Tech

What it's like being part of the exclusive car club in New York that costs thousands a year

Aaron Brown

2016-02-22T20:39:43Z

As a member at Classic Car Club Manhattan, you get to drive some of the coolest cars on the planet. If you're not in the mood for driving, you can even chill in their clubhouse with some friends and just stare at all the cars.

These are things that can pretty much make a car lover content for the rest of his or her life. But it's not cheap.

CCC works off of a point-based membership system. There are three different primary levels of driving membership. The amount of in-car drive time you get depends on which membership you choose.

Memberships start at a base rate of $5,000 with a monthly fee of $180. The top level driving membership, though, will cost you $15,000 at sign-up and still requires you to pay the same monthly fee.

Here's a look at what you get access to by joining.

The Classic Car Club of Manhattan is located in Lower Manhattan right near the Holland Tunnel.

The club is open to the public during normal business hours (9-7) and open to members 24/7. Members are given an access card to unlock the door to the club whenever they feel the need to gawk at supercars.

When picking up a car, members make their way to the office, but only after walking around and between the assortment of cars.

And there are always cars. Lots of cars.

If the employees are busy helping other members, you're welcome to hang in the lounge.

Members book cars by contacting the club.

Employees in the office take booking requests from members over the phone, over email, and even on the spot walk-ins.

Members can take out a car for however long they want as long as they have enough points and as long as no one else has booked the car he or she wants to use. But typically, members tend to take a car for a full weekend or a couple of weekdays.

Each booking is recorded on an in-out sheet.

Any existing damage or curb rash gets noted on the in-out sheet. Mileage and fuel is also marked.

Each CCC car is supposed to be at least halfway full with fuel for each booking. Members are asked to return with however much fuel they were sent out with.

When taking out a car, members are guided through the ins and outs of that car by a CCC employee.

Like how to change the drive modes on the Ferrari 458 Spider using the manettino dial.

Or how to pilot the 650 horsepower Chevy Corvette Z06 in the safest, yet most enthusiastic way possible.

Or how to properly engage reverse on their 1965 Shelby Cobra replica.

All of CCC's cars are washed and check-listed before each booking.

A check-list ensures that the car is in proper mechanical standing for a member and that everything is operating properly.

This could mean checking the oil on the Ferrari 458 Spider.

Or making sure its headlights are completely operational.

CCC has multiple mechanics on staff ready to take on whatever needs fixing.

The newer cars that are still under warranty get sent out to authorized dealers for service.

After turning in the keys, members can take advantage of a fully stocked honor bar.

CCC asks that you leave a bill for what you take.

Oh, and don't leave a mess.

CCC also offers a free happy hour for members every week.

Members often use happy hour as an opportunity for networking and meeting fellow gearheads. Friends are also welcome.

CCC also offers members the ability to rent out the space for private events. Because where else can you hold an event in a room filled with supercars and classics?

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