How can a 19 year old rent a performance car such as a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

Question

I've always wanted to test drive an Evo, but I know that showing up at a Mitsubishi dealership claiming to "buy one" and requesting for a test drive isn't the best idea.

I wouldn't mind paying money; I'd just like to spend a few days driving an Evo to feel first-hand all the comments about the car. Because I'm 19, am I too young to rent a vehicle, especially a performance car? Also how much would it cost to rent for say, a week, or a month?

Answer 1

I believe the only place where you would get a rental of any kind at 19 is in New York state. There, it is illegal to deny someone a rental as long as they are a legal adult (so, age 18) but that doesn't mean they can't slap you with a HUGE daily premium on the regular rental rate. I looked into it, and even for an economy car the rates were ridiculous.

(I was visiting family in Connecticut and considering flying into La Guardia or Islip in New York specifically so I could rent a car, as I'm also 19, but as I said - Insane daily premiums make it an impossibility for anyone but the exceedingly wealthy.)

Also, renting a Lancer Evo would be like renting an exotic, and I'm sure that they are allowed to put age limits on those sorts of things (if you could even find a place that has one available to rent).

Your situation sounds like the sort of thing where you need your richest relative to pay for one of those exotic drive weekends (for when you turn 21) where they put you up in a hotel and let you drive late model sports cars on a race track and around some country back roads - I'm sure there is a program like that specifically for Japanese factory tuners that would, in a couple of years, maybe include an old Evo, the new Evo, the new Nissan Skyline GT-R, etc.

Best of luck, and I hope you prove me wrong, but unless you're a trust fund baby, I don't think you'll have any luck getting behind the wheel of an Evo anytime soon. Even dealerships put age limits on test drives of limited production sports cars like the Lancer Evolution - probably 21, unless you know the owner or something like that.

I'm an avid car shopper, so I'm familiar with a lot of the dealers in my area, and they've been very lenient - often allowing me to test drive cars without a salesman to accompany me once they see that I'm not there to abuse their products. It may seem sleazy, but if you're really interested, it might pay to stop by the dealership and get to know someone there - just be up front with them, so they know you're not going to buy, and don't bother them if they're busy. Car salesmen get a bad rap, but I've met a lot of upstanding guys at some of these dealerships that probably hate my guts for wasting their time, but never said it to my face, because I was always very courteous when I did it.

Take care!

Answer 2

you probably only have to be 18 to rent one. but you could always look on craigslist for someone seling one and ask to test drive it (granted they probably wouldnt let you test out acceleration and all that) you could at least try the dealership. they should let you to get you to come back later.

Answer 3

all I needed was a screwdriver when I was 19.

Answer 4

You'll never be able to test drive an Evo at the dealership. They just won't let you unless you buy one. It's what they want to call "buy to drive." I still yet to see a rental facility that rents out Evos although I've seen one that rents out a Lotus Elise. It's in Fort Lauderdale. They may or may not carry Evos. You can always call and find out.

Answer 5

Most reputable rental agencies require you to be 25 to rent a car. Few carry Mitsus let alone EVOs. I am gonna venture out to say you are probably out of luck.

I traveled for business for a few years before I was 25 and was forced to rent from Dollar due to the fact they were the only ones who did not enforce the 25 yr rule.