| Author | Message | ||
| James Dunne (Audiguy)
Member Username: Audiguy Post Number: 312 Registered: 6-2003 |
I was starting work at FoDallas and went to FoHouston for orientation. I went for a ride in a 360 Modena with Giuseppe Risi, the owner of the two stores and Risi Comp. He drove like the ex-race driver he is. Wow, could he make that car dance. The feel, the sound. It was maximum Ferrari overload. Since then I have had the opportunity to drive: Mondial 308 328 348, coupe and spider 355, everything, 360, coupe and spider 550, coupe and Barchetta 575 456GT and GTM TR, 512TR and 512M Boxer BB and BBi 265 GTS 275 GTS F40 F50 Enzo I actually pulled Robs challenge 355 around the shop several times. Never had a chance to really "drive" it though. And of course, I had the McLaren F1 that belongs to a friend of mine to drive for three days. I guess you might say, I have had more opportunities than most to get to experience a lot of different cars. They all give a thrill whenever you ride in them. Some just become a little more exciting than others. | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 604 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ask DES, I felt the same way as him. I just can't write as good in english as him. | ||
| Santini (Santini)
New member Username: Santini Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ken- I stopped and checked out a nice Mondial 3.2 on my way to work this morning. I was driving past a local business and caught just a glimpse of a bright red sports car sitting up on the back of a flatbed truck parked in the parking lot. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw that it was a Ferrari so I made a rapid u-turn and pulled into the parking lot to have a look. Big burly truck driver was standing beside the truck, scratching his head, having one helluva time trying to figure out how to tie the car down; "Damn thing is one solid sheet underneath", he says to me, "and I can't find any place to attach the @#$% chains! Aerodynamics I guess?" I asked if I could take a look because I love Ferraris and he said "go ahead; jump up on there and give her a good look over if you want. I'm gonna be a while...", so I did.  Awesome car. In great shape. He said he was delivering it to its new owner in Florida who bought it off the internet. I hope he gets it there in one piece! | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 588 Registered: 11-2002 |
DES: I sold 'em! Those cars I listed were on my first day of employment. Drove a hell of a lot more as time went by....never got a chance to drive a 512M, an F40, 288 GTO, or F50, though. Still bummed about those. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1199 Registered: 10-2001 |
The only exotic I had ever driven was a Lotus Turbo Esprit until I took a test drive in an 83 Mondial QV Cabriolet at a dealer. The car had just had a service but it had red lights from the get-go. Hand brake didn't work, didn't idle very smoothly, poor repaint on front bumper. The salesman took it out first with me in the passenger seat and my son in back. Then I got my chance. I didn't rev it out or really drive it as I was so intimidated! Power seemed good; I got only into 4th though. Shifted really well. All in all I liked it but he wanted $29k for it and it wasn't a top condition car. Plus even after the 30k service they wouldn't even give me a 90 day warrenty on the big stuff. I liked the car though; I think there is a Mondial in my future. A 3.2 would be nice but a QV would likely be a better value for my budget. Problem is, I love my Europa so much and I can't have both! | ||
| J. Andersen (Tornado)
New member Username: Tornado Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2003 |
This particular afternoon I was sleeping on the sofa from reading a book, when this loud "noise" woke me up, I looked out the window and a neigbour of mine was sitting outside reving this tubi piped F355 Spyder 6-speed, red on black. I went out to take a closer look at it we chatted on and he asked me if I wantet try it (he allready know I have a problem with fast cars and boats), oh yes! That was the first time I ever sat in a Ferrari WITH the key in my hand. When I slided down in the oh so low driver seat and closed the door I knew I was doomed and my big smile was allready starting to hurt. I fired it it up and eased off as my neighbour gave me the thumbs-up as he walked into his garage (yes, he is quite a cool caracter). That car was very very loud and I almost became a bit embarrased as I manouvered it through city streets, bright red, top down and hissing exhaust. Anyway, being a borrowed car I took it easy, but had a few quick accelerations and medium to hard deaccelerations, it was smooth and me piloting it just felt so right. Off-set pedals and gear lever grid....hmmmm. Om my return, a few blocks from home, I was waiting a red light, by now I was feeling like a million dollars relaxed in "my" seat.. right hand on 12 o'clock position. At this point the car beside me in the next lane honks the horn and I turn and stare into my girlfriends eyes, she tried to talk but had to almost shout in order to be heard over the V8 on my shoulders "You have not bought that have you?" I continue smiling my fixed smile and she just laughs back while rolling her eyes shacking her head as only a woman can. I gather revs quickly one more time before parking it and it is still ticking outside when she arrives home. By that time I am returning the key and having a beer with my neighbour. That day I drifted further away from my next sports car being german. | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
Junior Member Username: F129b Post Number: 74 Registered: 8-2003 |
I drove a 328GTS in 1988 as an 18 year-old. The owner didn't think I was driving it hard enough so he urged me to put my foot down after I had familiarized and proven myself capable. So here I am, 18 years old and having coveted the 308/328's, driving the 328 100mph+. Thanks Dr. Habener! Fast forward 12 years and I am a Dr. myself. I am on the Italian Riviera on my honeymoon. My deposit was applied to a 355GTS that lived there. I rode in & drove my car (the first 355 I'd ever been IN) in the Riviera towns of Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Lavagna and East on the Autostrada from Lavagna. I think we hit about 200kph. TUBI in full song, staring up at gorgeous villas and looking down on those seaside towns. I have it on DigVideo! | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 316 Registered: 6-2003 |
Hm. I had to buy one to drive one. In fact, I had no test drive, but only a test ride. I think it improved my satisfaction of finally being behind the wheel and getting to ride that car hard. I had nobody to answer to if I missed a shift (I didn't) or pushed it off the road (I didn't). I got right in and drove like a madman. What a thrill! Incredible power, throughout the band. Road feel second to none. Sounds, OMG! It was pure exhilaration, even after 15 years driving Po'shas and other sports cars. It remains so. | ||
| Andy Barre (Abarre)
Junior Member Username: Abarre Post Number: 77 Registered: 7-2003 |
First ride was from a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend in about 1988 in a '86 328 GTS. Around Memphis' I-240 at 135 MPH, hitting the red before every shift. I really enjoyed the sounds and couldn't believe the attention from everyone - including some shmucks in an M6. First time I drove one was in '01 in an '85 308 GTSi. That was a friend's car and that was the first time I knew someone like me that had a Ferrari. That started my quest for mine. Far and away the most memorable was a quick ride and later, drive, in a 550 Maranello last fall. HOLY CRAP that's the most memorable thing I have ever been in. And I'm a private pilot that has had the fortune of flying lots of cool airplanes. Even some competition-style aerobatics. No comparison to the 550 though. | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member Username: Rrm Post Number: 684 Registered: 5-2002 |
I waited and waited and waited and I felt that I would NEVER even get to ride in a Ferrari yet alone drive one. Everytime I went to test drive one it was sold by the time I got to the dealership and my sister's friends brother had a Mondial and she arranged a ride for me but the day came for my ride and he had to leave on business so no ride, I still hadn't even SAT in a Ferrari. Then came the spring of 2002 I found a 83 308QV at a dealer in N.H. about 2 hours away from me. I called, set up an appointment went to look at the car and it was still up for sale when I got there. I looked it over asked for a test drive and the salesman said sure. He fired her up and he drove at first. He looked over at me and he said "this is great I've never driven a Ferrari before!" I was in awe just sitting in the passenger seat looking at the gated shifter, the round vents on the dash, the gorgeous fenders. Then he pulled over and we switched and I drove I thought I was going to either A. Pass out or B. Hyperventilate but I kept my cool. I loved it, the funky offset of the pedals, the shifter I loved it all. I had heard the shifter is difficult and that the offset of the pedals is annoying but I found neither to be true. I also felt this particular QV pulled quite hard (it was a euro version). I'm hoping to drive a 348/355 next. | ||
| AMK (Amk)
New member Username: Amk Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2003 |
My first time was at 21 years old driving my friends dads 456GT. Got out and got back into my M3 and liked my M3 better! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 6936 Registered: 8-2002 |
Nebula, where and how did you have the chance to drive all those cars...? | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 585 Registered: 11-2002 |
My favorite ride was in an F355. Don't know why, but it seemed to "fit" around me better than the 360, and the 550 seemed much heavier than the 355/360. They were all fantastic, though! Also, the TR was amazing. I remember punching it on the freeway, and the car literally was sucked a few inched towards the ground as the effects kicked in. Whata ride. | ||
| Brian Saligman (Brisalig)
Junior Member Username: Brisalig Post Number: 187 Registered: 8-2002 |
Very first ride was in a 355 berlinetta. The driver was incredible. Scared me to death...soo much fun. The very first drive was a 89 328 gts. Lots and lots of fun. | ||
| alberto bavai (Abavai)
Junior Member Username: Abavai Post Number: 167 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Nebula! What car was most fun? Is the maranello most exciting yhan the modena? People say that the maranello is most fast than 360, but the modena is most fan on fiorano track. I love 360 spider. | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 584 Registered: 11-2002 |
I the first I ever drove was a 550. Drove a 911 TT ten minutes later, a 360 F1 ten minutes after that, an 88 TR ten minutes after that, and then a 456M ten minutes later. All in all, it was an exciting 40 minutes. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Intermediate Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 1055 Registered: 9-2002 |
Pure joy....I almost cried it was so wonderful. | ||
| carlos (Carlos328)
New member Username: Carlos328 Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2003 |
The first ferrari I drove was a 1999 355 GTS F1. It was a thrill but not as much as when I picked up my own Ferrari 8 mths later. 1987 328 gts red, mint. I had owned a porsche and driven a 996 twin turbo, but a ferrari has an undescribable roar as it redlines. Nothing can match it and the proof is the love people have for these cars. I drive my dream because life is experiences. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 6926 Registered: 8-2002 |
First Ferrari i ever rode in was a blu nart 550... i smile everytime i think about it... The owner of the car really knows how to drive a car and that made it an unforgettable ride... It's archived here... Here's a thread about my trip to California; lots of pictures, but at the very bottom, there's links to the six-part story - in which, my details of the first two Ferraris i've ever driven... The very first was a Mondial - a few hours later, i was behind the wheel of a 355 Spider. It was a crazy, crazy weekend... | ||
| George Pavlisko (Lrpman)
New member Username: Lrpman Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2003 |
The car I just purchased (close on it Tuesday) Scared the crap out of me. By speed background is midgets and sprint cars (owner and driver) so speed is no problem. The person I got the car from drove 1st and had it to 110 mph in a 45 zone. Since he was a lawyer and knew the judge he felt fine. I found out LATER much to my relief he has a valid SCCA race license. But all I couild do was drive it back look at wife and say WOW! | ||
| Byron Faber (Adrenln328)
New member Username: Adrenln328 Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2003 |
It was a pure adrenalin rush, hence my license plate.. For what it is worth, it still gives me that same adrenalin rush now. Whenever I know I'm going driving in it later in the day, it always brings a smile & joyfulness to me. An even greater feeling of excitement is to do the driving with a group of other Ferraris. | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 254 Registered: 2-2003 |
Heres mine: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/302171.html http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/302412.html http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/302535.html | ||
| Ed Christophersen (Dr_c)
Junior Member Username: Dr_c Post Number: 81 Registered: 12-2002 |
The owner let me drive it around the lake subdivision that he lived on -- a long straight on top of a damn. With the top stowed behind the seats, I absoluely loved the sound of the engine. And, like others on this forum, it was hard to believe that I was only minutes away from being a Ferrari owner (although, by the time we did an "in-out" at a dealer, it was a couple of weeks later). That awesome sound, as well as the "ka-ching" sound from the service bills, is unforgetable. | ||
| Jerry Fisher (Emtrey)
New member Username: Emtrey Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2003 |
First ride was in a 246Dino. as soon as the engine kicked over, I knew I had to have one of these cars. When the time came to make the big step, I went after a Dino but wound up with a 77 308GTB. Still w/me.I still get the same heart in my throat feeling when the engine kicks over. (Also get the same feeling when a service bill hits my credit card). Still worth it. Nothing else is a Ferrari. | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 326 Registered: 4-2002 |
It was a F355. After hearing that thing rip to redline in the first three gears, I was a goner. From that point on I knew I would have to own a Ferrari before I die. | ||
| Ze Shark (Ze_shark)
New member Username: Ze_shark Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2003 |
Was a wet saturday morning, late fall 2000, while I was shopping for a 355F1. Geneva dealer took for a drive in a 355 GTB F1 for a few kms then handed me over the wheel. The first 100 meters stunne me, that thing was shifting better than I could have ever imagined. There I was, sitting in a 355, my dream car since a long time. Took me another 7 months to find the right car (and discover that the F1 box was not that great in all circumstances). I also remember my first drive in a 550, dealer lent me one for a day and a half. Damn that thing intimidated me at first. A cold and dark March evening, that V12 with almost no inertia and the manual box which was every bit as 'manly' as I thought, at least while the oil was cold. The other thing that still blows me every time I drive a 550 is the steering: small steering wheel, meaty direct feeling, yet not too heavy. Way better than the '55. I ended up getting confident with the 550 quite fast and had a total blast (never dared turning the ESP off though). Been looking for 6 months to find the right one, Titanium and black leather (will settle for burgundy in despair ...) | ||
| Santini (Santini)
New member Username: Santini Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2003 |
Or any Ferrari, for that matter. Please share your experience. Sorry if this has already been posted here. I'm the new kid on the block... |