Elite Auto Rental Blog

One of the many benefits of exotic car rental is being able to ignore recall notices.  When you rent an exotic vehicle, you don’t have to worry about issues like maintenance.

For Toyota owners, this week has been full of mounting concerns about vehicle safety.  3.8 million Toyota cars and trucks were recalled earlier in the week, and Toyota stopped production and sales of affected autos.

The issue is a sticky accelerator pedal.  Over time, especially in cold or damp conditions, the gas pedal on certain Toyota models can cause dangerous driving situations.  There is a chance the gas pedal can be slow to return after it has been depressed by the driver’s foot.

That means that the car could accelerate at the wrong time, causing an accident.  Toyota is still working on a fix for the problem, but the Japanese automaker believes the issue is due to a faulty gas pedal assembly.  It is working to develop a replacement part.

Vehicles affected include the following Toyota cars and truck models:

1. 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon
2. Some 2007-2010 Toyota Camry vehicles
3. 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla
4. 2010 Toyota Highlander
5. 2009-2010 Toyota Matrix
6. 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia
7. 2009-2010 Toyota Rav 4
8. 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra

As of right now, Toyota claims that these vehicles are safe to drive.  The automaker says that it wants owners to be aware of potential problems and know how to respond if they encounter this issue.  Toyota recommends that if drivers experience a sticky accelerator, they immediately stop driving and contact their Toyota dealer.

Toyota is not the only automaker to issue a major recall.  In recent years, most of the big car companies have had to recall models for various safety issues.  Even exotic car companies, like Lamborghini, have recalled models in the last few years.

For exotic car fans, keeping up with all of these issues can be a bit of a hassle.  Instead of owning an exotic car and dealing with maintenance, insurance, car storage, and other ownership concerns, many are turning to options like exotic car rental, exotic car clubs, and automotive dream tours.

While Toyota works on solving the accelerator issue, they have suspended production of the affected vehicles.  The automaker has also halted sales of these cars and trucks until a new part can be developed.

If you own one of these cars, you can find out more information by calling Toyota Customer Service at (800) 331-4331.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, specializing in web content and technical writing.

Rodney Ross is fed up with waiting to be paid by Dean Kruse for his Lincoln Limosine that was sold at the Labor Day Weekend Sale in Auburn Indiana.

In an attempt to draw attention to the plight of unpaid sellers, Ross decided to create a website (http://www.kruseauctionripoff.com) to publicize the stories of sellers and their experiences with Kruse Auctions International.

Rodney Ross’ beautiful Lincoln Limo that was sold at Kruse International’s Labor Day Weekend Classic Car Auction in Indiana. (Photo: Rodney Ross / Fort Worth, TX)

“Our goal is to give people a place to tell their stories and to be a clearinghouse for information that sellers need to know,” said Ross, a Fort Worth car collector.

The site contains links to recent news stories about Kruse Auctions and Dean Kruse

Read the full press release about the new website, KruseAuctionRipoff.com

The Detroit Auto Show is an exciting event for exotic car fans and automotive analysts alike, and this year didn’t disappoint.  CNNMoney.com offered an opinion on 6 Cars Worth Waiting For.

This year’s Detroit Auto Show is remarkable for featuring eco-friendly cars.  Gone are the huge SUVs and gas-guzzling vehicles of the past.  Instead, the show is filled with small autos like the Smart ForTwo.

Fuel economy is one of the major innovations for many of these six new cars.  In addition, performance is also a priority in many models.

The Honda CR-Z, a new hybrid offering from the Japanese automaker, is based on the CR-X of the 1980s.  However, while the CR-Z won’t get the incredible gas mileage of the CR-X, it will have safety and performance features that the old model didn’t have.  And at 38 miles per gallon on the highway, the fuel economy isn’t too shabby either.

Lincoln also has a new offering, the MKX.  The crossover has an impressive 3.7-liter V6 engine, which is capable of 305 horsepower.  In addition to the performance specs, the car boasts a version of Ford’s new Sync software system.  The Sync system provides voice activation and hands-free operation of music players, cell phones, and other mobile technologies.

The redesigned Ford Focus is expected to wow car buyers with both its performance and fuel economy.  Up to 10% more efficient than previous iterations of the Focus, the 2011 model also features a 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with dual-clutch shifting.

Even though it’s a standby when it comes to American sports cars, the newly redesigned Ford Mustang will probably turn a few heads.  The 5.0-liter V8 engine will generate an impressive 412 horsepower, and the redesign also delivers improved steering and suspension.

The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe was unveiled in November at the L.A. Auto Show, and it already has Cadillac enthusiasts excited.  The car is a lighter, leaner version of the CTS-V sedan will be available with a manual or automatic transmission.

Perhaps the most exciting new development for exotic car fans is the Mercedes-Benz E-class Cabriolet.  The convertible coupe features a cloth top and impressive sound insulation.  It also has several design innovations to protect occupants from wind.  The 382-horsepower E550 Cabriolet will hit showrooms this spring.

Luckily, if you’re anxious to drive a Mercedes, you don’t have to wait for the E550 to go on sale.  You can avoid the expense and hassle of ownership, including car payments, insurance, and vehicle storage, if you join an exotic car sharing club, rent an exotic car, or participate in an automotive dream tour.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, specializing in web content and technical writing.

Driving an exotic car doesn’t just mean turning the heads.  It also means attracting extra attention from law enforcement officials.

If an unnamed Swiss man didn’t already know this, he knows it now.  The world’s most expensive speeding ticket was handed down to a Swiss millionaire for driving his Ferrari Testarossa at 85 miles per hour.

Although 85 miles per hour is nowhere near the top speed of this car, which sports a 4.9-liter, 428 horsepower engine, it’s fast enough to cost the driver a fortune.

The driver was charged the equivalent of $290,000 for speeding through a village.  The man was going 35 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and Swiss officials assessed the fine based on his wealth.

The Ferrari driver owns a nearby villa and five exotic vehicles.  His offence angered the court, which claimed the man was acting out of a “pure desire for speed.”

Fortunately, for Texans, there are ways to drive a Ferrari that won’t get you quite as much attention for the Swiss cops.

Exotic car rental is one option that is increasing in popularity.  Instead of hassling with car payments, automobile storage, insurance, and maintenance, drivers can simply drive a dream car for a day.

You won’t find a Bentley at the Hertz counter, but you can find one to rent using any of a number of online directories of exotic car rental companies. One of the very best is http://www.rentexoticcars.net.

Another great choice is joining an exotic car club.  Car club members have access to an entire garage of exotic cars.

A third alternative is a dream car driving tour.  Automotive dream tour participants get to drive several exotic vehicles over the course of a single day.  They can compare vehicles and enjoy some of the most beautiful roads in Texas.

Learn more about a dream car tour for yourself or for a gift by visiting DFW Drive Your Dream. Public tours are given in cities throughout Texas and corporate events are offered throughout the United States. Take a peak at photos from our recent tours on DFW Elite Auto Rental.com’s Facebook page.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, specializing in web content and technical writing.

There’s no denying that 2009 was a hard year for the auto industry, especially for manufacturers of exotic cars.  However, some industry analysts expect to see a slight upturn in auto sales figures for the months of December.

As consumers grappled with a credit crunch, high unemployment, and mountains of debt, many were resistant to the idea of buying a new vehicle last year.  This reluctance resulted in one of the worst years for the auto industry.

In 2009, China edged out the United States as the strongest car sales market worldwide.  The year also saw two iconic U.S. car manufacturers, General Motors and Chrysler, file for bankruptcy.

Depending on the sales figures for the month of December, 2009 was either the worst year since 1982 or 1970.

TrueCar analyst Jesse Toprak told FoxNews.com that he expects 2009 will be the worst year since 1970, but he does predict an improvement in 2010.

“I think what we are going to see in 2010 in a nutshell is steady and slow recovery,” Toprak said. “The fundamentals that fuel new car sales are improving, but there is still a lot of skepticism from consumers.”

For many consumers, especially those considering exotic vehicles, this skepticism has led to outside-the-box thinking.  Instead of purchasing a six-figure exotic car, many exotic car enthusiasts choose instead to join exotic car clubs.

Touted as being environmentally responsible, as well as economical, car clubs are a great alternative to owning an exotic vehicle.  Instead of hassling with insurance, maintenance, storage, and other owner concerns, exotic car club members can just sit back and relax.

Members have access to an entire garage of exotic vehicles.  Rather than committing to one car, they can experience the thrill of driving a Lamborghini one week and a Bentley the next.

Other options include exotic car rental and automotive dream tours.  Exotic car rental is great for those who want to have a great time on vacation or impress friends and dates.  It’s also an excellent option for special occasions like class reunions, major birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

Automotive dream tours are the ultimate way to experience the adrenaline rush that comes with driving exotic vehicles.  Over the course of a few hours, participants can sit behind the wheel of some of the fastest cars in Texas.

These and other creative options may be the future of the exotic car world.  Toprak expects that it may take three more years for domestic car sales to return to normal, and it could be even longer for exotic car sales.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, specializing in web content and technical writing.