I drove a Ferrari that costs $1,500 a day to hire from a luxury car rental service. I felt like a celebrity.

Sam TabahritiMay 21, 2022, 14:13 IST

The Ferrari Portofino has an engine of 3.9 liters.Starr Luxury Cars

I drove a Ferrari Portofino from Starr Luxury Cars, which wants to be the "Airbnb of luxury electric cars."
I panicked a little when I saw all the different controls on the steering wheel.

I drove a Ferrari Portofino in London, UK, from a luxury car rental service. It was much easier than I anticipated.

A red Ferrari is a classic.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

Starr Luxury Cars, a company that wants to operate as an Airbnb-type service for luxury electric cars, was established in 2016 by Ikennor Ordor. It comes amid a surge in interest in luxury car rentals. Volkswagen Financial Services reported a 144% rise in rent-a-car bookings in November compared with the same period in 2020.

Ikennor Ordor is the CEO of the luxury car rental.Starr Luxury Cars

Starr Luxury Cars, a company that wants to operate as an Airbnb-type service for luxury electric cars, was established in 2016 by Ikennor Ordor. It comes amid a surge in interest in luxury car rentals. Volkswagen Financial Services reported a 144% rise in rent-a-car bookings in November compared with the same period in 2020.

Among the brands available are Ashton Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi, Bentley, McLaren, Mercedes, Tesla, and Range Rover ...

Lamborghini Evo.Starr Luxury Cars

Ordor told Insider that the goal of the company is to create a personal, easy experience for customers. From booking a car in nine clicks to delivering the rented model wherever the client pleases.

Ikenna Ordor reversing a Rolls Royce onto a driveway.Starr Luxury Cars

Ordor told Insider that the goal of the company is to create a personal, easy experience for customers. From booking a car in nine clicks to delivering the rented model wherever the client pleases.

The coupé cabriolet that I drove is named "Portofino," and it was revealed in 2017, replacing the Ferrari California.

A view from the back of the Ferrari Portofino.Starr Luxury Cars

This Ferrari has an engine of 3.9 liters, a twin-turbocharged, and a transmission 7-speed dual-clutch.

The engine.Starr Luxury Cars

Featuring a hard-top roof, it can be opened and closed in 14 seconds while moving.

The hard-top is being opened.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

The Ferrari Portofino's rental price is $1,500 per day for a minimum of two days. However, it'd cost $1,100 per day if the car is hired for a minimum of four days.

Ferrari is written on the boot of the car.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

Ordor met me outside the company's office in Mayfair, London, and took the driving seat initially.

The Ferrari Portofino has an engine of 3.9 L.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

The Ferrari can seat four people and has plenty of legroom at the front, surprisingly.

With the top down.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I noticed when driving that other drivers tend to give right-of-way. Ordor said: "They don't want to get into an accident with you, so they tend to give you the right-of-way."

The Ferrari is easier to drive than most people believe.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I noticed when driving that other drivers tend to give right-of-way. Ordor said: "They don't want to get into an accident with you, so they tend to give you the right-of-way."

I slightly panicked when I sat behind the steering wheel because I didn't know what to do to start the car, or how to set up the height of the steering wheel or my seat.

Steering wheel of the Ferrari Portofino, which features a number of controls.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

I slightly panicked when I sat behind the steering wheel because I didn't know what to do to start the car, or how to set up the height of the steering wheel or my seat.

But after a few seconds, I took a breath and realised it wasn't too complicated. Thankfully, Ordor was in the passenger seat to guide me as well.

Controls are all over the steering wheel and in between the front seats.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

Ordor added that there's something else about cars that make you feel special, and in some ways, a car will always be a way to flaunt. I can definitely attest.

The company's CEO Ikenna Ordor in the driver seat.Starr Luxury Cars

Overall, driving this car made me feel like a celebrity, with people taking pictures as we drove by. I could get used to it.

The car was parked in front of Kai's restaurant, in Mayfair, London.Sam Tabahriti/Insider

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I drove a Ferrari that costs $1,500 a day to hire from a luxury car rental service. I felt like a celebrity.

I drove a Ferrari Portofino in London, UK, from a luxury car rental service. It was much easier than I anticipated.

Among the brands available are Ashton Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi, Bentley, McLaren, Mercedes, Tesla, and Range Rover ...

Ordor told Insider that the goal of the company is to create a personal, easy experience for customers. From booking a car in nine clicks to delivering the rented model wherever the client pleases.

The coupé cabriolet that I drove is named "Portofino," and it was revealed in 2017, replacing the Ferrari California.

This Ferrari has an engine of 3.9 liters, a twin-turbocharged, and a transmission 7-speed dual-clutch.

Featuring a hard-top roof, it can be opened and closed in 14 seconds while moving.

The Ferrari Portofino's rental price is $1,500 per day for a minimum of two days. However, it'd cost $1,100 per day if the car is hired for a minimum of four days.

Ordor met me outside the company's office in Mayfair, London, and took the driving seat initially.

The Ferrari can seat four people and has plenty of legroom at the front, surprisingly.

I noticed when driving that other drivers tend to give right-of-way. Ordor said: "They don't want to get into an accident with you, so they tend to give you the right-of-way."

I slightly panicked when I sat behind the steering wheel because I didn't know what to do to start the car, or how to set up the height of the steering wheel or my seat.

But after a few seconds, I took a breath and realised it wasn't too complicated. Thankfully, Ordor was in the passenger seat to guide me as well.

Ordor added that there's something else about cars that make you feel special, and in some ways, a car will always be a way to flaunt. I can definitely attest.

Overall, driving this car made me feel like a celebrity, with people taking pictures as we drove by. I could get used to it.