Driving you closer to your dream car

SINGAPORE: Owning a car in Singapore doesn't come cheap and we are not even talking about the likes of having a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

So what if you could have your wish of trading in your Toyota for a Porsche?

Amazing but true - and it doesn't even involve mortgaging your home or a fairy god-mother. Try instead a 38-year-old bespectacled Russian.

He's Pavel Zotov the brains behind Luxe Car Rental, the first and only exotic car-rental company in Singapore.

"Luxe Car Rental is here to fill the gap in the car rental industry as there is virtually nobody else who provides this specialized service here," said Zotov whose's fleet includes the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Maserati Spyder, Porsche Boxster S, Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Audi A8 Quattro.

If these models don't impress you, the luxury car rental firm is also planning to expand its line-up to 15 supercars with the Bentley GTC, Lamborghini Murcielago and Audi 8 being among those under consideration.

Standing mere centimetres from the stunning Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, this beauty simply took my breath away with its purism, athleticism and a hint of ruggedness.

So how much to not just look, but to have a feel of the power of the Lamborghini?

Try a price-tag of S$2788 for one full weekday rental.

Not bad, considering I don't have to wash and wax it, pay road tax or worry where to park it each night.

A little more economical - if you've never imagined being able to describe a Porsche with such a word � is the S$600+ rental fee for the Porsche Boxster S.

Still, the Ferrari F430 Spider which will set you back close to S$3000 to hire, and the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder remain the top choices for rental, Denny Koh, Business Development Manager, Luxe Car Rental told Channelnewsasia.com.

It will definitely impress the date, and according to Luxe Car Rental their cars have been hired for romantic surprise gifts, marriage proposals and romantic getaways.

On the other end, the company also attends to short-term and long-term business-related needs for the more than 300 clients who have used their services this year.

Businessman Jean-Paul Maurel who recently rented the Lamborghini Gallardo said it was "worth every cent and every moment".

"Switching on the roaring engine and driving off, felt like it is going to be an attempt at taming a beast but instantly transformed into a magical, ecstatic and unimaginable driving experience that you just don�t want to end."

Before you start checking your calendar and credit card balance to take one of these beauties, you have to also check that you meet the criteria for getting behind the driving wheel.

To fulfill requirements from the insurance company, the rental firm has imposed some restrictions on age and driving experience.

All interested drivers must be at least 27 years of age, and with three years driving experience for the Porsche Carrera 911 S, Maserati Spyder, Porsche Boxster models.

To drive the Ferrari F430 Spider and Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder you need to be at least 30 years of age with five years of driving experience.

The latter pair are known as 'the Exceptional cars' as they can be more challenging to maneuver for less experienced drivers and are therefore best driven by those with more experience, the firm explained.

There are however special exceptions for the 'Exceptional cars', which can be granted to drivers who are very close to 30 and who receive the green light from the insurance company.

Citing safety reasons, those who are 60-years-old and above aren't encouraged by the car company to rent the sports car - I suppose getting overly excited and having a heart attack along the expressway won't complete the dream.

Once you overcome the legal bumps on the road, get ready for the credit crunch.

Renting one of these prized collections requires two credit cards and a high credit limit as both cards will be swiped for both rental fees and the insurance excess, which can go from S$12,000 for the Porsche Boxster S to a whopping S$50,000 for the Ferrari F430 Spider.

The insurance excess acts as a deposit which will be returned to customers upon returning the car, and if it's any consolation, it does get reduced if you choose to pay additional daily rental fees.

Finally, you get behind the wheel of your dream car. But, not with your dream date.

You will first have to display a level of proficiency in handling these speed demons, and Luxe Car Rental has a one-hour familiarization session to allow drivers to understand the mechanics and to get used to the handling of these super-cars.

The safety precautions are understandable; you wouldn't want to end up looking silly behind the wheel at the least, or crashing the work of art, at the worst.

If you do not show the necessary car-handling capabilities, there is a possibility that your rental might be called off.

Luxury car renting is definitely a serious novelty and not for the faint-hearted, especially when it comes to parting with cash.

With a Super Cars Privilege Card that offers access to five cars from the current fleet, priority bookings, free car pick up and delivery and up to three days of free test drives, Luxe Car Rental has the wheels and deals, if you have the spare cash to burn some rubber.

Oh well, I guess there's a price to pay for every dream. - CNA