Renting sports cars?

fieldgrade

fieldgrade

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I’m daydreaming about a mountain trip to a place where the roads are paved, but narrow. I’ve been there on a motorcycle, but the wife doesn’t ride, and she’d like to see these places I talk about in southwest VA.

My F150 4x4 is not what I would call fun to drive on really narrow, winding mountain roads, kind of a pig, and I don’t enjoy driving her little crossover.

Aside from the usual car rental options, what else is available to rent for a few days and 600 miles or so?
 
Thought about renting a “slingshot” style bike? I’ve seen quite a few of those rental places, generally in areas with a lot of visitors. I’m not sure what they have as far as cargo carrying capacity but even if you had to drive her CUV up there then rent one “locally” maybe that’s an option?
 
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An old friend of mine who has done very very well financially let me drive one of his Lambos (yes he has two) a while back.......fun to see how the other half lives. You could rent a Mustang or Camero convertible relatively inexpensively for a weekend trip.

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johnnyb said:
Thought about renting a “slingshot” style bike? I’ve seen quite a few of those rental places, generally in areas with a lot of visitors. I’m not sure what they have as far as cargo carrying capacity but even if you had to drive her CUV up there then rent one “locally” maybe that’s an option?
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I’ve seen them rented near Robbinsville. But I’ll have to get something with an “enclosed cockpit” for the missus.
 
pirate said:
An old friend of mine who has done very very well financially let me drive one of his Lambos (yes he has two) a while back.......fun to see how the other half lives.

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It looks good on you.

You know that new house across from the American Legion sold recently for $1.4mm, so you wouldn’t look out of place in the neighborhood in one of those. In fact, there was a red Ferrari in their driveway last week.
 
fieldgrade said:
I’ve seen them rented near Robbinsville. But I’ll have to get something with an “enclosed cockpit” for the missus.
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Understood, I’ll second @pirate’s suggestion on a mustang/Camaro/Challenger (some rental locations are renting the Challenger’s with the 5.7 and 6.4) another thought is using something like Turo (like air B&B for cars) to rent from an individual.
 
Yeah searching robbinsville NC on turo, there are quite a few interesting looking rentals. A GTR, Couple of C7 vettes, 2015 convertible M4, 2014 BMW 3 series…
 
I used to rent Cadillacs on vacations. Only trouble was, if I flew somewhere, I learned that they’d give me whatever was available in that “class” of vehicle that I had reserved, which turned out to be some sort of damn Dodge sedan one time. I was not happy.

I think the majors still do it the same way. You’ll take what they give you, and like it.
 
I think I know the roads you're talking about 😉. With all due respect, you don't want to be going fast on those roads with a passenger - Mama won't enjoy it. Take it from someone who had to stop on one of those curvy roads to let his passenger throw up. If the mission is for Mama to do some pleasant sightseeing, I'd look for a nice sport sedan: Audi A6 or comparable Merc or BMW. Just my inflated $.02 worth!
 
Red Marley said:
I think I know the roads you're talking about 😉. With all due respect, you don't want to be going fast on those roads with a passenger - Mama won't enjoy it. Take it from someone who had to stop on one of those curvy roads to let his passenger throw up. If the mission is for Mama to do some pleasant sightseeing, I'd look for a nice sport sedan: Audi A6 or comparable Merc or BMW. Just my inflated $.02 worth!
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Yes. My intentions are more about just fitting on those roads, and in something enjoyable to drive.
 
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2nd or 3rd at looking around on Turo. Some pretty cool cars are available and some are pretty reasonable. I rented a 1988 BMW M3 on there a few years ago to relive my college days. I drove a 318i in college and bought a used 1988 M3 just after but sold it within 3 months because of what I thought was a ridiculous offer at that time. Great experience.
 
Red Marley said:
Take it from someone who had to stop on one of those curvy roads to let his passenger throw up.
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I had a passenger in my tahoe almost blow chunks on the dragon. 20 min break on the side of the road before we could proceed 🤣

If I was going to do it, I’d try for something in a convertible flavor. Great unobstructed views.
 
My old boss had a 911 Porsche. He took me for a ride in it and it felt like we were in a gokart sized vehicle that could really go. Fun to ride in, small but heavy and handles great. Maybe give that a shot.
 
fieldgrade said:
Yes. My intentions are more about just fitting on those roads, and in something enjoyable to drive.
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By the way, I once followed a full-size tractor-trailer cattle truck out the paved road to BG. It wasn't pretty, but it can be done.
 
Come up I-77 North, just as soon as you cross into Virginia, take Exit 1. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left and go up Lambsburg mountain. You'll go under the BRP and you can get on the Parkway there. Or, right past the Parkway is Hwy 97. Go left towards Galax, go right towards Fancy Gap (Hwy 52). Lambsburg Mountain is the road that you're looking for.
 
Another vote for Turo, only option I really know of for what youre seeking.
 
Red Marley said:
By the way, I once followed a full-size tractor-trailer cattle truck out the paved road to BG. It wasn't pretty, but it can be done.
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We followed a big Fed Ex truck out of Burkes Garden, and he wasn’t slowing us down. That guy was moving.
Geezer said:
Come up I-77 North, just as soon as you cross into Virginia, take Exit 1. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left and go up Lambsburg mountain. You'll go under the BRP and you can get on the Parkway there. Or, right past the Parkway is Hwy 97. Go left towards Galax, go right towards Fancy Gap (Hwy 52). Lambsburg Mountain is the road that you're looking for.
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I’ll be taking 77 past Wytheville up past Bland to pick up 61 headed west southwest to Tazewell. Burkes Garden is just before you get there. That is ground zero for the ride/drive/hopefully not hike.
 
fieldgrade said:
We followed a big Fed Ex truck out of Burkes Garden, and he wasn’t slowing us down. That guy was moving.

I’ll be taking 77 past Wytheville up past Bland to pick up 61 headed west southwest to Tazewell. Burkes Garden is just before you get there. That is ground zero for the ride/drive/hopefully not hike.
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OK, so the Lambsburg Mountain trip is not out of your way and will be worth it. As soon as you go under the BRP, turn right on Chance Creek Road towards Fancy Gap. It will take you back to I-77 at Exit 8 Fancy Gap. Go north and on to Wytheville. As you go through Wytheville, stop at Skeeter's Hot Dogs. It's a few steps back in time and awesome hot dogs.
 
See above. You’re welcome.
 
johnnyb said:
Thought about renting a “slingshot” style bike? I’ve seen quite a few of those rental places, generally in areas with a lot of visitors. I’m not sure what they have as far as cargo carrying capacity but even if you had to drive her CUV up there then rent one “locally” maybe that’s an option?
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A new place just opened in Hendersonville that rents these slingshot things. Look like a lot of fun
 
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When my wife was in anesthesia school, they had a conference at The Grove Park Inn. Some BMW dealership was there from GA. If you were staying at the inn then you could rent one for a few hours for FREE. 😁 A few of us rented at the same time and took them up the Parkway. Among the rented was a Z3 convertible and a 650i. Very nice, especially the convertible.
 
from above:
"...she’d like to see these places...."

if she would like to "see" the places....just about clean window will do.
if she would like to "feel" the road......just about any coupe can accomplish that.
if she would like to "hang on for dear life".....Audi. i hate them, but for one day...fun.
 
turkeydance said:
if she would like to "hang on for dear life".....
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I sold an ’04 Mustang SVT Cobra five years ago. Factory supercharged. Those ’03 and ’04 Terminators were the most powerful Mustangs every produced at that time. Independent rear suspension. Extremely visceral driving experience.

This is how she showed her appreciation for me taking her on the first ride ( there was not a second).

“Why are the tires squealing??!!"
“What are you DOING??!!!!"
“YOU’RE GOING TO GET A TICKET!!!!!!"

I just want to find something small and fun to drive, that I can hopefully fit in for those southwest VA skinny mountain roads. There’s a Miata Coupe on Turo in Blacksburg VA not far from where I want to go. I just don’t know if I’d fit. A doctor friend of mine who has owned Corvettes, including Z06's, Porsches, Benz's, Audis, and some other performance vehicles now has a Miata Coupe and loves it, but he’s a little fella and it works for him.
 
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fieldgrade said:
I sold an ’04 Mustang SVT Cobra five years ago. Factory supercharged. Those ’03 and ’04 Terminators were the most powerful Mustangs every produced at that time. Independent rear suspension. Extremely visceral driving experience.

This is how she showed her appreciation for me taking her on the first ride ( there was not a second).

“Why are the tires squealing??!!"
“What are you DOING??!!!!"
“YOU’RE GOING TO GET A TICKET!!!!!!"

I just want to find something small and fun to drive, that I can hopefully fit in for those southwest VA skinny mountain roads. There’s a Miata Coupe on Turo in Blacksburg VA not far from where I want to go. I just don’t know if I’d fit. A doctor friend of mine who has owned Corvettes, including Z06's, Porsches, Benz's, Audis, and some other performance vehicles now has a Miata Coupe and loves it, but he’s a little fella and it works for him.
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How tall/big are you?
I could ask on the GRM board about fitment
 
HMP said:
How tall/big are you?
I could ask on the GRM board about fitment
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Thanks. To be honest, I sorta know the answer. I technically “fit”, but it’s cramped. Not just leg room, but hip space. I was last in a Miata twenty years ago and I felt like a vienna sausage still in the can. And I weighed twenty pounds less.

That said, 20 years or so can make a difference. I can not get behind the wheel of a mid year C2 Corvette, but fit fine in a C6 Corvette.
But it seems like a lot of imports didn’t get bigger.
 
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fieldgrade said:
Thanks. To be honest, I sorta know the answer. I technically “fit”, but it’s cramped. Not just leg room, but hip space. I was last in a Miata twenty years ago and I felt like a vienna sausage still in the can. And I weighed twenty pounds less.

That said, 20 years or so can make a difference. I can not get behind the wheel of a mid year C2 Corvette, but fit fine in a C6 Corvette.
But it seems like a lot of imports didn’t get bigger.
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If you are anywhere as tall as I am. You will be look OVER the windshield in a miata.
 
FYI: I rented a convertible Audi TT for a weekend wedding in Wolfeboro, NH. Drove it from Boston to Nasha, NH and traded it out. It rode like a frigging tank (and I like sport suspension). Never, ever, again.
 
LeeMajors said:
If you are anywhere as tall as I am. You will be look OVER the windshield in a miata.
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6’3”, but long waisted, so 6’5” from the waist up and 6’1” from the waist down, if that makes sense. You know, like Stringbean.

I think the coupe would be out of the question for me, just getting in and out.

 
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I wish I could find a cheap rental for a Corvette. My son is infatuated with them. Would be cool to drive him around on his birthday--but not $300 cool.
 
9outof10mms said:
I wish I could find a cheap rental for a Corvette. My son is infatuated with them. Would be cool to drive him around on his birthday--but not $300 cool.
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Start making friends at your local Cars and Coffee
 
"....but not $300 cool."

only $300?
last time i looked,
$350-400 'Vette rental
plus mileage/taxes/insurance.
 
9outof10mms said:
I wish I could find a cheap rental for a Corvette. My son is infatuated with them. Would be cool to drive him around on his birthday--but not $300 cool.
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When is his birthday and does it matter the generation? I know a guy that has a C2 and C7 Grand Sport. I'm not sure he would let a stranger drive them but I have driven them several times and could probably grab one for an afternoon. I'd pick the C2 as it is a 427 with side pipes! Also could get my dad's Porsche Carrera 4S convertible out. I've taken all of my kid's and several of their friends on rides in it. Many smiles to be had.
 
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