Getting tired of driving the same car every day? Always wanted to try your hand at piloting a tank? You aren’t alone: Lots of people dream of getting behind the wheel of some awesome ride. There are a ton of services out there that let you rent the freshest and most bizarre vehicles available. Whether it’s something fast and sleek for you to drive or a large party platform for you and your friends, the following are some of the strangest and coolest rentable vehicles.
- NASCAR Racer
If you’re a fan of the speediest sport, now’s your chance to take a course on how to drive the cars you usually watch on TV. There are lessons available on the safe handling of both NASCAR and Formula 1 rigs, and you’ll have the chance to tear up the asphalt at the end of the day. A necessity for anyone who likes going fast.
- Hovercraft
If you’re a fan of the water but have gotten tired of your normal watercraft or speedboat rentals, there’s a new option for you. The hovercraft business has taken off in the past few years, and it’s now possible to recreationally rent one of these awesome vehicles to tour your favorite lake or lagoon. While rentals can get pricey, speeding across the surface of the water — propelled by giant fans — is an experience unlike anything else.
- Fighter Jet
If you’re looking to get your speed fix, there is nothing you can rent that tops a converted fighter jet. You won’t be able to pilot it yourself — not without extensive training and hours of assisted flight time — but you can ride along with a professional pilot. You’ll experience the same conditions as Air Force pilots, including the intense gravitational pull of going hundreds of miles an hour.
- Party Bus
For a more laid-back experience, there is always the option of renting a minibus for yourself and some friends. These buses can come equipped with bars, fancy color schemes and tons of storage space for cross-country trips. Rentals often include a driver, and preplanned trips include winery tours and visits to Washington, D.C. This just proves that it’s all about the journey, not just the destination.
- Tank
This is the one you’ve been waiting for. Yes, it’s true: You can rent a converted military armored vehicle for the day. Of course, you’ll need to take lessons on the safe piloting of the vehicle, and you’ll be confined to the area. However, courses are often densely wooded and free-roam, allowing you to get a feel for the tank experience. Some rentals even come equipped with the original tank weaponry, and test-firing is part of the experience.
- Hayabusa
While a fighter jet might be the fastest thing going, it isn’t the same experience as cruising on the ground. For ground speeds, it’s hard to beat the Suzuki Hayabusa, which can reach speeds close to 200 mph. You can test drive one of these babies, but make sure you have some motorcycle experience beforehand.
- Jeep Wrangler
This might seem tame compared to a tank and a jet, but what if you need do get off the land without spending a ton? Jeeps are the best in the business for cross-country off-roading, and the Wrangler four-door is a great option for renting. You can find your way up steep mountain passes, through streams and forests — basically, anywhere you want to go.
Get out there and find the vehicle that’s best for you. From speed machines and off-road monsters to fighter jets and tanks, there is bound to be something that fits your taste.
Scott Huntington is a writer and car fanatic from Harrisburg, PA.