Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of zipping around town in a Ferrari 360 Modena Spider, or maybe you want a standout car for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or dream vacation. Whatever the reason, when it comes to renting luxury or exotic cars, you want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely with a legitimate company.
DO Pay Attention to the Rules
A reputable luxury car rental company is going to have similar rules to any other car rental company. You’ll likely need to be a certain age – for some companies that might be 25 and for others 21 – have insurance, a valid driver’s license and will have to sign a rental agreement. Some exotic car rental companies also ask for a substantial deposit.
DON’T Rent a Car You Can’t Handle
Just because you love the idea of driving a powerful car with the performance of an Indy 500 stock car doesn’t mean that you should drive that car. In addition to being unfamiliar with the safety features and power of the car, you may be on vacation and in an area where you aren’t familiar with the roads, traffic or driving habits of those around you.
DO Make Sure the Company Is Reputable
Anyone can throw a few pictures of luxury cars up on a website and say they rent exotic cars. However, there are some red flags you should watch out for.
- Loose rules on what is required to rent the car – This might show that they’re desperate for the money.
- Prices that don’t match up to other luxury car rental companies – If they’re super low, watch out.
- The majority of models constantly being unavailable – They might not even have these cars, but are just showing the pictures to look better.
These can signal that there are issues with the company. You’ll also want to check the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau and any reviews on sites such as Yelp!
DON’T Fill up the Car With Cheap Fuel
Make sure you understand what type of fuel the car’s manufacturer recommends and use only that grade of fuel. While it might be tempting to put something cheaper in the engine, the last thing you want to do is cause damage to a car, particularly a luxury model that you don’t own but are responsible for.
DO go Luxury for Special Events, Exotic for Fun
Marking an occasion like a wedding, 50th anniversary celebration or college graduation by renting a luxury car is a good idea and well worth the investment. You’ll be making memories of a special occasion and will always remember the ride in that luxury vehicle to get to and from the venue. In addition, rates if you plan to stay in town can be lower than if you are going to be putting a lot of miles on the vehicle.
However, don’t pick a Rolls Royce just for the driving experience. Those are great for your special event, but if you just want something that’s exciting, go for an exotic car.
DON’T Forget to Book In Advance
If you know that you want to rent a certain vehicle on a specific date, go ahead and book well in advance. Not only will you get the best rates by booking early, but you’ll also reduce the risk of the car you want getting booked by another individual and being unavailable.
Renting a luxury or exotic vehicle can make a special occasion even better. With a little foresight and planning, it will be an experience you’ll always remember.
Scott Huntington is a writer and car fanatic from Harrisburg, PA.