| Author | Message | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1018 Registered: 1-2002 |
Of course I meant 180 degree V-12. I never proof my posts. Obviously!!  | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 464 Registered: 4-2002 |
The hubs were converted to a Ferrari 5-bolt pattern, the wheels to a modern tire size (non-metric). The engine is (of course) 180 degree V12 (not 190). | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 443 Registered: 2-2003 |
KZ: I am a computer lame, and don't have a digital camera!! DES can DEScribe it for you! | ||
| Kz (Kzma)
New member Username: Kzma Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2003 |
EFWUN, please post some pics of what sounds like a fabulous automobile! | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 442 Registered: 2-2003 |
True, KZ, but we had hoped for a little less attention here on Long Island. No luck. The car is too nice to let it bother us, though! | ||
| kzma (Kzma)
New member Username: Kzma Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2003 |
I don't really think that it matters what model or color of Ferrari it is.........it just tends to stir up deep emotions in anyone who loves automobiles, and even some who don't really care...........like my wife  | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 437 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dave R, the 550 is a fabulous car, as you've noticed! However, don't think that it doesn't attract the gawkers; we got ours in Blu Nart after 2 355Bs, one Giallo and the other Rosso. No apparent difference in the effect. | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
New member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dave - I meant to say in my previous message that the F40 etc. were out of my price range. Wasn't that clear in the post. | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
New member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dave - Thanks for the response. The 550 is still my favorite in the realistic price range (F40, etc.). Probably will be my first F-car given its GT characterics, massive power, beautiful looks and the V12. I would think that it is less attention getting than a 360 - IMO - which for me would be a good thing. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 875 Registered: 12-2001 |
The first time i drove a Boxer i hated it. I was far too forward and upright and drove it in a highly controlled, rather than relaxed style. In fact, i didn't even think i fit into it (at six-one). The second time, i raked the seat back, and eventually learned to drive in a more relaxed steering style, anticipating a little more, but executing more gradually and forcefully. (The absence of power steering is wonderful, isn't it). When i switched to a Maranello, i had to be much less forceful on the steering; the car felt less planted in some ways, but that, as you know , is deceptive cause when the boxer lets go, you really don't have too many options. The view over the hood is amazing, though, and as the car cranks up, it starts to shriek. I wouldn't mind having another one:- it was probably the most involving ferrari i had. (Granted, i've not driven them all, but am working on it). | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1016 Registered: 1-2002 |
Dave R: if really felt like the big brother to my 328, actually---at least interior wise. Other than that, much more direct than the 550, with no power steering or discernable power brake feel. Obviously, the sound is completely different, and it comes from over your shoulder only, rather than from up front & behind in the 550. Much less torque than the 550, and obviously a perception of much less overall power...but not by a whole lot. For a 20 year old car with 42,xxx miles, it felt surprisingly strong. You really could feel that heavy engine riding behind you, however! Doug, I am not sure what model of BBS they were. They were 18", and did NOT have the spin-offs; lug bolts had been fitted to the hubs, and they attached to them. Sorry, I did not have a camera... | ||
| Doug meredith (Dougm)
Member Username: Dougm Post Number: 260 Registered: 2-2001 |
What style BBS wheels? Were they custom made for the spin-offs? Any pictures of the wheels? | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
New member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dave - How did it compare to your 550? Wasn't looking for a dissertation but just some high-level thoughts? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1013 Registered: 1-2002 |
On the way back from doing a "Ferrari Rides For Make-A-Wish Foundation" event yesterday in San Antonio (see Texas section), one of our Hill Country Chapter FCA members offered to let me drive her recently restored & re-shoed (with gorgeous BBS wheels) 1983 512BBi for probably 60-70 miles over winding Texas Hill Country roads. This was my first time in this model, and it was a genuine hoot! Much more visceral than the 512TR line, but with the same great 190 degree V-12 sounds. I actually fit, too (I am 6'4"), surprisingly. It was warm inside, as I heard the Boxers are, but not too bad, for an 86 degree humid day (we had the windows open). My only complaint is that the pedals are very poorly set up for (a) effective heel-toe downshifting and (b) people with non-petite feet. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and really didn't want it to end. Thanks, Dana!!  |