Van Horssen Group » 2007

Exotic car share clubs make economic sense. They also eliminate the non-economic pains of ownership.

First, unless you are among a select few who can get your hands on some of the very, very limited new Ferrari’s at sticker, owning one super premium exotic just doesn’t make any economic sense. Owning more than one makes even less sense. You buy exotic cars and then restrict your driving because of practical use issues and the high depreciation rate on super premium cars. It costs the owner of a super premium exotic in the range of $50,000 or higher per year to own a car driven less than 1,500 miles per year. You do it because you can and want to and there is nothing wrong with that.

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I have the pleasure of driving some amazing cars as the Operations Manager for Van Horssen Group. One of my all around favorites is the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. I love it due to its looks, performance, comfort and all around great driving experience. Most people tend to think with such a great car that nothing goes wrong, that is not the case! The main issue I have run into with the Lamborghini is a little phrase on the dash that reads, “SOFT TOP CANNOT BE USED” it may happen when you push the button to put the top down or up, or it will happen half way through the process and leave the vehicle looking like the picture below.

This has happened a few times and enough for me to know how to deal with it manually. A lot of people do not realize there is a manual option for this type of problem. The problems have been stemming from bad latches that don’t latch completely which will not allow the top to be used. In most cases with the latches the dealers have had the problem resolved in under thirty minutes and back on the road within an hour or two. There is a section in the owner’s manual that explains how to manually put the top up and down. Ideally this is a two person job but it can be done with one person if necessary. If you pay close attention to the movements of the roof and engine cover while the top is being put up or down you will have a good feel for how to do it manually should the need arise.

Jarrod Freehan
Operations Manager

We were proud to be a part of Fox News on November 29th. They too thought the Van Horssen Group concept of enabling people to experience a variety of cars without the cost and hassles of ownership was pretty cool.

Check out the Fox News segment

Here are a few of the pictures from our first stay out at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) last weekend for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Checker Auto Parts 500 here in Phoenix. If some of you don’t already know my wife has turned into a race fan. A serious race fan. Thanks to Derek Dixon, Ed Miller and of course Mick Williamson. Last spring they invited us out to our first race. Ever since then Dawnie can’t stop talking about who her driver should be, the race for the chase, how they change the cars set up at different tracks be it a road course or oval etc etc etc. Her driver is Jeff Gordon, because he won the race here in the spring for his first time and it was Dawnie’s first race.

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We are often asked which car is our favorite and after much deliberation, digression and qualifications I usually say the Porsche GT3. But what about the Turbo? The performance stats of these two cars are almost identical and it is definitely right up there in my top 5. So how do two cars that look the same in person and on paper, drive so differently?

Much of how they differ can be summed up in a description of the big tachometer in action. When you get on the gas in the GT3, you watch the needle rise smoothly, and keep on rising…forever…all the way to 8400rpms while the engine screams notes of powerful naturally aspirated pleasure all the way up. The Turbo, on the other hand, when you punch the pedal you hesitate, that is until the revs hit about 3700rpm. At that point, you better drop your cell phone and latte because you will be at what was the horizon just seconds ago. Accompanying this time warp is a quick gasp, like someone’s last breath before a deep plunge. And unless you like to visit the Porsche service center often, you better keep a close eye on the needle as it will rocket into the red line almost right after you pressed the pedal.

There are a slew of other differences that make these cars different, but bottom line is they are both a blast to drive. One might be more enjoyed setting lap times on a road course, the other getting ahead of the pack in a sea of traffic. What do you say? GT3 or Turbo?

Scott Harrington
Director of Programs

When big, bulky German sedans stray too far from an exhilarating driving experience, there is one car that blends sophisticated four door comfort with Italian style and performance - the Maserati Quattroporte.  This impressive car is the newest addition to the Private Collection and is now ready to enjoy!

The Quattroporte is Maserati’s flagship saloon and a fine handcrafted blend of a comfortable, spacious, luxury sedan with the nimble dynamic handling of thoroughbred GT.  This particular car is the Sport GT version which further enhances its performance characteristics with a re-tuned gearbox, 20" light alloy wheels and an aggressive black mesh front grill.

The exterior color is a deep Grigio (silver); the interior is black leather with white piping and Alcantara headlining.  The engine is a Ferrari derived 4.2 liter V8 producing 400 bhp.

Why drive a boring rental when you travel on business?  Call a luxury car rental club and pull up to your next meeting in a Lamborghini, reports Fortune’s Sue Zesiger Callaway.

Van Horssen Group was pleased to be one of two clubs featured in a recent article in Fortune Magazine.  For a link to the full article, click here.

For all those times you saw professional racers and wanted to feel for yourself the adrenaline rush and excitement of competitive wheel to wheel racing, you should join us at the Bondurant School on Thursday, December 13th for one of their most popular programs, the ProKart Grand Prix.

Utilizing their Briggs & Stratton ProKarts capable of 50mph, this is the ultimate individual driver’s challenge and a great time with friends. First place gets a free day in any car from the Van Horssen Group Private Collection! Prizes will be awarded to 2nd, 3rd and last too.

The race will be held from 7pm to 9pm. Bring your friends, colleagues or family!

Van Horssen Group is pleased to get an early delivery of two highly anticipated and exclusive new cars.

Aston Martin’s more potent Vantage, dubbed the N400, is intended to be much more of an enthusiast’s car.  The power is upgraded to 400 bhp with peak torque at 310 lb-ft.  The N400 also comes with a modified sport pack offering superior performance and handling.

The new Maserati GranTurismo is taking design beauty to new heights.  The car exudes elegance yet seems ready to race with some very aggressive styling cues.  We’re not sure whether it is comfortable or fast, but we are sure we are getting one and can’t wait to drive it.

• Thursday, November 15th
• 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• Scottsdale, AZ

Put on your best poker face because the prizes from this Texas Hold’em Tournament are worth the fight.

This members only event will be held at a private clubhouse in North Scottsdale. Players will compete for cool prizes from Van Horssen Group, The Rocks Club and Exclusive Resorts.

Space is limited. To register, click here.

To learn more please call 888.287.6149 or send an email