Elite Auto Rental Blog

It is no great secret that auto sales have been on a down slide for a long time.  Going back to the last time the auto industry had any sense of optimism about it were the SUV years.  All seemed well and good until everyone’s shiny SUV lost its luster once gas prices soared into the $4/gallon range.

Add to this the economic downturn that has hurt every major sector of the economy, especially the credit markets (which, of course, makes it especially hard to finance purchases like cars) and you have the perfect blend of circumstances to obliterate the automobile industry. 

It is against this rosy backdrop that Nissan is announcing the release of the 370Z.  The 370Z is reminiscent of its cousin, the 350Z, but with notable stylistic changes.  It is hard to say what the full force of the new features will be as little more than some pictures have been released.  But it is obvious that many things were borrowed from Nissan’s Infiniti line.  This is especially true of the interior and the 3.7-liter, V-6 engine.

Meanwhile, the folks at Chevrolet are pinning their hopes on the new 2010 Camaro.  The 2010 Chevy Camaro will feature a powerful V8 and a six-speed manual transmission.  There is also said to be a slightly tamer version of the 2010 Camaro available in V6.  So far, although consumers have to wait until next year to start purchasing them, indications are good because an EBay auction fund raiser saw one of the Camaros go for over $70,000. 

Whether either of these, or similar cars will help the auto industry steer out of its spiral is hard to say.  But one thing is for certain, many fans of sports cars cars are choosing alternative ways of driving them.

“The 2010 Camaro and new Nissan are both exciting cars that we would love to add to our collection of sports cars,” states Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW sports car sharing club.  

Written by web copywriter G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

As the global recession deepens, there is increasing talk of a second stimulus check for American taxpayers.  The check could be used to pay bills, buy food, shop for goods, or pay for services like an exotic car driving experience.

The likelihood of taxpayers receiving a second stimulus check was dramatically increased on Monday when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke put his support behind the idea.  Bernanke said to the House Budget Committee that the US economy may be headed toward a “protracted slowdown” and that he supported a second stimulus check for American taxpayers.

The second stimulus check would likely be patterned after the first stimulus package, enacted in February of this year.  Most American families received at least $1200 as part of that package; however, many financial experts do not believe the stimulus package did much to help the ailing economy.

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama said in an October 13 campaign speech in Toledo, Ohio, that if a second stimulus check was not issued during the last months of President Bush’s term, “[Issuing them] will be one of the first things I do as president of the United States.”

With so much support behind the idea of a second stimulus check, many Americans are hoping the idea will become a reality.  Here are some ideas for what you could do with a second stimulus check if you end up receiving one:

• Pay off high-interest debt.  With the current credit crunch and economic downturn, carrying high-interest debt, almost always a bad idea, may be a worse idea than it normally is.  Paying off debt with a second stimulus check might not help the overall economy but it could help your family. 

• Buy goods or services.  Using your second stimulus check to make purchases is a good way to help the economy as a whole.  For instance, some Dallas auto enthusiasts used their last check to rent an exotic car in Dallas or dine at a unique Fort Worth restaurant.

• Make improvements to your home.  With the housing market at a standstill, many people are choosing to stay in their homes longer and wait out the housing market downturn.  Using a second stimulus check to improve your home could help it sell for more quickly for more money when you choose to move.  Just make sure you improve things that actually add value.

Whether or not a second stimulus check could help the economy is still up in the air, but many taxpayers could use the money to help with everyday expenses.

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

With the current economic concerns and the high price of gas, many consumers are changing the way they spend money.  Rather than trading up for a bigger, fancier house, many people are staying put and making due with their current home.  Similarly, consumers are snapping up practical, gas-efficient hybrids and compact cars and leaving their gas-guzzling SUVs parked in the garage.

Rather than heading out to buy a new Lamborghini, Ferrari, or other exotic sports car, rental is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for many auto enthusiasts.  We wondered just how renting an exotic car stacked up against owning one when it came right down to it.  Here’s what we found out:

Owning a Lamborghini Means Owning a Serious Monthly Payment

With an MSRP of $225,000, the Lamborghini Gallardo is both amazingly fast and amazingly expensive.  If you were to buy a Lamborghini Gallardo for that price and finance it for five years under typical car loan terms, you would end up with a monthly payment of about $5800.  That’s right, owning a Lamborghini gets you a payment of well over five grand a month.

Don’t forget that in many areas of the country, driving an exotic car is an activity reserved for only part of the year.  You wouldn’t want to take your investment out on icy roads or subject its beautiful paint job to the rigors of road salt and sand.  But if you buy a Lamborghini, you’ll be making monthly payments on it even in February.

Insuring Exotic Cars Isn’t Cheap

Insuring your Lamborghini Gallardo will probably run you about $300 per month.  That’s because many regular automobile insurance companies refuse to ensure exotic vehicles.  Rental of these vehicles requires only that you meet the coverage requirements on your existing auto policy. 

Don’t Forget About Storage, Maintenance, and Security

Besides paying for and insuring your exotic car, you would also have to budget for secure storage, high-priced maintenance on a foreign vehicle, and automotive security.  These costs are variable and depend a lot on where you live.

Buying vs. Renting an Exotic Car

Even if you don’t consider the variable expenses of storing, maintaining, and securing your exotic vehicle, owning a classic, luxury, or exotic car will cost you more than $6,000 per month.  That’s way more than most of us pay for out mortgage, and that’s an investment that pays off. 

Even in today’s real estate economy, you know your house is going to appreciate in value eventually.  The money you pay for your mortgage is going toward something that will increase in value.  If you buy an exotic vehicle, you know you won’t be making an investment that will pay off.

That’s why exotic car rental is such a good option for most automobile enthusiasts.  You can drive the car of your dreams, but you don’t have to deal with the payment that goes along with it.  For instance, a Lamborghini rental in Dallas costs as little as $975.  That’s far less than owning a Lamborghini when the true costs are accounted for.

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

We’ve all seen those adorable Volkswagen Beetles in cute candy colors, all decked out with flowers and other decorations.  There’s no doubt about it:  People who love Volkswagens really love Volkswagens.

So where can you go to see a bunch of gorgeous Volkswagens in East Texas?  Wouldn’t it be great if all of these auto enthusiasts got together and showed off their cars?

That’s where the Piney Woods VW Fall Fest comes in.  On October 18, Volkswagen enthusiasts will show off their Beetles, Karmann Ghias, Things, and many other models at the festival sponsored by Gorman McCracken VW in Longview.

East Texas VW Club co-founder Jennifer Russell shared some of her excitement about the show with the Marshall News Messenger.

“I consider them a blank slate,” Russell says of the stock VW Beetles.

Russell’s Beetle, named “Blue Smiley,” is decked out in smile-themed slogans and memorabilia.  This year, she plans to add another layer of decoration with a Star Wars theme, including a replica of R2-D2.

This year’s Piney Woods VW Fall Fest will be the sixth annual show for the East Texas VW Club.  Russell says that the show usually only has a handful of New Beetles and features many of the older models.

The Volkswagen Beetle was first introduced to the US in 1949 and gained a loyal following in the 1960s.  In 1998, the New Beetle was introduced at the Detroit International Auto Show.

Russell’s love for the car is contagious.  Her roommate, Angie Sawyer, fell in love with the cars after going to a VW car show with Russell in 2005.  Now Angie has her own VW, nicknamed “C.C.”

“When I met Angie in 2005, she was driving a blend-in-car, like a Honda or something,” Russell said. “She went with me to a show in Roswell, New Mexico, in June (2005), and in July she got C.C. She was totally bitten by the bug.”

Those who attend the Piney Woods VW Fall Fest might come away with more than just a fun experience.  The show offers cash prizes for the best car in each class.

The Piney Woods VW Fall Fest starts at 9:00 am on Saturday.  Judging is at 2:30 pm.

If you are interested in attending the show in style, rent a show-ready Black Karmann Ghia convertible in Dallas.

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

 It’s always important to make a good impression on your boss, and Boss’s Day makes impressing is the perfect chance to suck up.  You could let Boss’s Day 2008 pass without doing anything special, or you could use it to making a great impression.

• Boss’s Day 2008 Tip #1: A Dream Car Driving

This Boss’s Day, take your boss for a ride in an exotic car.  Rental of these amazing vehicles is a great way to impress your boss without giving the impression that you make too much money. 

If you owned a Lamborghini, your boss would think your salary was too high.  Exotic car rental not only gives your boss a chance to celebrate Boss’s Day in style; it also shows off your ability to think outside the box.

• Boss’s Day 2008 Tip #2: Dine in Style

For Boss’s Day 2008, don’t resort to the same old pizza-stained take-out menus.  Instead, take your boss to a unique Fort Worth restaurant and show off your good taste and good listening skills. It can’t hurt your career to be in the group that’s taking the boss to his or her favorite restaurant.  If you know your boss, you should know his or her favorite restaurant.

• Boss’s Day Tip #3: Organize a party for your boss

Take donations from coworkers to help finance the Boss’s Day celebration and make it an extra special event.

• Boss’s Day 2008 Tip #4: Let the Boss Drive a Ferrari

This Boss’s Day, let your boss know that you’ve been paying attention to his or her special interests and hobbies.  You can do this by coming up with an unusual and innovative gift.  If your boss is a car enthusiast, he or she would love an automotive dream tour.  Dream tour participants get to drive five exotic cars in a single day. How cool would you be if you let your boss drive a Ferrari?

• Boss’s Day 2008 Tip #5: Include the Family in the Celebration

Is your boss a family man or woman?  For a great Boss’s Day surprise, you could invite your boss’s spouse and kids to the office. Inviting your boss’s family to the office makes them part of the celebration of the career success of a great boss.

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

As yet another indicator that the current economic situation is headed nowhere fast, shares of Ford Motor Company fell 77 cents to their lowest price in almost 23 years. The last time the $2.92 share price was seen was November of 1985.

The current economic predicament is causing some auto enthusiasts to choose exotic car rental over buying exotic vehicles. With investments, including those in Ford Motor Company, sliding south, many consumers are cautious about spending six figures to buy an exotic car.

One of the problems plaguing Ford is a question about the company’s credit. Fitch Ratings lowered the Michigan-based company’s credit rating on Monday afternoon because Ford’s revenues have been hurt by slowing auto sales.

For the first time in more than 15 years, September auto sales came in at less than 1 million new vehicles sold. This economy has consumers putting off major purchases.

“With bad news in the financial markets, the drop in the Dow, and news of large businesses closing up shop, car buyers are skittish,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company.

“Even at the top of the market in sports cars, luxury cars, and exotic cars, sales are off,” insists the Fort Worth luxury rental car company owner, “it’s hard to find any good news in the economic forecasts—the only tiny bit of good news for members of the exotic and luxury car rental industry is that the skittishness about purchasing a high end auto may make people consider rental to avoid the depreciation, maintenance, and storage costs,” noted Mr. Sturgeon.

Few first-time exotic car buyers end up driving their cars as often as they anticipate when they buy them. The prestige of ownership is undeniable, but owning an exotic car costs more than most first time exotic car buyers anticipate. A nationwide online directory of exotic car rental companies is available at http://www.rentexoticcars.net if you decide rental is more your speed and want to experience driving a Ferrari F430 or Ford GT.

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

As the recent economic downturn has made affording an exotic car even more of a challenge, more and more auto enthusiasts are turning to exotic car rental.  This increasingly popular option gives exotic car lovers a chance to drive the cars of their dreams without the hassle and expense that comes with ownership.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real disposable personal income, that is, the money a person has left after taxes have been taken out, is down for the third straight month.  People have less money to spend, so in order to the cars they aspire to drive, they need to think creatively.

Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company, says that creative thinking is what exotic car rental is all about.

“People just don’t have the money they used to,” he says, “so finding a way to make dreams come true means thinking outside the box.  People with significant disposable income used to spend the money to buy a Lamborghini, but now a tighter economy makes the wealthy more hesitant about doing that,” said Sturgeon. 

That doesn’t mean they can’t drive a Lamborghini, though.

For many people, driving an exotic car is one of those life dreams.  But owning an exotic car comes with the high initial price tag, exorbitant insurance fees, pricey secure storage, and the significant cost of maintaining an elite vehicle.  In other words, when the true cost of owning an exotic car is tallied, ownership isn’t realistic.

However, there are several other options for those who want to drive cars like the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo and still remain solvent in these difficult financial times.  One of those options is joining an exotic car club.  Members of exotic car clubs share an entire garage of unbelievable exotic cars.

“Basically, car clubs bring together people who love cars,” says Sturgeon.  “Members can then drive the cars they love without having to worry about the price tag, storage, and all the other hidden costs.  It’s a great deal,” insists the Texas entrepreneur.

Exotic car rental is another great deal for car enthusiasts.  Rather than committing to a single, expensive automobile, renting exotic cars allows people to drive several different luxury, classic, or exotic cars.  Driving your dream car does not require owning your dream car in the same way that you can enjoy a round of golf without owning the club.

The US Census Bureau reports that while there has been a slight increase in median household income in the last year, many families still aren’t making as much money as they did in the late 1990s.  Part of making the best of this difficult situation is finding ways to still get what you want without paying crazy amounts of money.  Exotic car rental and membership in an exotic car sharing club are two practical alternatives to buying an exotic car.

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

Shopping for a wedding dress is a special moment in the life of any bride, but especially a Dallas bride because of the city’s tradition of lavish weddings.  Finding the right dress is a must for every Dallas bride-to-be.

To make sure that you find the right wedding dress, I would like to share a few of the top bridal shops in Dallas and some wedding dress shopping tips.

The first thing to do when planning your trip is to make sure you line up an ultimate afternoon of pampering.  Set up an appointment at a nearby salon for a manicure, massage, and an up-do.  Putting your hair up will provide you with a better view of the neckline of the dress. 

Also reserve a table at a hot lunch spot and rent a luxury SUV in Dallas so that you can arrive in style. Enjoy your day and keep it as comfortable and stress free as possible.

Next, make sure you follow these wedding dress shopping tips before you visit your first bridal shop:

• Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #1: Take along only one or two other people whose opinions you trust the very most.  Too many opinions will make it harder for you to decide how you feel about the wedding dresses.
• Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #2: Don’t forget to schedule time for lunch when shopping for your wedding dress.  It’s easy to forget to eat while shopping, and wedding dress shopping is shopping on steroids.
• Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #3: Take a notebook to jot down information about your favorite wedding dresses.  By the end of the day, it may be hard to remember the specifics of each dress you liked.
• Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #4: Make your appointments with the best DFW bridal shops well in advance.  Appointments fill up fast, especially during the springtime, the peak DFW wedding season.
• Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #5: Consider working with one of Dallas top wedding planners to help make your dress a perfect fit for your wedding’s theme.

So you have your two best friends, your notebook for keeping impressions of your favorite wedding dresses, and your lunch plans. Which Dallas bridal shops are the best places to find a drop dead gorgeous wedding dress?  According to Citysearch, these three are the “must go” bridal shops:

• Blush Couture:  This bridal boutique is one of the newest in Uptown, and it features a fashion-forward design aesthetic and a wide selection of sophisticated gowns.  This shop is proud of its personalized service.

• Priscilla of Boston, Dallas:  This salon offers couture bridal dresses from popular designer Priscilla of Boston, as well as other featured designers.  Patrons praise the quality and service.

• Bridal Portfolio:  Also a top pick from wedding wesite The Knot, this salon features bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, and accessories.  Reviewers praise the customer service and patience of the staff.

Check out Citysearch for some of the other popular Dallas bridal salons! Also consider adding a dose of fun to your wedding by renting a classic car for your wedding and making your first drive as man and wife a special memory.

Best of luck on your wedding dress shopping. I hope these wedding dress shopping tips will help you.

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

Diesel?  Forget it.  Hybrid technology?  Passé.  Plug-ins?  That’s so last week.  So what is the new innovation that hopes to make even these energy sipping transportation options obsolete?

How about a magnetic air car?  I know, it sounds like something you run out and buy your kid on Christmas Eve before the toy stores close, but its developers in California want you to think of it as a reality for you future garage. 
And forget about distant future, the developers want it in your driveway by 2010, or sooner.  So how exactly does the magnetic air car work?

It’s simple.  According to the company flier:
“A battery starts a magnetic motor… which in turn drives a small but powerful on-board air compressor. The air flow is then tubocharged and multiplied to where the resulting horse-pressure smoothly powers the car to incredible speeds… without ever getting hot and without ever having to be stopped for external recharging or refueling. And automobiles are just the beginning. How about vans, SUVs, trucks, boats, trains… even planes! You’re about to witness the birth of a whole new mode of transportation. Just imagine the possibilities! So sit back, believeit will happen, and then… watch it happen. It’s inevitable.”

Uh, yeah.  For us less technical types, I think that the basic thing to know is that doesn’t run on any fuel and doesn’t require any recharges or fill-ups.  I think I could get used to that. 

Add to that the fact that the concept car is definitely on the exotic/sporty side, and you could have a potential winner here. 

Without a doubt, this car will be very expensive when (and if) it is eventually produced.  Some manufacturers have sought to get around this problem by leasing their exotic offerings to make the cars a little more accessible. 
Renting exotic cars is nothing new. 

www.rentexoticcars.net offers a directory of exotic car rental agencies around the country.  “We allow customers of all different financial backgrounds to access our fullgarage of hard-to-find exotic cars,” states Ron Sturgeon of DFW Elite Auto Rental (www.dfweliteautorental.com).  “Whether it is a once in a lifetime experience or a test drive to determine if they would like to own the car they are renting, all types of exotic car fans use our services.” 

If customers want a little more access to exotic cars, Sturgeon also offers an exotic car club (www.dfwelitecarclub.com) that permits members to access the club’s garage of exotic cars for a fraction of the cost and hassle of owning and maintaining exotic cars. 

Also, Sturgeon offers exotic car tours (www.dfwdriveyourdream.com) that allow participants to tear up the roads in five exotic cars for 4-5 hours. 

To date all exotic cars use good old fashioned gasoline.  But once 2010 rolls around, it could be a different story. 

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

Let’s assume that you’re a little quirky.  As a result, your entertainment tastes may venture all over the map.  For example, maybe you would like to sample fried Twinkies, check out some livestock, peruse the automotive world’s latest offerings, and check out some acrobats.

The folks at the State Fair of Texas would say you’re in luck.  That’s because the Fair just opened in Dallas’ Fair Park area and offers all of these things and more. 

Because of these counter-cultureish offerings from the State Fair of Texas, the fair has been a popular destination for tourists, both local and remote, for decades.  Of particular notoriety are the this state fair’s fried food contest and the Texas State Fair car show.

The fried food contest offers fair goers the opportunity to see everything from fried pickles to fried Coke.  The car show is an extensive automotive display where both foreign and domestic auto makers display their most popular models as well as their futuristic prototypes that have yet to be released.

Additionally, the State Fair of Texas has been adding more and more live entertainment in recent years.  This year is no exception with everything from dozens of music acts ranging from country to R&B to light shows and aerobatic daredevils.  For those who like blondes, the Texas State Fair main stage will feature both Kellie Pickler on October 5th and Jessica Simpson on October 17th.

“The State Fair of Texas has been a big part of the Dallas and Texas entertainment scene for a long time,” notes Dallas exotic car sharing club owner Ron Sturgeon.  “The Texas Auto Show really opens the auto show season and is an excellent place for Texans to get a look at cars like the new Chevy Camaro and the newest Corvette,” said the Fort Worth small business consultant, public speaker, and luxury car rental agency owner.

More than five million Texans will pass through the gates of the Texas State Fair before it ends for this year. Many of them will be making a beeline for the auto show and classic car show that are highlights of every year’s Texas State Fair.

If you are going to be in DFW during the State Fair, be sure to visit for the fried food, great entertainment, and excellent preview of the latest cars and trucks.

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me do freelance web writing for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.