BMW had greater luck placing its Z3 roadster in 1995 Bond flick “Golden Eye.” While this was a tremendous commercial success, it alienated Bond purists and Bimmer-philes alike, who agreed that while Bond would have been happy to drive larger, more powerful M5 muscle car, he wouldn’t have stepped foot in dinky Z3.

However coveted such exposure on big screen there’s a fine line that separates credible from contrived and audiences are quick to make distinction. "When placement is gratuitous or clumsy neither product nor audiences nor moviemakers are served,” says Martin Peters, Media Relations Manager for Porsche. “Porsche is known as a high performance car but we don't seek out outlandish action stunts with Porsches flying through air. From our standpoint best placement shows our cars doing what they were built to do, in situations that flow naturally from plot and character."

Today, though Porsches are synonymous with power, speed, and sex appeal, marque has avoided being type cast. In "Mission Impossible II", it's hard to imagine Tom Cruse at wheel of anything less than a Boxster while racing through mountains of Spain . Likewise, though Reese Witherspoon may first appear ditzy in "Legally Blonde", she radiates future greatness when she arrives at Harvard Law School in a pink version of same model. In Disney's "The Kid", Bruce Willis' fastidious tastes are evident in his sprawling, ultra modern home and his sleek black Porsche 911. In "Hollow Man", we know ueber-tekkie Kevin Bacon is going to push envelope of scientific research by way he handles his 911 coupe.

However disparate characters, says Peters, each movie expresses a different aspect of Porsche experience. "You have to be true to your brand. You can't be all things to all people. It helps to have a director who understands cars.”

To say least, that pretty much describes director David Ellis, man behind some of movie-dom's most thrilling high speed scenes in such action epics as

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An additional expense of renting a car is insurance company sells. The term "insurance," by way, is a misnomer since rental car companies aren't licensed to sell insurance. What they are selling are waivers, so you're not on hook for any damage caused in an accident.

The three kinds of waivers "encouraged" by major car rental agencies are as follows: physical damage waivers that cover any harm done to rental car; liability waivers that cover any harm you do to others and their property while in car; loss damage waivers that cover theft, vandalism and loss of use, which covers rental fees company might lose while car is being repaired.

Your personal car insurance might cover these occurrences, but they might not! The only way to know for sure is to call your auto insurer and ask about insurance coverage on rentals. Even then, your personal insurance may not cover rentals abroad, or certain vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, vans and campers. Do a little research now, save yourself some money later.

When it comes to fueling plans you also have a variety of options. You can: prepay for a tank of gas when you rent car (favored by car agencies since you probably won't use a full tank); worst deal is simply turning car back in empty since you could be charged about $5 a gallon plus a re-filling fee. The best choice--pay for only gas you do use. Make sure tank is topped off when you pick up car, and leave yourself enough time to find reasonably-priced gas near airport on day you leave so you can re-fill car yourself.

Always comparison shop, even on Web. Major car rental companies often offer Web-only discounts--take advantage of them whenever possible. Check Car Rental Center, as well as individual car rental sites. Ask about discounts for membership in national organizations (like AAA or AARP) or special rates for frequent-flier programs or credit card plans you may enjoy. They frequently offer good deals on car rentals.

Whether you book online or by phone, you can usually get a much better price by renting well in advance of your trip, especially if you reserve during a low travel season and travel in a high season. Make sure to ask agent about restrictions, additional fees and insurance costs.

Finally, be careful to coordinate pick-up and return times so as not to be charged for an extra day. Best wishes for safe traveling.