Best Car for Big Islans (Hilo, Waimea: extended stay, sales, how much) - Big Island - Hawaii (HI) -The Island of Hawaii - City-Data Forum

manamark · 12-28-2008, 07:45 AM

Aloha

Am looking for advice/opinions on the best type of car for the Big Island.

4x4?
2Wheel Drive?
Standard sedan?

Am making plans to either move permanently to Big Island or at least own home where I can have extended stays. Am looking to move to/near Leilani Estates but am not 100% sure yet which area (Puna, Keeau etc.) but am definatley going to choose Big Island.

So as far as a general car for everyday use what would you think is the best. How much driving does everyone do? Am an avid beach go-er and outdoor person and like getting out there.

I was tinkng about a Jeep or a Toyota FJ Cruiser... any thoughts, comments and experiences are welcomed!

ManaMark

hotzcatz · 12-28-2008, 10:19 AM

Folks do drive a lot because there aren't many other options, so gas mileage is really important. At the moment gas prices are down, but they aren't going to stay that way. A roof rack on whatever you get will allow you to carry kayaks and stuff easily.

We usually have two vehicles although one of them doesn't get driven much at all. One vehicle is always a 4WD so we can get to some of our friends' houses which are off in the back beyond. The other vehicle is usually good for carrying cargo and passengers since we are always moving people and things around. Sometimes we have a 4WD pickup, at the moment the 4WD is a small Suzuki SUV 4WD although that is going to be replaced with a Subaru station wagon 4WD pretty soon. The other vehicle is a ratty Dodge van, with gets pretty good gas mileage for it's size and it can hold a lot of stuff.

We always get a vehicle that has a lot of the same ones around so if we need parts they will be available from a junkyard. Oh, they are "salvage" yards these days, aren't they? Used cars are probably the best since nobody is impressed with new ones anyways. You can park an old '50's pickup next to a Ferrari and the pickup will get more attention.

If it were me, I'd be tempted to get something really small that gets really good gas mileage. Some of the old Honda Accords used to get 35 mpg and that was before the "hybrids" were around. Anyway, something small and then put a trailer hitch on it to tow a small trailer with an ATV on it. Then you can go holoholo anywhere pretty cheap so you can go all the time.

Check Craig's List to see what's available and get something dependable with parts available on island.

leilaniguy · 12-28-2008, 02:43 PM

Lots of folks in my neighborhood have small pickups. I do. We're always hauling something, propane, water, cinders, plants, lumber. With Puna's cinder & rocky roads 4WD isn't as important as high ground clearance, especially in really wet weather like we're having now.

manamark · 12-30-2008, 10:21 AM

LeilaniGuy and HotzCats
Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

I was looking to bring over my Volvo XC Wagon it has All wheel drive and decent height clearance.

Also wanted to bring over my FJ Cruiser, that will get me to just about anywhere I'll need to go I guess. I just wasn't sre if I needed a truck so I may reconsider getting something over there as well.

LeilaniGuy: You live in Leilani Estates? That is a neighborhood I am interested in looking for a place. How long have you lived there?

HotzCatz: Where on Big Island are you?

Am looking to move late 2009 early 2010 and go back and forth from CA to Hawaii. I have started an online orchid business and will have a base in Hawaii and CA

Thanks Again!

hotzcatz · 12-30-2008, 12:27 PM

If you are doing orchids, Hilo side is the place to be. Are these orchid plants or cut orchids? We have a few around here but they mostly just live in the trees in the yard. Sometimes when they bloom we bring them inside otherwise we ignore them and they seem happy enough in the ohia.

I'm halfway between Hilo and Waimea and sort of around the corner from Carmela Orchids if that helps any.

leilaniguy · 12-30-2008, 04:14 PM

I've been in Leilani since 1999. I'm at the top, in the old growth rainforest.

kani-lehua · 12-30-2008, 10:36 PM

yep. we made to puna on the 18th and finally got internet service and satellite tv. geez there's a waiting period for all these things including a land line. so if you're thinking of moving, try to set up your utilities before you get here.

with that thought, out next vehicle will definitely be something in the 4wd or pickup variety. our vw passat is great on PAVED roads, but to travel 1.4 miles on our gravel road, it takes app. 10 minutes. hm? a horse and carriage?

manamark · 12-31-2008, 02:46 PM

Appreciate the feedback.

Yes Hotzcatz I will be on the Hilo side for the orchid biz. The biz will be live orchid plant sales online. Can't wait!

Leilaniguy: How does Leilani compare to Puna or HPP or Hilo etc.?

Mark

leilaniguy · 12-31-2008, 03:13 PM

Hi Mark. You've never been here, have you? Puna is the entire southeast part of the island. Leilani is in Puna, so is HPP. Leilani is wetter, farther from Hilo than HPP. Hilo is the closest thing to a city on B.I. It's just north of the Puna district.

hotzcatz · 12-31-2008, 07:45 PM

Hilo isn't much of a city but it's a great town. Bit damp around the edges generally but that makes for great green growies.

Are you growing the orchids yourself or will you be needing to buy orchids to sell? I have some friend who grow and sell them, too. They buy orchids, too, although they don't tissue culture them. Carmela does tissue culture and they have what looks like five acres of orchids at one of their locations.