Rent the car of your dreams

Contrary to popular belief, luxury should not be exclusive to the rich. Everyone deserves to be indulged once in a while, whether by someone else or themselves. While driving extravagant cars is an age-old dream, it needn't remain but a fantasy.

You can rent the car of your dreams for a day and live like a high roller. If you're really tired of driving around in a Honda or Chevrolet, read on to find out how you can step up in the world -- even if only for an afternoon.

Here are seven exotic cars available for rent. All prices are from Luxury Rent A Car.

1- Lamborghini Diablo

Whenever a Lamborghini drives down the street, no one ever looks at anything else. This is probably one of the flashiest cars ever built, with a space-age design that would be more at home on the racetrack than on the highway. One of the fastest cars on the market, the Diablo goes from 0 to 60 mph in a little less than four seconds. The V12 engine delivers an impressive 550 horsepower.

Price: $2,750 US per day

2- Bentley Azure

For sheer luxury and attention, the Bentley Azure can hardly be beat. This is not a car intended for speeding but rather for cruising. No expense has been spared on the interior with rich wood paneling, luscious leather and sparkling chrome, but storage room is limited and it doesn't handle quite as well as the price tag might suggest. Nonetheless, if you want to feel the power of the world at your fingertips, the Bentley's for you. The lines on this convertible are classic and yet so muscular that you'll definitely feel like king of the road.

Price: $2,750 per day

3- Ferrari F355

Who hasn't dreamed of driving a Ferrari? At the very least, it's a definite babe magnet. As with many Ferraris, the F355 is meant to be looked at and driven hard, and not necessarily renowned for its practicality. The interior doesn't have much storage space and it can be a bit claustrophobic for tall people. And don't even think of driving it in the city -- it costs a fortune in gas and doesn't handle well at low speeds. Once you get past that, it's a fast, fun... hell, it's a Ferrari!

Price: $1,400 per day

4- AM General Hummer H1 Originally developed as a utility vehicle for the U.S. military, the civilian version of the Hummer, particularly the high-end H1, is a favorite of many (Governor Schwarzenegger included). A beefed up and glorified SUV, it offers a sense of security simply by being the biggest contraption on the road. Don't expect to be street racing in it, but if you need to climb a mountain or drive through the wall of a farmhouse, the Hummer H1 is for you.

Price: $570 per day

We're not done yet; here are three more cars to get you going...

5- Dodge Viper SRT-10 This one's a rarity, so spending a day in one could be quite an experience. The Viper looks especially handsome as a convertible, with sleek lines that could fool anyone into thinking it's an Italian import. This fine specimen of American muscle only requires 100 feet and four seconds to reach 60 mph, thanks to its enormous 8.3-liter V10 engine. Scary...

Price: $730 per day

6- Maserati Spyder GT Convertible Driving in a car that everyone is familiar with can be chic because of the brand recognition. It can be even more exciting when the model is so exotic that people have to ask you what it is. When it comes to performance, the Spyder is comparable with the Jaguar XK8. The fact that the Maserati name is so little-known in North America makes it all the more appealing a rental. Surprisingly, it's fairly fuel-efficient as well.

Price: $900 per day

7- Mercedes-Benz SL500 Mercedes has always had its share of interesting convertibles, but for many, the SL500 remains the banner model. At first glance, it can remind you of a Mustang, but the added luxury and sophistication reveal themselves upon further examination. One of the highlights of this Benz is the 5.0-liter V8 engine, supplying 302 horsepower. It should take you around six seconds to hit 60 mph, which could prove very useful when the Mexican food isn't agreeing with you. Price: $540 per day

additional renting tips

Be aware of hidden charges when you rent any automobile. There may be supplementary fees for fuel, younger or additional drivers, mileage, out-of-state visits, taxes, insurance, drop-off service, and equipment rental. Before signing the contract, find out which of these charges applies to you.

There may also be a hefty deposit to put down before you get the keys -- naturally, the company wants to make sure that you'll actually come back with the thing. For exotic cars, you can expect the deposit to be at least as high as four figures. By and large, the deposit is charged to your credit card but processed only if there's a breach of contract.

Should you be renting an exotic car while on vacation, inquire to see if the rental agency can transfer your luggage to your hotel. Some companies will do it free of charge. After all, there's not much trunk space in a Ferrari.

Voice your dissatisfaction, if any, when returning the car the next day. If you were expecting a fuel-efficient car and you were saddled up with a gas-guzzling Hummer, ask for the extra expenses to be compensated. With the money you're investing, you should get complete satisfaction.

Renting a luxury car isn't much different than dealing with any other rental agency. It just takes a little more money. Follow these guidelines and it should be an experience to remember.

By Drew Martins