Leasing a classic car

[KNS]

I've noticed in Panorama a few ads for leasing classic cars. Why would one lease a 356? Other than maybe a singular special occasion (wedding, etc), I don't get it.

[Les Paul]

Because they are fun to drive?

[Chocaholic]

For many of us, the classic car experience is all about ownership. Can't imagine leasing. Seems to go against the entire premise. Typically, a rental is, well...a rental. Makes sense for appliance cars, but a valuable classic? Not so much...YMMV.

[jorian]

If it's a toy, I don't get it. Pay cash for luxury items or save until you can. If it's an investment in the hopes of appreciation exceeding the cost of ownership, theoretically, I get it. I don't think it'll happen but you could make an argument for it.

[sc_rufctr]

Tax write off!

Why not? And you get to drive what your really want.

Not everyone sees the virtues of new cars.

[911SauCy]

Same reason trophy wives drive twin turbo, sub 5 second 0-60, v8 suvs...you really have to ask?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Pay cash for toys. I can't see the logic in renting a classic, and frankly I don't see much appeal.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Because a lot of people romantacize classic car ownership but aren't classic car owners at heart. And if you can't work on a car yourself, you need really deep pockets for both maintenance and improvements.

Leasing lets some get it out of their system without all the necessary commitment of time and money.

[M.D. Holloway]

It might be cool for a road trip, to experience some 'strange' that wouldn't hurt ya and still provide a little fun you could share with friends.

[Boomtown Rat]

Well, there are several reasons why some people lease or rent classic cars. I, for one, am an owner and I only feel truly "attached" to one of my cars if I've worked on it, restored something on it, etc.

While I don't understand the leasing side of the discussion at all, I can well understand why some people like to rent a classic.

Personally, I have never rented a classic Porsche, or otherwise. I do, however, rent out classic Porsches to other enthusiasts (for a living). I established my business with classic Porsche owners in mind in 2009. Imagine this, you own a classic 911, live in the US, Canada, Australia, etc, and have always wanted to drive your car - or a car like it - in the Alps, Black Forest, Italian Dolomites, etc. you have two options:
1) ship your car to Europe, get it road legal, plan your trip and go (this has been discussed at length in a variety of different threads on the board), or
2) get yourself to Europe, select your tour, select your classic 911 and go!

Oh, and regarding Chocaholic's "a rental is, well, just a rental", that is true. But, even rentals can be exceptionally well cared for cars - just like mine. As a matter of fact, two of my cars were bought via this forum. Although they have quite a bit more mileage on them than 4-5 years ago, they're still awesome, enthusiast owned cars. Matter of fact, they're even better now than when I bought them.

Feel free to visit us at Passo Tourismo: Passo Tourismo München

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

It might be cool for a road trip, to experience some 'strange' that wouldn't hurt ya and still provide a little fun you could share with friends.

I'm on the same page M.D.

Lease something you've always wanted to drive, cover a stretch of road you've dreamed about carving, hammer down the entire time, and hand it back with a smile.

[KNS]

Boomtown Rat,

Your business model is different, not the kind I was referring to in my original post. I would LOVE to rent one of your classics and tour through Europe, sort of a bucket list item of mine, perhaps in the next couple of years...

[Boomtown Rat]

KNS,

You're right, we are different in that we don't "lease" cars, just "rent" them out, either with a tour or without. We'd love to hear from you, when you're ready. But, don't wait too long, or the bucket will rust...

Cheers

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Pay cash for toys. I can't see the logic in renting a classic, and frankly I don't see much appeal.

Doing smokey burnouts and Rockford Files turns in someone else's car just like they did back in the day...

[onlycafe]

hertz rent-a gt350.