Sure, bikes will always have my heart, but on days like today – four wheels just aren’t so bad. For Mother’s Day, I received a gift certificate to partake in the Gotham Dream Car Tour.

The tour puts you behind the wheel of six different exotic cars and then sends you out in a candy-colored convoy of sex on wheels to see what they’re all about.

The cars featured in my tour lineup were:

• Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe
• Aston Martin DB9 Volante
• Lamborghini Gallardo Spider
• Bentley Continental
• Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster
• Ferrari F430 Spyder

Rain, Rain – Go Away

Scheduling anything in advance means that there will always be unknown variables in play. In this case, it was the weather. Here in the northeast we’ve had rain, rain, rain for the last few days and there seems to be no end in sight.

I felt a little twinge of disappointment wondering if my fabulous car day would be hampered by the rain. As it turns out – it was nothing to be concerned about. You CAN and will have a great time driving the tour in the wet.

Ladies and Gentleman, Start Your Engines

After a walk through on the cars and a safety briefing, it was time to hit the road. My first car for the day was the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo coupe. Oh, alright. If I must!

Lamborghini Gallardo

My whole life, I have been fascinated by the raging bull that is Lamborghini. Even as a little girl, I had pictures and posters of the Countach tacked up next to Scott Baio on my wall.

The idea of getting behind the wheel of this mythical brand was really special to me.

Though I found that the car had a strange air of everyday usability,  the V10 Gallardo is anything but sensible. It felt like it just wanted to get up and GO!

When you put your foot down, the car responds by pointing it’s finger to your chest and pushing you back against the seat. It says, “sit back, lady. I got this,” and then goes about the business of knocking your socks off.

Aston Martin DB9 Volante

When we made our first driver change, I rotated in to the Aston Martin DB9. Kenny was so excited about this car. This was one that he was so curious about.

When we pulled away and headed back out on to the road, I did not get an immediate connection to the car. Yes, it’s refined and well appointed; a gentleman’s express. But, it was just… nice. It didn’t punch you in the stomach or dazzle the eye like the car I’d just gotten out of.

I could absolutely imagine the DB9 touring along the English countryside effortlessly – but with someone other than me behind the wheel.

The Aston Martin was my least favorite car on the tour.  After speaking with some of the other drivers on the tour they also had a similar experience.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spider

How is it possible that 2 of “the same” car could feel so different?

The first thing you noticed was that Gallardo Spider had a sweeter exhaust note than it’s coupe sister. The handling felt quite different as well. It seemed much more tight and responsive, giving a better feel to the road.

With the rain coming down the top stayed up on the car. I would have loved to hear that sound in the open air and feel the wind in my hair. Maybe next time.

Kenny noted that I mostly stayed quite while driving this car. I must’ve been deep in thought about it. Up to this point, this was my favorite car.

Bentley Continental GT

When I saw the Bentley in the lineup when we arrived, my immediate reaction was – “Blah, I don’t want to drive that.”

Boy, was I was completely wrong about this car. Power. On. Demand! I was completely caught off guard with how fast and effortless this car was. I completely misjudged it.

What I thought would be something along the lines of just strictly luxurious comfort was instead a highly responsive monster. It was almost like Jekyll and Hyde. It could be as tame or as nasty as you like.

Total shocker for me!

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster

This was the car that I most wanted to drive – the one that represented the greatest fantasy in my mind. I was excited and intimidated by it.

Until you stand next to the Murcielago, you don’t really have an understanding of just how long, wide and low-slung the car is. Pulling up it’s scissor door and getting yourself behind the steering wheel feels like you’re just going to sit on the ground.

I clicked the car in to gear and slowly made a left on to the roadway. Pressing on the pedal, “holy shit” escaped from my lips. It felt like a beast. LOUD, fast and violent in the best possible way.

The brakes were startlingly responsive; more so than any other car in the lineup.

As we drove along, the car made that unreachable space between your ear and your jaw tickle with the way it was vibrating.

The Murcielago is a big car. While you’re driving it, you have no sense of how much space it occupies. The rear “window” is useless. You can’t see the end of the nose and the mirrors.. eh, not so much.

The car felt much more raw than I imagined it would. I had assumed it would be more refined or smooth. It doesn’t want to be your friend, it just wants to go fast.

Ferrari F430 Spyder

I rode as a passenger in an F430 hard top, two years ago. That made it all the more exciting to be able to pilot this car myself.

The phrase, “save the best for last” sums up my feeling about the F430.

The sound, the feel, the handling, the responsiveness – just stunning. This car begs you to hammer the pedal down.

Where the Lamborghinis had a rawness to them, the Ferrari had an entirely different attitude. It felt fast and ferocious but still had a polish to it.

This car was AMAZING. This was the very type of thing that you would hope to come away with when you’re fulfilling the fantasy of driving an exotic car.

This car was hands down, my favorite car of the day.

My Day Kicked Ass

Being able to experience these fine automobiles really touches a place in you that is reserved for fantasy. Even if just for a few hours, you’re giddy from having the chance to experience something special, something that is normally out of reach. There is a child-like excitement that courses through you with every click of the paddle-shift. Your heart thumps listening to the guttural growl of horsepower at your disposal.

Who knew that there was such joy to be had on four wheels? I want to go again.