FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
So many cars! So many questions! You are not alone. Here is a list of our most Frequently Asked Questions to help navigate your Speedster rental. Can't find your question on our list? Just give us a call at 808-339-6204 and we'll answer your question in person. And if it's a really good one, we might even add it here!
Insurance questions? Check out the Insurance Requirements page.
What rental options do you offer? Our most popular options are our full day rental (up to 12 hours between 8am and 8pm) and a half day rental (up to 6 hours between 8am and 8pm). We can accommodate shorter rentals of up to 4 hours, but those are usually reserved for weddings, or a quick drive to lunch or dinner. Overnight or multiple day rentals are available under certain conditions. We also offer a non-driving option with a 2h rental which is often used for photoshoots. To truly enjoy our Speedsters and experience Maui we recommend a 6 or 12-hour rental so you are not constantly checking the time. You can book 6-hour and 12-hour rentals online but you must contact us at 808-339-6204 for the other options.
How much are your rentals? You can find our full list of rental options with matching prices on the Rates page.
Where are you located? Our garage is centrally located at 122 Kio Loop in Kihei just a few blocks from Safeway. Parking is available on the street.
Do I have to pick up the car at your garage or do you deliver? We offer delivery service pretty much anywhere on the island for an extra charge. See our Rates page for more details. Delivery to South Maui area (Kihei, Wailea, Makena) can be booked directly online along with a full day or 1/2 day rental. For delivery to other locations on Maui, please call 808-339-6204 to discuss.
Can I keep the car overnight? As our convertible tops are water-resistant, not waterproof, and our Speedsters do not lock or have side windows, we only allow overnight rentals if you have secured, covered parking to keep it in. Please call us to discuss this arrangement.
I want a specific Speedster but your website shows it's not available at all next week? Sometimes cars are rented every day and sometimes they are taken out of our fleet for maintenance. Give us a call to see if the car you want may become available during your particular period.
Are additional drivers allowed? Yes! There is no charge for one additional driver, further additonal drivers can be added for an extra $75 per driver per rental. All drivers must be 25 years or older with a personal automobile insurance policy and present a valid driver’s license.
What are your rental requirements? Each driver must:
Will you place a hold on my credit card? No, but we do keep your credit card on file for incidentals (ex. if the car is returned damaged, if you want to keep the car for additional hours, if the car is returned with less than a full tank of gas, etc.).
Do you have a cancellation policy? Yes, at least 72 hours written notice (email is best) for a full refund minus a 5% administration fee for rentals up to 12 hours. Cancellations within 72 hours of your reservation are non-refundable. No refunds will be given if the Speedster is returned early or if you are not able to meet our requirements at the time of rental (ex. drive a manual transmission car proficiently, provide a valid driver's license or proof of insurance, etc).
I have a full day planned. How long will it take to get me on my way? For the check-in process, we will give you an orientation on the Speedster, complete the rental agreement, and conduct a vehicle walk-around. Maui Roadsters will provide a full description of the car functionality and will answer any questions you may have about the Speedster or your Maui adventure. We'll also provide you with a map and detailed information about the route you choose. This orientation process normally takes about 15-20 minutes depending on your paperwork and questions, so be sure to arrive 15 minutes early and have all your documentation ready to help us get you on your way.
Is your 8:00pm return time firm? Yes it is, as we need time to service and get the car ready for the next day. Please let us know if you will be late returning your car (or picking up your car). We allow a 15-minute grace period for late rentals but there will be a $50 per hour charge for anything beyond that. If you need to return the car later than 8pm, you will need to make prior arrangements with us and will be charged accordingly.
Are these original Porsche Speedsters? No, Maui Roadsters features a fleet of four professional reproductions of the 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster convertible, one of the most iconic cars in automotive history. Each car has a custom fiberglass body over a VW chassis with a flat four aircooled dual carb engine. Less than 5000 original Speedsters were built and now sell for $300,000 or more. It would be very difficult to insure as rental cars! We have had several customers that own original Speedsters but won't drive them anymore so they rent our reproductions instead.
How fast can the cars go? The highest speed limit on Maui is 55mph in a couple of areas, but most of the island is a pleasant cruising speed of 20-45mph. Like the bumper stickers say, “Slow down, this ain’t the mainland!”
Are all the cars manual transmission? Yes, like the original 1957 Speedsters, our cars are a classic driving experience with 4-speed manual transmissions. All drivers on the rental agreement must be able to drive a manual stick shift proficiently. Ideally you should own a manual car or drive one frequently so that you are skillful in various types of traffic, stopping and starting on hills, parking, reversing, etc. If you are not comfortable driving a stick shift or it has been several years since you have driven one, our Speedsters are not suitable for a "refresher" course. During the check-in process, if we feel you are not able to operate the car skillfully, your reservation will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund. This policy is in place to protect you, our Speedsters, and others.
Do the cars hold more than 2 people? No, our Speedsters are strict 2-seaters.
Will my child fit in the back seat? No, there is no back seat, just a small bench for baggage. It does not have seatbelts (or legroom) and it is illegal to sit there.
Are there any height or weight restrictions for renters? Our cars are fairly roomy inside and have accommodated drivers up to 6’5” (195 cm). Lani (ivory) is not suitable for drivers over 6'2" (188cm).
Can I drive the Road to Hana? Yes, the Road to Hana is the most popular drive on Maui and the breathtaking and legendary 52-mile route is fully paved with facilities along the way. Our Speedsters handle the 620 curves with ease while offering magnificent views. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the smell of the sea, and the roar of the engine will engage all your senses and elevate your trip to an unforgettable driving experience. The Road to Hana is all about the journey, not the destination, so plan to devote at least 9-10 hours for driving and stopping at the many waterfalls, scenic overlooks, beaches, roadside stands, etc. We'll provide a map marked with our favorite stops along the way as well as timing to help you maximize your day.
You don't get waterfalls, rainbows and lush jungles without rain, so be prepared to put up the convertible top for sudden showers. Aim to be back in Paia before sunset, as all those twists, turns, drop-offs, and one-lane bridges are a hair-raising experience in the dark. You'll need to leave Hana by 4PM in the winter and 5PM in the summer as that side of Maui gets darker earlier. If you're returning from the Seven Sacred Pools/Oheo Gulch in Kipahulu, allow an additional 40-45 minutes. Due to poor road conditions and the low clearance of our Speedsters, you are not permitted to drive the "back road" to Hana between the Seven Sacred Pools/Oheo Gulch and Ulupalakua Ranch/Maui's Winery. Please note: Lani, our ivory Speedster, is not permitted to drive the Road to Hana because of her larger banjo steering wheel and slimmer tires.
Can I drive to the top of Haleakala? Unfortunately, no. Our Speedsters are carbureted and are calibrated for sea level. The top of Haleakala is just over 10,000 feet, so our Speedsters perform poorly at that altitude and might not restart in the thin air. Plus our Speedsters are not heated and the top of Haleakala is typically 30 degrees colder than sea level, occasionally getting snow in winter. We allow our Speedsters to go only as far as the start of Crater Road (the road to the summit of Haleakala) and we have driving routes along the lower slopes of Haleakala that will reward you with magnificent views, fun winding roads and lots of points of interest along the way.
Driving restrictions - Are there any places I can’t drive the cars? While most of Maui offers safe and easily accessible roads, there are a few areas where our cars are not permitted to go due to unsafe or poor road conditions:
Offroad, unpaved or unimproved roads (including gravel, dirt, fields, poorly maintained roads with potholes, ruts, etc.)
The “back road to Hana” between the Seven Sacred Pools/Oheo Gulch and Ulupalakua
Past the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm on Waipoli Road in Upcountry Maui
On Crater Road (to the summit of Haleakala)
Through the lava fields to La Perouse Bay (South Maui past Makena)
Between the Nakalele Blow Hole and the Turnbull Gallery (Highways 340/30) in West Maui (Kahakuloa area) - driver and weather dependent
Our Speedsters are equipped with GPS-trackers. Violation of the driving restrictions will incur a non-negotiable $300 MINIMUM charge.
How far can I go on a single tank of gas? Our Speedsters get 130-150 miles on their small (8-gallon) tank of gas. If you drive to Hana and back (about 120-130 miles) you will want to put a couple of gallons in at Hana Town (definitely if you are driving beyond to Seven Sacred Pool/Oheo Gulch). You should start looking for gas when the odometer hits 100 miles as stations can be spread out. Our Speedsters take premium gas only.
What type of gas does it require? Our Speedsters take premium gas only.
Do I have to refill at the end of the rental? You can elect to prepay for gas, so you don't have to refill prior to returning the Speedster or you can refill yourself. If you refill yourself, please make sure to do so close by to the returning location. If you don't refill the tank fully, we charge $20 plus the cost of gas to fill the tank, up to the current prepaid gas option amount.
Is it ok to leave the car unattended? Yes, just remember to take the key and any valuables you have with you as the car and trunk do not lock.
How much room is in the trunk? Trunk space is very limited. There’s enough room for a small beach bag and towels.
Will you show me how to use the convertible top? Your confirmation email will have a link to an orientation movie demonstrating how to operate the top. Should you have any questions or want a live demonstration, we will be to show you at the time of the rental.
How protective is the roof? It’s a manual convertible top that is water-resistant but not waterproof for extended periods of time. Our Speedsters do not have side windows so in the case of heavy rain, you will most likely get wet even with the top up.
What if it’s raining the day of my rental? Rainy days are few and far between in South and West Maui. Sudden showers are common on the way to Hana or in Upcountry Maui. Rain is often localized so it could be sunny just a couple of miles down the road. Our cars are equipped with weather-resistant convertible tops, but they are not suited for heavy rain. In the event of severe weather island-wide we will do our best to reschedule your rental if a car is available or issue a refund if one is not. Unfortunately, we are not able to refund your rental due to bad weather or conditions in a specific area (e.g. Hana) if the weather is good elsewhere.
Can I rent a Speedster with a driver? No, we are not licensed as a passenger carrier, so you must drive the car yourself or add another driver to your contract. Please note our Speedsters only seat two. We offer a 2 hour rental option which works well for photoshoots for instance. With this option, we deliver the Speedster to your desired location and stay with you for the duration of the rental, moving the Speedster to different locations as directed by you or the photographer. You would not be driving the Speedster yourself.
I want to surprise my spouse with a Speedster for their birthday. Does my spouse have to be with me or can I pick it up? All drivers must be physically present at the time of the rental with their driver's license and a credit card to receive the orientation and to sign the rental agreement. You are not permitted to pick up the Speedster for somebody else to drive. We will need proof of personal automobile insurance (not commercial, business, fleet, motorcycle, etc.) for all drivers emailed to us at least 72 hours prior to the rental. We love surprises and are happy to help you plan yours any way we can so please contact us in advance so we can help you iron out the details.
I’m getting married on Maui next year. How early should I reserve a car? It is best to reserve the specific car that you want on a specific date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Lani, our ivory “wedding” car with white wall tires, is often booked a year or more in advance.
Can I stop by and check out the cars before I rent? Yes, of course. All rentals and showings are by appointment only, so please call ahead (808-339-6204) to schedule a time to view our Speedsters.