There are as many good answers as there are people on this board.  My favorite is the Samurai -- to me it's just part of the experience.  But it has its drawbacks:  unless you actually know how to drive a manual transmission you will have some problems on the hills.  Automatic is easier than manual for the hills.  A/C is also a personal choice.  It does feel good when you are hot and sweaty from the hike back from Saline.  But for us it's all a part of SBH -- the cheap little Samurai is our choice.  But that's just my opinion.

Manual is absolutely not necessary.  As I mentioned, automatic really is easier in the hills.  The temperatures are very close to the same both night and day.  Not more than a few degrees different.  I just checked on Wunderground and the temps this week are predicted to be high of 84 F. (29 C.) each day and low of 80 F. (27 C.) each night.  You will find it very similar in April.

automatic, autuomatic, automatic!! My husband and I have loved the Suzuki Samurai convertible every year except for the first year when we rented a mini-moke. The mini-moke was a manual, and our experience was that we drove more tentatively because of all the terrains. The Samurai affords the sporty ride without the stress; and we always get airconditioned because when we walk back to the car from the beach (re: Saline) we anticipate the cool ride back to the hotel----even with the top down.

This is great! It's funny how something as "boring" as a rental car can turn out to be such an integral part of the SBH experience! Now, more than ever, I am getting excited to be initiated into this land of paradise. I ended up renting the first car (can't remember the name, but with auto and air), but may end up changing my mind before all is said and done. We'll see. In the meantime, it's definitely entertaining AND educational to read everyone's opinions. Thanks!

I think you've "got it."

definitly "the moke" !!

Daihatsu Terios

Permanent 4 x 4, power steering, traction control, ABS, narrow profile, terrific turning circle.

Can't work out why I don't own one.

While one may consider sliding backwards down the hill in Camaruche, after a fresh downpour, desperately trying to get thing into four wheel drive and stalling, while a line of traffic builds up behind you and starts honking, then trying a twelve point turn in the middle of the road in the face of oncoming traffic "authentic St Barts", I would go for the permanent 4x4 with automatic traction control every time.