Renting a GT3

[Our03z4]

Just remember to book massages when you get where you are going and then when you get back...you'll need it.

Have fun though, let us know how the trip goes!

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by FC4

Yeah kind of a silly idea, but I think most are fixating on the $1800 number rather than the delta. If it's a given that a car will be rented for the trip, then the true cost of the GT3 will be the difference between $1800 and another alternative. It's not like standard cars are free to rent...

I would not spend $1800 to rent any car for a weekend.

Now the right awesome 3 day track experience where you can truly drive the crap out of the right exotics on real tracks? That may be worth $1800

[AlexFL]

Just buy her a diamond ring.

[Darth One]

The guy wants to rent a GT3, let him rent a GT3. whether you think $1800 is unreasonable or not, it’s close to rates for similar cars for that amount of time.

And the car is not some kind of torture device….it’s low slung and the suspension doesn’t wallow like a boat - but it rides better than something like an M2 in my opinion. Certainly MUCH better than an M4 GTS. If the thing has normal seats and not the hard buckets, it’s pretty comfy

[M-technik-3]

Maybe rent a Shelby GT500H from Hertz for 399 a day.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by FC4

Yeah kind of a silly idea, but I think most are fixating on the $1800 number rather than the delta. If it's a given that a car will be rented for the trip, then the true cost of the GT3 will be the difference between $1800 and another alternative. It's not like standard cars are free to rent...

He made it sound like it's a road trip so the cost to drive his own car would be $0 vs renting a car.

I'm not a GT3 guy, doesn't do anything for me personally, so I probably wouldn't rent it. However I would not be opposed to the idea of renting a nice car for a road trip. I've done it back when I was younger and a nice car was a corvette or an audi. Unfortunately over the years what I consider nice has gotten more expensive and while I have more money now than I did back then I also seem to have gotten cheaper.

However $1800 for 3 days is like exotic prices. Then again it seems most Porsches now days seem to be priced like exotics. YOLO!

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by ///d

Let me start off by saying I realize a lot of folks in here are far more financially capable than I, so this may seem like mere pocket change to some.

Anniversary is coming up for the GF and I. We are going to spend a weekend on the North Shore of MN and see some fall colors. I have the opportunity to rent a '15 GT3 for 3 days for around $1,800. This includes insurance and 650 miles. When comparing prices to other rental places around the country this is a damn good deal, and even though it's through a company that manages rentals, it's a buddies of mine car so that money will go to him (after management fee's, etc)

Am I silly to be considering this? The GF thinks it would be fun, but her eyes also got quite large when I said what it would cost. I can afford the weekend, but I guess the idea of tossing near $2k to rent a car seems, well, out there.

What say you?

Originally Posted by ///d

Just asked, he said he is swapping the winters on before my trip, so I will be fine.

$600/day all in with insurance is pretty good, but the mileage is a little low. And I don't like the idea of having winter tires on the car which will mute some of the fun.

I rented a 458 for $485 per day in LA, for 4 days, with 200 miles/day during the first year of the pandemic. And I used all 800 miles, and went 100 miles over. I figured WTH, when else am I going to be in one of my dream cars, in LA nonetheless, with access to some of the best roads in the country? But I brought the car back in pristine condition (cleaned it before I returned it), so they didn't even charge me for the extra miles.

And the 458 was the best car experience I've ever had (and I've rented some great cars, like a tuned 780-hp AMG GTC which is the fastest car I've ever rented, a 2018 manual 911 GTS and a 981 Boxster GTS, all off Turo). The Ferrari had a boisterous aftermarket Tubi exhaust which sounded amazing coupled with the wale of the V8. And it was wrapped in matte black (of course), but it had a full red leather interior.

Driving a rental 458 in the Cali canyons was just about as good as it could get for me (and 750 of those 900 miles were in the canyons). No regrets. As a driving enthusiast, probably best decision I ever made, renting one of my dream cars from Turo.

I figure that the $2000 spent was much cheaper than me owning a 458 with the insurance and maintenance costs (and I'd be more apt to baby my own). I had no fear in the rental, redlined that baby as often as possible, and drove it like I stole it. And literally looked like a movie star, immersed in that red interior.

And if I have the chance to rent a late model GT3, I'll do it...mostly because the GT3 is on my shortlist for ownership. But I do like to rent cars I want to own for at least 3 days and 600 miles, so I can really get a feel for the car. The GT3, the Cayman GT4 or GT4RS, the Spyder, C8 Z06, all cars I would spend big money to rent. After renting the 911 GTS and the Mercedes, I realized as much as I like those cars and they're really cool, it wasn't worth owning them. Not quite special enough. But the 458, I'd still buy it. It was loads of fun, sounded amazing, and still has some of the most alluring mid-engine lines ever.

Good decision, d

[10"]

SKIP.

for $1800 you can fly to Spain and stay a couple nights. Y'know a real adventure.

[Alfisti]

The $1800 is actually a very fair price in this market, renting high end sports cars is crazy expensive and it does include insurance which can run hundreds.

My reservation would be the trip, you can only hustle the car so hard on public roads and with a passenger. I just spent a full day in the boons with my 997 S cab, wife and kids in it, it was fun but I could never push it (within the bounds of public roads) with people in the car and the GT3 has another 100HP and is much more the track car.

Point being, i'd be tempted to rent at a track instead, where you can hustle the thing.

[///d]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

Driving a rental 458 in the Cali canyons was just about as good as it could get for me (and 750 of those 900 miles were in the canyons). No regrets. As a driving enthusiast, probably best decision I ever made, renting one of my dream cars from Turo.

I figure that the $2000 spent was much cheaper than me owning a 458 with the insurance and maintenance costs (and I'd be more apt to baby my own). I had no fear in the rental, redlined that baby as often as possible, and drove it like I stole it. And literally looked like a movie star, immersed in that red interior.

And if I have the chance to rent a late model GT3, I'll do it...mostly because the GT3 is on my shortlist for ownership. But I do like to rent cars I want to own for at least 3 days and 600 miles, so I can really get a feel for the car. The GT3, the Cayman GT4 or GT4RS, the Spyder, C8 Z06, all cars I would spend big money to rent. After renting the 911 GTS and the Mercedes, I realized as much as I like those cars and they're really cool, it wasn't worth owning them. Not quite special enough. But the 458, I'd still buy it. It was loads of fun, sounded amazing, and still has some of the most alluring mid-engine lines ever.

Good decision, d

Yeah thats one reason I want to rent a GT3 is to see if it's something I'd want to pursue owning. I've been thinking about renting this one for a day, but with a 200 mile/day limit I would really only drive it for a couple hours and then have to return it. I live 2 hours away, so a day rental I wouldn't even be able to bring it home or to any of the roads I am familiar with. Renting it for a few days gives me far more seat time to see if I really do want one.

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The $1800 is actually a very fair price in this market, renting high end sports cars is crazy expensive and it does include insurance which can run hundreds.

My reservation would be the trip, you can only hustle the car so hard on public roads and with a passenger. I just spent a full day in the boons with my 997 S cab, wife and kids in it, it was fun but I could never push it (within the bounds of public roads) with people in the car and the GT3 has another 100HP and is much more the track car.

Point being, i'd be tempted to rent at a track instead, where you can hustle the thing.

I would much rather rent one for track time, but unfortunately I do not have that option anywhere close to me. We have Brainerd International Raceway not far from me, but there aren't any options for renting cars like this. Because of our short track season it's hard to even get open bring what you got trackdays.

If I'm ever in an area that I can do this then I'll do it, but to travel someplace specifically for this purpose would cost me well over what this road trip is going to cost me.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by ///d

I would much rather rent one for track time, but unfortunately I do not have that option anywhere close to me. We have Brainerd International Raceway not far from me, but there aren't any options for renting cars like this. Because of our short track season it's hard to even get open bring what you got trackdays.

There's several at BIR each month starting in May through October. There was an open track day with Slow Pokes last Sunday and the Audi club has an event this weekend - not bad for October. There's more options in late spring and summer.

I would ask in the Nord Stern PCA group to see if anyone knows of GT3 track rentals. 1800 for a single day of a few sessions on track might be the price point for that.

[wtwo3]

You had me at "GF thinks it could be fun".

[///d]

Originally Posted by Ximian

There's several at BIR each month starting in May through October. There was an open track day with Slow Pokes last Sunday and the Audi club has an event this weekend - not bad for October. There's more options in late spring and summer.

I would ask in the Nord Stern PCA group to see if anyone knows of GT3 track rentals. 1800 for a single day of a few sessions on track might be the price point for that.

There are track days if you are part of a club (and often require time off work). The only real opportunity to get seat time outside of clubs is PG, and I'd rather not deal with that shit show. Slow pokes requires a high speed driving school in order to participate, which I'm not against, but I haven't done so simply because I seldom make it on track anymore. I have a lot of experience on track with motorcycle and had my race license at one point, but I was told they wont count for anything for 4 wheels.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by ///d

There are track days if you are part of a club (and often require time off work). The only real opportunity to get seat time outside of clubs is PG, and I'd rather not deal with that shit show. Slow pokes requires a high speed driving school in order to participate, which I'm not against, but I haven't done so simply because I seldom make it on track anymore. I have a lot of experience on track with motorcycle and had my race license at one point, but I was told they wont count for anything for 4 wheels.

Unfortunately, skills on two wheels don't always transfer over to four wheels. I'm sure you've seen the opposite being true as well.

Club events are typically during the weekend while the smaller events are during the week. Yearly membership dues are pretty low for the BMW and Audi clubs. With their events (and quite a few of the others), you'll have an instructor that will work with you to improving driving skills while also driving safely. PG is a shit show because it has none of that. I would avoid Slow Pokes events until you've been qualified solo by one of the groups. Lots of heavily prepped cars coming up to pass you while you're dealing with traffic as well - not a situation anyone should deal with if they're struggling to get solo approval.

However, it would be a struggle to find a business anywhere that rents cars for track use without the person already having relevant experience. The "exotic experience" events are usually heavily restricted so those don't qualify. Maybe a business somewhere around Nurburgring.

[pgviper]

Do what makes you happy. Chances are, everyone here has wasted more money on something less meaningful.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by pgviper

Do what makes you happy. Chances are, everyone here has wasted more money on something less meaningful.

Damn hookers

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by pgviper

Do what makes you happy. Chances are, everyone here has wasted more money on something less meaningful.

This, but still, $1800, wow. I've driven 2 GT3's (neither in anger though), and I can't say that either experience was worth $1800. To each their own.

[TXSTYLE]

All I'm gonna say, since you asked...

I have no problem with the concept and idea of what you're doing and why.

I just suggest a much better vehicle for the purposes. You and your girl are taking a road trip.
I personally would want more luxury and comfort! The addition of power is a plus. I would look more at say: Aston Martin, Bentley, etc.

[Alfisti]

Once he is married and has kids he will be compromising everything for them. Go hard with a sports car when young before you get chained to pragmatism.

[________]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Maybe rent a Shelby GT500H from Hertz for 399 a day.

This is the “best” advice in this thread.
Save 600 by renting out a Ford, only paying 1200 for it, instead of 1800.

Alfisti is right. Decision has been made and maybe the trip even already happened.
Pics? How did it go?

[///d]

Originally Posted by Onesie

This is the “best” advice in this thread.
Save 600 by renting out a Ford, only paying 1200 for it, instead of 1800.

Alfisti is right. Decision has been made and maybe the trip even already happened.
Pics? How did it go?

It's next weekend. So far weather is looking good
I'll update after the trip for sure.

[86Zed]

Good luck, find some twisty roads and it'll be worth it.

In a former west coast life my wife and I rented a Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 C2S, and Lotus Elise. All were an absolute BLAST with the Elise taking the cake. It is just money, use it for whatever brings you joy. (Now if only I could get back money lost to bars and bottle service...)

I second the track events comment, BIR is approachable through many cheap clubs or BIRs own instruction & vehicles.