A posh ride, for a day
Next time you see an A-list celebrity sliding behind the wheel of an Aston Martin or Bentley, don’t be so sure it wasn’t rented for the night. You too can cruise down PCH in a convertible Lamborghini. Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car stocks a wide selection of exotic and prestige autos -- and it’ll deliver to your driveway. Clients, mostly men, include celebrities, sports stars, Middle Eastern royalty and CEOs. “These cars go hand in hand with the male ego,” company spokesman Kurt Siejkowski says. Hmmm . . . maybe it’s time for the single gals out there to rent a Ferrari for a day and see what gets reeled in.
A fire-engine-red Ferrari F430 Spider, at 490 horsepower with a V-8 engine, tops out at 200 mph, but, well, “We don’t recommend going that fast,” Siejkowski notes. And be ready to fork over an extra $2 a mile if you zoom past the 50-mile-a-day limit. Price: $3,500 a day.
The Aston Martin Vantage Coupe -- a sweet 420-horsepower ride with a “nice purr to it” -- appeals more to the sophisticated set, Siejkowski says. Think James Bond or hot European millionaire. Price: $1,600 a day.
Some Italian police get to drive Lamborghini Gallardos -- with a V-10 engine and a Formula One paddle-shift transmission. But you can play polizia for a day in the sexy Gallardo Spyder, which comes with sleek yellow trim on black leather seats. $3,500 a day.
Not feeling sporty? The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe says refined. Push a button to close the suicide doors. Enjoy the sumptuous teak-trimmed interior. And, hey, if it rains, pull the umbrella out of its hiding spot in the door. Bring your own jar of Grey Poupon. Price: $7,500 a day.
For the ultimate indulgence, rent a Bugatti Veyron. This limited-production sports car and its awe-inspiring 987-horsepower engine costs $1.6 million to buy and $25,000 a day to rent. Too bad Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car won’t let you drive it. But, baby, it sure would look pretty parked in the driveway.
