Luxury Rental Car Tips

This Labor Day weekend things will be scorching as usual in South Florida, especially Miami!  For those of you looking for a hot weekend slam packed with hot celebs and events, look no further than ‘No Sleep Till Miami’, a music infused event being held September 1st-5th in Miami Beach.

When you think of an exotic car rental, some see a sparkling red Ferrari and hear the orgasmic hum of many, many horses.  While there is certainly nothing wrong with the described mental image, some forget about the old school glamour of a classic Rolls Royce.

You look like you have seen a ghost.  Before you get to absorbed in flashbacks of days gone by, take a gander at the modern and fresh Rolls Royce rental car, our Ghost.  

The body of the Rolls Ghost retains most of the classic design cues that we all love, yet projects a modern and edgy vibe following a makeover.  The Ghost rental is an excellent choice to impress clients, celebrate a special event, indulge in an anniversary, or be chauffeured for that intimate occasion!

I bet these celebs wish they could get behind the wheel of one of our cars, and now they can.  For free.  Well, almost free.  We would, of course, want a video testimonial expressing how badass it was to peel through South Beach in one of our sumptuous luxury cars. 
 

So, will the real celebs please stand up, and take us up on our offer?  Sit down Kayne, we will let you finish later.

1.   LeBron James
2.   Ashton Kutcher
3.   Brad Pitt
4.   Tiger Woods
5.   Megan Fox
6.   Justin Timberlake
7.    Ellen Degeneres
8.    Cameron Diaz
9.    Perez Hilton
10.  Guy Kawasaki

Own a luxury car and ache to realize its full potential?  Take it to the track!  It is absolutely astounding how many drivers and owners (yes, you may also try a luxury rental car at a track) fail to realize that they can take their dream machines to an actual racetrack and enjoy them in their element.

So now that we all know that you do not have to be a famous racecar driver to hit the track, let’s talk about why it is awesome.  First off, there is nowhere else that enables a driver to pick up advanced skills more safely and rapidly.

On a racetrack, you can (legally) obtain a feel for what your luxury car is actually capable of, in a controlled environment that provides more safety.  Perhaps long ago it was acceptable to carve into the side of a mountain with your bitch-fast car, as there was less traffic, law enforcement, and punishments, but now it is advised against.  So a smoke-signal to my fellow driving enthusiasts to take your performance cars to the track is in order!

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I like to scan your website for stories and information on awesome cars.  My birthday is coming up soon, and I think I want to rent a luxury car for the first time.  The problem is that I am overwhelmed by the options, can you recommend a good first time luxury car rental? 

After checking out all of your cars, I have only narrowed it down to the fact that I prefer a convertible, and not a luxury SUV rental this time. 

Any input is appreciated greatly, and I am really excited to try this out.
 

Thanks,
Toby, Miami, FL
 

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if you could easily conduct business transactions without having to ‘watch your back’ constantly?  It seems to be the most frustrating in the automotive arena, with sales people, mechanics and even unsavory rental car people.  Here are some tips for avoiding luxury rental car scams and practices.

Renting a car or luxury car should be a simple and straightforward deal.  But as things often go, many rental car companies are just out there trying to scam and squeeze their customers. 

It seems that Mel Gibson has certainly had his fair share of bad luck lately, and the streak continues, as he has reportedly crashed his 2008 Maserati Quattroporte into a rocky hillside on a difficult section of Malibu Canyon Road.  Mel’s Maserati was towed from the scene, and the actor was uninjured in the collision.  I can’t say the same for his already tattered reputation.

California Highway Patrol asked Gibson if he had been using a cell phone at the time, and he denied it (I am sure records will be pulled from his provider, as is becoming common).  The police do not suspect the star of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.  It certainly appears that Gibson is hard on things, reportedly his ex, and now luxury cars.  Do not sell this man a Ferrari 458 Italia, my heart couldn’t take it.  TMZ photo taken shown at right.

Luxury carmaker Lamborghini is apparently into trying new positions, market positions that is, as it is altering some of its design tactics. 

The company has vocalized in interviews that there is a shift in focus from top speed to design, because many drivers will never take their Lambo past 200 miles per hour anyways.  What?  Who wouldn’t burn to take their shiny new Lamborghini up to top speed, if not just to see if you got your money’s worth?  That is like buying a Smartphone and only using to make calls. 

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I am a regular reader of your auto blog, and am curious what your top luxury car rentals are.  What are the models that get rented out the most?  I am wondering if the rest of the world would rent the same ones I love.  I love the Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches and Astons.

Sincerely,

Mike, Tampa, Fl

The 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost may well be the baddest addition to luxury sedans worldwide, and by bad I mean good.
Yes, the latest luxury sedan put forth by Rolls Royce is solidly positioned as a sort of entry-level piece, with a price tag of around a quarter million dollars. 

Entry-level, you ask?  Well yes, with the knowledge that sibling Phantom is $380,000.  Today’s Ghost also seems to be a bargain when compared to predecessors the Silver Ghosts, which ran from 1906-1926 and are valued well into the millions.

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I love skimming over your blog during my break everyday.  I just wondered why people rent luxury cars.  I mean, wouldn’t someone just buy a Ferrari if they want one?  I am trying to figure out the mentality in investing in a vehicle you will not own. 

Anyway, I enjoy reading your stuff and will wait for your reply.
 

Thanks,
Steve, Ohio

Anyone with enough money can try to sell you on a luxury car rental.  It can be nearly overwhelming to decipher who you can trust to make sure you have the right luxury vehicle for your needs, and that you are protected with the proper insurance coverage. 

These are the reasons that Imagine Lifestyles has developed a concierge approach to our luxury rentals business.  Our aim is to immediately put you at ease, and meet with you to personally discuss your luxury rental needs.  We will never rush you or pressure you, we know that this is an important decision and that once you experience our laid-back approach to luxury, you will not only be back, but you will likely tell your friends about us. 

Ferrari brand has officially unveiled its “HY-KERS” experimental vehicle at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, giving merit to the previous rumblings of the luxury car rumormill.

The future Ferrari hybrid is based on the fabulous Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, with of course, some green perks that are likely to cost a bit more green. 

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I will be coming to South Beach soon for a business trip, and assume I will be left to my own devices often.  I am free to stay where I please and would really like a luxury accommodation with a concierge who is knowledgeable of Miami.  I feel that the last time I visited I missed out on much of what Miami has to offer.  Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mark, Sacramento, CA
 

The luxury lifestyle never gets sluggish…as there are new toys constantly emerging from the imagination to the production phase.  Like the Lamborghini Superleggera LP 570-4, which is coming in 2011.

This 2011 Lamborghini is estimated to hit the $240,000 pricing mark, pretty standard for exotic cars and luxury car rentals.  That does not, however, indicate that this is in any measure a standard luxury car!  The regular Gallardos are around $200,000, so expect to shell out the extra $40-$50k for the specialized Superleggera.