Elite Auto Rental Blog

As General Motors tries to refine its operations and survive difficult times for automakers, it has been forced to sever ties with Sweden-based carmaker Saab.  Saab has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden and will become an independent business.

Responding to the uncertainty in the financial markets, American consumers have been hesitant to commit to the purchase of exotic vehicles or even regular commuter cars.  Sales of all new automobiles have seen sharp declines in recent months, and this revenue drop has taken its toll on the car companies.

The Deal quotes Saab Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson as saying, “We explored and will continue to explore all available options for funding and/or selling Saab and it was determined a formal reorganization would be the best way to create a truly independent entity that is ready for investment.”

But what does this mean for someone who dreams of driving a Lamborghini or Audi R8?  How can you make your exotic car dream into a reality?  As fans of exotic car rental have known for some time, driving your dream vehicle and owning your dream vehicle are not always the same thing.

Options include exotic car rental, car sharing clubs, and exotic automobile dream tours.  These alternatives to ownership give people a chance to drive exotic vehicles without worrying about committing to a specific model.

Many car enthusiasts enjoy exotic car rental because it allows them to drive their favorite cars without the hassles and expense of ownership.  Renting an exotic vehicle means you don’t have to find quality exotic car storage, pay for expensive maintenance, or worry about security and insurance.

Another great option is joining an exotic car sharing club.  These clubs offer access to a garage full of exotic vehicles.  Members enjoy driving Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, BMWs, and many other incredible exotic vehicles.

For those who want to experience the thrill of driving several exotic vehicles in a single day, an automotive dream tour is the ideal option.  These tours make a fabulous way to celebrate a special event like a promotion or wedding.

For Saab, funds for its restructuring will need to come from public and private sources.  The government of Sweden has ruled out taking over the ailing automobile company, and now that ties with GM have been cut, Saab will be on its own to find a solution.

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.

With gas prices on the rise again, consumers are being selective about their automobile purchases.  They want something that gets great gas mileage, offers proven reliability, and still has style.  They also want something with the performance of a sporty vehicle, but it’s not always possible to get everything in one package.

2009 Honda Fit image by L’eau Bleue on Flickr. Image licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Only.

Tough economic times are teaching us that driving your dream car means thinking outside the box.  Why not drive a fuel-efficient car like the new 2009 Honda Fit for your commute to work and then rent a sports car for an occasional weekend?

Commuter cars have some very basic requirements.  When you’re stuck in traffic, it doesn’t really matter whether you can go zero to 60 in under five seconds.  And most of us are just too busy drinking coffee, stressing about the time, and listening to the news to notice whether the person in the next lane is admiring your vehicle.

At the very least, a commuter car should be fuel-efficient.  That’s where gas-sipping vehicles, like the new 2009 Honda Fit come into the picture.  The Fit gets 33 miles per gallon, seats 5, and boasts 10 cup holders!  And it has an MSRP of under $15,000.

While the 2009 Honda Fit will get you to work reliably without costing you a fortune, it won’t exactly give you an adrenaline rush.

Since most of us can’t afford to plunk down the cash for a car that costs ten times as much as the Honda Fit, we need to get creative about driving our dream vehicles.  Exotic car rental is a perfect way to drive a Lamborghini for a day.

Another great option for those wanting thrilling driving is joining an exotic car sharing club.  Club members can drive luxury cars without the hassles of maintenance and depreciation.

Owning an exotic car is expensive.  There’s the six-figure purchase price, and then there’s the problem of finding secure exotic car storage.  Plus, you have to shell out more money for maintenance, repairs, security, and insurance.  Exotic car sharing is just a more practical alternative for many people.

An excellent online directory of performance car sharing clubs can be found at http://www.exoticcarclubs.com. Some days call for driving something more exciting than a 2009 Honda Fit.

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

It’s one thing to experience buyer’s remorse about a small purchase.  You can just shake your head and move on.  You aren’t out that much money, and sometimes you can even return the item for a full refund.

Not so with exotic cars.  When you buy an exotic car, you’re committing a huge amount of money to something you won’t be able to take back.  For one thing, there’s the high purchase price of the car, often in the six figure range.  Plus, there’s climate-controlled exotic car storage, security devices, service, insurance, and a host of other related expenses.

So how can you make sure the exotic car you buy is the right vehicle for you?  A test drive is a good place to start.  The problem is that a test drive doesn’t let you live with the car for a few days, getting to know the ins and outs of the vehicle and whether it has a comfortable ride or seats that make your back hurt.

One good way to avoid owning an uncomfortable automobile is to rent exotic vehicles before you buy.  Many prospective buyers are turning to exotic car rental as a research tool.  If you do your homework, you won’t be disappointed.  And this homework is a lot more fun that algebra.

“An exotic car is a major purchase,” says Tom Warren, general manager of a Dallas exotic car rental company.  “You wouldn’t buy a house without getting a home inspection and checking out the neighborhood.  To avoid disappointment, car buyers need to do the same with exotic vehicles.”

After you rent some exotic vehicles, you may learn that you don’t really want to commit yourself to any one model of car.  You might love the flashy speed of a Lamborghini but still enjoy the elegant performance of a Bentley.  You might rent an Audi R8 and decide that car is for you too.

If you find yourself in love with more than one vehicle, a good option is joining an exotic car sharing club.  Exotic car clubs allow you to drive all your favorite vehicles without the worries of storage and security or the hassle of maintenance.

“If you’re a fan of more than one model, a car club is the perfect solution,” says Warren.

Even if you are nearly positive that you want a specific vehicle, it just makes good sense to drive your dream car before you plunk down the cash to buy it.

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

As fans of fast cars watched from the stands, a drenching rain couldn’t dampen spirits at the Daytona 500 yesterday.  Winner Matt Kenseth couldn’t keep the emotion from his voice as he told the New York Times about his victory.

“It’s going to be really wet out here because I’m crying like a baby,” Kenseth said just after he was declared the winner. “Just to win a race after last year, I didn’t know if I was ever going to do that again, and then to pull off the Daytona 500, it’s just unbelievable.”

Due to the rain, NASCAR called the race while there were still 48 of the 200 laps yet to go.  For Kenseth, this was the end of a streak of losses and a remarkable triumph.  A crash on Thursday meant that Kenseth won the race using a backup racecar.

(image courtesy of photographer Freewheeling Daredevil and licensed under Creative Commons attribution only. See more of his photos on Flickr.)

For American race fans, the Daytona 500 is the ultimate event in automobile racing.  For many, the idea of driving your dream car at top speeds in front of thousands of people sounds like the thrill of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, races like the Daytona 500 are also not without their dangers.  This year, a major wreck happened during Lap 124, and it involved nine cars at the front of the pack.

The race seems always to include more than one spectacular crash.

If your dream includes driving an exotic vehicle without the danger and competition of the Daytona 500, exotic car rental may be a great way to make that dream a reality.  Renting a Dodge Viper or a Chevrolet Corvette can give you a a thrilling open road driving experience.

If you’re interested in a more long-term relationship with exotic vehicles but don’t want to commit to buying one exotic car, exotic car sharing clubs are a great option.  You can drive all your favorite exotic vehicles without the hassle and expense of ownership.

Of course, it’s better not to drive your exotic rental car at Daytona speeds.  The average speed of Matt Kenseth during this year’s Daytona 500 was 132.816 miles per hour.

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.

Sometimes the urge to splurge on an exotic car can be followed by buyer’s remorse.  Sure, it’s great to see a Ferrari sitting in your driveway, but it’s no fun when you’re spending the night in the driveway too (due to locked doors and a less-than-enthusiastic spouse).

In all seriousness, buying an exotic car is a huge investment and a major responsibility.  Consider the maintenance, insurance, and security devices.  And many exotic car owners will tell you about their search for secure, temperature-controlled DFW exotic car storage.  Owning an exotic car is just more expense and hassle than many of us want to take on.

That’s where exotic car rental comes in.  Edmonds.com recently did a great article on the Top 10 Exotic Cars You Can Rent.  Here are five of the most exciting exotic cars on the list!

#1 Exotic Car Rental:  Audi R8

Renting an Audi R8 will show you what exotic vehicles are all about.  This car has a top speed of 187 miles per hour and can go from 0 to 60 in only 4.4 seconds.  Plus, it has a gorgeous and sleek exterior that practically shouts about its 420 horsepower.  And with an MSRP in the neighborhood of $150,000, renting an Audi R8 just makes good sense.

#2 Exotic Car Rental:  Bentley Continental GT

If you’re in the mood for luxury as well as high speed, renting a Bentley Continental might be the right choice for you.  Capable of almost 200 miles per hour, this car is a stylish performance machine.  A Bentley Continental GTC convertible retails for over $200,000, but when you sit behind the 552-horsepower engine, you’ll know why. Make your Valentine’s heart beat a little faster in a Bentley!

#3 Exotic Car Rental:  Dodge Viper

Renting a Dodge Viper is the ultimate way to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.  It’s also a great way to make your vacation to Dallas extra special.  With its hallmark sleek exterior, the Viper turns heads and impresses exotic car fans wherever it goes.  And its 510-horsepower engine is sure to impress drivers as well. Expect anything but a quiet Valentine’s when you drop the top on a 510 HP Viper Convertible with your hottie Valentine.

#4 Exotic Car Rental:  Porsche 911 Turbo

Renting a Porsche is one of the ultimate ways to explore the world of exotic cars.  Porsches are a fantasy car for many people, and exotic car rental is a way to make that fantasy a reality.  The Porsche 911 Turbo has a top speed of 193 miles per hour and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.  Considering buying one of these amazing cars?  Try renting a Porsche first; it just might seal the deal.

#5 Exotic Car Rental:  Hummer H2

For many people, renting a Hummer H2 is the ultimate choice in special occasion transportation.  We’ve all seen those stretched-out Hummers for bridal parties, but the still-substantial regular-sized version is perfect for a smaller group.  Renting a Hummer isn’t about speed as much as it is about the cool appearance of a military-inspired vehicle.

To find an exotic car rental business near you, check out the Exotic Car Rental Directory.

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.

Long before you could treat yourself with a luxury car rental or a day at the spa, French royalty were pampered in style at the Palace of Versailles.  The French royal palace, known simply as “Versailles,” was the opulent home of French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.  It was also the home of famed French queen Marie Antoinette.

(Image of Versailles carriage created by Leo-Seta and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Only. See more of Leo-Seta’s photos in his Flickr photostream.)

Versailles was the political power capital from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789, and its grand luxury was part of the downfall of the French monarchy.  As the French people were trying to figure out where their next meal was coming from, the French royalty were devoting an entire elaborate room to their dogs.

The dogs weren’t the only ones who enjoyed a life of luxury at Versailles.  There were many luxurious chambers in the palace.  For instance, one room, called the “Hall of Mirrors,” is composed of 17 huge arched mirrors.  At the time of its construction, mirrors were one of the most expensive objects someone could possess.

And sumptuous living quarters were not the only luxury at Versailles.  French royalty were also transported in ornate carriages and coaches.  If they were alive today, the French monarchs might drive a Bentley or other exotic vehicle, but before the automobile, the carriage was luxury transportation.

The Grand Carriage Museum at Versailles includes many examples of ornate luxury transportation, including carriages used during the wedding of Napoleon.  Today’s wedding transportation usually involves renting a limo or driving an exotic vehicle.  Napoleon’s wedding transportation consisted of seven elaborately-painted ceremonial coaches.

Also at the Grand Carriage Museum at Versailles are six luxurious royal sleighs.  These sleighs were used during the winter months at Versailles when the royal family used them to race across the frozen grounds and along the Grand Canal.

Seeing the Palace at Versailles means a trip to France, but it’s possible to explore the history of transportation right here in Dallas.  Classic car rental or a trip to the DFW Elite Toy Museum can offer visitors a chance to see experience early automotive transportation.

The toy museum is devoted to displaying automotive toys, rather than carriages, but the experience is almost as exciting as a trip to Versailles.  It’s the perfect Dallas vacation activity for the whole family, and you don’t need to go to France to experience it!

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.

I have to admit that I’m not the world’s biggest Miley Cyrus fan. I thought Hanna Montana was somewhere just north of Billings.

About as close as I get is having once seen Billy Ray Cyrus perform at the Plant City Strawberry Festival. He seemed like a good guy to me.

I am 32-or-so-years too old to be affected by Miley Mania, but for those who care, Miley’s getting new wheels. Those willing to plunk down the $29.95 for a membership in the Mileyworld fan club were the first to know.

Miley Cyrus has made the move from her black hand-me-down Porsche Cayenne (formerly Mom’s) to a snazzy black Toyota Prius purchased for her by Billy Ray. It may just be a coincidence that Miley has a new song coming out with a strong anti-global warming theme. Not cool to roll in a Porsche Cayenne to a concert singing green anthems, even if Porsche is a pretty darn green car company, it’s still an SUV.

Sort of like going to a global summit on climate change in a G-5 or going to Capitol Hill begging for an auto bailout in a private jet… Not exactly the smartest strategic business planning.

If the Cyrus clan need someone to help them ease their guilt over owning a Porsche SUV, I’d be happy to help them out in their efforts to be carbon neutral.

I’m just saying. They’re nice people.

The part that bothers me is the Hello Kitty floormats. It’s just the sort of thing that makes me feel old, really old. When my 15-year-old stepdaughter raves about something like Hello Kitty floor mats, I’m lost.

“You want what?” is all I usually can get out.

Anyway, even gear heads horrified by the idea of a Porsche SUV, cannot fathom swapping one for a black Prius. I say drop the Porsche in car storage; Miley Cyrus will grow into it.

For those of you curious about getting those Hello Kitty floor mats, slap yourself hard.

Here’s a peak at what they look like, if you must know.

I am not really a fan of the Toyota Prius, but there is one eco-friendly vehicle that would be an exotic car driving experience: the Aptera. (Not the yogurt, that’s Aptiva.)

I would guess the Toyota Prius gets about 40 MPG; the Aptera will be a 300 MPG car and looks like it might actually be fun to drive down to the market to get some organic vegetables and tofu.

This article written by SEO web writer Eric Anderson. If you would like to hire Eric to write press releases, website copy, or keyword optimized articles, visit http://www.pdqwebcopywriting.com.

If is true that eBay motors section can be a treasure trove for gearheads in search of unique cars. The hard times in the auto industry have created some special opportunities for car collectors and auto race fans with sufficient car storage.

Recently, eBay Australia featured a Ford V8 Supercar from the Triple 888 racing team. Just as American car giant GM auctioned parts of the GM Heritage Collection to raise cash, Ford Motor Company has had to cut back on racing sponsorships.

Thanks to Mark Hinchliffe of the Courier Mail for the tip on this story. His post on Cars Guide.com.au contains some great background on the Triple 8 team car auction and a superb photo gallery of the Brisbane, Au-based team’s V8 supercar.

Racing teams have had to sell some assets to continue to compete. The car is a replica of the car that won the triple Bathurst crowns and has been driven by the winning drivers and used as part of promotions by the race team. The car shows 2008 racing livery.

The car has been driven by Craig Lowndes and V8 supercar driving champ Jamie Wincup.

The V8 supercar, a 2003 BA Falcon XR6 Turbo, is right hand drive and road registered for Australia.

For those curious about the final price, here is the triple 8 team supercar completed auction.

The sale was forced by the severing of sponsorship ties with Ford and the team’s need to build a showcar replica of this year’s car. The team has never sold its show cars before, so this one is sure to make a Triple 8 Team fan very happy.

“As a longtime car collector and vintage toy collector, I am amazed at the unique items that show up on eBay. The winner of this V8 supercar certainly has purchased a unique collector car,” said Fort Worth, TX-based author, strategic business planning group leader, and keynote speaker Ron Sturgeon.

For those aspiring supercar drivers wishing to experience driving the Audi R8 and four other supercars, check out DFW Elite Drive Your Dream.com.

This story written by SEO web writer Eric Anderson, writer at PDQ Web Copywriting.com.