If you’re a Beatles fan who dreams of driving a Ferrari, you were probably pretty excited about reports that John Lennon’s first car would be hitting the auction block.  Unfortunately, the New York Times Wheels blog is now reporting that the car has been withdrawn from the auction.

John Lennon's delicious ferrari Not for Sale (Hat tip Wheels Blog NYT. Photo credit Bonhams Auctions).

The 1965 Ferrari 330 GT was scheduled to go up for auction this month in Paris.  However, Bonhams, the British auction company supervising the sale, says that the vehicle is no longer on the market.

“We’ve really been inundated with calls and responses to the sale of this automobile,” said Rupert Banner of Bonhams.

The auction house estimated that the car was worth between $155,000 and $220,000, which is twice the value of other 1965 Ferrari 330 GTs.  Much of the car’s value is due to its celebrity owner.

Lennon purchased the car after passing his driving test at age 24.  Experts say that he did not spend much time behind the wheel of the vehicle and sold it about a year later.

No one knows the exact details about why Lennon’s Ferrari was withdrawn from the auction, but Bonhams spokeswoman Leonora Oldfield said that the seller had a change of heart.

“The vendor unfortunately decided at the last minute that he could not bear to part with it,” she said.

If you’re a Lennon fan, you’d probably love a chance to get behind the wheel of this car.  Unfortunately, even if it was still for sale, most people don’t have a couple hundred thousand dollars to buy an exotic car.

Beatles Fans Still Can Get Ticket to Ride in Fort Worth, TX

Luckily, there’s another option.  For less than the cost of a plane ticket to Paris for the auction, you can spend an hour driving a ferrari.  The DFW Drive Your Dream One-Hour Ferrari Driving Experience starts at only $379.

Grab a Ferrari Ride in Fort Worth on GROUPON. Wow.

For one incredible hour, you get to experience the thrill of driving a ferrari F430 over some of the most beautiful roads in the Fort Worth area.  This car has a 4.3-liter V8 engine and cranks out an impressive 483 horsepower.  And it retails for almost $400,000.

While the F430 isn’t Lennon’s Ferrari, driving it will still make you feel like a rock star.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content and editing.  She also writes about Texas car insurance.

This photo by lkiller123 on Flickr. Check out his great photos of the LA Auto Show at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lkiller123/ Photo licensed under cc attribution only.

The Porsche 918 RSR is a different kind of green car.  Sporting a V8 that cranks out up to 563 horsepower, the car actually uses the hybrid system to enhance its power.  When the electric motors are engaged, the horsepower goes up to 767.

In the case of the 918 RSR, the traditional V8 supplies power to the rear wheels of the car.  The electric motors churn out additional power for the front wheels, allowing the car to combine the two types of power for better performance.

The 918 RSR is based on the 918 Spyder Hybrid concept, which turned heads in a big way at the Paris Motor Show.  The production model was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show this month.

512 HP lamborghini Gallardo is featured in dfw drive your dream's New One Hour driving experience

While it’s inspired by the 918 Spyder Hybrid concept, the 918 RSR includes a few significant changes.  Most notably, the production model features gull-wing cockpit doors and Porsche’s flywheel accumulator.

“Instead of the futuristic, ergonomically avant-garde centre console with touch-sensitive user interface from the 918 Spyder concept car, the 918 RSR’s cockpit is split by a minimalistic console with rocker switches,” Porsche said in a Rueters article on the 918 RSR. “Instead of a second seat, the flywheel accumulator is positioned to the right of the console.”

The flywheel accumulator is a power storage device similar to a generator.  It captures energy usually lost in braking and applies it to acceleration.  The dashboard of the car features a special pushbutton that provides an additional boost of power.

If you need to get your adrenaline fix but can’t wait for the Porsche 918 RSR to be released, consider participating in a Dallas exotic car tour.  Companies like dfw drive your dream give you the chance to get behind the wheel of a Porsche and other exotic vehicles for a half-day of driving excitement.

You can even sneak away for an hour in a lamborghini Gallardo. We won’t tell anyone at the Sierra Club!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer who specializes in web content and editing.  She also writes about Texas insurance quotes.

Mini of Dallas is just one of the dealerships on Lemmon Avenue

Exotic car fans can visit Dallas’ Lemmon Avenue to browse and buy a wide range of exotic and luxury brands, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Bentley, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Audi, Infiniti, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Porsche, and maserati.

“It’s great for those of us who love these cars,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of company that gives people the chance to drive luxury exotic cars“It’s awesome to be able to go to one spot to see these beauties.”

Luxury car dealers already attract buyers from all over the area, and with the addition of BMW, the appeal may be even more widespread.  Dealers report that customers often arrive from out of state just to shop at these luxury car dealerships.

In 2007, Lemmon Avenue dealers learned that AutoNation, the owner of BMW of Dallas, planned to move the dealership down the street.  A variety of factors, including the recession and various design changes, contributed to the three-year long development schedule.

“It’s not that unusual with luxury dealerships to take some time to develop,” Marc Cannon, vice president of communications for AutoNation, told The Dallas Morning News. “At the luxury level, it’s all about the experience, and you’ve got to provide the right environment.”

The new BMW facility features 94,000 square feet of space devoted to the luxury brand.  The décor is light-colored wood, and the façade of the building is white with a modern edge.  The whole space feels airy and inviting, which it should, considering industry experts estimate the cost at around $10 million.

Luckily, Dallas is in a good position to support a facility this size.  As one of the top exotic car markets in the country, there’s plenty of business to go around.

“It’s a luxury mecca,” said Cannon. “You don’t see that very often.”

Sturgeon agreed.  “Dallas is a great place to drive exotic vehicles,” he said.  “We’ve got awesome weather and beautiful roads.”

Some local residents expressed concern about the road surface on Lemmon Avenue, saying it was sorely in need of repaving.  It’s likely that the city officials and local business owners will take note, now that the street is becoming so important for exotic car consumers.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing.  She also writes about Texas auto insurance.

Beautiful exotic cars securely stored at DallasCarStorage.com

In the past, GM used the Goodwrench name to advertise cars and trucks that had been fully examined by GM mechanics.  Going forward, the used car certification will be brand specific.

Used car shoppers can expect to see names like “GMC Certified Service,” “Cadillac Certified Service, and “Chevrolet Certified Service.”

“Our No. 1 priority is providing a world-class ownership experience that creates positive long-lasting relationships with our customers,” GM’s vice president for customer care and after sales, Steve Hill told The Detroit News.

This is just the most recent in a series of big changes for the troubled American automaker.  GM has retired several brands like Hummer and Pontiac, and the company has laid off thousands of workers.

The company has also worked to revamp the image of its cars.  Recent ads have focused heavily on cost of ownership, touting reliability and gas mileage.  “Cost of ownership” refers to the expense of owning a vehicle over a period of years and includes things like fuel costs, the price of discount auto insurance, and monthly car payments.

GM hopes that the move away from Goodwrench will help consumers see the company as its individual brands.  The Goodwrench name has been part of advertising culture since the 1970s.

For 22 years, the Goodwrench brand was a sponsor for NASCAR, most notably gracing the car of famed driver Dale Earnhardt.

The brand has also had an important role in popular culture.  Jay Leno and other comedians have based performances on the brand, and the name “Goodwrench” actually became associated with anyone who can fix mechanical items.

This dilution of the brand image may be part of the decision to retire the name.  Mr. Goodwrench has gone through several different advertising campaigns over the years, but this new, more specific, direction may be more effective for ailing GM.

Fans will have until February 1, 2011 to say goodbye to the Mr. Goodwrench brand.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing.

Drive sweet rides from ferrari and maserati as part of a 2000HP drive your dream Tour!

Crashing financial markets, surging unemployment, and record drops in the real estate market all combined to make 2008 and 2009 some of the hardest years for car consumers.  When you add in the high fuel prices and credit crunch, it’s no wonder than many automakers posted losses.

By many accounts, exotic and luxury car manufacturers may have been among the hardest hit.  In a rocky economic situation, consumers simply couldn’t see spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for these high-end vehicles.

However, the top six luxury car brands are posting moderate gains for the first part of 2010.  Those top six exotic carmakers are Bentley, ferrari, Rolls-Royce, lamborghini, Maybach, and maserati.  Collectively, the sector has seen a 16% jump in sales over the same period last year.

This beautiful Bentley GT has been featured as part of dfw drive your dream!

The president of Ferrari-Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Garret Hayim is cautiously optimistic.  He says Ferrari sales slowed for a time, but there is now a waiting list for new models.

“Sales are definitely stronger this year,” Hayim said.

It’s a trend that may be holding true nationwide.  Ron Sturgeon, owner of an exotic car storage facility in Fort Worth, Texas, says that he’s also seeing an uptick in interest in exotic vehicles.

“People are gradually seeing their lives go back to normal,” says Sturgeon. “As that happens, they can resume some of the spending habits they used to enjoy.  We’re seeing a lot of high-end exotic cars being stored at our facility.”

There are several reasons exotic cars are more expensive than their work-day counterparts.  These pricey vehicles are often assembled by hand, using the finest parts and craftsmanship.  They are also highly customizable and feature many performance-boosting enhancements.

However, the retail price is only part of the picture when it comes to the cost of owning an exotic car.  There’s also the hassle of finding a good deal on discount auto insurance for a high-end vehicle, plus the expense of maintenance and repairs.  Consumers are once again becoming confident enough in the economy to take on this kind of financial responsibility.

In fact, some figures indicate that Americans are buying more exotic cars than they did before the recession.  According to Edmunds.com, about 4.6 percent of 2001 new vehicle sales were classified as exotic or luxury automobiles.  In 2010, it’s estimated that exotic car sales will be about 9 percent.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specialized in web content, editing, and technical writing.

The Aptera 2e, for instance, has attracted national attention by winning the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize.  The coveted prize will be awarded on September 16 in Washington, D.C.

The X Prize is a $5 million award for the most innovative new green car.  In order to win, the car had to get more than 100 miles per gallon of gasoline or be fueled by another efficient source.  It also had to be capable of being produced on a large scale.

For the Aptera team, winning this prize is a dream come true.  111 vehicles were initially in competition for the award.

The body of the Aptera 2e is said to be three times as strong as traditional steel, and its sleek three-wheeled design has a pod-like, futuristic appearance.

With a top speed of 90 miles per hour and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds, the 2e is no slouch in the performance department.  The 2e is an all-electric vehicle.

Testing for the X Prize included a combination of lab trials and real-world track experience. The car underwent two months of testing at the Michigan International Speedway, where it was driven on the track to test its performance and handling.

For the lab testing, the Aptera 2e was tested at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago.  There, its energy consumption and emissions were measured using a device called a “dynamometer.”

The Aptera team was unsure of how the car would perform in the lab testing.  Apterra Chief Engineer Tom Reichenbach was hopeful from the start, but even he was pleasantly surprised by the results.

“We expected the results to be better than what we got at the track, but it was significantly better. We were very pleased,” he said. “We came to the X PRIZE to validate this vehicle as one of the most efficient in the world, and we’ve done just that. It’s been an awesome experience.”

As of right now, the Aptera 2e is only available for purchase in California.  However, the company is working to expand its sales range.  The X Prize may make that possible.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing.  She also writes about Texas business insurance.

Image from Wikimedia and created by Thomas Doerfer. Licensed under cc share alike 3.0

Insure.com estimates that insuring the 530-horsepower Carrera GT2 would run almost $3,000 per year.  While insurance rates vary depending on the owner’s driving record and other factors, this average gives potential exotic car buyers some idea of exotic car insurance costs.

According to the Insure.com study, the Porsche Carrera GT2 is the most expensive vehicle to insure among the cars on the market in 2010.  The least expensive is the Mazda Tribute.

The study did not include many of the exotic cars on the market, since data is not available for several models.  For instance, Lamborghinis and Bentleys were too rare to figure into the average auto insurance premium calculations.

As a general rule, more power under the hood translates to higher auto insurance premiums.  However, there are some things you can do to save:

• Choose a vehicle that is less expensive to replace if damaged.
• Compare auto insurance rates to get the best deal.
• Get your auto insurance policy from the same carrier as your home insurance or business insurance.
• Keep a clean driving record, and avoid making unnecessary insurance claims.
• Make sure your insurance coverage is adequate for your needs, but avoid being over-insured.
• Keep your credit history clean as well.  It’s common for insurance carriers to use past credit as a guideline for determining policy rates.

Still sure you want to drive a Porsche?  You can avoid the exotic car insurance altogether if you participate in a dream tour.  Automotive dream tours, like those provided by DFW Drive Your Dream, give exotic car enthusiasts the opportunity to drive several incredible cars.  One of those cars is a Porsche.

At less than $697 per person, the tours are a great deal, especially when compared to the many expenses and responsibilities that come with owning a high-end automobile.

According to the Insure.com study, the value of the automobile is also a major factor in determining the price of insurance.  When you drive the car without owning it, that’s just one more thing you don’t have to worry about.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing.

Image Courtesy of RM Auctions

It’s no surprise that the DB5 will fetch so much at auction, but the high estimated price tag can put despair in the hearts of most regular Bond fans.  After all, if you’re not a super spy, chances are good you don’t have that kind of money just lying around.

So what’s a regular guy or girl to do?

If you living in the Dallas area, you can still drive your dream car.  It might not have a rear smoke screen and revolving license plates, but it’s sure to knock your socks off and make you feel like James Bond.

Image courtesy of dfw drive your dream.

DFW Drive Your Dream is a company that provides automotive dream tours.  For under $700 per person, you can drive four amazing exotic cars over a specially-chosen tour route.

Add a tuxedo and a post-tour martini lunch, and you have everything you need to feel like 007.

The sale of the Aston Martin DB5 is being handled by RM Auctions as part of their “Automobiles of London” series.  RM Auctions is the largest collector car auction business in the world.

Proceeds from the auction will go to The Jerry Lee Foundation, which works to solve social problems associated with poverty.  Jerry Lee has owned the car since 1969.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, technical writing, and editing. She recently created web content for a website to help drivers find low cost auto insurance in Saginaw TX

O’Brien has been making news headlines recently with the announcement of his new late-night show on TBS.  After his short-lived stint as host of The Tonight Show, the TV personality will be back in the host’s chair as early as November.

From 1993 to 2009, O’Brien hosted Late Night with Conan O’Brien on NBC.  When The Tonight Show’s host, Jay Leno, decided to try a prime time show, O’Brian stepped in to host the iconic American late-night variety show.

However, Leno’s prime time show did not go over well with viewers, and in January, NBC announced that it would be moving Leno back to the position of Tonight Show host.  That meant that O’Brien was out of a job.

Even with his uncertain employment situation, O’Brien has reportedly been living an affluent life.  He has listed his Central Park West apartment for $35 million, and he reached an agreement with NBC that gave him $45 million.

With all this disposable income, you’d think O’Brien would be driving an exotic car.  However, according to Celebs and Cars, he drives a 1998 Ford Taurus.

Perhaps O’Brian’s choice of car reflects a lack of interest in exotic vehicles.  However, it may also be a practical choice.

These days, many Americans are choosing to drive the car they’ve already paid off, rather than taking out a loan for a new vehicle.

Luckily, driving an older car doesn’t mean you have to give up that dream car.  These days, options like automotive dream tours make it possible for regular people to drive several exotic cars in the space of a single day.

You can experience the thrill of getting behind the wheel of a ferrari, a Bentley, a Porsche, and an audi r8, all for far less than a single exotic car payment.  Half-day dream tours cost less than $700. Visit dfw drive your dream to learn more.

What’s more, you can actually win a dream tour for free when you get a free Aledo insurance quote.  What could be better than saving on car insurance while driving an exotic vehicle? No quote request is required to enter for a chance to win the Dallas Fort Worth dream car driving experience.

Even someone as frugal as Conan O’Brien would appreciate such a deal!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing

Sales of most vehicles, including luxury cars, have seen a hit in recent months as tight credit, rising unemployment, and a housing market crash have conspired to create the worst recession anyone can remember.  Consumers have been hesitant to make major purchases like automobiles.

Even though car sales are down, many people still dream of driving an luxury supercar like a Bentley Continental.  Rental of exotic cars in Dallas has become a popular vacation activity, and local residents are enjoying the opportunity to drive their dream exotic vehicles without the hassle or expense of ownership.

“exotic cars are really a major investment,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Ft. Worth car storage business and exotic car rental company.  “There’s a lot of depreciation and maintenance that comes with owning a car like that, so exotic car rental makes sense for someone who wants to drive a Bentley for a day or while visiting DFW.”

Another great option is joining an exotic car club.  Member of exotic car clubs share an entire garage of exciting exotic cars.  Using a points system, exotic car enthusiasts can share vehicles with other members.

The JD Power and Associates survey indicated that American car buyers are still concerned about gas mileage and the environment.

Sub-Compact Car

1. Smart ForTwo
2. Scion xD
3. Honda Fit

Compact Car

1. Mini Cooper
2. Volkswagen Jetta
3. Mitsubishi Lancer

Compact Sporty Car

1. Volkswagen GTI

Compact Luxury Sport Car

1. Mercedes-Benz SLK-class
2. Nissan Z

Entry Luxury

1. Volkswagen CC
2. Cadillac CTS
3. Audi A4/A5

Mid-size Sport

1. Dodge Challenger

Mid-size Luxury

1. Hyundai Genesis
2. Jaguar XF
3. BMW 5-Series

Large Luxury

1. Mercedes-Benz S-class
2. Lexus LS

Mid-size Car

1. Volkswagen Passat
2. Mazda 6
3. Honda Accord

Large Car:

1. Nissan Maxima
2. Pontiac G8
3. Toyota Avalon

If you’re interested in experiencing luxury first hand, you might like to rent Mercedes in Dallas from DFW Elite Auto Rental.com. They have a beautiful Mercedes S550.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.