Elite Auto Rental Blog

The economic downturn has been hard on some businesses and disastrous for others, but Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental business, says his business has seen a less than 10 percent profit reduction this year.  However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make a profit in the business of exotic car rental.

Sturgeon explained to the Star-Telegram that operating costs can be pretty significant for an exotic car rental business.  The initial purchase cost of an exotic vehicle is the first hurdle, with many cars costing in the six figure range.  Then there’s maintenance.

“A scraped wheel can be a couple of thousand on one of these cars,” Sturgeon said.

But for Sturgeon, the business is also a pleasure.  He loves exotic vehicles, especially the Bentley Continental GT.  For auto enthusiasts, getting behind the wheel of a Bentley can be a dream come true.

“Cars have been my whole life,” Sturgeon said. “It’s probably 90 percent of my fun and less than 10 percent of my business.”

Sturgeon’s Dallas exotic car rental business is unusual in that they own all of their exotic vehicles.  For most exotic car rental companies, the exotic car inventory is largely borrowed.  Owning the vehicles give Sturgeon an edge when it comes to making sure vehicles are available and well maintained.

Surprisingly, the Dallas exotic car rental business hasn’t taken a lot of economic hits.  Sturgeon said they have lost one Lamborghini when it was totaled, but otherwise, the cars are returned in good shape.  The engines in the exotic vehicles can be disabled remotely, and speed reports are also available.

For exotic car enthusiasts, exotic car rental can be a great deal.  When an oil change alone can cost $1200, a couple of days of exotic car rental don’t seem all that expensive.  In general, the cost of maintaining and insuring exotic cars can be astronomical, and for many people it just makes more sense to rent a Lamborghini.

Sturgeon’s company also features automotive dream tours in DFW and throughout Texas.  Participants in these tours can drive a Lamborghini and several other exotic cars over some of the most beautiful back roads in Tarrant County.  And a price tag about $1200 is pretty reasonable for the chance to drive several exotic vehicles.

“I think the price is good,” said Sturgeon.  “Everybody is always just blown away by how much fun it is. It’s quite a treat.”

Many people may not be aware of the alternatives to owning an exotic car.  It’s a dream that just seems out of reach for many people, but Sturgeon is in the business of making that dream come true.

“I don’t think people think we exist,” he said.  “I just don’t think the average person knows you can rent a Ferrari in Dallas.”

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

It’s not always easy to figure out a good father day gift.  Most dads really aren’t all that keen on receiving ties or new dress shirts.  After all, there’s a lot more to today’s fathers than the classic role of provider for the family.

Why not use your father’s hobbies as a clue?  Is he an exotic car enthusiast?  Does he dream of driving a Lamborghini?  If so, exotic car rental might be the perfect Father’s Day gift.

A good Father’s Day gift helps you show your father how much you love him and appreciate him as a parent.  One of the best ways to do that is to show him that you listen to him and know him well.  If your dad spends a lot of time talking about exotic vehicles, your best choice could be exotic car rental.

Other great Father’s Day gift ideas include the following:

• Father’s Day Gift Idea #1:  A fun gadget like a GPS navigator, cell phone, or MP3 player. If your dad is a technology geek, he’ll love something along those lines.  Take stock of what he has and ask around for ideas about what kind of gadget he might need.
• Father’s Day Gift Idea #2:  A gift certificate for a nice dinner. This could be a great idea for the dad who loves to cook and loves good food.  There are lots of great Dallas restaurants, but it’s a good idea to make a reservation as soon as possible.
• Father’s Day Gift Idea #3:  An automotive dream tour. Dream tours are perfect for dads who love exotic cars and would enjoy driving several cars in one day.  If your dad enjoys exotic car rental, this could be the ultimate Father’s Day gift.
• Father’s Day Gift Idea #4:  Gear for his favorite hobby. This could be a special fishing pole, some disc golf equipment, or whatever supplies your dad could use to participate in his favorite hobby.
• Father’s Day Gift Idea #5:  Grilling equipment. A lot of dads love to grill.  Why not encourage your dad to make an even better hamburger with a new grilling cookbook or grill tools.

Whatever you choose as a Father’s Day gift, make sure it represents what you dad really enjoys.  Father’s Day is June 21, so there are only a few more shopping days left!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

So you have a date and you want to make the evening special.  How do you stand out from the crowd while still remaining true to yourself?  Planning the perfect night out in Dallas is as simple as a great pizza and exotic car rental.

(Photo courtesy of Adam Hicks - Fort Worth, TX. All rights reserved.)

Renting an exotic car gives you a chance to show your date a really good time.  After all, it’s not everyone who picks up a date in a Lamborghini.  If your date is an exotic car enthusiast, exotic car rental will ensure that you show off your good taste and fabulous style.

Exotic car rental is easy.  Your chosen vehicle can even be dropped off at DFW International Airport or your hotel room.  And exotic car rental is a great way to add a little something extra to an already wonderful evening.

For dinner, many Dallas residents recommend Louie’s.  Louie’s is well known for its thin crust pizza, which is topped with a variety of meats and vegetables and Louie’s famous pizza sauce.  You can also get drinks here, although there are no beers on tap.

Locals recommend the meatballs as a starter.  Noted for their excellent flavor and dense texture, the meatballs are served with marinara sauce.  Family-style salads are also a great pick.

Louie’s is a local favorite and has been featured on the Food Network as well.  Dallas residents report that it makes a great first date restaurant, especially if you’re going for a casual, comfortable atmosphere.

What if renting a Lamborghini isn’t your style?  Lamborghini rental isn’t the only way to go.  You can also rent a luxury car like a Mercedes S550.  There’s even a Bentley Continental available for rent!  Finding the right car is almost as important as finding the right date.

So you’ve go your dream date, and your driving your dream car.  You’ve had pizza at Louie’s.  Now you’re off to a great start and can take your date to a movie, a show, or any of the great cultural events happening in Dallas.

Just remember that if you’re going to Louie’s, you need to bring cash.  The restaurant doesn’t accept Visa and Mastercard, and there’s nothing more embarrassing than having to dash out to an ATM in the middle of dinner!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

A very important exotic car is scheduled to go up for auction this Friday.  An extremely rare 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe is expected to smash auto auction records when it is put on the block at the 22nd annual Dana Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis.

(Shelby image from AutoFiends.)

The car is one of only six made that year and was built by Carroll Shelby in order to provide competition to the Ferrari in the GT race class.  On July 4, 1965, that goal was achieved when the car won the 1965 FIA World Manufacturer’s Championship for Shelby American.  The car was driven that day by Bob Bondurant, and the race took place in Reims, France.

Exotic car enthusiasts are closely watching the auction of the car, which is expected to fetch something in the neighborhood of $15 million.  The vehicle, which has the best racing record of all Shelby Daytona Coupes, is a highly-prized part of American automotive history.  Mecum Auctions declares that the exotic car embodies the “American competitive spirit of victory against overwhelming odds.”

Owning a piece of racing history may not be a reality for most of us, but we can still drive an exotic vehicle.  Renting an exotic car is a fun and easy way to experience the thrill of the road without the hassle and expense of ownership.  You can rent a convertible in Dallas, drive a Lamborghini in Fort Worth, or just explore West Texas in a luxury car.

(Dallas Bentley rental photo courtesy of DFW Elite Auto Rental. Photo by Josh Davis of Fort Worth, TX. All rights reserved.)

Another great option for exotic car fans is joining an exotic car club.  Rather than buying an exotic car that you only drive occasionally, you can have access to an entire garage of exotic vehicles.  If you need to drive a Mercedes to impress a client but want to drive a Bentley Continental for the weekend, an exotic car sharing club might be the perfect option for you.

Besides making automotive history, the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was featured in the Howard Hawkes movies “Redline 7000.”  The car has been fully restored and is decked out in its Reims livery, all set to be the showpiece of some lucky (and wealthy) person’s exotic car collection.

If you’re going to be in Indianapolis this week, the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe goes up for auction at 8:05 pm on Friday.  HT to the guys at AutoFiends.com.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance web content writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

If you’re much more interested in Indy 500 qualifying than in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, you’ll be right at home with the other fans of high octane driving who visit DFW Elite Auto Rental blog.

For the record, two time winner Helio Castroneves has the pole for this year’s Indy 500 race. This year’s Indy pace car will be a 2010 Chevy Camaro.

(Indy Pace Car Photo via Autoblog.)

If you’re not going to make it to the Indy 500 to be a part of the festivities, you can still get out on the open road and experience the best exotic car driving experience in Texas!

Where else can you unleash a 520 HP Lamborghini Gallardo on long stretches of gloriously deserted Texas roadway!

The half-day DFW Drive Your Dream tour will put you at the controls of this low slung Lamborghini Coupe, a Ferrari 360, a Dodge Viper SRT-10 and a bright red 2009 Audi R8…

Just like this one.

(Audi R8 photo by Josh Davis of Fort Worth-based Josh Davis Photography. All rights reserved.)

Just kidding fellas – actually it is this one!

If you’ve always wanted to check out the R8, why not drive it and five other performance cars as part of a 2000HP Supercar DrivingTour!

If you and Pops share an affinity for cars, do it together and save 20% on the second ticket. Tour dates are available in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Tickets for the driving experience cost only $695.00.

It’s a DFW Father’s Day gift he’ll never forget and never stop talking about and thanking you for. Call 214.247.4700 make an exotic car driving tour reservation.

Post written by exotic car driving fan Eric Anderson. Eric’s recent projects have included content for a Tampa English Tutor blog and a Dallas TX supercar rental website a

I thought Ford was a little bonkers when they made fibers for car seats out of soybeans, but those crazy cats at Warwick University in Merry Old England have done Ford one better. The project is the work of three brilliant engineers at Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Center. Rumor has it that if you find the golden ticket, you can get a tour of the factory where this exotic car was made.

(Photo Credit World First Racing)

They’ve managed to build a Formula 3 race car that runs on chocolate. “The dark chocolate is way better than milk chocolate as a fuel. But you have to be really careful not to accidentally use Hershey with almonds,” said a source close to the project.

(Ferrari F430 photo by Josh Davis, Fort Worth exotic car photographer. All rights reserved.)

“We had mishap with Hershey with almonds that ruined the fuel injection system on the racer and set us back several months,” stated the eco-racer’s design chief. Damn the interns.

Exotic Car in Chocolate Makes UK Sun

According to the U.K. Sun, the car has a steering wheel made of carrot fibers, a body made of potatoes and seat foam made of soybeans. Supposedly, it’s very healthy to drive. The chocolate exhaust fumes are not only carbon neutral but they also leave a deliciously tasty scent behind. The car can do 145 miles per hour and the developers would like to see their eco-friendly car and some of its technologies adopted by leading racing teams such as Ferrari and McLaren. I think they might have better luck looking for sponsors at Droste or Mars or Hershey or even Haagen-Dasz.

If you’ve been good and eaten all your vegetables, why not reward yourself with something a bit more sensible? How about renting something capable of 145 miles per hour that isn’t made out of your favorite characters from the Veggie Tales…

Dallas Exotic Car Rental: A Reward for Eating All Your Veggies

Check out a bevy of mouthwatering performance rentals from Platinum Exotics, a terrific Dallas, TX supercar rental company…  Sure you can’t eat carbon fiber side blades, but renting an red Audi R8 in Dallas TX is a hellava lot more appetizing that a spin in the latest eco racer…

This post written by web content writer Eric Anderson. See more of this web writer’s work at PDQWebCopywriting.com. Eric’s recent web writing projects include content for a Montana custom vehicle wraps company and a Tampa mortgage broker and a web page about Dallas Ferrari rentals.

As Chrysler, one of the struggling “Big Three” US automakers, deals with the public relations fallout of filing for bankruptcy, it hopes to win back wary car buyers with sales incentives.  The program of incentives is also designed to reduce the car maker’s vast inventory of unsold vehicles.

Exotic car fans are closely watching the dealings of Chrysler, as rumors circulate about the American automaker’s alliance with Italian carmaker Fiat.  Fiat owns both Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

For Chrysler, survival will likely take more than the deal with Fiat.  After filing for bankruptcy protection last Thursday, Chrysler has a lot to prove.  Automobile consumers are nervous about purchasing Chrysler products and concerned that failure of the company might mean bad things for warranties.

Newly designed ads for Chrysler cars stress that warranties are guaranteed by the United States government.  Sales incentives are designed to allay consumers’ fears and give the ailing corporation a shot in the arm.

The total savings for some cars could be as much as $6,000, and individual dealers are slashing profit margins to provide additional savings.  Dealers are desperate to keep the car maker viable and report that consumers are extremely concerned about the future of the company.

For many of our readers, the saddest news from Chrysler was the demise of the Dodge Viper. If you’re missing the Viper, why not rent a Viper in Dallas from DFW Elite Auto Rental.

For exotic car fans, it can make more sense to rent an exotic vehicle, rather than hassle with the many inconveniences and worries that come with ownership.  With exotic car rental, there’s no worrying about whether the automaker will honor warranties.

Exotic car sharing clubs are another great way to drive your dream car without shelling out the cash to buy it.  Besides the high initial purchase price of most exotic cars, there’s also the challenge of finding secure, climate-controlled exotic car storage, the expense of maintenance, and the high cost of insuring an exotic vehicle.

(Dallas Bentley Rental photo courtesy of DFW Elite Auto Rental, the premier exotic car rental agency in DFW. Photo by photographer Josh Davis.)

There’s also a lot less commitment when you rent an exotic car or join an exotic car sharing club.  You can rent a convertible for the weekend and don’t have to worry about owning it for the next several years.  For recession-conscious consumers, this lack of commitment can be of great value.

Consumers’ concern about committing to an auto purchase has made this a tough year for automakers.  Most people are rethinking the idea of taking out large auto loans and are focusing on finding fuel-efficient cars.  Chrysler is redesigning its product line to appeal to consumers who want smaller cars with good gas mileage.

The incentives may help.  In the past, incentives have been a helpful tool in increasing auto sales, and Chrysler hopes that significant savings will draw consumers in.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

The GM of the Baltimore Maserati dealership, Jack Davis, has a sweetheart of a deal for the parents of area children. The offer to area kids: “Make the honor roll, bring in your report cars to show us, and I’ll personally take you out for a hot lap ride in a Lamborghini or Maserati as a reward for your efforts.”

The deal has been going since January 2008 according to a fine article on the offer by Kae Davis of Examiner.com.

The business has been open to students of all backgrounds who want to nurture a love of motorsports and exotic cars. According to the Examiner article, “Some students have volunteered as assistants at shows, others have spent the day in and around the store.”

Having recently been a part of the local bring your child to work program, I believe that such programs can give valuable guidance to students about the world of work. As the parent of an almost 16-year-old, I know how academically motivating the car keys can be for an older student.

Photo by Ex-Fordy Brian Snelson. Image Licensed under Creative Commons. See more of Brian’s photographs in his Flickr photostream.)

The Lamborghini that captured my imagination as a youngster was the Countach and I certainly would have worked a lot harder in school if a ride in a Lamborghini Countach was hanging in the balance.

I am sure that the promise of a drive in a dream car would be a marvelous reward for making the honor roll.

At a time when it’s not fashionable to show the connection between hard work, success, and the finer things in life–including exotic cars–I applaud Maserati of Baltimore for offering this program of rewards for students.

Giving young people a taste of how business works, rewarding excellence, and mentoring achievers–Maserati of Baltimore is on to something good. Parents interested in using a dream car drive to motivate their student can contact Jack Davis at maseratifans@gmail.com. The dream ride program is also open to less academically-oriented students who achieve a significant personal goal.

If you’re a bit passed being a student, but want to reward yourself with a drive in a Lamborghini, check out a Dallas Lamborghini Gallardo Rental from PlatinumExotics.com. You can find an exotic car rental company in your home city using an online directory such as rentexoticcars.net.

It’s hard to think of a better way to get kids excited about exotic cars than what they have going at Maserati of Baltimore.

Post written by freelance web copywriter Eric Anderson. Eric’s recent projects have included content for a Conrad, Montana, custom auto graphics company and a Dallas exotic car rental blog microsite.

The market for exotic cars has been hard hit by the current economic crisis, and the same is true for regular cars. Chrysler, which has been ailing for several years, recently allied itself with Italian automaker Fiat in the hopes that the combined forces of both carmakers will bring Chrysler back into the black.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Chrysler and Fiat must quickly produce a new line of vehicles. The first of these cars are expected to reach showrooms in the early part of 2010, but most of the new designs will begin appearing in 2011. The focus of these vehicles will be on fuel efficiency.

(Fiat 500 photo by British classic car fan Dave7. See more of Dave’s photos in his Flickr photostream. Fiat 500 image licensed under Creative Commons.)

Fiat is known for its retro styling and its 500 minicar. Its famous Alfa Romeo exotic cars may also begin shipping in 2010. For fans of exotic automobiles, this is great news.

While the new models of the Alfa Romeo may not be available for almost a year, exotic car lovers are still finding ways to drive their dream cars. Exotic car rental, exotic car sharing clubs, and automotive dream tours are all great ways to experience the thrill of driving an elite automobile. All three options avoid the hassle and expense of owning an exotic vehicle.

In addition to the high MSRP of most exotic cars, there are several other associated expenses. Maintenance of an exotic vehicle must be performed by fully qualified mechanics who know about the car, and insuring an exotic vehicle can be costly. In addition, many exotic car owners struggle to find secure storage for exotic vehicles.

For Chrysler, the salvation it’s looking for is more likely to come from the compact cars than the Alfa Romeo. Americans are more interested than ever in fuel economy, and as the global economic crisis continues, the initial purchase price is also important. People want to know that they aren’t paying too much for their cars.

Rather than importing the cars from Europe, Chrysler expects to convert many of its current North American plants to produce the new models. Those models produced here are expected to begin rolling out of factories in 2011, and the auto industry workers will be glad to see the new production.

Michigan, which was once the center of the auto industry, has the highest unemployment rate in the country. 12.6 percent of Michigan workers are currently unemployed.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance web content writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

DFW Elite Auto Rental has been providing cars to Fort Worth-based exotic car photographer Josh Davis for his venture allowing woman and couples to pose with some of the world’s most exotic supercars.

(Photo by Josh Davis Photography. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)

Josh’s venture has attracted significant press. He’s been featured in the Fort Worth newspapers and on WFAA. Today, he, his venture, and the delicious exotics from DFW Elite Auto Rental.com landed on Motor Trend’s website! Check out “Fashion Meets Horsepower” by Nate Martinez on their site.

“Josh has been the professional car photographer we use to provide our Drive Your Dream participants with pictures of themselves with our exotics for quite a while,” said DFW Elite Auto Rental.com and DFW Elite Drive Your Dream owner Ron Sturgeon. “He’s creative and takes outstanding photographs. We’re very pleased that Motor Trend is featuring him and his business and our cars.”

Drive Your Dream is an exotic car driving experience that allows those who have always wondered what it’s like to unwind a 520 HP Lamborghini Gallardo on the open road — to get in the driver’s seat and find out.

The signature 2000HP Tour features seat time in the Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 360 Spyder, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible and the Audi R8.

“Because of how well Audi Racing has done, the R8 has made a lot of people’s must drive lists,” said Sturgeon. “A half-day Drive Your Dream tour gives participants a chance to drive the Audi and four top-tier sports cars back-to-back on a scenic open road course.”

The supercar driving tours are offered in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin TX. To reserve a spot, call 817.838.7368.

This post written by SEO Web Content writer Eric Anderson. Eric’s recent projects include content for a Tampa florida Mortgage broker and content for a Dallas exotic car rental website.