Rent One for a Day or a Weekend First
If you dream of owning a supercar, rent one for a day or a weekend first. Even if you really do think you want a top-end motorcar, you’ll find out if the dream holds up to reality after spending time behind the wheel. If you are looking to own one of these supercars it’s important that you experience what driving that car on a daily basis really feels like. You want to know how people will respond to it. You want to know what it’s like to park it. You want to get a sense for the driving dynamics. And you want to experience the joy of the sound of that car.
If you have a range of options available to you it’s important that you find out what the money really gets you. Test out the extreme cars with huge horsepower outputs against the more moderately powered cars in an attempt to decide where the cutoff is for your happiness with power, prestige, handling, braking, comfort, and torque. It would also be smart to drive at least two of these cars back to back. You’ll understand how they vary in terms of speed, handling, braking, sound, materials, interior design, suspension and cornering.
There are no shortage of expensive cars in the world but if you want to spend big on something from the Italian marque Ferrari these are the numbers you’ll likely see:
- Portofino $900-$1,300;
- Roma $1,000-$1,500;
- 488 GTB $1,400-$2,000;
- F8 Tributo $1,800-$2,500;
- SF90 Stradale from $2,500 which can exceed $4,000 a day.
If you are in fact interested in making an investment in a big-end sports car consider the entry level models first.
Whichever model you pick, what good is driving around the block at a reasonably moderate speed without using too much throttle? You need more time to reach any conclusion in respect to speed and handling and the like. If you are using this as an experience to determine if you want to own one of these cars it would be smart to rent for at least a 24-hour period. A full day or two gives you time to really learn about the car and then drive it around on public roads with a passenger and experience the good and bad of it.
Daily prices are reasonable, but if you rent for only a few hours then there is more of a risk you’ll pay more per hour. Multi-day rentals often offer a reduction on the daily rate. Weekdays are cheaper, and weekends spike. Both Miami’s high season and other special occasions, such as holidays and events, can raise prices. Book early and you can often get better rates.
If you really want to test drive a top-tier car in the New York City area, you need to know there are restrictions on rental cars. The law in New York says rental companies must rent to anyone 18 and older with a driver’s license, but they may add a surcharge for anyone under 25. Deposits usually run a few thousand dollars, which are refundable if there’s no damage, but the amount will tie up funds while you’re driving.
Rental Damage Coverage
Your credit card probably doesn’t cover it. American Express rental damage coverage excludes cars with original MSRP of $50,000 or more and names every Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Basic insurance usually isn’t enough. If your card’s insurance doesn’t cover the rental vehicle you’re still probably on hook to fix the car you wrecked. It’s best to check the details of any insurance product before booking.
Add-on coverage covers things the standard insurance doesn’t, like scratches or minor bumps or a high deductible, and that makes it worth the added cost. The daily rate increases based on the level of protection you choose. The premium varies by model since some are more expensive than others. When compared to a standard rental car, add-on protection feels like an unnecessary luxury, but it can be essential when renting an exotic car.
In New York, there is no dollar cap on the daily damage waiver for cars with an MSRP over $50,000 but its price must reflect fair market value as the rental company determines it. Your liability for damage cannot exceed the lesser of reasonable repair cost or the car’s fair market value just before the damage. The company cannot charge for loss of use.
Drive It Like It’s a Car You Could Afford
While it’s obviously fun to book a supercar for the weekend, decide if you can see yourself driving one every day. When you go drive these top-tier high performance cars, you’ve got to drive it like it’s a car you could afford and that you could buy. Take it easy. Don’t be stupid.
Exotic cars are usually rented under some restrictions. Mileage is usually capped, so plan your route to stay in bounds. You usually get 75 to 150 miles a day with a rental, and extra miles are billed. Miles add up quickly on an open road so be mindful. Refill fuel yourself. An hour late can cost a whole day’s rental. Clean up the car after the ride; otherwise the rental firm may charge a fee to clean mud and food. In Florida, your first street racing conviction costs your license for a year.
Yes! Rent an exotic before buying one. How does the car feel when you hit the freeway? What would it feel like if you had that level of sound and power on a daily basis? What’s the driving dynamic actually like when you sit inside of this car? It’s definitely worth renting these cars to experience them before you buy them, but only if you are going to experience them well. You should buy supercars with your head and not your heart.
