Drive Your Dream Blog

It’s been 30 years since BMW released the M1 sports car, and to mark the occasion, BMW Group Design revealed its new concept car at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008 concept show in Lake Como, Italy. The new concept car is called the M1 Homage, and it earns its name. Check out a set of nice hi res photos of the new M1 from Alex Nunez at Autoblog.

Michael Rose at Great Cars has an excellent recap of the classics and concepts that made this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza a fantastic show.

“The original BMW M1 was an amazing car,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of an exotic car rental company in Dallas. “There were less than 500 built, which makes it a pretty hot collector’s item.”

Because of the original M1’s scarcity, it isn’t often seen cruising around town or in the garage of your local elite car club. This rare car was the result of a joint venture between BMW and Lamborghini during the late 1970s. Turbocharged racing versions of the car toyed with the 850 horsepower mark.

Some of the ways that the BMW M1 Homage pays tribute to its much-loved ancestor is by featuring an orange and black paint scheme, hood air vents, twin rear logos, and rear louvers. The exterior dimensions of the M1 Homage also perfectly match those of the original M1; however, the new concept car has a longer wheel base.

Other exterior features that might be familiar to fans of the original M1 include the profile of the front grill and headlights that are only visible when they’re on. Unfortunately, the M1 Homage is a concept car, and BMW has not made any firm commitment to produce the vehicle.

Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW Group board member, explained the idea behind the M1 Homage in Canadian Driver, an auto blog: “Drawing inspiration from your own past and thereby reinventing yourself – that is exactly what the BMW M1 Homage demonstrates in impressive style.”

Even if you can’t drive the original M1 or an M1 Homage, you can still drive a BMW. Besides the obvious, though for many of us, unattainable, option of owning an exotic, classic, or luxury car, there are some other great ways to drive your dream vehicle.

One way to make your automotive dreams happen is to join an exotic car club or participate in a dream tour, where you can drive your dream car and four other exotic, classic, or luxury vehicles in a single day. And there’s always the very popular option of exotic car rental.

“We do have a 2007 BMW M6 Convertible,” says Sturgeon, who also owns a Dallas exotic car club. “The BMW M6 delivers all the power and performance that you’d expect from BMW’s M series.”

The BMW M6 rental has 500 horsepower and manages 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Now that convertible weather has arrived in Dallas, the BMW M5 should be a popular rental car.

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

Depending on the gender of the aliens who discover our planet long after our species is extinct, if FHM Magazine is included in the time capsule they will know all they need to about this planet’s males.

That is, perhaps, a sad testament. But hey, no one can deny that 2008 is a good time to be a guy.

After all, the stuff that gets men excited–women, cars, toys–is all in one convenient magazine/website.

This is no more the case than right now, with FHM Magazine disclosing the results of their FHM Top 100 list of 2008s sexiest women.

You combine this with their on point reviews of exotic cars and a man can easily lose himself for hours. However, not everything is rosy in paradise.

A new website has surfaced that should serve as a reminder to men everywhere that their female counterparts will not just get rolled over. The website http://www.exboyfriendjewelry.com, is just as the name suggests, a clearinghouse for jewelry given to women by their now ex-boyfriends.
No doubt, this website will gain a few more members as more and more boyfriends are caught browsing FHM Magazine.

The truly scary part is that now it’s jewelry, but who’s to say it doesn’t turn into something bigger in the future like, say the guy’s car. Of course, this could arise in the context of a divorce only if the guy was dumb enough to put his girlfriend’s name on the title to his exotic car, but still.

This got me thinking about the best way for men to enjoy driving exotic cars without fear of the ex selling them out from under a happless chap.

Then I thought of the rising popularity of exotic car clubs. These car clubs allow members to access dozens of exotic cars without the expense and burdens of direct ownership. Now there’s another advantage to these clubs, your significant other can’t get mad at you and sell your exotic car because you don’t own it. It’s genius!

“I would have to say this is the first time I’ve ever heard of that theory as a motivation for joining our Dallas exotic car club,” laughs Ron Sturgeon, owner of several exotic car businesses. “But whatever the secondary reasons may be, all our members share a love of driving exotic cars,” he continues.

Sturgeon may even be able to help you after you’ve been busted reading your, uh, I mean your co-worker’s…FHM Magazine. Through his Fort Worth TX car rental firm, you can sweep your gal off her feet for a romantic evening or weekend getaway in an exotic car rental. Alternatively, you can take advantage of Sturgeon’s exotic car tour for couples. This tour lasts about eight hours, allows you to test drive five different exotic cars and even features a five-star lunch.
Just remember to act as if you aren’t having too much fun.
Written by G.D. Gregory. If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

Today is the day that busy bosses all over the country scramble to find a way to show their appreciation to the staff that keeps the office running smoothly. Administrative Professionals Day is actually just one day in the last full week of April, known as Administrative Professionals Week, but that one day can serve as a source of quite a bit of stress for unprepared bosses.

“This day is really important in the business world,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of an exotic and luxury car rental agency in Dallas. “Being an administrative assistant can be a thankless job. It’s great that we have a day to stop and appreciate the people who make such a difference in the running of an office,” said the Fort Worth car club owner.

One way to show that appreciation is to treat your administrative assistant to a day of luxury. You could book at appointment at a nearby spa, take your assistant out for a tasty lunch, or rent a classic, exotic, or luxury car to fulfill your assistant’s automotive fantasies.

“Most of us have a dream car,” said Sturgeon. “Take some time to find out what your assistant dreams of driving. Maybe he or she is really into speed and exotic cars like the new 600HP Dodge Viper. Maybe a luxury convertible like a Bentley GTC is your assistant’s dream car. It could be a Hummer or a classic Mercedes. Take the time to find out.”

You could give your assistant another knick-knack to clutter up his or her desk. You could send flowers, but why not do something more memorable?

Or you could make it the ultimate personal day by renting a classic, luxury, or exotic car for your assistant. You will be a shoe in for the title of world’s greatest boss!

Setting your administrative assistant behind the wheel of a dream car is guaranteed to be an Administrative Professionals Day that’s impossible to forget.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals changed the name of Professional Secretaries Day to Administrative Professionals Day in 2000 to “…keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.”

Whatever the day is called, use it to show your appreciation to your administrative assistant, whether through lunch, a spa day, or a Dallas, TX luxury car rental.

If you’re not in Texas, an online directory such as rentexoticcars.net is an excellent way to locate an agency that specializes in exotic car rental. Your administrative assistant works hard all year, and this is the day for you to show how much you appreciate him or her.

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

Danica Patrick won the Indy 300 Japan on Saturday. Patrick beat two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves by almost six seconds.

“I think it’s great that Danica Patrick won the Indy 300 Japan,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas-based exotic car rental company. “She is a supremely talented driver.”

After winning the Indy 300 Japan, Patrick told the New York Times, “This reaches outside racing. This is about finding something you love to do, and following through with it.”

A longtime fan of exotic cars, Patrick has worked hard to get where she is today. Before entering the forefront of the automobile racing scene three years ago, Patrick quietly gathered years of racing experience. Her father introduced her to the world of racing early. At the age of 16, Danica moved to Europe to compete.

“Reaching the winner’s circle takes perseverance in any sport,” said Sturgeon. “Danica has showed that she can win anywhere she goes. She’s a fierce competitor, and it was only a matter of time until she got the checkered flag,” said the Dallas car sharing club owner.

“Danica’s success might help attract new fans to motorsports and to exotic car driving,” says Sturgeon, owner of DFW Elite Auto Rental.com, an exotic car rental company in Dallas-Fort Worth. “I think a lot of people who think exotic car rental is just for men would be surprised by the number of women who rent exotic cars in Dallas,” says Sturgeon.

“Both men and women like a change of pace from the car that they drive every day,” says Sturgeon. “Renting red 2008 Dodge Viper convertible for an afternoon of dream car driving is a fantastic way for a couple to experience the pleasure of driving an elite sports car together,” says Sturgeon.

Patrick told the Associated Foreign Press that she credits having the “right attitude” with her amazing win. “I grew up with never really using guys as a reference, using drivers as a reference, and if I wasn’t fast enough, I wasn’t fast enough,” she says. “I didn’t think, oh, I’m the best girl out here today. I grew up with the right attitude to translate into a more competitive world. I thank my family for that.”

Way to go, Danica.

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

I will state unequivocally from the beginning that I am not a gamer. I do not own a gaming console, nor do I plan to get one…ever.

It’s not that I’m hostile to gamers or the gaming world or that I have some staunch philosophical position on the matter, I don’t. I simply have enough reality on my plate to keep me from having to create new worlds to make further demands on my time.

Apparently, I am missing quite a ride. In no case is this more apparent than in the virtual world of a game called Grand Theft Auto (GTA, for short).

This game is full of fast-paced action where players drive exotic automobiles with various armaments and, basically, kill, maim, and pillage.

Just the right thing for that angst filled teenager with nothing else better to do.

Tapping into the level of passion that devotees have for GTA, is what the game’s designers have undertaken in creating the Rockstar Social Club. As if playing the game 20 hours a day weren’t enough, people can now waste any of their remaining time talking with other GTA fans and even uploading their stats and receiving awards for, uh, stealing a bunch of cars.

The Rockstar Social Club will even allow gamers with different platforms (Xbox, PS3, etc.) to compare and contrast.

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer to get my experiences a bit more viscerally. So, for example, if I want the thrill of driving an exotic sports car in Dallas, I will actually go rent a Dodge Viper or a brand new 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo and let it rip. Call me crazy, but I just can’t imagine getting the same experience from playing a game on a game console.

And I’m not alone.

“Put any first timer behind the wheel of one of our Dodge Vipers and usually all they can mutter is ‘wow!’”claims Ron Sturgeon. Sturgeon, the owner of a Dallas luxury car rental company, operates several businesses designed to connect aspiring supercar drivers with seat time in the world’s top exotic cars.

Sturgeon operates the DFW Elite Car Club (www.dfwelitecarclub.com). A car sharing club in Dallas/Fort Worth in its second year of operation, DFW Elite Car Club has attracted car buffs who want to drive a variety of the world’s best exotic and luxury cars without the hassles of ownership. “With so many cars well above the 200k mark, it gets hard to choose just one to have in the garage,” explains Tom Warren, GM of the Dallas car club.

“Membership in the car club gives people a focused outlet for their passion for cars and gives them access to a garage of over 25 elite exotics and luxury cars. The concept of car sharing as an alternative to ownership has received excellent press lately. Several of the top luxury car sharing clubs, DFW Elite Auto Club among them, were profiled in a special automotive issue of the Robb Report.

Maybe I’m just old, but I’ll take real excitement of driving a Dodge Viper SRT-10 rental over playing a video game any day.

Written by G.D. Gregory. If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, the Toyota Venza seems to be the new “crossover sedan” to beat. The new Toyota Venza combines the usefulness and cargo room of a sport utility vehicle with the low profile and fuel economy of a sedan.

“So far, the buzz on the new Venza has been all positive,” said Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas luxury car rental company. “Toyota has been making excellent quality cars for many years, so it will be interesting to see how the Venza does against the competition,” continued Mr. Sturgeon.

Thus far, the Venza is getting some good reviews. For example, gearheads at AOL’s Autoblog gave the new Toyota thumbs up. Autoblog had this to say about the new car: “With the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge obviously in its sights, the 5-passenger Venza neatly and stylishly fills the void left when the Highlander grew a third row and got bigger. Powered by either a 268-horsepower V6 or a 2.7L four-banger, the North America-designed and built Venza will be sold as a single trim level vehicle.”

In explaining the differences between configurations of the Venza, the writer at Autoblog has this to say, “The primary differences are that the six gets dual exhausts and 20-inch wheels, while the 2.7L has a single outlet and 19-inchers. Both engines are connected to a six-speed automatic with sequential shift, and the V6 has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which exactly matches that of the Ford Edge and the current Nissan Murano.”

Stylistically, I have to agree with the Autoblog writers that the Venza looks a bit like a Ford Edge in its grille and headlights that arc out toward the fenders. Naturally, inside the car is everything you would expect from a quality automaker. As the review notes, “Inside, the Venza has an upscale, airy cockpit with niceties like contrast-piped leather seats. Storage is typical for vehicles in this class, and like its main competitors, it offers a panoramic glass roof.”

Although I doubt any of Toyota’s competitors are excited about their entry into the crossover market, I like it. With gas prices climbing, I am not shopping for a full-size SUV, but I would certainly look at the Toyota when the time comes to buy. Unless of course, I happen to match all seven numbers in this weeks drawing…then I’ll be driving the new Lamborghini Gallardo….

Although, its not anywhere near as exciting as driving a Lambo, I’ll be the Venza will turn out to be a nice car. The new vehicle will be hitting the road with the 2009 model year, and it will go on sale toward the end of this year. It might even show up as a premium rental in the fleets of some national luxury car rental companies.

Toyota expects the new Venza to appeal to consumers with an active lifestyle. Here’s what they had to say about where the car fits into the current U.S. market, “The sleek and sporty styling, refined interior and outstanding utility features are complemented with fun-to-drive performance attributes expected by owners with active lifestyles. Aggressive handling typically found in a performance coupe is well-balanced by the on-road comfort of an upscale sedan.”

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

The reason of a concept car is to explore new ideas and to test the ideas in an attempt to create the ultimate solution. Know-how and passion, combined with imagination, then become the motive force that turns the dream into reality. A dream that can be shared through the creation of a unique vehicle such as the Peugeot 908 RC.

The 908 RC owes its name to its engine: the Peugeot V12 HDi DPFS, which will power the racing version of the 908 in 2007. The abbreviation ‘RC’, used to designate sports models in the Peugeot range, also refers to the RC and RC concept cars which made their appearance in 2002 and whose architecture served as an inspiration during the design of this innovative project.

The original idea was to create a limousine with an imposing style that offered its four occupants a new driving sensation. The fi nal design, however, is an uncompromising car that combines dynamic performance, comfort, luxury and environmental protection. In short, it is an exclusive four-door vehicle that will capture the imagination of both occupants and onlookers.

Engine and architecture
The 908 RC is powered by Peugeot’s V12 HDi DPFS (diesel particulate fi lter system) diesel engine designed to take part in the ‘Le Mans Race Series’ programme in 2007.

The engine has a capacity of 5.5 litres and offers a level of performance unprecedented for a diesel engine, with a maximum power output greater than 515 kW and, above all, an exceptional torque in excess of 1,200 Nm. With a 100° V angle architecture, the engine’s centre of gravity is as low as possible. Two particulate fi lters are located at the end of each exhaust system ensuring the car’s environmentally-friendly credentials.

The originality of the 908 RC resides in its compact design, with the engine arranged in a rear central transverse position. Similarly the compact 6-speed electronically controlled sequential gearbox, has been specially adapted to withstand the phenomenal torque, and is located under the engine.

The position of the power train allows the creation of a large-capacity boot, situated behind the fi nal drive assembly and therefore not encroaching on the generous interior space of the passenger compartment. This design also allows the driving position to be moved forward, maximising the driving experience for both the driver and the passengers.

Exterior style
The design of the 908 RC creates a particularly low-lying exterior body with a stylish tapered design at the front of the vehicle. Its proportions create an elegant and dynamic statement. Sitting on large diameter 20 spoke alloy wheels (20” at the front, 21” at the rear); the overall effect is that of a big cat, from the nose at the front, to the tip of the rear lights.

More than ever, the Marque’s emblem has played a part in fashioning the power of expression of the 908 RC.

At the front, the lion’s character seems to emanate from each detail, starting with the design of the headlights. Lighting is provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs), with their dazzling appearance the result of a special fi nish given to the internal components. The exterior appearance of the lights looks like a crystal cut like a precious stone, creating a faint outline like the pupil of an eye. The bonnet draws its inspiration directly from the head of a big cat.

The areas either side of the bonnet create the effect of the cat’s ‘cheeks’ with the bonnet tapering down to a nose, highlighted by the large chromed emblem of the Marque. A lot of attention has been paid to the design of the exterior body, with its lack of door handles creating surfaces of great simplicity and purity, and highlighting to maximum effect the refl ections that accentuate every facet of the body.

Aligned with the curves of the car’s pronounced ‘hindquarters’, the rear lights, equipped with LEDs, incorporate a polished aluminium insert evoking the shape of a powerful claw.

The dynamic rear profi le is characterised by the shape of the rear air diffuser, accentuated by chrome detailing and supported visually on each side by twin exhaust pipes. The metallic black body colour with its bluish refl ections further enhances the impression of status, dynamism and purity portrayed by this car.

Inside the 908 RC
The ambience inside the 908 RC is the result of meticulous attention to detail on the part of the car’s designers.

Thanks to a forward-positioned passenger compartment made possible by the car’s architecture, and a large glazed surface area of 3 m2, occupants are truly at one with the road and the passing landscape. The special shape of the huge front windscreen allows a completely unimpeded fi eld of vision (as on the RC concept cars). The front windscreen stretches back behind the driver’s head, as far as the B/C post where the glazed roof begins. This gives both front and rear passengers a sense of being at one with the outside environment. Unequalled brightness and visibility combine with a generous interior space, complete with four independent seats, helping to create a truly exceptional ambience.

The light and fl owing style of the interior, combined with the latest technology ensures purity of the design and a comfortable interior. For example, all vehicle functions (radio, MP3 player, satellite navigation, four-zone air conditioning, etc) can be easily controlled by means of a large touch screen, the Man/Machine Interface (MMI). The MMI is also accessible by the rear passengers, thanks to a multimedia screen positioned on the centre console separating the two rear seats. The high-quality materials and interior fi nish of the 908 RC creates an atmosphere that is both luxurious and timeless. The passenger compartment features dark oak surrounds, integral amethyst-grey leather trim, polished aluminium inserts, touches of chrome, and a Bell&Ross clock: everything stimulates the senses of touch, sight and smell. Practical aspects have not been overlooked either. Numerous storage spaces, in addition to the large air conditioned glove box, are located in the door panels and also in the front and rear consoles.

Structure and Suspension
In the great tradition of Peugeot concept cars, the 908 RC is a unique model conceived in the inner sanctum of the Peugeot Design Centre. The vehicle is built around a pre-impregnated carbon composite and vacuum-polymerised aluminium honeycomb structure. The rear section is a self-supporting shell incorporating a sub-frame consisting of a tubular structure on which the engine and suspension are assembled.

Both at the front and the rear, the car features a drop link, double wishbone type suspension, derived from the 407.

Braking is by means of four monobloc ceramic carbon composite discs which reduce weight and improved thermal effi ciency. The wheels are fi tted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 255/35 R20 tyres at the front and 285/30 R21 at the rear.

Aerodynamics
The car’s aerodynamics has been particularly fi ne-tuned to attain an excellent drag coeffi cient of only 0.556. The air ducts were designed in a wind tunnel to optimise the car’s performance and fuel consumption, while ensuring the necessary cooling of the power train.

A two-part front air intake directs air to cool both of the engine’s radiators and also improve the car’s aerodynamic performance by controlling the internal and external fl ow by means of the black anodised aluminium vents located upstream of the front wheels. Air is provided to the engine by means of vents located in the rear quarter panels. Air is also directed from the rear wheel arches, through the two intercoolers for the turbochargers and then out through the visible vents behind the wheel arch.

A controllable rear spoiler incorporated into the boot lid can be raised at the request of the driver to improve road holding. The flat under floor and diffuser enhance further the aerodynamic efficiency of the 908 RC.

Finally, the 908 RC, is a luxurious touring interpretation of the racing car of the future, through its engineering it creates the spirit of the ‘gentleman driver, It is targeted at a very upmarket virtual customer, naturally accustomed to a very high level of luxury but above all passionate about their motoring and its history, but also in search of innovation coupled with assertive styling and uncompromised driving pleasure.Source - Peugeot

If anyone is interested, did the above tour in Ft. Worth Texas this weekend. Cars driven were:Ferrari F430,Corvette Z06, Lamborghini Gallardo coupe,Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche Twin Turbo. The tour lasted most of the day and included about 30-40 minutes in each car. If you pay extra for a passenger, you have more seat time. The star was the Ferrari with the Porsche second. The differences between cars was easy to see since you were running them right after each other. The whole event was done very well and you had time to drive the way you wanted on some great back roads. The tour was done by DFW Elite Auto Rental. They are on the web. It was a great day to say the least. The Z06 was not in the same league as to finesse and drivability , it was fast however, actually the most extreme car to handle. Highly recommend this tour.

Ron H.

Both S. and W. are just now coming back to earth from the tour. It was fantastic- something neither one will forget. S. called 3 or 4 of his friends as soon as he could get to his cell phone to tell them they all had to do this! W. downloaded the pictures that night to share with all the guys. They both have been on the NASCAR Experience driving laps around Texas Motor Speedway and both of them agreed this tour was far superior. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime- it was fabulous.

Linda D.

Words cant put the fun Klye and I had Saturday. I have told so many people about it I’m sure they are tired of hearing about it. I think I talked about it for hours after we got home. My son liked it so much he asked when were we going back. I am glad we got to drive the cars the way we did. I think that made the tour even better. It was great to drive the cars at those speeds and feel the power that the cars had. I cant wait to see the video and pics yall took. Please feel free to use my comments on the web or anywhere else. I saw you are going to Paris on a few of your tours, I have a store there. You will need to go to the eifell tower there. Those cars would look awesome in front of the tower in a pic. Well I still have my smile and prob will for days, or any other time I talk about it. Well Once again Thanks for the Ride of A Lifetime in the cars of my Dreams. Be safe and have fun.

Shane G.

PS Might see yall again soon and been telling my friends to check this out.

Rick Popely, writing in the Chicago Tribune, reports that with the increased pressure of a downtrend in the economy, more and more car buyers are choosing to buy used cars:

“In a slowing economy rocked by increasing prices for staples such as gasoline and food, the willingness to spend on big-ticket items took a dramatic turn in March, when new-vehicle sales plunged 12 percent from a year ago, confirming skittishness among consumers and pointing toward more difficult days ahead.  This is shaping up to be the worst year for vehicle manufacturers in at least a decade, and analysts don’t see a return to form until 2010 at the earliest.”

Although luxury car brands tend to feel the pinch a little less during a downturn, the awareness of costs have been driving changes even at the top of the car market. For several years, car enthusiasts in Dallas with a desire to drive the latest exotic cars have been doing it in a financially sound way: by joining DFW Elite Car Club.com, a car sharing club in Dallas-Fort Worth dedicated to luxury and high performance cars.

“With an increasing variety of exotic cars costing well over 200k, it makes sense for those with a passion for driving the best cars in the world, to join a car club,” says Tom Warren, General Manager of the two-year-old DFW car club. An excellent online directory to exotic car clubs (http://www.exoticcarclubs.com/) can help you find a car sharing club near you.

“I don’t believe that the economic downturn will cause the typical Lamborghini Gallardo buyer to consider a used one,” says Mr. Warren. “The high cost of maintaining such cars and the value of the dealer’s coverage that comes with a new exotic car makes a new 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo attractive to those who might otherwise buy a used one,” says the Dallas car club executive.

“We’re very fortunate to have a clientele that appreciates that value of the innovative products that we have created for car enthusiasts throughout Texas,” says Mr. Warren. “Our full day exotic car driving tours continue to sell out in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio,” reports Warren.

DFW Drive Your Dream tour participants get a chance to drive five supercars in a single day. For upcoming tour dates call 214.247.4700 or visit http://www.dfwdriveyourdream.com/

The trend toward used vehicles isn’t doing anything to help the ailing American automakers, says the Chicago Tribune article.  “New-vehicle sales were down 8 percent in the first quarter, to 3.6 million vehicles, and J.D. Power predicts calendar year sales of 14.95 million, the lowest since 1995. Power’s original forecast for 2008, issued in December, was for 15.7 million sales.”

Read the rest of this story by freelance writer Kate Miller Wilson on our exotic car rental news page.

 

All right, perhaps my title is a bit of a lark.  I figure that I’m allowed with it being April Fool’s Day and all. But the truth is that there is a large segment of our population who just can’t leave things alone.  They are serial tinkerers. 

Within this class of tinkerers, there is a further breakdown.  There are those who go big and those who opt for smaller, quirkier tinkerings. 

An example of the latter crew would be the folks at Golden Eagle Bike Engines (www.bikeengines.com/larrybike.htm).  These guys specialize, amongst other things, in making engines that attach to bicycles that do the pedaling for you. 

The units can get the bike up to around 20 mph and are gas powered, yet very efficient.  There’s even a group of tinkerers who think that buying a specifically manufactured bicycle assist engine is too conformist.  That’s why they make their own Weed Wacker Bikes. 

That’s right, people make Weed Wacker Bikes.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for increasing transportation efficiency and getting out of yard work, but I’m not sure if those two goals should be combined.  I’m just saying…

As I mentioned earlier, there are also tinkerers who take their ideas big.  Consider Ron Sturgeon.  Like many, Sturgeon loves exotic cars.  Unlike many, this Texas entrepreneur did something about it. 

Sturgeon owns and operates several exotic car businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth. 

There’s the Dallas-Fort Worth TX exotic car club that allows members to access a full garage of exotic cars without the cost and aggravation of direct ownership; the exotic car rental agency that allows customers to choose from dozens of hard-to-find exotic cars for daily rental and even offers daily internet specials;  and the exotic car tour company that allows participants to spend eight hours cruising through some of Texas’ most beautiful scenery behind the wheel of five different high performance cars. 

Sturgeon is constantly tinkering with his own car collection and ways to better serve his customers.  “Exotic cars may be the centerpiece of our businesses, but we’re devoted to giving our car sharing club members and Dallas luxury rental car customers better than expected service every day,” states Sturgeon. 

When I asked Sturgeon if his collection included any self-propelled bicycle weed wackers, he just smiled and said, “I don’t think Ferrari has made any of those yet.” 

Alas, I guess I’ll just have to head to Home Depot instead. Read the rest of the story by freelance writer G.D. Gregory on our luxury car news page.