| Author | Message | ||
| Barry Wolinsky (308gtb)
Junior Member Username: 308gtb Post Number: 227 Registered: 2-2002 |
I feel as safe as I can possibly feel in a car that's 44.1 inches high made of polyester/fiberglass with one driver's side-view Californian mirror, no airbags or steel door beams and a horn that sounds like a kid's toy. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 1952 Registered: 12-2000 |
Magoo is the best. He's sent me two Rolexes in the past...  | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 529 Registered: 5-2001 |
Magoo, I knew you couldn't resist answering. Love you ,my friend. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2990 Registered: 2-2001 |
Now Martin, that is unfair. I have to answer such a low blow type of a question. By the way If I get a Rolex as the guys say I should I will have it sent to you. So if this answers your question or not........ | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 528 Registered: 5-2001 |
Agree with Magoo.Don't answer this Magoo,-don't want you to get in a cheapie posting on your way to 3000. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2987 Registered: 2-2001 |
I won't deny that for the size of the car on a track with other cars similar in design they are a safer car, but on the road when something on wheels is higher and bigger by weight then what I am driving, I don't want to tangle with it. Especially when my upper body is in line with the bumper or under carriage. | ||
| djmonk (Davem)
Junior Member Username: Davem Post Number: 79 Registered: 1-2002 |
Ive had these concerns as well in my Mondial. Last four other cars ive bought were partly based on upgrading to latest an greatest in safety features like more air bags an such. The perception of safety as it pertains to cars though is ironic when here in Connecticut every time it snows its usually the SUVS an 4x4s i see in accidents or flipped over. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 214 Registered: 1-2002 |
Here's a tip most of you probably already know. Always be aware of other people's blind spots, especailly in a low car. I used to drive semis and I can't tell you how often someone would get up on my right side and just sit there. Most of the time I would see them coming and knew they were there, but sometimes I would be more in tune with traffic and not notice someone sneaking up. Sometimes people were saved because I could see the radio antenna. Sometimes I ran them off the road. Keep out of blind spots, never ride along someone's right side at the same speed and always leave yourself an out. I still feel safer in a sports car than a P/U or SUV because I have the brakes and handling to avoid trouble and a rollover would be very difficult. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Junior Member Username: Lens Post Number: 206 Registered: 3-2001 |
I don't feel particularly safe when I'm in my 328. I'm always on full alert, watching out for anything (potholes and bumps) and anybody. I find that most people, especially those in SUVs, just don't see me. The car is so low, and most people are distracted when they drive anyway. It is good to hear that people that have been in accidents with Ferraris did not get seriously hurt. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 552 Registered: 3-2002 |
Smart move, William. Those speeds are for true racing cars. Amir, put it this way: A friend of mine was almost killed in his Land Rover this spring. He was barely hit by somebody, which initiated a multiple rollover. Even buckled in he was really banged up, laying him up for weeks. Basically, if it's your time, it's your time. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1224 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'll give u something to worry about. I'm finishing up my 2nd season in the 512TR. A car that woth a few mods could see 200 mph. I do 145 at Watkins Glen, near 160 at Pocno, and 130 or so at Lime Rock. I know if I hit a wall or go off at those speeds chances r I wont b posting here any more or anywhere else. 2 guys have been killed at my tracks this year in other clubs. Thats why I decided to build a serious race car. The full welded in race cage & fuel cell r now being installed in the 92 512TR that I bought wrecked. I'll drive with less worries next season in a serious & much safer race car. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 255 Registered: 5-2002 |
I like the way you put that Willis... Point is, if your in a Ferrari, you really have nothing to prove to anyone on the road.. Only all other cars feel they have to prove something...... "And another thing,,,,,,Let's be careful out there" Hillstreet Blues for you young guys.. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 867 Registered: 8-2001 |
360s seems to be solid cars. The doors have a very solid feel and sound. Acuras seems paper thin by comparison. There's no point doing anything foolish when driving a Ferrari in traffic. People, driving anything from Geo Metros to Caravans, see you coming and WILL try to race you. Ignore those idiots and drive at your own pace. Last weekend while driving back from Oregon at a steady, relaxed 80MPH, some people would pace me to check out the car then whiz by trying to prove how fast their cars/vans/SUV are (like I really care). Well, one van wasn't so fortunate and slid into the bushes in the median but luckily didn't roll. Another guy got pulled over by the cops after blowing by me at probably 120MPH and weaving dangerously through slower traffic. The point is, the cars are only as safe as the drivers inside them. As F-car drivers, we just need to be extra defensive and maximize your situational awareness. | ||
| Fred (Iluv4res)
New member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 33 Registered: 8-2002 |
I don't know if I will ever feel as safe in a small, open top sports car as I would in a large car designed more for safety. I think it's obvious that if you're in a 355 and a full-size dodge ram daully pick-up hits you, you're probably the one who will be f**ked. That said, there are plenty of things in life to be fearful of. Enjoy the Ferrari. Since the F-car is usually only driven a small fraction of the time, the odds are better that you will not be in it if/when an accident occurs. Be defensive, be smart and if you still have issues, I'll drive the car for you!!!!  | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Junior Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 250 Registered: 5-2002 |
The way I see it is the weight of these car are more than other two seaters on the road.. This would be due to build quality.. Remember, these are high performance vehicles that are built to handle high rates of speed and impact.. There was a story in Forza where a guy who owned a F50 totalled it on the autoban and the car was completely repaired and returned to the owner.. He lived. I have faith in these cars... | ||
| Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2001 |
Mitchel, since I have a 512TR I am glad to hear that it holds up well in a front impact. I never worried about a side impact as anyone hitting me from the side would be immediately grated into cheese. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 1944 Registered: 12-2000 |
Do I feel safe in my GT4? Not really. But the way I ease myself, is I drive the car like I would a motorcycle - defensively. I constantly keep checking the mirror, leave a big gap in front for braking room and always spotting quick escape routes for evasive manoeuvers. I feel safe because I'm trying not to get into the accident in the first place! | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 462 Registered: 12-2001 |
When i got my first ferrari, we were still living in Brooklyn. In order for me to get anywhere from there, i had to drive it on some very nasty roads, like the infamous "BQE" (the "Brooklyn-Queens Expressway" for those of you who have no appreciation of our fair city). Narrow, nasty surfaces, crooked temporary concrete barriers which are permanent, and some of the scariest drivers you have ever seen, careening around in a way which makes city yellow cabs pedestrian by comparison. Did i feel safe? Are you kidding? When i would stop at lights (say on the approach ramp near the old Naval Yard), it was a toss up whether the crack heads would get to me before the light changed, or the Monster SUV with the blacked out windows jumping the lite; if i raced'em i'd just as likely get shot as win. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 210 Registered: 1-2002 |
Some years ago I had a collision in a 328 GTS with a full size 4X4 pickup. It was an oblique hit where my right front hit his drivers side at a pretty high rate of speed. Lots of sheet metal damage to the 328, but I drove home, the pickup did not. I read a story in Forza about a guy who got T boned by a semi in a 328 and was fine (the car was not). I have been told that, anecdotally at least, Ferraris hold up well. They are actually fairly heavy for their size and low center of gravity certainly helps. Most serious injuries or death seem to come in rollovers, especially if the occupants are tossed. Wear your seatbelt and feel secure with the superior handling and brakes. However, there is no substitute for defensive driving. Dave | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 2983 Registered: 2-2001 |
As far as the word safe goes is that I never felt more secure and sure of myself, in any other car, as I am handling my 79 308 GTS. As far as safe goes if I was involved in a accident, That's another story. The way it is designed it was not built for you to rear end another car or truck it is designed like a scoop. The frame is built well in my opinion but side hits are another thing because you are low in the seat. Rear end hits by another car, as long as it isn't a SUV or a truck, I think with the engine there it would absorb some of the shock. But to sum it up I think you are much more vulnerable to injury in these cars than regular passenger vehicles. But I love that Italian design. It's timeless. | ||
| Peter K. (Bubba)
Junior Member Username: Bubba Post Number: 101 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think they are quit safe. I drive an 86 Mondial and the door feels heavy and solid as it closes. You can feel the raw steel. It feels more solid than the door on our 94 BMW 740i, which in all fairness is a very solid car as well. | ||
| Chuck Babel (Chuck_98_rt10)
New member Username: Chuck_98_rt10 Post Number: 32 Registered: 5-2002 |
Can your Ferrari out handle, out brake and out accelerate your Land Rover? If so, I would feel safer in a Ferrari. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 626 Registered: 6-2001 |
Amir, I was in a 92 512 TR when we ran into the back of a BMW E36 M3. We were going about 65 when we hit the M3. To this day, I will swear by the first class, top notch, unbelievable build quality of Ferraris. I was not injured, except a nice bruise where my arm hit the armrest on the door, the driver was uninjured as well. Damage to the TR was extensive, but not hardly what we expected when we got out of the car. The M3 was near totalled. All the emergency guys could not believe how well the Ferrari took the hit and protected its passengers. The Ferrari was able to be driven home! Damn that was so ugly, but the car got us home. To be perfectly honest, I think Ferrari builds one of the safest and highest quality cars in the world. I'm not just saying that because I own one. That accident proved to me that these cars are VERY VERY safe and built like tanks....all of them! | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1786 Registered: 2-2001 |
Hell, I drive a 65 Corvair that has a steel dash, straight steel shaft steering column, non locking seat backs, no head rests, no shoulder harness, and a fuel tank at my feet, not to mention Ralph Naders opinion. It is not for sale either. Kinda makes the Ferrari look like a "Safety Vehicle". | ||
| James Pai (Jaymus)
Junior Member Username: Jaymus Post Number: 88 Registered: 2-2001 |
I believe they are fairly safe cars with good amount of steel to protect you. Ask Larry (on the board) how safe the 348 is, he rolled his off the cliff .(Good thing he is okay, I have seen pics of the car after the accident, but Larry is fine)The passenger was fine as well. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1388 Registered: 6-2001 |
Thats what worries me about older ferraris, how safe are they? The new ones are supposedly very safe though, especially the 360. | ||
| Amir H. (355spiderman)
New member Username: 355spiderman Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2002 |
Both | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1781 Registered: 2-2001 |
Any car smaller than a Land Rover is probably not as safe. Are you concerned about yourself or your car? | ||
| Amir H. (355spiderman)
New member Username: 355spiderman Post Number: 11 Registered: 5-2002 |
When ever i hear that light thunk of the 355 door closing i wonder if i am in a safe car. Some of my concerns are that the 355 door has a airvent intake so the door is probbly 6 inches thick. Also I feel as if I were to flip over the roof would just get crushed... I get so worried when cars are following behind me closly that i just speed up a bit fearing that i might get rear ended which would be a $$$$$ repair. Im sorry that im Bit**ing about my car but just a little concernd. How do you feel when driving the ferrari in Crowded streets? Maybe i feel this way because my daily driver is a Land rover and have not got used to the 355. Well thanks and no pun intended with any ferrari's. |