Fort Lauderdale & area- car stuff
Discussion
Hello. Heading to Fort Lauderdale for a week in December, and I want to try to do a few car things.
So no.1, is taking a day to hire something interesting (e.g. mustang convertible) and drive to Miami worth doing? Is the drive OK? Is there anywhere else within reasonable distance worth driving to? Any car hire recommendations?
No. 2 is there a race circuit anywhere nearby for track days? I didn't see anything in a quick search.
Thanks
So no.1, is taking a day to hire something interesting (e.g. mustang convertible) and drive to Miami worth doing? Is the drive OK? Is there anywhere else within reasonable distance worth driving to? Any car hire recommendations?
No. 2 is there a race circuit anywhere nearby for track days? I didn't see anything in a quick search.
Thanks
Hi, General,
There are several companies renting exotic and luxury cars in Fort Lauderdale. You may want to try Euro Supercars, Exotic Car Express or Auto Boutique. They all have websites, but may or may not be in business. I imagine the prices will also be "exotic"
To drive to Miami is not exciting; take I-95 South and keep a good look out for the State Troopers who will give you a hefty fine if you exceed the speed limits by more than 15 mph. I doubt if there is a car sold today that cannot go over 80 mph. I have seen Smart cars going faster. It is hard to recommend paying too much for that sort of drive.
A trip to the Keys is interesting as a drive. I like the Lower Keys, beyond Marathon. Again I find it hard to justify a "fast" car on that trip. Key West is about 200 miles from Fort Lauderdale, the last 125 are the Keys.
The big track for the area is Homestead, which is basically a typical NASCAR style oval, but also has a good road course using parts of the oval. The other track, as Matt says, is Moroso. I haven't been there since they changed the name; it is now the Palm Beach International Speedway, which as the name says is in the next county. They used to have drag racing most Saturday nights. There is a fairly good road course, and also a kart trck. They have a lot of amateur events on other weekends. In December it is likely to be booked by the big boys to test out their equipment. A bit further away is Sebring, which is like some of the UK tracks - a converted airport.
You should check all their websites, the car rental (not car hire)companies, the Keys, and the tracks.
December is tourist season, so expect to pay more for hotels.
Wilf.
There are several companies renting exotic and luxury cars in Fort Lauderdale. You may want to try Euro Supercars, Exotic Car Express or Auto Boutique. They all have websites, but may or may not be in business. I imagine the prices will also be "exotic"
To drive to Miami is not exciting; take I-95 South and keep a good look out for the State Troopers who will give you a hefty fine if you exceed the speed limits by more than 15 mph. I doubt if there is a car sold today that cannot go over 80 mph. I have seen Smart cars going faster. It is hard to recommend paying too much for that sort of drive.
A trip to the Keys is interesting as a drive. I like the Lower Keys, beyond Marathon. Again I find it hard to justify a "fast" car on that trip. Key West is about 200 miles from Fort Lauderdale, the last 125 are the Keys.
The big track for the area is Homestead, which is basically a typical NASCAR style oval, but also has a good road course using parts of the oval. The other track, as Matt says, is Moroso. I haven't been there since they changed the name; it is now the Palm Beach International Speedway, which as the name says is in the next county. They used to have drag racing most Saturday nights. There is a fairly good road course, and also a kart trck. They have a lot of amateur events on other weekends. In December it is likely to be booked by the big boys to test out their equipment. A bit further away is Sebring, which is like some of the UK tracks - a converted airport.
You should check all their websites, the car rental (not car hire)companies, the Keys, and the tracks.
December is tourist season, so expect to pay more for hotels.
Wilf.
Miami as a city leaves much to be desired, like Derby or south London, however the surrounding areas are lovely and there are some great sights to see and things to enjoy, from the obvious o the somewhat obscure. Am sure you will have fun and just do your research. Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland and Washington DC are way worse than Miami.
Hi again, General,
You didn't give much information on your December trip. Are you travelling alone, with family, etc? Is this your destination, or just as a cruise destination? Any other interests beyond cars & guns?
Miami has some nice areas to visit - and some places to avoid. Most visitors like to go to South Beach (people watching, but very busy at night) I recommend Bayside; this is a complex of shops, restaurants and a good place to get a short boat tour of the area; it also has good parking. I like the Calle Ocho area, where you will get great Cuban food and think you are in a different country. Driving around Coral Gables is great for interesting residential architecture.
Whatever you do try to get out on the water. That's what it's all about here.
Wilf.
You didn't give much information on your December trip. Are you travelling alone, with family, etc? Is this your destination, or just as a cruise destination? Any other interests beyond cars & guns?
Miami has some nice areas to visit - and some places to avoid. Most visitors like to go to South Beach (people watching, but very busy at night) I recommend Bayside; this is a complex of shops, restaurants and a good place to get a short boat tour of the area; it also has good parking. I like the Calle Ocho area, where you will get great Cuban food and think you are in a different country. Driving around Coral Gables is great for interesting residential architecture.
Whatever you do try to get out on the water. That's what it's all about here.
Wilf.
Hello pasogrande. Thanks for your info so far by the way. It's just me and the girlfriend going for 6 nights in FL. Only got flights so far so need a hotel- hoping to get one for about £1000 for the week. Then a Car for maybe 3 days.
Only things on the list so far are a few days on the beach, something car & gun related, everglades air boat trip. Pondering whether to get the car for the full time and do much more driving to stuff. Haven't driven on the right for 10 years so hope i don't make a balls of it
Only things on the list so far are a few days on the beach, something car & gun related, everglades air boat trip. Pondering whether to get the car for the full time and do much more driving to stuff. Haven't driven on the right for 10 years so hope i don't make a balls of it
Hi, General,
You should be able to find a really nice hotel for six nights for $1000 (that's dollars!) Remember that with a few exceptions, prices quoted are before tax. Most items in this area will have 6% added when you go to pay. Hotels probably have a tourist tax bringing it up to 11%. If you book on line this will be clearly shown. Parking is usually free, but check. Medicines and groceries are exempt. Gas (petrol) and movies have the tax already included.
Broward County has around thirty miles of beach, mostly excellent. I cannot recommend a specific hotel, but avoid some of the very small sleazy ones.
I would take two days and drive to Key West, spending one night there. If you decide to do that I can give you some recommended places to go and things to do.
If you are here on Saturday evening, December 14, you should go to see the Winterfest Boat Parade. It runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, South to North, with an amazing number of boats decorated for Christmas.
And if you have a shopping list I can probably point you in the right direction.
Wilf.
You should be able to find a really nice hotel for six nights for $1000 (that's dollars!) Remember that with a few exceptions, prices quoted are before tax. Most items in this area will have 6% added when you go to pay. Hotels probably have a tourist tax bringing it up to 11%. If you book on line this will be clearly shown. Parking is usually free, but check. Medicines and groceries are exempt. Gas (petrol) and movies have the tax already included.
Broward County has around thirty miles of beach, mostly excellent. I cannot recommend a specific hotel, but avoid some of the very small sleazy ones.
I would take two days and drive to Key West, spending one night there. If you decide to do that I can give you some recommended places to go and things to do.
If you are here on Saturday evening, December 14, you should go to see the Winterfest Boat Parade. It runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, South to North, with an amazing number of boats decorated for Christmas.
And if you have a shopping list I can probably point you in the right direction.
Wilf.
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