While you are behind the wheel of your SUV, you look over and see someone driving a great car, and say to yourself, “One Day?” That day could today with a local club. You can make that exotic car dream drive a reality.
Yes, you could be behind the wheel of any number of supercars for about the yearly lease costs of a luxury car. Without all the hassle of insurance, maintenance, and trying to fit it into your garage. Someone could toss you the keys then you are behind the wheel for a day, a weekend, or more. Better yet, when you tire of that ride, you can choose another one, and be off on another adventure.
Arlington VA startup Drive Society can make such a dream come true. Be it a two-seater Mercedes-Benz AMG GT or a practical though still exotic sedan, like the Tesla S. Maybe you have a hankering for a classic American Muscle car, how about driving a ’69 Camaro or maybe a Ferrari 458 Italia? These are just a few of the current stable in Drive Society’s nearby garage.
Drive Society has developed a membership club where you purchase points which allow you to use them towards a day or more of driving any one of their nine exotic cars. And as a Drive Society Member, you get to be part of the group decision-making process of what the next car the club buys next.
Membership
You purchase a set number of points at levels from $2000 for 60 points, up to $12,000 for 400 points. Each car is valued in a specific number of points to rent for the day, from 6 to 35 points. You spend those points depending on the car you drive. (Note the Ferrari is available only to the upper levels of membership.) Yes, there are some minor restrictions: mileage is limited to 200 miles per day, except on the Ferrari which is 150, and no you cannot take these vehicles to a track day, as all cars are for street use only. So for two grand, you can drive a Porsche for ten days and 1200 miles, or the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT for 3 day and 600 miles. For the first year, if you do not use up all your points, you will incur a $50 per month membership fee.
Insurance for physical damage and supplemental liability is included, your own auto policy covers primary liability while you drive the cars. Garage expenses, Arlington County personal property tax, detailing and maintenance expenses are all covered in the membership. For an additional fee, you can have your car delivered and picked up at the local location of your choice.
The Club
Drive Society is a driver’s club, while it was developed for automotive enthusiasts, you don’t have to be a car geek to belong. Perfect for that Dad or Mom who wants to drive a cool car, but does not want to own one every day. Once you become a member, the minimum age to be a member is 28, you can rent a car and also have a say in the vehicles purchased and sold by Drive Society. Member’s business meetings and events are held regularly throughout the year and range from social happy hours (no driving) and trips to go-kart tracks to events designed for you to take out one of the cars, be it at a racetrack to watch a race or an auto festival.
The Cars
Drive Society has a collection of nine interesting cars. Porsche’s, Tesla’s, a BMW, a classic Chevy, even an AMG and a Ferarri. In talking to Alex Schaffer one of the founding partners he shared that these are not brand-new cars, due to the immediate depreciation costs that new cars (even exotic ones) experience once they roll off the dealer showroom floor. Some are limited production models that were hard to find at dealerships when they were new. Drive Society scours the country looking for great deals on great cars, buying at auction, from private owners and collectors. They bring them back to Arlington and register them in Virginia.
Foundering Partners
Alexander and Danielle Schaffer, a husband, and wife team with young children founded Drive Society after both working in federal contracting positions with Information Technology companies. Following Alex’s passion for Sports Car Club of America – SCCA racing, the two of them have developed Drive Society filling a niche of supporting a passion that people have for automobiles. Taking the car sharing, exotic car rental and fractional auto ownership business model to the next level. While car clubs are often formed with members who own individual cars, this provides members who may not have the opportunity to own dream cars to actually have use of cars they would never own outright. Sharing the expenses and responsibilities with other members, as well as the fun of driving them.
You can find more about Drive Society either in person at any one of the Washington DC area automotive gatherings or online at their website. If you are an automotive enthusiast or just interested in the concept, I would suggest talking to Danielle and Alex in person and seeing the cars that Drive Society manages yourself sometime soon. You can find them at local events like Katies Cars and Coffee, or Carsfera Auto Festival, and other events nearby.
