Elite Auto Rental Blog

What do you see as the future of exotic vehicles?  According to Honda, exotic cars are so last year.

“Sure, there are folks who like that ‘vroom’ of the engine out of nostalgia,” Honda President Takanobu Ito told Reuters. “But those people are stuck in the past.”

As the world’s second largest carmaker, Honda certainly knows a thing or two about making vehicles.  Almost 1.3 million Honda vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2008, but there’s someone out there who has the upper hand.

Toyota, the world’s number one automaker, disagrees about the future of exotic vehicles.  On Wednesday, at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota revealed its newest entry into the elite car market.

The Lexus LFA is a sports coupe with impressive performance statistics.  The new vehicle sports a V10 engine, capable of reaching 200 miles per hour and producing 553 horsepower.  Toyota plans a limited production run for the LFA, which has a retail price of $375,000.

“It’s our mission as automakers to offer cars that possess the ‘fun’ spirit that should be at the base of any car,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

Honda had been planning to release a similarly impressive vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show, but the automaker abandoned plans for the new exotic vehicle in the wake of the global economic crisis and changing customer priorities.

“The era of V10 engines is gone,” Ito told Reuters.

Exotic car fans may disagree.  For certain, sales of exotic vehicles have been hit hard by the current economic situation.  Instead of struggling with astronomical car payments, expensive fuel costs, and costly maintenance, many consumers are choosing exotic car rental.

Exotic car rental gives car fans a chance to drive their dream car without the financial and practical downside of owning an exotic car.  In addition to the challenge of affording their vehicles, exotic car owners need to find secure exotic car storage and get a great deal on insurance.

For many, it simply makes more sense to rent an exotic car or join an exotic car sharing club, but that doesn’t mean exotic cars are headed toward extinction.

Toyota is already receiving orders for the Lexus LFA, and the first of these exotic cars will reach consumers at the end of 2010.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, specializing in content related to cars, crafts, genealogy, and parenting.

For exotic car fans, concerns about fuel economy may not be impacting buying decisions.  Due to exotic carmakers’ focus on performance over practicality, exotic cars have been some of the last vehicles to shine a spotlight on fuel economy.  Yet some exotic cars and large trucks are holding steady or even seeing a sales increase, despite difficult economic times.

According to Yahoo Autos, some of the cars with the worst fuel economy include the Lamborghini Murcielago, the BMW M6, and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.  With miles per gallon rates that are sometimes in the single digits, it can be expensive to own and operate these exotic vehicles.

In addition to paying for gas for their cars, exotic car owners need to track down a secure car storage facility, get a great deal on insurance, and find a qualified mechanic.  For some, the hassle of owning an exotic vehicle is just too much.

That’s where exotic car sharing clubs come in.   These clubs offer a way for exotic car enthusiasts to drive the cars of their dreams without all the worries and expense that go along with owning a luxury or exotic vehicle.

Since car club members aren’t driving these cars for their regular commute, exotic car sharing clubs offer a great way to save gas and be green.  Car clubs and exotic car rental are a way to make driving exotic cars practical.

Some SUVs like the Land Rover Range Rover and Infiniti QX56 are seeing an increase in sales from this time last year.  Both vehicles have gas mileage rates in the mid-teens, but slightly lower gas prices have helped to boost sales.

For exotic carmakers like Lamborghini, the road to recovery may be a little longer.  After a record year in 2007 and impressive sales figures for 2008, the Italian exotic carmaker will be lucky to get simply decent sales statistics for 2009.

Gas prices are expected to remain low as the U.S. pulls out of a recession, and low gas prices mean less focus on fuel economy.  Interestingly, many experts predict that gas prices will return to previous highs after the economy recovers.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities

I really enjoy the writing of Dallas Classic Car Examiner David Graves. I also really like cars from the 1950s. If you’ve ever had dreams of owning a 1955 Chevy, you may want to take a peek at David’s article and the gallery of photos of a collector car owned by Mark Baker of Fairview, TX.

David has taken some sensational photos of the 1955 Chevy.

(Photo Credit: Dallas Classic Car Examiner David Graves)

If your garage has gotten too full to store your classic car collection, check out Dallas Car Storage, a Fort Worth TX company that specializes in securely storing antique and collectible cars.

Mark has some beauties in his private car collection. He even has one of the original 1967 Eleanor Mustangs. His is one of 11 that were used in the film. How cool is that?

Anyway, check out David’s article and the great pics of the 1955 Chevy.

Post written by Eric Anderson. Eric’s recent writing projects include content for a Wesley Chapel FL Mortage broker.

One of the great advantages of exotic car rental is that you don’t have to worry about manufacturer recalls.  That hassle is the responsibility of the exotic car rental company.  But when you own a car, manufacturer recalls sometimes just go with the territory.

Ford Motor Company announced Tuesday that they will be recalling 4.5 million additional vehicles for a malfunction involving the cruise control switch.  The single largest recall in the company’s 106-year history, the total number of cars recalled is expected to exceed 16 million.

The deactivation switch for the cruise control system, which was manufactured by Texas Instruments, is the cause of the recall.  The switch can potentially leak hydraulic fluid, which can then become overheated and ignite.

Even when the vehicle is turned off, the risk of fire is too high to be considered safe.  The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned that drivers should be on the lookout for malfunctioning cruise control systems, difficulty shifting the vehicle into gear, and illuminated brake system warning lights.

The following vehicle are affected by the recall:

• 1995 – 2003 Ford Windstars
• 2000 – 2003 Ford Excursions with diesel engines
• 1995 – 1997 and 2001 – 2003 Ford Rangers
• 1995 – 2002 Ford Explorers
• 1995 – 2002 Mercury Mountaineers
• 1994 Ford F35 motorhomes
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty trucks with diesel engines
• 1992 – 2003 Ford Econolines

Recalls are only one of the many hassles of owning an exotic car.  There’s the high purchase price, the search for a qualified maintenance professional, and the concerns about security.  For many, joining an exotic car club simply makes more sense.

If you do choose to own an exotic vehicle, you can save money by comparing insurance rates with a free insurance quote in Aledo TX or anywhere else in Texas. You can also find secure exotic car storage in Dallas.

To see if your Ford vehicle is part of the recall, you can call Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities.

Monday is Columbus Day, and it’s a great excuse to leave work a little early and drive an exotic car.  For government workers, the holiday may even be a day off!

Columbus Day became a U.S. holiday in 1934, under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  It represents the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America, which occurred in October of 1492.

For federal employees, Columbus Day is often a paid holiday.  Dallas post offices will be closed, with the exception of the main office.  The main office is located at Sylvan Avenue and I-30.  Dallas County and Tarrant County offices, along with city offices for Dallas and Fort Worth, will remain open.

Most business will also remain open, and many retail stores have special Columbus Day sales.  In general, banks are closed on Columbus Day.

Wondering how you can celebrate?  The cool, rainy weather may make renting a convertible less appealing, but you can still enjoy driving exotic cars on beautiful Texas roads.

Besides exotic car rental, Dallas auto enthusiasts enjoy automotive dream tours.  These tours are perfect for special occasions like bachelor parties, weddings, or birthdays, and they also make a fun way to celebrate minor holidays like Columbus Day.

Dream tours give participants the chance to drive several impressive exotic vehicles over the course of a single day.  Where else can you experience the thrill of driving a Ferrari and a Lamborghini on the same day?

Another great option for Dallas exotic car fans is joining an exotic car club.  On Columbus Day, or any other day, it represents a great value for the exotic car lover.  Instead of hassling with owning an exotic vehicle, you can have access to an entire garage of amazing cars.

If you just want to try out an exotic car for the day, renting a 2009 Audi R8 is a great choice.  Since the car has a hardtop, a little rain won’t stop you from enjoying the 420-horsepower engine and gorgeous red exterior.  Nothing turns heads like an exotic car rental.

Use the Columbus Day holiday as a good excuse to leave work early, and then enjoy your afternoon off in an Audi R8!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities.

As American car buyers turn away from gas-guzzling cars and SUVs and move toward fuel-efficient small vehicles like the Smart ForTwo, carmakers are scrambling to revise their lines and produce vehicles that will sell in a difficult economy.  Ford is hoping to win over consumers with the redesigned Fiesta.

The Fiesta, which has been popular in Europe since it was introduced in 1976, was very briefly sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980.  In 1981, the U.S. version of the Fiesta was replaced by the Ford Escort.  Now the Fiesta is back in North America and preparing to make news at the LA Auto Show.

The 2011 production version of the Ford Fiesta is debuting to much fanfare at the December auto show.  The big reveal is part of Ford’s aggressive marketing campaign for the Fiesta, which it will be releasing for sale early in 2010.

(Sure, it’s not a Ford Focus, but it’s a lot prettier, don’t you think? Rent a Ferrari from DFW Elite Auto Rental in Fort Worth, TX.)

Fuel economy, a major factor for many new car buyers, tops Ford’s list of positive attributes of the Fiesta.  While official figures have not yet been released, Ford promises that the Fiesta will be a “lightweight mpg contender.”  The car’s 1.6-liter engine and automatic transmission are designed for maximum fuel efficiency.

In addition, the Fiesta doesn’t skimp on design, technology, performance, or safety.  The car will feature up to seven air bags to protect the driver and passengers, and electronic stability control will be standard on all models.

Ford says that there has been great interest in the U.S. release of the Fiesta, with more than 50,000 people asking for information about the car.  The Fiesta has been a top seller in Europe for many years.

The 2011 Fiesta will be available in a four-door hatchback or sedan body style and nine fun colors.  Bright choices like “Green Apple,” “Orange Peel,” and “Ultra Violet” will turn heads.

However, nothing turns heads like an exotic car.  For many drivers, a fuel-efficient vehicle like the Fiesta makes a great commuter car, but it doesn’t fulfill their desire for speed and performance.  That’s where exotic car clubs come in.

Exotic car clubs give member the opportunity to choose from an entire garage of exotic cars, including vehicles like Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and Ferraris.  Instead of hassling with the expense and responsibility of owning an exotic car, they can simply have the fun of driving their dream vehicles.

Car clubs are a great option for those who want to drive an exotic car for special occasions and then save gas during their commute by driving a vehicle like the Ford Fiesta.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities.

For a cool $105,000 patrons of NM can be among the very first owners of the new Jag XJ10. “The Neiman Marcus book has featured a marquee automobile for as long as I can remember,” said DFW Elite Auto Rental.com owner Ron Sturgeon.

For those looking to share a more affordable Christmas gift for a DFW car enthusiast, Sturgeon suggests a dream car driving tour from DFW Drive Your Dream (http://www.dfwdriveyourdream.com).

Voted the “#1 Coolest thing to do in DFW” by D Magazine, the tours put performance car lovers at the controls of five exotic cars for a full day of fun.

Rides typically featured in the 2000HP Tour include the Ferrari F430 F1, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible, and Audi R8.

Among the other fantasy gifts for the well-to-do are his and hers flying lessons and a $250,00 ICON A5 sports aircraft according to an article about new catalog in today’s Dallas Morning News. The ICON A5 will be showcased in the upcoming Iron Man movie.

Eric Anderson is a freelance writer and SE friendly content writer based in Wesley Chapel, FL. See more of his work at PDQwebcopywriting.com.

While it’s not typically a producer of exotic cars, Saturn has been making regular vehicles since 1990.  Now it’s the latest casualty in what has been a difficult few years for the auto industry.

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

Originally founded as a “different kind of car company,” Saturn became part of General Motors and went on to be a popular brand of automobile.  However, the actual vehicle sales never met the aggressive targets, and the last Saturn vehicles were produced on Thursday.

As part of its general restructuring plans, GM will be ceasing production on Saturn vehicles.  In 2004, the automaker stopped making Oldsmobile vehicles, and the Pontiac brand will also be eliminated in 2010.

It was originally thought that Saturn would be purchased by the Penske Automotive Group, but when that sale fell through, the brand was slated for a 2010 shutdown.  Saturn dealerships will be closing in 2010, and Saturn factories in Michigan, Kansas, and Mexico have ceased production.

“2008 and 2009 have been hard years for the auto industry,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental business.  “No one’s sure when things will turn around, but hopefully it will be soon.”

Sturgeon’s business offers a way for exotic car fans to drive their dream vehicle without dealing with an astronomical car payment.  Exotic car rental is becoming a popular alternative to owning an exotic vehicle.

“One thing that I like about it is that you don’t have to be a millionaire to drive a Ferrari,” says Sturgeon.  “You can just be a regular guy or girl.”

Beside exotic car rental, there are other alternatives for driving your dream car.  You can join an exotic car sharing club or participate in a dream tour.  Exotic car clubs offer members access to a wide selection of luxury and sports cars.  Dream tours provide a one-day adrenaline-fueled driving experience.

Exotic car fans may be saddened to learn that the Saturn Sky Roadster will be affected by the demise of the car brand.  While it wasn’t exactly considered exotic, the Sky Roadster was an affordable convertible sports car.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities.

Since the Frankfurt Auto Show started on September 15, there’s been a lot of buzz about the exciting new exotic vehicles car manufacturers have been showing off.  One of the most incredible is the new 2010 Lamborgini Reventón Roadster, which had its initial unveiling at the famous car show in Germany.

The Lamborghini Reventón Roadster has an exterior that was inspired by the sleek design of stealth fighter jets.  The front end of the car is sharply pointed, reminiscent of an airplane.  The entire vehicle is painted matte grey, just like the color used on stealthplanes to help them avoid being detected by radar.

The car’s dashboard is constructed of carbon fiber, and a single piece of aluminum houses the vehicle’s gauges.  Excluding the steel doors, the majority of the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster is made of carbon fiber.

Capable of going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds, the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster doesn’t skimp on performance.  The vehicle is powered by a 6.5-liter V-12 engine that can produce an incredible 670 horsepower.

Fewer than 20 Lamborghini Reventón Roadsters will be produced, which means most regular people will never even see one in person, let alone experience the thrill of driving the ultimate exotic vehicle.  However, just about anyone can drive a Lamborghini with exotic car rental.

Renting an exotic car is easy!  You can have the fun of driving a performance automobile for just a day, an adrenaline-filled weekend, or an entire week.  It’s a great way to test drive a vehicle before committing to ownership.

For a lot of exotic car fans, owning an exotic car is a dream that they keep putting off.  Buying an exotic car is a pretty expensive indulgence for most people, especially with the economy in its current state.  Instead, people are turning to exotic car rental.

When you own an exotic car, you have to deal with finding a qualified mechanic, coming up with the money to make your high car payment, insuring the vehicle, and worrying about security.  When you rent an exotic vehicle, you get to turn heads and impress your friends without the hassle of ownership.

The Lamborghini Reventón Roadster goes on sale this month.  The car will retail for around $1.2 million.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living near the Twin Cities.