What kind of car to rent....

[SKY]

Buy a can of the gas that you put in a flat tire so you can drive far enough to get it fixed. They sell them here. Much better than changing a flat in the middle of nowhere.

[sweetdbt]

Originally Posted by SKY

Buy a can of the gas that you put in a flat tire so you can drive far enough to get it fixed. They sell them here. Much better than changing a flat in the middle of nowhere.

Not a bad idea, although to me, changing a tire is no big deal for a reasonably able-bodied person with half the sense God gave them. Gomerias (places that repair/sell tires) are everywhere (I can't imagine why ) Unfortunately, some know what they are doing and others don't.

[laurapasinifan]

I agree with Robert, but I understand Hillbillies MESSAGE...there are some unforseen pitfalls to renting.

I have rented a car in the DR on 22 different trips so far. I have not got into an accident yet with another vehicle, but I have hits a horse and a few dogs. and I have come very close to getting scraped. It is a precariously balanced judment decision when you decide to play chicken with another driver. You have to look at his vehicle and assertain if he might give way or not. The vehicle he drives says a lot about the extent of how pompous he might be. Thus the chance he will give way.
One pitfall is the outrageous small print(if there is print at all) when it comes to bringing back a damaged vehicle to the rental company.
If you are in an accident, if you get a certain mentailty of Dominican in the other vehicle and he senses your weakness....he will try to take advantage of you. And there in comes the police and a trip to the station maybe that hillbilly talks about. I have seen accident EVERY day that I have driven in the DR...believe it or not, it is true....especially with motorcylces.
If you rent , try to just stay out of the cities. Park your car somelace and take the taxi locally. You should be just fine traveling on longer trips. There is less congestion and more room to avoid problems. You dont need great spanish. People see the issue at hand and they understand italian( hand waving). One rule you need to not forget is to let the motorcycles know you are passing them EVERY time...it is part of the system..they might JUST turn at any time... go buy a new set of wiper blades as soon as you get the vehicle...it will be a great deal once you have to drive at night in the rain.....

good luck

bob

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by laurapasinifan

go buy a new set of wiper blades as soon as you get the vehicle...it will be a great deal once you have to drive at night in the rain.....

good luck

bob

Excellent advice.

Dominicans must think wiper blades need to be changed when the tires are.