Rent a fast car

By Pradeep Paul

IF YOU'RE reading this page, chances are you like cars.

If you like cars, chances are you like fast cars.

And if you like fast cars, chances are you drool at the thought of driving them but - like most of us - can't afford them.

Well, here's your chance to get behind the wheel of some really fast and fabulous cars... without forking out the fortune most of them cost in Singapore.

All you have to do is walk into Luxe Car Rental, satisfy them about your road worthiness - and of course your financial muscle - and pick from a range of seven sports cars that are guaranteed to make your inner James Bond or Lara Croft dance with delight.

The company, set up by Russian Pavel Zotov in 2008, has two categories of self-drive vehicles that you can pick from, depending on your age and driving experience.

If you are 25 or older and have at least three years of driving under your belt, you can choose from the Sports group: a Porsche 911 Carrera S, a Porsche Boxster S and a Maserati Spyder.

They start from $388 (the Boxster) and go to $588 (the 911) for a 24-hour booking.

If you have celebrated your 30th birthday and have at least five years of driving experience, you get the Exception group added to your selection platter: a Ferrari F430 Spider, a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a Bentley Continental GTC and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster.

This group starts from $2,488 (the Aston) and soars to $3,988 (the Lambo) for a 24-hour booking.

Those who prefer the total luxe route can opt for the chauffeur-driven comfort of a Bentley Continental Flying Spur or an Audi A8 Quattro.

Luxe's sales director Denny Koh told tabla! that most of the cars stocked by the company are convertibles because its customer base leans towards young, successful professionals who prefer the flamboyant lifestyle.

And to ensure client loyalty, Luxe has a membership scheme called the Super Car Club which, according to Mr Koh, gives members 'almost 40 per cent in savings when they book our cars'.

When asked about the likelihood of clients being too heavy on the gas pedal - after all, who rents a Lambo to drive it at 60kph? - Mr Koh said: "We assess our customers before we hand them the keys and remind them about the need to drive responsibly. We even call them after they have taken delivery of the car to ensure that they are able to operate the functions properly."

Luxe can monitor each car's location and driving pattern.

When a client is noticed to be driving too fast or trying to cross the border (you can't take the cars into Malaysia), the company will call the client and request adherence to the rules.

When all verbal communication doesn't work, Luxe has the ability to stop the car's engine from its office.

pradeep@sph.com.sg