging it with her credit card company. I'm not sure if it'll do any good. I'll let you know if it works.

we did a 4 door toyota truck, $50.00 a day. Loved it, and no issues. We rented it from Budget at the Airport.

We have rented with Budget both times, but not for $50.00 a day! This last time it was around $40.00 a day (including all taxes, etc.) and it was a 4 door helux truck. We had absolutely no problems both times we rented with them.

Gail, how frustrating! So even though the line was cut, some of the gas remained in the tank...Is there a way to check to make sure the gas line is in tact when you pick your vehicle up? (I'm not a mechanic here!) I know now that they make sure you SEE that the spare tire is there...but I guess now you should ask to see that the gas line in tact!

(Message edited by cyndelee on July 31, 2003)

we enjoy renting from Nettys Car rental..she is a local with small fleet and gives very personal attention.... Netty always checks her vehicles with the utmost care and has great service that includes pick-up and drop off at the airport..her prices are also better than the others if you check..we have used her Mini-vans for the past 10 years

well I have always rented with abc first time on island the air didnt work. The second time on the island the truck we had acted up and ended breaking down on us luckly only a mile from airport was walking and someone from Nettys car rental saw we had rented a truck from her competition but she still picked me up as i was walking down the road and gave me a ride to the airport. Abc gave us a replacement truck and was fine for the rest of the trip. I am seriously considering next time using Nettys car rental.

We have always used Netty's! Super service, better prices and never a problem. In fact we are renting from her again next week.

Jim

We have used AB for the last 2 years and have expirienced none of the problems stated above. In fact, I was given a new Mazada truck last year with only 12 miles on it. I have been working via email with the manager this year and he has not hesitated to reserve for me in a timely manner the 2 trucks I specifically requested.

Gail, the gas line being cut at the rental lot is very unlikely; there are always people abound there, and the spilled gas would show on the concrete, making it obvious that the line was cut. Besides, we always look the car over when taking it in and giving it out again.
So we can safely assume that it happened during your rental. Like I said in another thread, what happens to the car during the rental is your responsibility, just like it would be if the car was your own. CDW insurance doesn't cover vandalism or burglary, it might be that your travel insurance does. This is why it is very important to go to the police and file a complaint; most of the times your insurance company will not act without it.
Please don't think that we don't care, because it's as bothersome to us as it is to you, not in the least because of your bad memories. But there is nothing we can do, the damage needs to be paid for (of course we'd rather charge the guy who did it, which is another reason going to the police is important). Also, and this is unfortunately the practical reality... if we'd take the responsibility of the car away from the customer, many will not bother with taking good care of it. And that would result in ever higher maintenance costs, and as a result, higher prices.

Everyone wants to see these guys caught, we more than anyone and we are looking at ways to cooperate with the Justice department. But until then this is unfortunately the policy we (and our colleague carrentals) have to implement.
That all being said, I'm very sorry for your bad experience.

Kind regards,
Marc
Manager - AB Carrental

Hi Marc,

Thank you for responding. (I didn't know you were with AB Carrental! I'd have asked for you that day.) The girls working that day sure didn't seem to care much about what happened! And since we'd checked our bags earlier in the day, we were turning in the trucks just prior to boarding our flight. And of course had no time for a police report.

The line could have been cut anywhere, but they couldn't have gotten much gas, because we used the truck all week on the same original tank of gas. Apparently we were fortunate that the cut was high enough up that the gas didn't run out. It's just very frustrating to pay for something that we didn't do, and that wasn't caused by our own neglect.

Perhaps with as much tampering of rental vehicles that does go on on the island, a portion of the insurance should cover it.

Tell me truthfully, if you will, what is the true cost for the repair? $70 seems excessive.

Thanks, Gail

We are looking at theft insurance, but even that will always include a deductible. I believe some other rentals already offer a version of it.

The cost for the repair includes materials, labor (which is the largest part in this case) and taxes. We just charge the amount as we get it invoiced from the garage. What it *doesn't* include (which some people might think) is the time it's at the workshop and we can't rent it. So it costs us even more than that.

Thanks Marc. I see now the vandalism is just as much a hassle for you too.

You're welcome Gail

Our 1st year we rented with ABCarrental. They had indicated that the next year we would receive a discount at the office at Capt. Don's. The discount was not enough to cover the expense of a taxi to the property so we researched and settled on Netty's. She responded to email promptly and we were very happy with her vehicle and the personal service that she gave us at the airport. We'll rent again from Netty.

I've always rented from Netty's and have never had a problem.

ABCarrental has my vote. My paperwork (and truck) are always there, price is right and their on-line communications are fast and friendly. I always pick up and drop off at the airport.

I use Everts and have been delighted with the service and pleasant attention I get from them. The local lady who owns the operation has always been at the airport with all paperwork ready. They're always great when I want to switch to a 4-wheel drive for a day to go to the park --- no extra paperwork, just pay the difference between that and the small vehicle I rent. Can't recommend them enough!

I've been using AB for years...paper work is always ready...fair prices...never a problem

Gail,
Sorry for your bad experience but if Marc will invest a little time and consul with the manufacturer of his vehicles, then may be they can find a way to prevent this kind of crime. As Bonaire regulars, we sure don't want the island or any of its businesses to get a black eye over an easily resolved problem

Gail,
As a builder of houses, boats, cars, furniture, bridges, roads, and docks.....$70 bucks is cheap.
Type A1 fuel hose is a booger to get on and clamped correctly. That repair would have cost $300 in the good ole USA (according to the Clinton's Manual)
Mark...change the fuel filter on that car ASAP. Type A1 hose has a steel wire in it.....cut rubber and wire shards are now in the cars gas tank...not good for long term engine life.
Wally

When we had our gas line fixed after a similar incident last year we asked about using a more impenetrable hose from the cap to the tank, and were told that it's been tried, and when a gas thief faces that, they simply puncture the gas tank instead (which is a lot more than the $60-70 repair for the hose). Pain in the butt.

Gail - I'm not sure where our gas got stolen last year (I suspect it was while we were parked at the Harbor Village Marina while out for dinner, but it could have been in front of our house too). I think another BTer (Lonnie Hoover?) had gas stolen while staying at the same place you were at a couple of years ago, so it can't be ruled out that it didn't happen during the night while you were sleeping.

In terms of gas theft in the car rental parking lot - unlikely. However, the previous renter of the vehicle could have been hit and never known it. Marc - do any of the car rentals do anything to verify that a returned car doesn't have a hole in the gas line? Had Gail's crew been dishonest, they could have simply not reported the cut gas line and just paid for the extra gas...

Jake

Thanks for the tip Wally, I'll pass it on.

Jake, we look the cars over when they return. Even if we don't spot it immediately, before we give the car out again it will have made a trip to the garage for at least a washdown. And then when we give the car out, we look it over again. So the chance that a customer gets a car with a cut hose is very, very slim.

We rented from AB during our last stay. There rates were reasonable. We rented a hilux with the model 440 air conditioner. (4 windows down at 40 KPH) We didn't really get too hot other than a few times that the bare legs stuck to the hot vinyl. (oooch) The truck had some scratches and some visible wear but it started everytime and ran relatively smoothly for having 96,000 kilometers on it.

The only glitch was that they couldn't find my paperwork when I returned the truck. They assured me all was ok and someone would find it.

We rented from Budget last year and we had a much newer vehicle with real ac but usually drove around with the windows down anyway. Paid a little more.

The only question I have is how many trips around the island does it take to put on 96,000 kilometers???

About 960, Jeff . Considering that our trucks are almost constantly underway, that's not unimaginable. Now is the time of year when we finally have time to give them a full service as it has become a little more quiet on the island. But rust is something you can never prevent on Bonaire, not with the wind and salt spray.

Marc, the truck we got was mechanically sound. I didn't mind the few dings on the truck, it actually helped me relax. I would be too uptight if it was perfect condition; would be afraid that I would be the one that put the first mark on it.

I just got back from a dive trip to Bonaire. I rented a small pickup at the airport and used it without any problems. When I returned the vehicle, I was told that the spare tire was missing and that it had been stolen. I was billed $146 for the tire. I was very upset about this charge since I had even purchased the add on insurance to cover accident liability. I was even more upset to find out the couple who was staying in an adjacent condo at Lion's Dive also had their spare tire stolen from their rental vehicle. Their car rental company was different from mine and they were charged $250. This I believe could end up becoming a nasty problem for Bonaire's tourist industry if it is not corrected by the local government or business. I believe that this sort of problem should have taken care of by the car rental company and not by the tourist.

Alan, welcome to the board and welcome to Bonaire. If you read your rental agreement closely you would find that minor items like glass, tires/rim, etc. are not covered and are therefore placed against your credit card. When I first started going to Bonaire we were of the opinion there was only 1-spare tire and 1-convertible top and they were just traded from car to car during the hours of darkness.

Those with more than one trip to Bonaire, or the lose of 1 spare tire, whichever comes first, have taken to bringing (or purchasing) a heavy-duty cable lock or in my case a chain with a Master padlock on each end, thus ensuring the presence of my spare when I turn the truck back in. The alternative is to lock your vehicile, however as glass is also NOT covered, you stand an excellent chance of losing twice.

On an island where the per capital income is less than you spend on a 7-day dive trip, a spare tire is considered a luxury item (sunglasses, beach blankets, cameras, etc. etc. also fall into the category) and is therefore "unfair game". The only consulation in this unfortunate affair is that you certainly ain't alone.

How about storing the spare tire in the hotel room and putting it back before turning it in. If you plan on going to the park then put it in the back and you have it you need it.

Personally I think that as soon as Jake gets a few more, he will be opening a spare tire replacement service. LOL

Aquaman

Barry, I assume you were being humorous cause that might just work if you were going to leave the vehicle in the parking lot. My flat tires are almost always on tne road rack from Rincon. That is just too far to walk back and get my spare.

Thanks for the info..I did check rental agreement and understand it's limitations. My point is that if spare tire theft is a known hazard then either we be warned about it or the rental agency place the cable lock themselves. Just as the stickers are placed on the dash warning divers to keep the windows down and leave the valuables locked back at the resort there should be additional warnings to this problem. If this is at least addressed then I and the other person I spoke to who had the same problem would not be leaving thinking there was something dishonest going on. Now that I think about it let's be compassionate and donate spare tires to Bonaire.

An employee at Buddy Dive suggested that I keep the spare tire in my room and buy a can of that stuff that is supposed to temporarily fix flats, and keep that in the truck.

FWIW I have been traveling to Bonaire for over 10 years now, never had a spare tire stolen, average a flat every 2 trips. I guess I am ahead of the game.

Alan, I think you were compassionate enough and have done your share of donating spare tires !!!

Edward, I have no faith in those cans of fix-a-flat, I usually slice a tire open on the coral to where the stuff would just ooze out no matter how much duct tape I use !!!

I gone the last three years and had no spare tires stolen and no flats... knock on wood

Aquaman

Barry you are seriously tempting the Fates !!!

I was thinking maybe I would just put the tire in the bed of the truck and cover it with cammo netting. That way when the person who thinks that I can spare a spare looks under the truck they will think that someone has beaten them to it.

Aquaman

I keep a chain with 2-Master locks on island..only problem so far is the locks tend to rust... next trip I will buy a can of WD-40

I think I will go the same route. Do you take the stuff with you or do you buy it on Bonaire?

I buy it all on Bonaire.. the 7/7 store out near Sand Dollar

C.

great idea...what do you chain the tire to? how long of a chain?

I brought a two foot hunk of chain with a lock that had a plastic coating and cap for the keyway. I was able to feed the chain through the tire and frame of the truck.

Quite frankly I had one H@!! of a time with the chain. If I would have brought a three foot chain it would have been much easier to rig.

Your mileage may vary.

I went with 3 foot length and did not spend the money on plastic.. With 2 locks I leave the tire in place, place one padlock through a lug nut hole, feed the other through the truck frame and lock the chain to itself. One key goes in the bc.. the 2nd key is in my buddies bc.. (just in case).

If somebody wants to cut the chain and tire free, good luck, they certainly need it far more than I.

I bring a combination lock, and enclose it in a baggie with a rubber band to keep the salt and dirt out, works swell so far.