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Sure, we all know things are tough, but clearly they’re less tough for some of us, because luxury car sales - and we mean genuinely luxury ones - have been on the rise over the past decade.
Back in 2013, the combined sales of premium brands Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren and Porsche totalled just 2304 vehicles. Fast forward to 2023 and that number had risen, nay leapt, to 6979.
Despite this spike in sales, luxury cars remain out of reach for most Australians, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive them.
In tandem with this rise in luxury car sales has been an increase in hire car companies giving you the opportunity to drive something a bit more special than a Toyota Camry or Corolla.
Most major car rental companies offer a more diverse and premium range of cars to hire these days, but there are also a number of specialist companies that give you the chance to experience what it’s like to pilot a Ferrari, Porsche or similar… even if it’s only for a day.
How does it work?
You can get behind the wheel of a BMW or Audi through several of the more recognisable car hire companies, such as Avis, Sixt and Europcar in the same way you rent any other car - albeit at a higher day rate.
However, for something more exotic you’ll need the specialist companies. These will have a fleet of supercars and ultra-luxury vehicles that you can choose from and hire on a per-day rate.
Is it easy to do?
Hiring through a big name brand is the same as any other vehicle, but the process is a bit more complex for the specialist operators.
These typically work by offering you a range of vehicles to choose from, but you’ll then need to send a request for the dates you want to find out if the car is available.
They will then need to verify your licence details (you’ll need to be at least 25 for most of them) and then pay a security deposit in case anything goes wrong; so make sure you read the fine print. Twice, probably.
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Is it becoming more popular?
Yes, self-drive supercar hire has boomed in the last decade as high-end cars have become more accessible with more diverse line-ups.
Ferrari’s sales have more than doubled in the last decade and Lamborghini’s have shot up from just 47 cars in 2013 to 241 in 2023.
This increase in sales has led to more people either wanting to drive them or owners looking for ways to help pay for them, and renting them out is a great way to turn what would otherwise be a stationary object sitting in your garage into money.
Does hiring and renting a luxury car mean the same thing? Are there short term vs long term rental options?
Yes, typically these specialist luxury car hire companies will charge you a per day rate, and while you may be able to pay for multiple days, it’s unusual for them to rent it to you for an extended period of time.
Most outlets advertise daily, weekend and weekly rates, so there are options if you just want to have one day of fun or a week-long adventure.
How does insurance work?
This is not a simple question to answer as each operator is different. But we cannot stress enough how important it is to read every word of the insurance paperwork they give you before you sign anything.
You may be able to afford a few thousand dollars for a day of Lamborghini hire, but if something happens you could end up on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair or replace the car.
What level of luxury vehicles are available to rent?
These days you can rent something as relatively simple as a BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe or Ford Mustang all the way up to a Lamborghini Aventador, McLaren 720S or Ferrari 488 GTB.
If you prefer luxury over sportiness, you can choose from the likes of a Bentley Continental GT, Range Rover or Mercedes-AMG G63 through various outlets.
How much does it cost?
This is obviously not a simple question to answer as the cost will depend on the car, your location and the company you go with. However, in general, you will pay a premium for weekends and pay less per day if you have it for a longer period.
Prices vary from hundreds per day for more accessible options, such as a Ford Mustang, and stretch beyond $2000 per day for Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other exotics.
List of most popular luxury car makes and relevant hire options
There’s plenty to choose from these days, but here’s a list of some of the most notable luxury car rental options we found in Australia.
Best places to hire a luxury car
Below is a list of places you can hire a performance or luxury car, but we must be clear that these outlets are in no way affiliated with CarsGuide and we have not personally reviewed any of them.
So, not to sound like a broken record, but make sure you research any company you plan to rent an expensive car from very closely and study the fine print on the paperwork.
If you’re confident it’s a good deal for you, enjoy living your best life behind the wheel of your dream car.
Sydney
Sydney Luxury Hire has an impressive garage of high-performance sports cars and imposing luxury SUVs to choose from.
Melbourne
Elite Car Hire offers chauffeur-driven and self-drive options for its fleet of cars that includes a Rolls-Royce Ghost, McLaren 720S, Maserati Ghibli and even Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Brisbane & Gold Coast
If you’re looking for something nice to cruise along in the state’s famously sunny weather, Queensland Luxury Car Rentals will help you out. Its fleet includes a Ferrari Portofino, Land Rover Defenders and there’s even a new Ford Mustang Dark Horse coming soon.
Adelaide & Perth
Prestige Rentals is a national company that hires cars in most capital cities, including Perth and Adelaide. You can choose from a variety of Mercedes, Porsche, BMWs, Jaguars and a Lamborghini.
Cairns
If you’re going to rent luxury cars in Cairns you’ll probably want a convertible to soak up as much sun as possible. Which is why Cairns Luxury Car Hire specialises in drop-tops, with convertible options including the Ford Mustang, Porsche 718 Boxster, Mercedes-Benz E300 and a Mini Cooper S.
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