Renting a Sports Car

When one thinks of rental cars, they usually imagine overused sedans in neutral colors that lack pep or performance. Rental cars have often been generic, neutral vehicles maintained due to their functionality and reliability. The ho-hum prospect of renting a car in the past rarely elicited any feeling of excitement.

The car rental process, however, has changed over time. Now, a prospective renter can choose from a wider spectrum of vehicles, including popular high-performance sports cars.

A sports car might appeal to a renter for any number of reasons. A single person traveling alone may crave something novel and fun while on a dull business trip or as a means of rounding out a vacation trip. Others may wish to try their hand at driving a sports car on a temporary basis just for the sake of variety. Still others can use the opportunity to rent a sports car as a financially viable means of creating an extended test drive prior to making a sports car purchase. There are true sports car enthusiasts who need a rental car for any number of reasons and can simply not imagine a return to the doldrums of driving a conventional car.

This great variety of reasons has created sufficient demand for rental agencies to add sports cars to their available fleet of autos. Now, in addition to station wagons, economy class cars and base sedans, more and more rental companies are providing prospective customers with a healthy array of sports car options.

Of course, one cannot expect to rent a high-end import sports are at rates similar to those they might pay for a domestic standard issue vehicle. Sports cars, of course, are more expensive to purchase, maintain and insure. Thus, one can expect to pay significantly higher rates when renting one.

In addition to higher base rental rates, prospective customers can also anticipate some additional expenses. For instance, sports cars generally do not boast the fuel efficiency found in the more frequently rented subcompact cars and gas bills for the period of the rental are likely to run high.

Additionally, the rental agency may require additional insurance purchase, or at the very least, more expensive insurance options, than are generally required of other rented vehicles. Remember, the agency must purchase (or lease) these cars at considerably higher prices than standard models and that expense will be reflected throughout your rental experience.

Younger drivers may also encounter some difficulties in renting high-end sports cars. Rental agencies have always been somewhat restrictive when it comes to the age of drivers, but there are likely to have even stiffer requirements for the rental of sports cars. Rental agencies want to insure the safety of their sports car investments.

Sports car rentals create a unique opportunity for renters. It allows someone who may otherwise never have the opportunity to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle to see what all the fuss is about. It can give one a chance at glamour and excitement for a few days without any real commitment or long-term burden. Although the cost of renting a sports car may be high enough to freeze some renters out of the market, their availability does increase their accessibility to those who may never have another opportunity to enjoy the sports car experience.

The next time you are renting a car, you may want to consider trying an exotic sports car for a few days. It can add something unique to your vacation or business trip. You can experience the excitement of sports car driving without the burdens of sports car ownership. If one can afford the additional expense of a great rental car upgrade, the rental sports car experience may be a great alternative to chugging about in a dull generic car.

Super Exotic Sports Cars - What You Should Know, Before Spending Any Money!

Before we start, let's define the term 'super exotic sports cars'. Sports cars, by definition are borderline racing cars; boasting powerful performance and sleek looks. Their prestige makes them expensive, and thus the domain of a select few. With reference to sports cars, the term "exotic" refers to vehicles produced in very limited numbers. This of course increases their exclusivity and by virtue of this, their value. Exotic sports cars will, in all likelihood, be built by smaller manufacturers or perhaps the super high-end vehicles will be created by some of the better-known car companies outside of the United States, as exclusive models.

Many exotic sports cars are the stuff of legend. The world's fastest car, the McLaren F1, for instance is a well-known exotic. Although only around one hundred F1s were produced and the manufacturer is not a household name (outside of the Grand Prix circuits of course), the McLarens are coveted sports cars. All exotic sports cars are highly sought after and, as status symbols, are second to none in the sports car world.

But, assuming that you can afford it, is an exotic sports car for you?

It is easy to be seduced by the allure of owning an exotic sports car. Owning one can be very tempting. Amongst the purists, the cars themselves are often considered the pinnacle of design. Any enthusiast who has the means will tell you that when an opportunity to invest in an exotic sports car presents itself, resistance can be very difficult.

One should try and be objective about the proposition though.

Before making such a major commitment, there are three factors you should consider.

Exotic Sports Cars Are Very Expense

The cost of owning such a prestigious car, does not end when you part with the initial payment. Even if one can afford the initial asking price of an exotic (and not many can), one needs to be aware of the likely ongoing running expenses , which can be significant. The maintenance and repair of an exotic car is certain to be expensive compared to non-exotic vehicles and a buyer should attempt to discover what kind of costs he or she is likely to experience in order to keep the car in running order. There can be no cost cutting on parts for these high end vehicles.

Parts for prestige cars are likely to be in short supply, if they are available at all. The likelihood that the owners of exotic sports cars will need to have some parts custom made during their ownership of the vehicle is quite high. And the cost will be significant. This is especially true of older exotics, many of which will have been orphaned when their original manufacturer stopped making cars. Not only will this prove extremely expensive, one can also expect it to be time consuming as well. And, as time passes, the necessary investment will only become greater.

Your usual mechanic cannot be expected to be able to repair exotic sports cars. You will need specialised mechanics with specialised tools to be able to ensure that appropriate and professional repairs are carried out. Not only will such individuals be, in all probability much more expensive than your usual mechanics, you would be very fortunate if you found one in your town. You should expect to have to do a lot of traveling in order to find suitable mechanical help.

All too often a sports car buff will purchase an exotic, without though to the ongoing costs, and, as a consequence be completely unprepared to handle additional future expenses. A thorough planning of expected costs and the means to meet those costs would certainly be in order.

Reliability Of High End Vehicles

Even though an exotic sports car may represent the ultimate in performance, One cannot assume that it will also be reliable. This will hold particularly true for the older 'classic' exotic cars. As with any high performance machine, exotic sports cars can be quite delicate (temperamental) which will, in all probability, require that you, or someone close to you be regularly on hand to make the adjustments to ensure that the vehicle stays in operating order. Exotic sports cars are well known for the spectacular side of their performance when they running well. However, the other side of the coin is that they are notorious for being among the most temperamental of vehicles that one may encounter.

If you plan to run an exotic sports car on a regular basis, you should be prepared for the highs and los of motoring. The sublime feeling of driving a top car with top performance can often be forgotten if the same car stops and refuses to start many miles from any assistance.

The Drivability of Exotic Cars

Most owners of high performance cars will tell you that such vehicles take 'some getting used too'. Optimum performance comes at a price, and will depend very largely on the skill of the driver. So, if you are relatively inexperienced, then please do not expect to get the best out of your car straight away. This in itself could prove too frustrating for many potentials owners. One should also take into account the relative risk of driving a high performance cars whilst still inexperienced.

For those to whom the additional cost of time in learning to drive a prestige car optimally and safely is not an issue, an additional, problem arises in the adjustment of seats and pedals for example. Small things that are irrelevant in normal cars take on much greater significance when applied to exotic sports cars.

When considering the purchase of an exotic sports car, one must look past the romance and excitement of owning a legendary vehicle. There are real concerns and obstacles to be overcome before the full enjoyment and benefit of owning such a car can be achieved.

Why Is It Beneficial to Hire a Sports Car As Opposed to Purchasing One

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato - A close look at this sports car including performance, technical data, features, comparing rivals, history, used prices

from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

The DB4 sports car was launched at the 1958 London Motor Show as the two door Series 1.

Following its popularity, the lighter DB4 GT was launched in 1960, at the same venue, with a view to its appearance in the track.

This involved, primarily, reducing the DB4's wheelbase by 5 inches, and using thinner, lighter 18-gauge aluminium body panels, which subsequently reduced the curb weight to 1270 kg.

However, when it came to track performance, the DB4 GT fell well short of its stablemate, the DBR1, which won the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour race.

Consequently, Aston Martin then decided to approach the renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, which specialised in lightweight body construction.

The intention was to create a racer, based on the DB4 GT, that would be serious competition for the Ferrari 250 GT which was, at that time, in an unassailable position in the World Sportcar Championship.

Following agreement, the first chassis were shipped to Zagato in 1960 with the goal of producing 25 units of the new sports car, which was to be designated the DB4 GT Zagato.


The Ferrari 355 - A close look at this classic sports car's performance, technical data, features, comparing rivals, history, used prices

from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

The Ferrari F355 sports car, introduced in 1994, was the successor to the 348 Series.

Styled by Pininfarina, there was an emphasis on smooth lines, whilst embodying a fastback style.

It was offered as the two seater Berlinetta coupe, the GTS with a Targa-style top, and the Spyder convertible.

At launch, the Berlinetta was priced at $130,000, whilst the other two variants both had a price tag of $137,000.

It used a steel monocoque chassis and tubular engine sub-frame, coil spring independent suspension all round with gas-filled shock absorbers that were activated electronically, and anti-roll bars.

The driver was able to control the firmness of the ride by choosing the appropriate damper setting of Comfort or Sport.

In terms of aerodynamics, this sports car was fitted with a complete body under tray that prevented lift when driven hard.

Interestingly, the leather covered seats were positioned such that the driver was close to the car's central position. It had:

    Up rated vacuum powered vented disc brakes all round and linked to ABS
    Power assisted steering
    Limited slip differential
    Electrically adjusted driver seats
    18 inch magnesium alloy wheels
    Body was constructed of steel and aluminium

From launch up to 1997, they were fitted with a manual six speed gearbox which was the only one at that time.

In 1997, all three sports cars were then designated the Ferrari 355, with the letter "F" having been dropped.

Also that year, and for the first time, they were fitted with a Formula One-style paddle gear shift, positioned behind the steering wheel, and linked to the six speed manual gearbox, and with no clutch pedal.

This addition increased the selling price by $6,000, and allowed gear changes to be performed in a matter of milliseconds, and left the driver's attention centred on the road, and not distracted by manual gear changes.

With the introduction of the 355 sports car Series, there was a change in the nomenclature, with the first two letters referring to the engine's capacity, and the third figure indicating the number of valves.

This change was meant to emphasise the introduction of the five valves per cylinder in the 355.

By the time production ended in 1999, a combined total of 11,273 units of all the variants had been built.

THE ENGINE


To cruise the roads on a smart, classy and luxurious sports car is a dream for most people. A luxurious ride in a sports car makes for a breathtaking experience that is absolutely unforgettable. Even when it is not possible for people to purchase a sports car due to their immense high price, people do not cease to be fascinated about riding one. It is therefore an excellent idea to hire a sports car to experience the magic of riding one while saving a great deal of money.

Let us discuss in this article why it is such a wise idea to hire these luxurious, high-end cars as opposed to purchasing:

    No matter how strongly you are fascinated by a car ride, it might be absolutely impossible for you avail one owing to their exorbitantly high price. It is at this point that car rental companies step in. They help you to enjoy the luxurious ride in car even without paying the exorbitant price.

    A sports car is not usually appropriate as a family car. It is most unlikely for people to drive around in a car with their family, especially if they are residing in a city. It is always more convenient to purchase a more family-friendly car for driving on a regular basis, and take a car on rent in order to fulfill your dream of driving one.

    When you purchase a car, you have to bear the expenses of maintaining and repairing them as required. Instead, when you hire them, it is the responsibility of the car rental companies to take care of the maintenance and repairing that's necessary for proper functioning of the cars. This definitely saves you a great deal of money and hassle.

    Sometimes you might just want to enjoy the exhilarating experience of riding a car without putting in the effort of driving it. Reputed car rental companies often provide you with trained and experienced chauffeurs to let you enjoy an absolutely relaxing, luxurious and hassle-free ride that's simply unforgettable.

It is however important to choose a reliable car rental company in order to avail the most efficient services. Here are some of the important factors that you must consider:

Vehicles: The most important thing that you must consider if you are looking to hire a car is that the rental company you choose must be able to provide you with a wide range of sports cars that are in superb working condition. The vehicles also must be appropriately insured and provided with the necessary documents to avoid the chances for any kind of legal problems.

Experience and Reputation: You must choose a company that has sufficient experience in the field to ensure that they can understand your requirements and cater to them efficiently. They must also be reputed to provide efficient and reliable services to their customers.

Deals and Discounts: Various deals and discounts are provided by car rental companies. It is advisable to make a comparison between the various companies to choose the best deal for you.

The Ferrari 355 Sports Car

Each of the three 355 sports cars were powered by a mid-engined, rear wheel drive, 3.5 litre, double overhead cam, V8 unit whose capacity had been increased from 3.4 litres, in the 348 Series, by increasing the bore by 2 mm.

It developed 380 bhp at 8250 rpm, and 268 ft/lbs of torque at 6000 rpm, which produced a top speed of 183 mph, and a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 secs.

However, the main feature of the engine was the addition of a cylinder head that contained five valves, which improved intake efficiency and increased performance.

Furthermore, the compression ratio was raised to 11:1, and some of the engine's internals were constructed of lightweight materials, such as the use of titanium alloy for the con rods, and aluminium alloy pistons.

The two Bosch Motronic engine control units, that managed both fuel injection and the ignition system, were upgraded from the M2.7 series in 1995 to the M5.2 version from 1996 onwards.

Dry sump lubrication was retained.

The Ferrari 355 Berlinetta

This coupe was launched in 1994, and 4,871 Berlinettas were built by 1999, of which 3,829 were fitted with the manual gearbox, and 1,042 used the F1-style transmission.

The Ferrari 355 Spider

The 355 Spyder convertible was introduced in 1995 and featured, for the first time on a Ferrari, a soft top that was electronically activated automatically.

By 1999, 3,717 Spyders had been built, of which 2,664 were fitted with the manual gearbox, and 1,053 used the F1-style transmission.

The Ferrari 355 GTS

This featured a Targa-style hard top roof that could be stored behind the seats, or in the front boot, when not in use.

By 1999, 2,577 units of the GTS were built, of which 2,048 used the manual gearbox, and 529 had the F1-style transmission.

This was the last time that Ferrari produced a Targa-styled GTS variant.

COMPETITION

Examples of competition for the Ferrari 355 sports car included the following: TVR Cerbera, Porsche 993 Turbo, and Lotus Esprit V8. Ferrari performance:

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

On the second hand market, a typical price range for the Ferrari 355 Series was:

355 Berlinetta in good condition: $80,000 in excellent condition: $140,000 355 Spyder in good condition: $95,000 in excellent condition: $150,000 355 GTS in good condition: $60,000 in excellent condition: $100,000

Further classic cars from Ferrari.

This marks the end of my Review of the Ferrari 355 sports car

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Sports Car

The Zagato was both smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic than the DB4 GT.

By removing non-essential components, such as bumpers, substituting aluminium for as many steel components as possible, and using Perspex instead of glass, a further 45 kg was removed from the overall weight.

It used an aluminium alloy body on a chassis composed of steel and aluminium, to produce a curb weight of 1225 kg.

It was fitted with Girling hydraulic disc brakes, independent front suspension with a live axle at the rear, and 16 inch wheels.

A feature of the body styling was the addition of two bulges in the bonnet to allow for the protruding rocker covers.

However, once again, Aston Martin could not overcome the supremacy of Ferrari, with the DB4 Zagato no match for the Ferrari GTO.

Of the 19 Zagatos built when production ended in 1963, most were sold to privately entered race teams, although four were produced as road legal sports cars.

THE ENGINE

The Aston Martin DB4 GT

It was powered by a 3.7 litre, straight six, 12 valve, DOHC engine, with a 9.0:1 compression, three twin choke Weber carburettors, and two spark plugs per cylinder, that developed 302 bhp, and 270 ft/lbs of torque.

Linked to a four speed manual close ratio gearbox, this enabled it to reach a top speed of 152 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 secs.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

The Zagato was to be powered by a modified version of the engine used in the DB4 GT, that included raising the compression from 9.0 to 9.7:1, which duly developed 314 bhp at 6000 rpm, and 279 ft/lbs of torque at 5400 rpm.

This produced a top speed of 154 mph, with 0-60 mph in 6.1 secs.

COMPETITION

Comparable competitors to the Zagato included the following spots cars: Maserati Ghibli, Series 2 Jaguar E-Type, and Ferrari 250 GTO

SPORTS CARS FOR SALE

An original Zagato in showroom condition would be valued at anything between $2m and $2.5m.

This concludes my Aston Martin DB2 Sports Car Review.

All You Need to Know About Car Detailing

Car detailing can be defined as the process of makeover of your old car. The process includes a variety of aspects including paint restoration, cleansing interiors, engine refurbishment, wheels care and car's exterior detailing which transforms it to a new one. It turns into almost the same condition as the new one.

This process is usually performed when you plan to sell your old vehicle, as no one wants to buy a shabby looking car. It is advised by the experts to get the detailing done before putting your car on sale, as it not only imparts a perfect look and finish to your roadster to lure the buyers but also raises the resale cost.

There are many centers for automobile detailing where professionals perform all the necessary tasks to make your car look as beautiful and shiny as the new one. Before hitting these stations you need to know certain things about the services they'll be offering, so that you know what exactly you'll be paying for. Here is an article guiding you about the whole process with the points you got to remember whenever you hit any of the detaining stations.

Exterior Detailing

The exteriors are focused on this process to impart shiny, glossy and refreshed look. Various techniques are used in order to achieve the perfect look including washing, polishing and waxing. Special kinds of towels are used to dry the surface and not the usual one. Certified waxes and polishes are applied on the surface to regain the original glow and shine. Windows, headlamps, tail lights, bumpers (both rear and front) are given special treatment to produce the exact look of a new car. Scratch removal is also a part of this process where all kinds of scratches and stains from the car surface are treated by professionals with modern techniques.

Interior Detailing

This stage includes the complete cleaning of the cabin, which includes shampooing of seats, cleaning of foot mats and carpets. Special tools and brushes are used to clean stains on the seats. Dry cleaning of the cabin is preferred over the liquid cleaning.

Paint Protection

Paints are sensitive and are easily affected by the surrounding conditions. The main reason for dullness in the color is pollution and other gases present in the atmosphere. The color on the exterior fades away over time due to many reasons including irregularity in washing, use of cloth which isn't a recommended one or the use of fake polishes and wax. To overcome all the conditions and generate the original shine, the car undergoes three simple steps, washing, cleansing and polishing.

Engine bay

The engine is the most important part of the vehicle and detailing it is even more important. It can add up the overall detailing cost but it is certainly recommended to get it done.

The Different Types of Mag Wheels Available for Your Car

Mag wheels are lightweight rims for tyres that are to be placed on cars. Mags are made of magnesium, that's where the word mag comes from.They are originally made for racing because they were lightweight enough for fast driving. However, mag wheels have found a place on the consumer market as a way for car enthusiasts to enhance the appearance of their favourite show car.

The term "mag wheel" has now been expanded by car enthusiasts to only use wheels that are made of aluminum. There are different types of rims available for all cars, bakkies, SUV's and even 4x4 vehicles. You can choose a mag in different sizes. The mags normally goes onto the tyre and onto your car. The wheel retailers will help you do this. You can choose your mags from chrome, to a painted or polished finish.

There are a variety of mags available from drop rims to spoke wheels. These are mags that young men normally put onto their cars for drag racing or just to impress their friends. A drop rim is a style of mag that has the center of the wheel dropped towards the axle of the car. This type of mag will come with a five or six lug nut attachment to the car. Keep in mind that drop rims are very hard to clean as the indented design of the wall of the rim can cause the mag to collect all kinds of dirt.

Then there is the back angle wheel mag which comes in a variety of shapes. One with just a few spokes like three or four and then another with so much, like ten or twenty. These would require so much attention when cleaning. These mags are also available in black and silver. If you need a more colourful mag wheel then you should think about the BSX Mirror Lip and the VN range. This mag comes in orange, gold, silver polish, silver and black. Most young people use these on their cars.

For your SUV you can consider taking the Intimidator 7 which comes in colors matt black, red and spark black. You can also choose between RTC's, RTE's and the TD 1GD and TD 1HS; these are just to name a few amongst many. If you own a 4x4 then the IN range are ideal which are available in black or black and silver. The RT 7's are also a great choice for 4x4 vehicles. These mag wheels can be bought in sizes from 13 inches up to an 18 inch. Remember the choice is yours and you can choose the best mag wheel for your car