How To Rent A Lamborghini

[a007apl]

By Keith O'Brien | April 22, 2007

EVERYONE WANTS a friend like John Caron. Two years ago, he left his job as a marketing executive and launched the Otto Club, a sort of time share for exotic, high-priced vehicles. Now he not only has a stable of nine cars worth a combined $1.5 million, he is preparing to open a South Boston clubhouse this June for the cars and the people who love them. "We really want to boost our membership in town," says Caron, 39, of North Andover. "But, specifically, we want to provide our members what they can't get anywhere else: in essence, an urban country club."
The Otto Club (617-695-2582, theottoclub.com) is like a toy box for adults. Members - there are 30 now - get to experience the rush of driving Lamborghinis and Ferraris without the hassles of owning them. Annual membership fees are $19,500 or $32,000 for individuals and $39,500 or $69,500 for corporations. Sound expensive? Well, consider the cost of actually owning these cars. The cheapest (a Porsche 911 C2S Cabriolet) comes in at $102,000, while the most expensive (a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, set to be delivered next month) is $231,000, about the cost of a small condo. And you think the car insurance on your Honda is pricey?

"It's about a lifestyle decision," says Caron (above, with an Aston Martin). "Do I really want a single car running my life, or do I want a collection of cars that adapt to me?" Caron, for one, will take the collection. He's a car lover just like his members, and is thrilled to wake up every morning to the possibility of driving just about anything. "I have every car in the Otto Club collection," he says. "That's the beauty of being president."

© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.