| As the exotic car rental industry grows, more | | | | vehicles and may have extremely advanced |
| consumers are flocking to this exciting and accessible | | | | technology. Each can also have a unique driving |
| trend in the luxury automotive space. Gotham Dream | | | | personality and varied handling characteristics that can |
| Cars, a leader in the industry with locations in New | | | | take hours, if not days, to get used to. Ask your rental |
| York and Miami, has released some useful tips for | | | | company to give you a proper introduction to your |
| those enthusiasts who seek a “dream | | | | vehicle and make sure you know how to use all the |
| day” in a favorite luxury or super car. Unlike | | | | safety features, how to operate the transmission, and |
| when renting from a traditional car rental company | | | | how to avoid a potentially dangerous drive. |
| (such as Hertz or Avis), knowing what to ask of your | | | | Terms and conditions: Know the terms and conditions |
| exotic vehicle provider can help protect you from the | | | | of the agreement prior to arranging for your rental: |
| unknown factors that come with renting an extremely | | | | Exotic and super cars can be vastly different to rent |
| expensive and powerful piece of machinery. | | | | than your standard rental. How many miles are |
| “As a car guy, I loved the idea of trying out the | | | | included in the agreement? (Exotic rental companies |
| latest super car but I couldn’t find a reputable | | | | rarely, if ever, give unlimited miles.) What happens if the |
| company to rent from! It was then that I decided to | | | | car breaks down? What about roadside assistance? |
| start Gotham Dream Cars and solve that | | | | Are there refueling requirements? |
| problem,” states CEO Noah Lehmann-Haupt. | | | | Locations: Ask about delivery to your home or office |
| “Renting a Ferrari or Lamborghini for the | | | | and what the full service range of your rental provider |
| weekend is quite different from rental a normal | | | | is. Some rental companies offer different points for |
| economy car at the airport. It’s important for | | | | pick up and drop off as an added value. |
| those thinking about taking the plunge to do their | | | | Check the vehicle’s condition: Many startup and |
| research and know what questions to ask up | | | | fly-by-night firms act only as brokers or middlemen, |
| front.” | | | | renting you a vehicle that’s been borrowed |
| Lehmann-Haupt offers these important tips to discuss | | | | from another firm or a private owner. When this |
| with any exotic rental company prior to utilizing their | | | | happens, the “buck never stops” and |
| services: | | | | mechanical failures may not get fixed, tires may get |
| Avoid the fly-by-nights: Make sure the car you are | | | | dangerously worn, warning lights can get ignored, and |
| renting is actually owned/leased by the rental company | | | | the vehicle’s paint may get tarnished and dull |
| and not a private owner’s personal toy. | | | | from lack of care. Make sure your chosen exotic |
| Several fly-by-night operators use privately-owned | | | | rental company has adequate staffing and someone |
| cars as ways to get around the legalities and | | | | who is responsible for the vehicles’ |
| difficulties of insurance and financing. If you rent a car | | | | maintenance – both aesthetically and |
| that isn’t legally insured as a rental, you could be | | | | mechanically. |
| held liable and possibly sued for damages by the | | | | BUT, have realistic expectations: Even though the |
| owner – and your personal insurance carrier | | | | vehicle you’ve chosen to drive for the day may |
| won’t cover you. Furthermore, private owners | | | | the be car of your dreams, it’s still a rental car |
| rarely respect customers’ reservations, and | | | | and will inevitably have been driven by other |
| your car could be taken back from the owner at any | | | | enthusiasts, so normal wear and tear should be |
| time. Not a good thing to happen the night before your | | | | expected. Unlike the traditional rental companies, exotic |
| big rental! | | | | rental firms rotate their fleets less frequently (usually |
| Beware of the stock photo: Make sure the car you | | | | every 2 – 3 years). The most reputable firms |
| reserve is the car you’re getting. Many small | | | | will give great attention to providing you with a |
| start-up rental companies trade cars with other | | | | great-looking and great-driving car, but be realistic |
| companies or list cars on their website that they do | | | | about your expectations – just because the car |
| not own in order to appear bigger and more | | | | is expensive doesn’t mean it will be coming |
| established. You may make a reservation based on a | | | | straight from the showroom floor. And if the renter |
| pretty picture online and get a different color, different | | | | immediately before you puts a scratch in the bumper, |
| model, or no car at all! | | | | there probably won’t be time to repaint it before |
| Ask for an on-site walk through of your car:Â | | | | it’s your turn, so you might have to face the |
| Luxury/super cars are generally rare and exclusive | | | | choice of scratched car or no car. |