I've got a company "party" trip to Vegas next month, and the wife and I were thinking about renting a sports/exotic and going for a nice day drive around the Vegas area. Anybody got any suggestions on where to drive, I'm guessing around Lake Mead, anywhere else, or any specific roads?

Also, opinions on what car to play with:
Lotus Elise: $188/day
Porsche Cayman S: $295/day
C6 Vert: $188/day
C6 Z06: $445/day
Viper GTS: $379/day
Ferrari 348 Spider: $550/day

I'm seriously thinking the Elise, Viper GTS, or Cayman S. I've owned a C5 Z06, so the Vettes aren't really that big of a draw for me, and while I'd love to drive a Ferrari, the 348 is a little old and $550/day is kind of expensive (and the other Ferraris and Lambos are just insanely outrageous ($1,000+/day)). We might even do two cars so we could trade off during the day, so maybe the Elise and the Viper?
We figure we'd get a lot more fun out of something like this than blowing the same amount of money in a Casino.

Id go with the Viper amongst the cars suggested. I always opt for the american Muscle.

Vegas can sometimes be kinda nasty in February. I would wait till the last minute before deciding an a convertible.

Depending on how much time you have, a quick trip to the Hoover Dam is good. I recommend the full blown tour which takes you deep into the dam. Well worth the cost.

Depending on the time you have (like an extra day or two), both Southern California and Grand Canyon are within striking distance. And both would be really cool places to roll in your Viper.

bock

I'm kind of leaning towards the Viper, the Elise would be a lot of fun during a little warmer weather, but I was thinking the same thing that Feb may still be a little cool. I've always wanted a Viper GTS, so this would be a great way to try one out and see if I'd really want one. Since I've never been out there, I was definitely thinking Hoover Dam would be cool.

Viper!

On LS1tech a guy did exactly that ... rented a Viper in Vegas.

He said it was a ragged out POS and hated it. Half the stuff didn't work and it rattled, groaned and shook like a Yugo.

My wife and I drove down to Hoover Dam (and took the Dam Tour ), and then went up to the Valley of Fire (state park) all in the same day - in a Mitsubishi Spyder. It was dog a$$ slow, but with the top down and the a/c going (in May) - who cared. 75 mph speed limits were a bonus.

Last time I was there (2007), they were building a bridge over the river - so that you could bypass the dam bridge. If that is finished, it should be an awesome view.

Most of those specialty places have mileage limits (free miles), so keep that in mind when renting.

The Elise is NOT a car to go cruising in. At least, not for me. I've driven a friend's a few times. They're plenty of fun, but not a cruising machine. Kinda loud inside, A/C doesn't blow hard (so I imagine the heat doesn't, either), and they're just like a go-kart. Plus, they don't have good visibility.

The people that rent the Vettes and Vipers are going to rag them out. I would!

The Ferrari is too expensive for a >14 year old car.

I'd say the Cayman is your best bet, by far. Looks just like a 911, so you've got that "Porsche look". And, a 10:1 wt/hp ratio is nothing to sniff at. Plus, you'll get a car that is no older than 2 years old.

They're still working on the bridge, but it's definitely something cool to see! My vote is for the viper, hoping it's not completely torn up like they say

Well, this is a Viper we're talking about...

Rent Viper, you bet . Hoover dam tour, Yes it is cool! Also the london bridge is cool, too, & not to far. I still find it hard to believe it was, Torn down, shipped here & reassembled.

yeah, leaning towards the Viper, but I also keep coming back to the Cayman S. I know I can test drive one of those at the dealer, but I'm seriously thinking of getting one in another year or two, so spending a day in one would be a great way to make sure ahead of time that it's really something I'd want.

Out of your picks i would do the Cayman, with a quick search i did find a Bently for $350'ish a day and a 68 GTO both are great for sight seeing!

I got passed at Thunderhill once in my street car by a well driven Cayman S!

Well, after looking at some reviews on the Internet, I think I'm just going to pass on the idea. Every review I've found of any of the Exotic car rental places has been negative. Ranging from just poor service and worn out cars all the way up to the rental agencies trying to stick renters with thousands of dollars of erroneous wear and/or damages charges.