Feature: The Spice of Life
August 1, 2007
That refrain is echoed so often in discussions with car-share club leaders that even the most
die-hard enthusiast is forced to reconsider the wisdom of ownership. Eager to
forward an experiment, Club Sportiva offered access to its fleet over the course
of a week.
Top: Founded in San Francisco in 2003, Club Sportiva has expanded internationally with a location in Munich, Germany and plans to
open offices in New York and Las Vegas for 2007. Bottom: Exotic Car Share now has over 700 members and is the largest car-share club in the country. (Click images to enlarge); function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
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For a die-hard Porsche fan and owner, the prospect of
driving—but not permanently parking—any one of a dozen exotics seemed
appealing, with an asterisk. What about those moments after the kids are in bed
and you sneak into the garage, flip the light switch and simply stare at your
baby? What about the hours spent buffing silver paint to a mirror shine?
What about them, indeed.
First up is a Ferrari F430. Arriving at the club, a sign bares
my name in elegant script, set on a stand next to the red demon from Maranello.
After 24 hours of incalculable fun, time for a romp with a 15-year-old grande
dame, a Bentley Turbo R. A few days later, it’s track-like nirvana in a Lotus
Elise. Akin to an automotive mirage, the back-to-back borrowing experience
immediately impresses with its merits.
Sure, the cars aren’t yours, but what a thrill to completely
change automotive personalities so quickly. In the Ferrari, you contend with
constant looks and the occasional sneer. In the Bentley, gliding on cushions of
air, the world seems miles away. In the Lotus, everyone from kids to grandmas
are curious in the way that they’d be with a flying saucer.
Then, there’s the positively breathless relief felt upon
hearing that the Ferrari’s sprung a transmission leak. As the owner, you’d have
to deal with a fretful trip to the dealer, a sour experience regardless of
warranty coverage. But as a car-share club member, you shrug, hand in the keys
and ask when the car will be ready again.
Enzo Ferrari might be rolling in his grave at this slight, but
you’ll be sleeping oh-so-soundly.
Club Sportiva, www.clubsportiva.com
Collexium, www.collexium.com
DFW Elite Car Club, www.dfwelitecarclub.com
Exotic Car Share, www.exoticcarshare.com
Px3 Country Club, www.px3countryclub.com
Van Horssen Group, www.vanhorssengroup.com
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