Which car would YOU rent?

[guitarmax42]

Hey guys, i'm doing a senior econ project and really need your help. We all needed to think of a potential business idea and do market research on said business proposal. My idea was an uber-luxurious exotic car rental firm, and want to get some feedback on some main aspects of the business. Just answer the questions as best you can, its that simple. Rentals would range anywhere from $450-$3000 per day. Thanks!

1. What color would you most likely rent?
2. Which model would you most likely want to rent? (e.g. Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Murcielago, etc.)
3. What would you prefer to use it for? (Track day, a fancy dinner out, a leisurely drive)
4. How long would you rent it for?
5. How many miles would you drive in that time span?
6. How many times a year would you like to rent?

[aiasib]

1. Dark colors, silver, or white. No yellow, no red. (although most will likely go for red or yellow for flash factor)
2. All porsches, new lambo, the ferrari lot, classic convertibles, astons, Kseggs, ANY custom one-offs. Anything jaw-dropping.
3. Track day, leisurely drive, stress relief.
4. The weekend, or Fri-Mon.
5. Between 20-100km, although gumball-style weekend road trips are also a possibility.
6. Twice, thrice, no more than five times per year.

Consider that because the majority of those interested will probably not be dropping a couple grand for a leisurely drive or a fancy dinner (unless there's a ring involved), you will need to change tyres every two or three leases.

[pimento]

Something like these guys?

[henk4]

for holiday purposes only.
so, spacious, comfy and frugal. no SUV.
over the years (since 1996) we had: Oldsmoblie Ciera, Volvo S70, Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Grand Am, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town & Country.

Color irrelevant, although in hot climate you might prefer a white car.

In Europe: Golf Diesel, BMW118d, Fiat Punto Diesel, and more small stuff.

[Brix]

1. What color would you most likely rent?
Depends on the make and model. But silver and grey is always a good choice
2. Which model would you most likely want to rent? (e.g. Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Murcielago, etc.)
No Ferrari's. Much more Porsches, exclusive sportscars like Noble, Pagani, McLaren and so on. (Old Grb. B rally cars!!)
3. What would you prefer to use it for? (Track day, a fancy dinner out, a leisurely drive)
Track Day mainly and leisure drives, but again depends on make and model.
4. How long would you rent it for?
1-4days.
5. How many miles would you drive in that time span?
500-1000
6. How many times a year would you like to rent?
max 1! (im not made of money)

[Ferrer]

At least in Europe, there lots of conventional car rental companies, and also a significant numbers of rental clubs with supercars. However, what about the enthusiast who, young or old, still enjoys cars but doesn't have the bank account of a multinational CEO?

You could set up a rental company that specialises in fun but affordable cars, like the Twingo RS, the Panda 100HP or the Mazda MX-5, which would cater to a part of the market that has not been explored yet.

[pimento]

Ferrer, the guys I linked to are (nearly) like that, they have things ranging from MX-5s and Mini Cooper S to Gallardos, Californias and R35s. They have some right duds too though.. (X5, SLK 200...). Still, they have the right idea.. cater for people from Us to Them and you should be able to capture a large enough audience to make a few bucks.

[Cobrafan427]

1. generally black no matter what the make or model is
2. Spyker C8 Laviolette in black or dark metallic blue
3. Leisurely drive with a curvy mountain road carving here and there
4. Weekend - Fri. afternoon to Sun. afternoon
5. About 100
6. Once

[henk4]

I think I misread the thread starting post....

Anyway, there are quite a few companies in Holland where you could rent exotics mostly Ferraris.
Don't forget to include classic cars in your business plan
I would rent a blue A110. (from Eric Comas in France)

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by pimento

Ferrer, the guys I linked to are (nearly) like that, they have things ranging from MX-5s and Mini Cooper S to Gallardos, Californias and R35s. They have some right duds too though.. (X5, SLK 200...). Still, they have the right idea.. cater for people from Us to Them and you should be able to capture a large enough audience to make a few bucks.

Yes, but I still think their choice is too upmarket, and as you say some of the choices are at least questionable.

I was referring to good ol' cheap fun. Cars that cost from 15 to 35 grand all for rent to take a fun weekend. Also, what if you arrive at an airport for a couple of business days or a week on holiday and you don't want to end up with the typical Ford Focus diesel and can't afford a Porsche Boxster either?

[Commodore GS/E]

I generally think that a rental company that offers super cars or sports cars lives with a huge risk. A rental company 7 km's away once had a Mustang GT which was crashed within 7 weeks because every single speed junkie over here wanted to drive it. And even if it hadn't crashed, the car would still have suffered from the "abuse", manifesting in much more services and much more wear of mechanic components. In other words: if the rental price can't compensate the costs, the company will make a loss (not that there is anybody who doesn't knew that before ).

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by henk4

for holiday purposes only.
so, spacious, comfy and frugal. no SUV.
over the years (since 1996) we had: Oldsmoblie Ciera, Volvo S70, Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Grand Am, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town & Country.

Color irrelevant, although in hot climate you might prefer a white car.

In Europe: Golf Diesel, BMW118d, Fiat Punto Diesel, and more small stuff.

So you stole the Ford Mustang and Taurus for Pebble Beach right?!

GF's family coming to Italy tomorrow, they just rented a Pug 206 or a Fiat Panda, don't know yet. Truly exotics.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

So you stole the Ford Mustang and Taurus for Pebble Beach right?!

Ford had an inexplicable urge to lend them to us.....

[jcp123]

Most likely rent - a classic convertible, maybe an Eldo Biarritz
Colour - who cares?!
What would I use it for? - twofold: satisfy my curiosity for how it drives, and SHOW OFF!!!!
How long? - a day or two
Miles? - As many as I can!
How many times/year? - once if that. That's some big money, $500/day or so.

In real life?

Most likely rent whatever's cheapest. In the US it's probably a Chevy Aveo or something equally unattractive.
Don't care about colour.
Use it for getting where I need to go.
Use it for a week at most, I can't see myself staying anywhere longer than that.
Miles - depends where the attractions are, I can imagine putting 50 miles/day on it.
How often? As often as I can afford to travel, maybe twice per year.

[jcp123]

Incidentally, I had looked for something like this for my wedding next month. it's in Florida, so naturally there were plenty of exotic cars for rent, but no classics I should have forced the point and driven my Mustang there...