AUTONEWS

Ferrari without buying: They can't afford a Ferrari, but thanks to this model, they can still drive it

In Japan, more and more young car enthusiasts are finding a way to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari without ever buying one.

Since owning a supercar is an almost unattainable dream for most people in their twenties, a Japanese company has offered a different solution - sharing expensive cars.

The service is called Rendez-Vous, and it works in such a way that several users become co-owners of a car for a year. But they don't share the full price of the vehicle, but only the expected loss in its value over those 12 months.

Ferrari without buying...One of the users is 24-year-old Kanji Hiraiwa, who thanks to this service can call himself a co-owner of a used Ferrari 360 Modena. Each co-owner is entitled to use the car for 50 days a year, and the price includes parking, maintenance, insurance and taxes.

Rendez-Vous deals exclusively with used cars. The company first buys them, then includes them in its fleet. Models on offer range from classics from the 1950s to modern sports cars and supercars.

Young people no longer want classic ownership...Interest is high. According to available data, there are about 3,500 people on the waiting list, and the service is particularly popular among young Japanese enthusiasts.

"The cost of owning a car is too high for people in their twenties," said Rendez-Vous representative Ryota Asaoka, adding: "Our desire is to reduce the financial burden as much as possible so that they can enjoy driving."

The model comes at a time when interest in car ownership among young Japanese people is waning. One survey found that 33 percent of 20-year-olds in Japan are not interested in owning a car, while Toyota said in a separate study that the cost of purchase and maintenance is among the main reasons why more people are turning to alternatives.

Kanji Hiraiwa, who spoke to Nikkei Asia, is among those using the service. The 24-year-old can call himself the co-owner of a used Ferrari 360 Modena for the next year. Through the service, each co-owner has the right to use the vehicle for 50 days a year. Included in the costs are parking, maintenance, insurance fees, and all applicable taxes.

Rendez-Vous deals exclusively in used cars, purchasing the vehicles before adding them to the fleet. Models range from classic cars of the 1950s through to modern sports cars and supercars. According to the report, the service is proving especially popular among young enthusiasts in Japan and has generated a waitlist of roughly 3,500 people.

“The cost of car ownership is too high for people in their 20s,” Rendez-Vous representative Ryota Asaoka told the outlet. “Our hope is to reduce the financial burden as much as possible so they can enjoy driving cars.”

It’s an interesting idea and could certainly be a good way for young drivers to drive their dream supercar, without torching the down payment on a house in the process. Services like this might also help push back against the steady decline in Japanese interest in car ownership.

A recent survey revealed that 33 percent of 20-year-olds in Japan aren’t interested in owning a car. A separate study by Toyota notes that car and maintenance costs are among the key reasons locals are shying away from traditional ownership.

Rendez-Vous is a Japanese co-ownership platform for luxury sports cars. The company attracts enthusiasts by allowing a group of people to share the acquisition and maintenance costs of Ferraris and other supercars, guaranteeing the right to use them for up to 50 days a year.

The proposal and details of the program in Japan include: Available Models: The catalog focuses on pre-owned and classic cars, ranging from 1950s Ferraris to modern supercars like the Ferrari 360 Modena or the 488 GTB.

Shared Costs: The value includes parking fees, maintenance, insurance, and taxes, with the benefit of only paying for the vehicle's depreciation during the contract period.

How it Works: The car is usually shared among a group of 5 people. You can check the available models and monthly payment options on the official RENDEZ-VOUS website.