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
