My only hope for the future of my offspring is that more rental car companies will spring up that have the real stuff. Congress is going to shut down the average American and make it impossible for the vast majority of vehicle owners to have anything but a weak-kneed, sissy car like Prius, Volt, Genesis, and other hybrids that have no class, no gas, or are good for about 30-40 miles before you have to hook up to something.

I’ve got places to go to that can’t be reached without a Range Rover or a Ford 250 Super Duty Diesel 4X4. I want to drive all the way to where I am going without stopping at the hydrogen station every 100 miles (let the ole’ lady pee beside the road, I say).

I’m telling you, Congress is going to put a tax so big on real vehicles that no one family can afford one, or ban individuals from owning anything that get less than 50 miles to the gallon, and my kids will never know the thrill of driving unless we can find a company that has stuff we can get for a day or a week-end.

I’m starting now! I going to put my kids in a Porsche with me and find a place where we can run a hole in the wind. I’m going to get a Lamborghini for a Saturday afternoon and burn of some of this world’s precious gas. I’m going to take a Hummer into the woods, and tear up some mud.

You wanna’ drive? You better do it now. Not interested? Sissy!

Read more car rental articles on Image Exotic Car Rental site.

Many companies in the travel industry show their appreciation for military travelers by offering discounts. You can find reduced rates on airfare, Rental Cars, hotels and even events and attractions. The Internet is a great resource to get more information on special military rates, but if you have a specific itinerary in mind, it is helpful to call airline companies and hotels directly to find out about specific discounts.

Airline Discounts

If you’re looking for discounted airfare, American Airlines is one of the largest airlines that offers “Military Fares” in some markets. For more information, call them directly at 1-800-433-7300. Space A military travel is available at a few select installations worldwide. Visit this site to find a list of locations.

Discounted Lodging

The VA Loans site offers an extensive list explaining how to get discounts at many hotels across America. Both Microtel and Best Western offer discounts to service members at many locations around the country.

The Shades of Green Resort® on Walt Disney World Resort® is designed specifically to provide a place for our nation’s service members and their families to relax. You’ll have to meet specific eligibility criteria in order to make a reservation, but if you meet all of the necessary requirements, you’re sure to have a vacation to remember for years to come.

If a condominium is more your style, the Armed Forces Vacation Club is a space available program that offers affordable condominium rentals to affiliated Department of Defense personnel.

For a weekend getaway, Bed and Breakfasts are a great option. Find a B&B in your area that offers discounted rates to military personnel.

Cruises

Interested in a cruise? Check out Military Cruise Deals to see which cruises are offering special discounts for you and your family.

Rental Cars and Rental Vans

Image Rent-A-Car offers discounted rates to military personnel for leisure travel. For more information, contact a local branch.

Attractions

Many attractions across the country offer discounts to military travelers - call in advance to find out if your selected destination offers lower rates. If you’re traveling to Walt Disney World, while you’re in the area you can rent a car and take a trip to Universal Orlando®. This popular Florida attraction offers discounts through participating ITT and ITR offices. Tickets must be purchased in advance so be sure to get information ahead of time as discounts are not available at the gate.

For more information on van rentals and discounts visit The Van Rentals.com.

I got my first taste of Porsche in Florida a couple of years ago. Visiting South Beach, and wanting to score big with the ladies, I rented a Porsche Carrera 911 4S. Yes, I am talking 385hp, 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. I had no problems with the ride and the matter of second importance was handled beyond my wildest dreams. The problem arises then about how one can go from renting to owning. These cars are not cheap, but then neither am I.

When my company offered me the opportunity to handle some business in Germany, I knew that was the opportunity I was waiting for. Wendelin Wiedeking is a nice guy. And he has his car company together. Now I happen to know the car he says is his personal favorite and mine is soon to be delivered. Car demand in Germany dropped by 2 per cent to 3.1million vehicles last year, the lowest in Europe’s largest car market in 20 years. I repeat, now may be the best time to buy.

And just in case you’re wondering, I ordered a 911 GT2. 530hp, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, and top speed of 204mph. It will cost me a year’s pay, but then, as they say, who’s counting. If you ready to consider such a car, drive one first for at least a few week-end (you’ll have to rent, the dealers won’t let them out that long). Maybe your boss will send you to Germany. Of course you could just buy one here, but anyone can do that.

For luxury and exotic car rental stories, visit Image Exotic Car Rentals.

While I drive a Hummer here in Texas, I thought some high dollar car might be just the trick. So I rented a 2008 Ferrari F430 Spider. Whoa! Now, not only are the future in-laws (maybe) thinking their little girl has got her a super rich Texan, I have found the car of a man’s dreams.

The F430 Spider has one powerful V8 providing an impressive 483 hp at 8500 rpm. The guy at the rental car company told me that ”peak torque is 343 pound-feet at 5200 rpm, 80 percent of which is available below 3500 rpm.” In other words, it’s fast! Very fast! Some testers, I understand, have managed a zero to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. That will get you to second base quicker than anything I know.

Now that I am back home, I started checking out some facts. I found out this mid-engine supercar goes head-to-head with Lamborghini’s Gallardo Spyder, which is more powerful, but generally regarded as less nimble on the road. The F430 uses a 4.3-liter V8, while the Gallardo uses a 5.0-liter V10. Either one is smaller than the powerplant in the Hummer, but nimble and quick are not words associated with my behemoth.

You can get the F430 with either the classic Ferrari open-gate manual gearbox or with the F1 paddle shift (at least the rental car company I used had both) that Ferrari has continuously developed and refined over recent years. The literature says “Ferrari’s F1 gearbox for the F430 has been tuned by engineers on the Gestione Sportiva racing side. It incorporates a new control strategy which improves gear change speed and smoothness under hard use. Changing gear takes just 150 milliseconds.”

I don’t know about all that, but I do know it’s a head turner, a beauty that will impress a girl’s mom and dad, and score big with the girl (or girls, as the case may be). I am kind glad I learned something from all those movies about how to impress someone. Even me!

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Sometimes there is nothing like a personal “first.” You will remember some of them the entirety of your life; it might be your first haircut, or your first woman, or your first steak at Peter Lugar’s. This past week-end I drove my first Ferrari; a red F430 Spider. No, I can’t afford to buy one, but I can afford to rent one, and I did just that.

South out of Newark on 95, I was at my girl’s place (the woman mentioned earlier) in Elizabeth before I could get my heart to slow down. When she saw it, and me in it, I knew I was in for more than just a fast, sweet ride. We rode west to 78 at Watchung and then on to Round Valley State Recreation Area. I drove so fast on 78, if I had seen a Trooper I don’t think he would have seen me. The faster I went the closer she got. Heads were on a swivel for every person we passed around the lake. It was as if they had never seen a Ferrari, and the truth is, many had not, and even those who had, had never touched one before. It doesn’t hurt, by the way, to let everyone you talk to think it is yours. Six different people asked me to take them for a ride. But you know a two-seater, and I wasn’t going to let my trip partner out for anything but hot food and cold beer.

We spent the night in Stanton Station. I’ll let you pick your place to stay, but I can promise you everywhere you park the Spider, folks will come round for a look and an admiring glance at the guy who can afford one.

The following morning we were back on the road. Flying low, riding close, I can assure you I will never forget this “first.” And it won’t be my last, either. This is not cheap fun, but anything worth doing is worth doing well. There are not a lot of places where you can find a Ferrari that is yours for a weekend, but there is such a thing. Check your local exotic car rental company. And hey, if you’re not into firsts, you’re missing the boat. . .or should I say. . .Ferrari!

For more exotic car rental stories visit Image Exotic Car Rental.