| The growth of exotic car rentals in the United States | | | | indulgence, like going to a fine restaurant or five-star |
| is one of those curious artifacts of the recession. | | | | resort or hotel. What better way to tour the coast |
| Once a very small niche market, exotic car rentals | | | | highway or the neighborhoods of the rich and |
| are now available from some of the larger rental | | | | famous than in a sports car with the top down? |
| companies, at least in larger cities. Americans are | | | | Exotic rentals can turn your vacation into a fantasy |
| discovering what the Europeans have known for a | | | | adventure. Even without leaving home, exotic car |
| long time: you don't have to spend a fortune on fine | | | | rentals can add spice to a special |
| automobiles to drive one when it matters most. | | | | occasion-anniversary, birthday, reunion, or just a |
| The reasons for the growth in exotic car rentals are | | | | weekend getaway to nowhere. |
| also rooted in the fact there are so many exotic car | | | | Exotic car rentals are an alternative to the usual boxy |
| models from which to choose. Before Henry Ford's | | | | fleet car when traveling, but there are some |
| development of the assembly line, that made it | | | | important differences to consider. First, the rental |
| possible to assemble simple designs efficiently and | | | | agency won't just check your driving license-they will |
| quickly, all cars were hand-built in small shops, and | | | | also check your driving record. Many exotic car |
| only the wealthy could afford them. As robotics, | | | | rentals, besides being more expensive than the |
| computer-aided design, and just-in-time manufacturing | | | | average car, are also high-performance vehicles, with |
| techniques now make it possible to build custom | | | | as much horsepower as an eighteen-wheeler. Not |
| models or even unique cars on an assembly line, | | | | only do they accelerate like a jet fighter catapulted |
| exotic cars can be built competitively, with | | | | from an aircraft carrier, they can quickly attain more |
| high-quality components and skilled labor devoted to | | | | than twice the posted highway speed. Responsible |
| hand finishing. | | | | drivers only, please. Sticker shock awaits the |
| Aside from the quality aspect, a car is exotic | | | | unprepared, as well. Exotic car rentals typically run at |
| because it is, like a race car or military vehicle, | | | | one percent of the purchase price of the vehicle, per |
| designed for a narrow range of specific purposes. | | | | day. Since most sports cars and ultra-luxury sedans |
| While many exotics are now within the price range of | | | | cost more than $100,000, the rental fees may be in |
| the middle class, it can't be your only car, and | | | | excess of $1000 per day. But, if getting there is |
| possibly relegated to third or fourth car, or pushed | | | | everything, the cost is comparable with other luxury |
| off the budget entirely. But, you still want to drive | | | | adventures, and provides an experience you may |
| one. Enter exotic car rentals. | | | | cherish longer than memories of other, more passive |
| American culture is so much a car culture that exotic | | | | trips. And, you are in the driver's seat. |
| rentals make sense as just another vacation | | | | |