Renting a Sports Car

Weddings, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays are important events in anyone's life. Loved ones want to make this day special for the celebrant. What better way to do this than to give them the ride of their dreams, even if only for one day? This is now possible as luxury rental car agencies are popping up everywhere. You can rent anything from a limo to a Ferrari. Imagine spending your fiftieth wedding anniversary with the love of your life in a sports car, cruising to the hideout of your dreams. With a variety of sports car rental options, you can find a ride that is perfect for you.

Sports car rental options are numerous, yet don't have to break your budget. Choices include Corvettes, Ferraris and Porsches. You can choose between convertibles, coupes, and SUVs. The choices are endless. Some may come equipped with GPS while others offer on board safety devices. Don't hesitate to make comparisons on car hire companies to find the features you want in the car that you will rent. Different car rental companies carry different makes of car so if you have a particular make in mind you may need to do some searching. Yet, any major city or airport should have a variety of makes and models available.

Sports car rental options should be thoroughly discussed with the reservation agency before singing a contract. You need to be sure that your insurance company will cover the vehicle in the event of an accident. Many car hire companies will give you the option of purchasing additional insurance and this is something that is highly recommended. Also, you may have the option of choosing other things such as additional drivers or mileage options. This should all be spelled out in the contract so read carefully before signing.

Don't hesitate to look at sports car rental options for reasons other than a major event in someone's life. If you are trying to impress a client, this may be the way to go. Go for the Aston Martin or other luxury sedan. If you are in a new country and just want the fun of driving something different, try one of their luxury models. This is a great way of being noticed and will make the locals pay attention to you. On the other hand, if you are heading to a class reunion and want to impress former classmates, rent a Ferrari or Lamborghini. They will be dying to speak to you. Whatever reason you have for renting a sports car, enjoy the ride. It will be one that you will not forget.

Tips For Renting Your Next Car

Having a vehicle at your disposal gives you both freedom and flexibility when traveling. Before you rent a vehicle for your next vacation or business trip it's important not only to find the best deal but also to find the right vehicle for your needs.

Choosing a Vehicle

One of the first determinations is what type of vehicle do you need? A small car might save you on gas and rental fees but may not be a practical choice. If you are traveling with children or have a lot of luggage a larger car or SUV might be a better choice. It is also important to consider what souvenirs you might pick up or shopping you might be doing on your trip. Will you need extra space to carry home these treasures?

Where to Book a Vehicle

The length of your trip should be a consideration before booking your vehicle. If you will only need a vehicle for a week or less then it is probably best to go with a major car rental company such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National or Thrifty. If you need a car for longer than a week, then it might be better for your budget to check with local companies or auto dealerships. But be aware that they may not offer the same perks as the larger companies such as roadside assistance if you have a break down.

Getting the Best Deal

Always shop around and compare prices before renting a car. Check out websites and call companies to find the best deals. Ask about discounts such as AAA if you are member. Before booking online do an Internet search for coupons or promotion codes. Just type in the name of the company followed by "coupon code" and you will often find special promotions. This could save you 5 to 20 percent.

It is also a good idea to join the car rental company's loyalty program if they have one. It is often free and entitles you to certain privileges such as avoiding long lines and paperwork when picking up your vehicle since they already have your information on file and may also make you eligible for certain discounts or free upgrades.

Read the Fine Print

Be sure you know the conditions of your reservation. Is there a penalty for no-shows? How long will the car be held if you are late? Is there a fee for additional drivers? Is there a drop-off fee for one-way rentals? Is there roadside assistance if the car breaks down?

Ask About Hidden Costs

The advertised price may not be the real price of the rental. Ask about any additional costs some may include:
o Taxes
o Airport surcharges
o Additional driver fees
o Insurance
o Gasoline bills
o Drop-off charges

Inspect Before You leave the Lot

Make sure you inspect the vehicle with the sales agent before you drive the car off the lot. Have them make a note of any scratches or dings in the car so that you won't be held liable for the damage.

How to Reduce Stress When Renting a Car From Alicante Airport

Once you've landed at Alicante Airport the last thing you want to do is trek miles to find your hire car with kids and luggage in tow. So for those about to embark on a family holiday the best way to keep everyones' smiles intact and reach your final destination as quickly as possible is to ensure the car hire company you booked with is based within the airport itself. This is also recommended for those who are infirmed or travelling as a large group.

Among the plethora of Alicante Airport car hire companies, only 9 of them are actually situated within the airport terminal. The remaining rental firms are based on the outer perimeter of the airport. This can entail hanging about in the heat waiting for a courtesy bus to pick you up for the short but tedious journey to your car.

The rental firms based within the terminal are Atesa, Auriga, Avis, Centauro, Europcar, Goldcar Europa, Hertz, Record, Solmar and Victoria. At the check-in desks you will find the staff speak good English and despite having general official closing times of 24.00, most stay open to accomodate late arrivals or those delayed. The cars are kept to a high standard and are generally replaced every 6-9months.

Depending on you're particular requirements, each of these companies has something different to offer. If you plan to regularly use car hire at Alicante Airport than firms such as Centauro and Hertz offer loyalty schemes which can result in huge savings and benefits over time. Once you have rented three times through Centauro you can become part of their Gold Club which means the collection process is speeded up, gives you access to special offers, preference over non-members (especially critical during peak periods) and even free upgrades (subject to availability).

Many offer roadside assistance, such as Goldcar Europa who also provide fully comprehensive insurance (invaluable when dealing with unpredictable Spanish driving), and optional features such as child seats, baby carriers, GPS Systems and even in-car DVD players. Most provide cars ranging from the absolutely miniscule through to 7 or 9 seater people carriers but Hertz, Solmar and Atesa - one of the largest car rental companies on the Iberian Penisula with over 25,000 vehicles - also offer industrial vehicles and trucks. Unlimited mileage is also a big bonus if you're planning to really do some sightseeing during your holiday and is offered by several of the companies including Record and Aurigacrown.

There are always deals to be had and many car hire firms have special relationships with certain airlines or will do one off deals from time to time with them, so it pays to ask when booking. Hertz for example works alongside Aer Lingus and Ryan Air to offer cheaper car rentals for their customers.

Driving And Renting A Car In Costa Rica - 7 Most Frequently Asked Questions

Driving in Costa Rica is not for everyone.  So make sure you know what you're getting into before getting behind the wheel of a car in Costa Rica.  The following are the 7 most frequently asked questions about driving in Costa Rica.  These questions come in from my popular podcast about Costa Rica from folks from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

1. What type of cars are available for rent?

Renting a car in Costa Rica is more expensive than in the U.S. so most people rent the smaller more compact cars that are a little cheaper.

Prices vary and during the high season you will pay more.  Around $20 or more per day.  Renting during Christmas/New Years will add another $50 or more per week.  I looked at five car rental company cars in Costa Rica and the average for renting a small car like a Toyota Yaris will cost around $205 per week. Please note this doesn't include the required by law insurance which will add at least $10-20 per day.  So you're looking at $250-300 to rent a small car per week.

You will find all the major car rental agencies in Costa Rica such as Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Budget, and others.

2. Is driving a good idea?

It depends.  Driving in Costa Rica compared to other countries can be a very scary proposition for most.  Costa Rica has one of the highest vehicle accident rates in the world.  Traffic laws and speed limits are often ignored.  Crazy and illegal turns across lanes of traffic are common.  Turn signals are rarely used and dangerous passing is common.  So you might driving on your lane when all of a sudden here comes a car in your lane going the wrong way because they're passing on a blind spot.  The roads are in poor condition, and large potholes which could cause serious damage to your car is common.

Although the road conditions in the beach areas are worse the actual driving isn't as scary since there is less traffic and since the roads aren't the best people tend to drive a little slower.

I like to have my own transportation so renting a car is something I like to do but it all depends on your comfort level.  I've had friends and family who had never driven outside of the U.S. they found driving to be scary but a fun adventure.  So just take it easy and slow and you will be fine.  Don't worry about the other drivers, just do your thing.

3. Do I need car rental insurance?

By law you will need the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) liability insurance regardless of your own car insurance coverage or credit card coverage.  The insurance required by law is known as TPL, SLI, SLC or API.  The cost ranges from $10-20 USD per day depending on the vehicle.  This insurance only covers damages to other people, cars, or property.  You will need to buy supplemental coverage to cover damages to the rental car or yourself.  However your own car insurance policy or credit card might cover that so call your insurance agent at home before leaving for Costa Rica and ask him or her if your insurance policy covers you for damages in Costa Rica.  You might also want to call your credit card issuer and ask them the same question.  If your own policy covers you in Costa Rica you're set and you don't need the supplemental coverage.  If they do not cover you, then I suggest taking out a supplemental policy offered by car rental agencies.

Optional-CDW or LDW - collision damage waiver which covers the cost of the car's deductible amount which varies depending on the type of car and agency.  The cost will range between $10-20 USD per day.

Optional-Zero Liability - This will reduce your liability to zero against theft and vandalism, for example, the cost for this insurance is between $5-20 USD per day depending on the agency and car.

As you can see the supplemental insurance cost can add up fast so it's important that you check with your insurance agent and your credit card company since you might not even need the optional/supplemental coverage.

If your insurance agent gives you the thumbs up do me a favor and get it in writing!  You don't want any surprises.

4. What are car rental requirements in Costa Rica?

Requirements may vary depending on the car agency you use so check with them.  Most require a valid driver's license (one from your home state or country is fine), a valid passport with your entry stamp, the Costa Rica mandated liability insurance, and you must be at least 21 years of age.

5. Is it safe to drive at night?

The problem driving at night is not crime, it's just the unsafe driving and poor road conditions which are compounded even worse when you have poor visibility.  The roads are not lit up well and it gets pitch dark after 6:00 PM making it unsafe to drive for an inexperienced driver.

6. What are road conditions like?

The road conditions are very poor compared to the super highways of the United States or the Autobahn in Germany.  Drivers have to contend with unsafe driving habits of motorists, huge potholes, and even the highway is a two-lane road.  The roads get worse during the rainy season since road washouts from the mudslides from the mountains are common.

7. What side of the road do they drive on in Costa Rica?

On the right hand side, like in the U.S. and Canada.

One final tip

Make a copy of the profile page of your passport and your entry stamp and carry that with you along with your car rental papers.  You might get stopped by police and you will need to show this to them.  Do no carry your passport with you just make copies.  The Costa Rican government now allows you to carry copies instead of your actual passport.