Elite Auto Rental Blog

Need a little early fall pick-me-up?  Head over to Grapevine to view some Italian exotic cars at the ItalianCarFest.  The festival will be sponsored by the Italian Car Club of the Southwest and will include up to 85 exotic cars.

Photo taken by Craig Howell of San Carlos, CA. Licensed under Creative Commons. See more of Craig’s beautiful car photos in his Flickr photostream.

The event takes place on Saturday, September 12.  Cars will be arranged on the lawn at Nash Farm, a historic site in Grapevine.  Owners will be present to discuss their automobiles, and it promises to be an exciting event for exotic car fans.

Attending exotic car festivals is a great way to experience the beauty of these vehicles up close.  While you can’t have the thrill of driving these gorgeous Italian cars, you can still appreciate how the sun glints off the sparkling exteriors.

For those more interested in driving than looking, a great option is exotic car rental.  You can rent a bright yellow 2005 Ferrari F430 F1 to get a real taste for Italian craftsmanship.  This car boasts 490 horsepower and will turn heads wherever it goes.

Ferrari image courtesy of DFW Elite Auto Rental in Fort Worth, TX.

Another option is joining an exotic car club.  You and other members of the club will have access to an entire garage of exotic vehicles, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other impressive exotic vehicles.

“You don’t have to own an exotic car to experience the fun of driving it,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental company.  “Renting an exotic car is also a great way to try it out before committing to buy.”

There’s no denying that owning an exotic car is an expensive hobby.  There’s the high MSRP, $235,000 in the case of a Ferrari F430 F1, and then there’s maintenance, security, and insurance.  For many of us, the dream seems out of reach, but that’s not true, according to Sturgeon.

“It really is the ultimate way to enjoy a car,” he says.

The ItalianCarFest promises to be a good time.  There will be Italian sandwiches and ice cream available for purchase, along with wine and soft drinks.  You also can’t beat the free parking and free admission.

For a list of the vehicles on display at the festival, check out the official festival website.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who enjoys writing about exotic cars, crafts, parenting, genealogy, and a variety of other topics.  Contact her via her website for more information.

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.

Wow. It looks like a Pepsi product promotion went seriously wrong, and well, New Yorkers being the forgiving kind, gave Pepsi a big Bronx cheer. Allegedly Pepsi promised Yankee fans 250 tickets and a chance to meet legendary closer Goose Goosage at a Pepsi event.

Naturally, Yankee fans lined up like exotic car enthusiasts at the New York Auto Show…

Pepsi then moved the event to a venue three blocks away which caused a scene that looked like a Walmart on the day after Thanksgiving. When Goose Gossage appeared, it wasn’t to greet fans and sign autographs, it was to wave from the window of a passing limousine. The tickets, which many of the gathered expected to be for O.D., turned out to be for a game in June.

There is a pretty funny video of the gathered New Yorkers and their vocal reaction to this Pepsi PR fiasco.

http://www.break.com/index/pepsi-promotion-backfires-with-yankees.html

Check it out here. For car enthusiasts willing to make the trip to Texas, DFW Drive Your Dream has an exotic car driving experience called the 2000HP Tour. It lets Lambo and Ferrari fans get behind the wheel of five exotic sports cars and reach Gossage-like fastball speeds.

Image by exotic car photographer Josh Davis. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The current line up of cars includes these dream drives: The Ferrari 360 Sypder, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, the Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible, and the brand new Audi R8. No matter where you live, renting a Ferrari or Lamborghini isn’t an impossible dream. Car rental has gone upscale from the days when premium luxury meant an Escalade. Most major cities have a number of car rental companies specializing in six figure automobiles.

One of the easiest ways to fine one is to use an online directory of exotic car rental companies such as http://www.rentexoticcars.net. After the Pepsi promotion, some New Yorkers may need to have a Coke and vent some frustration.

This post written by Tampa FL English Tutor Eric Anderson. If you would like to see more of Eric’s writing visit, PDQ Web Copywriting.com.

Lest you think that only the union auto workers, retirees, and executives want to reach in to the kitty for some tax money, you may also get to subsidize such hard luck cases as Sergei Brin and Larry Page. They are the founders of Google and early investors in Tesla Motors.

According to an article in e-week, production of the all-electric Model S sedan prototype hinges on whether the Department of Energy will provide a 350 million dollar loan to kick start production.

(Photo by Josh Davis-Fort Worth, TX. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, is a founder of Paypal, so you can see that Tesla executives are also the sort of hard luck cases seen in the early parts of Slumdog Millionaire.

How about you cats develop the electric car with your own money? Just a thought.

If the world can’t wait to be green and you’re so convinced that everyone will want a Model S for $49,000, why not produce it without putting the government on the hook? Certainly $350 million is pocket change for Brin and Page, and 350 million doesn’t amount to a sparrow fart in the cosmic scheme of current bailouts, but–on principle–I don’t like it.

Speaking of money, Fort Worth exotic car photographer Josh Davis sent me a few money shots of Friday’s 2000 Horsepower Tour held by DFW Drive Your Dream. Participants drove five supercars back-to-back in what must have been a fun day of motoring. So far as I know, no taxpayer money was used in staging the event. I wouldn’t turn down a ticket to a day of driving supercars, but driving the Audi R8 and Ferrari 360 top my list of desirable six figure rides.

Should you wish to enjoy a little top down high octane fun, visit http://www.dfwdriveyourdream.com and find out how you can drive a Ferrari 360, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, Dodge Viper, and Porsche 911 all in one day! It looks like a Bentley GTC was substituted for the 911 on Friday’s tour…

Post by SE friendly content writer Eric Anderson. Opinions expressed are soley his own. Eric’s recent writing prjects include content for a Wesley Chapel, FL mortgage broker website and a Dallas car storage website.

The Economist reports a sharp drop in demand for luxury cars because of the global recession and details the collapse of the secondhand luxury car market with few exceptions.

The Economist visited a British car auction and noted the steep decline in the sales prices of used Rolls-Royces, Bentley Continentals, and Range Rovers as well as falling prices for models from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Citing figures from Autodata, a research firm, The Economist article about falling luxury car prices adds some numbers to the scores of stories about the hardship of commissioned salespeople in U.S luxury car showrooms. The research firm reported the sales of new luxury cars are down 39% from the November figures of a year ago. Declines in new car sales at luxury car showrooms are even steeper according to the article with Mercedes down almost 50% and Porsche down over 50%. Discounts and incentives on new cars have hurt resale values on used luxury cars.

The declines in resale values has made life hard for automakers finance departments as they seek to borrow money to finance new cars and for car leasing companies who will likely see fewer people exercising the option to their off lease vehicles.

“The falling resale value of luxury cars make membership in car sharing clubs an even more attractive option for people who might otherwise purchase a Bentley or other high end car,” said DFW Elite Car Club.com General Manager Tom Warren.

“Another compelling reason to consider membership in a car sharing club is that it affords a person a wide variety of exotic car driving experiences without ever having to swallow the costs of depreciation, repairs, or storage,” continued Mr. Warren.

The members of our Dallas exotic car club can drive a 2009 Audi R8 a Bentley GTC, a Lamborghini, a Ferrari F430 and 16 other exotic and luxury vehicles for a flat monthly membership fee,” noted Warren.

According to the article in The Economist, the cars holding their values the best in Britain are the Diesel Mini Cooper, Toyota Prius, and the Citroen C1; however, a few exotics also made the list of cars which hold their values well in the UK: the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Murcielago, and Porsche 911 Carrera.

The experience of driving some exotic cars is so legendary that it keeps their resale values high.

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that the economy is no longer “fundamentally sound” and that there are roughly 700 billion reasons to bailout on Congressional oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

As billions of dollars in bad loans are foreclosed upon, banks are apt to become much more conservative about lending money and even the well-to-do are going to see their access to credit restricted. It isn’t going to be nearly as easy to borrow to buy goods that depreciate, such as luxury or exotic automobiles.

“There is very little that is good news in the credit crisis and bailout,” said DFW Elite Car Club.com President Ron Sturgeon. 

“The only small consolation for the exotic car sharing clubs is that some people who would have been buyers of Lamborghinis and Ferraris will take a harder look at exotic car sharing clubs as an alternative to the high costs of exotic car ownership,” said the Texas entrepreneur and small business consultant.

“Few exotic car owners drive the cars they have invested six figures to acquire more than a day or two a month. Spread over a few driving days, the costs of depreciation, maintenance, secure storage, and insurance can make owning more expensive than first time buyers anticipate,” said Tom Warren, Director of DFW Elite Car Club.com.

Warren anticipates an uptick in interest in the DFW luxury car sharing club as an alternative to ownership. “Belonging to DFW Elite Car Club.com is a wonderful way to drive a Bentley GTC to chauffer a major account customer and a drive a Ferrari F430 F1 for a thrilling weekend in the same month,” noted Warren.

Membership in the DFW club is billed monthly and costs between $750 and $2000 a month. Members enjoy access to a dream garage of more than two dozen elite vehicles, detailed, fueled and ready to drive. To learn more about the Dallas-Fort Worth exotic car club, visit http://www.dfwelitecarclub.com. 

The luxury car sharing idea has caught on throughout the United States because it gives auto aficionados a smarter alternative to outright ownership of an exotic car.

For far less than the cost of owning a single exotic, members enjoy the experience of driving all of latest models. To locate a club where you live, visit a free online directory of car sharing clubs at http://www.exoticcarclubs.com.

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

Well in advance of an official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, Ferrari dropped a trio of photos of the 2009 California on the Web. Strongly influenced by the V-12-engined 599 GTB Fiorano and the 612 Scaglietti, the aluminum-bodied California sports the company’s first retractable hard top.

Beneath the hood, a 4.3-liter direct-injection V-8 produces 454 horsepower at 7500 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear wheels by a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The company claims 60 mph will arrive in less than four seconds.

Ferrari calls the California an “original 2+ concept,” though two-plus-what remains to be seen.

Photos courtesy of Ferrari.

If you’re the sort of person who likes to wait until the last minute to file your income taxes, today is a very busy day for you. Income taxes must be postmarked by midnight tomorrow night to avoid late fees.

If you need more time to get your tax materials together, tomorrow night is also the deadline for filing for a tax extension. Filing for an extension will give you an extra six months to get your paperwork together, but any taxes you owe are due now. On the other hand, if you know you’ll be receiving a refund, it makes perfect sense to bite the bullet and get those tax papers together now.

According to an article in USA Today, “…the impact on the U.S. economy when about $230 billion in tax refunds starts hitting the streets in March, April and May is so great that it’s known as the ‘April problem.’”

“Although our business isn’t too sensitive to tax refund time, we do see a small up tick in Dallas luxury car rentals around the time tax checks start arriving,” says DFW Elite Auto Rental.com GM Tom Warren.

“However, I’d say we do get some business for our fantasy car driving tours around tax time,” says Warren. A division of the Fort Worth-based rental car company organizes full day fantasy car driving tours. “Every year we have one or two people that decide this is their year to experience driving a Ferrari F430 and four other dream cars in a single day,” insists Warren.

Recently introduced standby ride along passes mean that a car enthusiast can get in the passenger seat for a dream car tour for far less than the full fare when seats are available on a drive your dream ticket. “It’s great for couples or as an anniversary or birthday gift for a car buff,” says the Dallas rental car executive. “The standby seats aren’t guaranteed, but if you happen to hit a tour that doesn’t fill up, they’re the fantasy car bargain of the century,” says Warren.

Check out tour dates, videos and pictures for recent DFW Drive Your Dream Tours on their website (www.dfwdriveyourdream.com)

The IRS website has a special note for taxpayers who do not usually need to file returns: “For tax year 2007 only, many taxpayers who would not normally need to file a federal income tax return will need to file one in order to ensure that they receive an Economic Stimulus Payment (commonly referred to as “rebate”).”

In other words, no file, no free money. Seems strange that folks that don’t normally file still can get money back. But why quibble when the government is buying support for incumbents during an election year stimulating the economy for the good of the common people?

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. She is a regular contributor to our exotic car blogs.

The F2007 is the fifty third single-seater built by Ferrari specifically to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.The project, known internally as the 658, represents the Scuderia’s interpretation of the technical regulations that apply for 2007, with changes principally concerning safety, through the introduction of more stringent front and rear crash tests and the addition of a composite material structure to provide lateral protection to the sides of the driver.

These modifications have led to a significant increase in the weight of the car, in the region of just under ten kilogrammes.The F2007 chassis has been significantly modified when compared to the 248 F1. The design was revised to accommodate a new front suspension that represents a major conceptual innovation, mainly in terms of aerodynamics. The shape of the side-pods and their openings are also revised, based on modifications to the cooling system, which also implies exits for the radiators on the upper part of the bodywork, while the engine air intake is also substantially different. The car has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The rear of the car is much narrower, taking advantage of the more sculpted shape of the gearbox housing, which again this year is made from carbon fibre. The gearbox itself, which is still mounted longitudinally, is fitted with an innovative quick-shift system (seven plus reverse). The rear suspension is similar to that on the 248 F1, but a significant development programme is planned in this area, in order to get the most out of the system, based on making progress in understanding the behaviour of the 2007 tyres. The front and rear aerodynamic configuration is also expected to change considerably before the start of the World Championship. The position of the rear view mirrors seen on the 2006 car remains unchanged and the same goes for the exhaust system.