If-or-when I come into my next “Million Dollar Windfall”, I’ll be looking at something like this for sure. Since the Gallardo is a favorite and of course owning a Lotus, it would be awesome to have something this exotic in the garage. I even like the yellow color. My wife of course would beg to differ as it’d get too much attention, but it is a great looking color. Orange, Green and/or black are more favorites this might look good sporting.

Saleen S5S Raptor

In the market for a new supercar? Peep the Saleen S5S Raptor ($185,000). Just unveiled at the New York Auto Show, the supercharged Raptor drinks E85 ethanol and delivers 650 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, and a top speed of over 200 mph. Choose from a 6-speed manual or paddle shifting.

As soon as it’s for sale, look out!!!

Fireworks!

Okay, this has nothing to do with exotic cars or anything automobile related. However, I want to wish everyone a happy 4th of July and mention how much fun we had in Boulder on the fourth.

We’ve lived in the Boulder area for going on 10 years now and have never come over to Folsom Stadium for the fireworks show. We actually live in Longmont and our neighborhood is about 1/2 mile from the Boulder County Fairgrounds, where the city of Longmont shoots off their firework’s display. Needless to say, we can sit on our back deck and catch the show, or walk over and avoid the traffic.

However, this year, our good friends, Nancy and Steve talked us into trudging over and catching the show. We parked a few blocks away from the CU campus, planning on avoiding the traffic, and hoofed over. Access to the stadium is free, simply find a seat and let the firework’s begin. Or, so we thought. Since we were an hour early (to get a good seat), we discovered there’s some tradition that says, EVERYONE MAKE A PAPER AIRPLANE AND THROW IT AT THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU, that we were NOT aware. Actually, I believe the goal is to get your plane to fly all the way down to the field, but that constituted about 5% of the planes we saw fly. However, we soon warmed to the constant barrage of oddly shaped planes of ever type boinking off the back of our heads and joined in by refolding and hitting those in front of us. Then, we were now subject to the “pre-show” which consisted of local park rangers singing, dancing rain deer, some opera and I think what was suppose to be a chorus line or something. Anyway, the pre-show was lame, but the actual firework’s were great and there is something about being up close and personal.

It was a great show and we’re thinking it’d be fun to go again next year, but with a ream of paper and some new designs. Can’t wait.

Back in early 2008, while in looking at future economic forecasts, we decided to discontinue the service of renting exotic and luxury vehicles here on the Front Range. We didn’t go bankrupt or have a major insurance snafu or anything untoward. In fact, our business was doing just fine in regards to cash-flow, no losses and other operational needs.

However, during that first quarter of 2008, economic indicators were not in our favor. So, since the business was completely self funded, we chose to to simply stop the service. Our assets are still ours and we enjoy them on a personal basis.

If interested, there are several other companies that have opened here in Colorado and they may have something you’re looking for. I know of one such company that is associated with other automotive interests and from all indications, they have some interesting cars that may fit your needs.

Someday in the future as the economy makes a more favorable up-turn, we might consider re-engaging and/or look into options where exotic cars are a viable business.

Regards – Shane Cooper