Renting an Exotic Car

I must admit that I’ve been spoiled when it comes to driving top-end cars. As I’ve mentioned – oh, I don’t know, a hundred times before – I grew up in an auto industry family in Detroit. Because of that it seemed that nearly everyone that I knew, knew someone who knew someone that could get you access to just about any vehicle you wanted. And if you played your cards right you could even get a little track time with your dream car of the moment.

It was an amazing world to live in for a young man. Thank you 1980’s Detroit.

I actually drove a turbo charged 1988 Dodge Daytona through most of my college years due to the simple fact that it was the most affordable vehicle I could lease thanks to the connections that I had. I remember to this day that it only cost $156 a month, with insurance, to drive that vehicle when I was 19 years old. I’ll remember that car forever. It wasn’t world class but it was cool and, my God, it was fast.

But dreams change. Today I look at products from Lamborghini, Porsche, Astin Martin, and the legendary Bugatti Veyron with lustful eyes every time one of them appears on shows like Top Gear or in the pages of Car and Driver. Unfortunately my contacts in Detroit have long ago dried up and, more regrettably, my dreams seem to no longer reach to Detroit in any case but instead reach to Europe.

Just how much is it going to cost you to live out your super car fantasies even if it's just for one day?

So, is it possible for an average guy to be able to pull off access to some of these world-class super cars for at least a little while? Sure, but it won’t be cheap. You’re going to have to approach a luxury car rental service to find your dream car.

The first thing that you’re likely to find as you set about your search is that unless you live near a major metropolitan area, it’s going to be nearly impossible or amazingly expensive to gain local access to these hyper cars. So, point number one: Unless you are fortunate you’re probably going to find it more affordable to travel to your vehicle instead of having it travel to you.

Me? Well, I’m close enough to Miami that I have several vendors to choose from, but that’s just fate working in my favor, really. Look around, though. Depending on just what your dream car is, you might just have a local company that is willing and able to make your dreams come true.   But your best selection is going to come from major cities and luxury enclaves.

Point number two is that it’s going to cost you a significant chunk of change to live out your dream for a brief 24 hours compared to what you are used to spending for that airport rental car. Some quick surfing has yielded the following cars with their 24 hour rental prices:

• Bugatti Veyron = $25,000
• Ferrari Enzo = $11,000
• Porsche 911 GT3 = $1,000
• Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder = $2,000
• Aston Martin DB9 Volante = $1,500
• Saleen S7 = $3,250

And, again, this is assuming that you have already traveled to the vehicle of your choice, so that means probably adding some airfare and some appropriate room and board to your budget.  Also expect to have to have enough credit to be able to put down some seriously big deposits, pay to fill the beast with premium fuel, and likely pay some hefty fees for mileage to boot.

Someone is driving cars like this. Why not you?

And be sure to get all of the details up front on insurance costs. I personally would not want to have to call my insurance agent and explain why I suddenly need them to help me with a claim on a $1.8 million car that I totaled on the other side of the country.

Do your homework.

So, at the end of the day you need to decide if it’s all worth it. Is it really worth thousands of dollars to be able to say that you have in fact driven a Bugatti Veyron or a Lamborghini Gillardo on speed restricted roads? I say that if it’s truly your dream, if it’s really something that will stay with you for the rest of your life, and that you haven’t done anything ridiculous in order to be able to come up with the cash, then go for it.

As I’ve said many times before; we only get one trip on this ride called life. No one I’ve ever heard of has said, “I wish I’d lived my life more conservatively” while on their death bed. If you have the means and the desire, make your plans, enjoy the anticipation, and enjoy the ride.

Just make sure to set aside a little extra just in case local law enforcement doesn’t appreciate your “speed test” efforts as much as you do. Be smart. Be safe. Enjoy life.

Article photo of Ferrari provided by jonrawlinson
Article photo of Veyron provided by ScrapNancy
Front page article provided by J.Smith831