| Author | Message | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 845 Registered: 2-2002 |
The F40 is actually not a difficult car to drive (SLOWLY - Driving it fast is a whole other issue). It shrinks around you sooo well.... the clutch action is a bit on/off and it's a bit heavy but other than that it's actually very managable. The visibility is bad but better than, say, a Murcielago. Don't forget that essentially it is a very simple 2.9 litre Ferrari V8 (UNTIL THE TURBOS SPOOL UP) and so doesn't have all that many problems with heat management and reliabilty when used more than a your average garage queen...in my experience as a driver and passenger I would take this car with in a hearbeat. The biggest issue is ground clearance - and on the later cars with adjustable suspension that's not an issue either. One thing that most people would find difficult to stomach is the potential cost if something gets damaged... I don't fancy paying $25,000 for a new rear bumper. | ||
| L. (Testaroja)
Junior Member Username: Testaroja Post Number: 166 Registered: 5-2003 |
Roland Linder you are 100% right. I drive my TR daily and if I had the chance to do what you did for your F40 I would do it, I will own one some day maybe not soon but when I do I will drive it daily, you only live once and you aren't going to take when you when you step into the next dimension. | ||
| Warren Balla (West662)
New member Username: West662 Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2003 |
'Giving a speeding ticket to a well driven Ferrari is like punishing a bird for singing or a woman for being beautiful' Nicely put, William | ||
| John B (John_b)
Junior Member Username: John_b Post Number: 60 Registered: 5-2003 |
F40 | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1398 Registered: 9-2002 |
Just curious, but does everyone think that the asking prices of ~300 are a little high for the F40, or in-line with what they should be? --Dan | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Intermediate Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 1014 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ron Will is my Hero too! | ||
| Jay P. Ross (Eilig)
Member Username: Eilig Post Number: 268 Registered: 8-2001 |
I drove the F40 last year in Germany, and drove the 575M F1 this year. To me, the 575M F1 feels every bit as fast as the F40, but with incredible electronics and probably overall better brakes. True the F40 weighs far less, but I drove the same stretch of road in the 575M as I did in the F40, and the place where I hit 280 km per hour in the F40 I was "easily" able to hit 300 km per hour in the 575M. And the F40 is no easy car to drive. No power assist in steering or brakes. The F40 is really cool and I am like everyone else, I would love to have it. But the 575M is overall better, and feels just as capable to me. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Intermediate Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 1059 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ross bought up a good point.. For the price of a F40, why not get the 512M as your driver and buy a 348 or 355 challange car for track.. Better yet do what my Hero did,(William) build a track car from a damaged 4RE.. Ebay has a crashed 355 you can get for CHEAP.. perfect for the conversion........ | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Intermediate Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 1058 Registered: 5-2002 |
JB Good luck on "your" ultimate decision.. But you must ask yourself. How often do you plan to track your car? 4-5 times a year. You will drive your car after a stressful day at work (and we all know how often that is) I would have to go with the 512M. (On my wish list) How often can you say you own a car that only 75 were allowed for US sales. F40 is a HOT car, but 512M is so special in my eyes.. I hope you see the same thing.. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Intermediate Member Username: Ross Post Number: 1310 Registered: 3-2002 |
some of this depends on where you live. i have a 512tr in central london and that is a nightmare. sure i get the looks and can strike the pose but i can't go fast; i can't go through streets where there are bollards because they are set too tight for the wide rear end; i can't park it anywhere because it will either get vandalized, stolen, or ticketed (again because it is too wide for the painted lines); i can't ever forget to slow way down for speed bumps, gas station entrances, and potholes without really paying for it. don't get me wrong, i love my 512 and will probably never sell it; and i must say that mark's comments make me itch to get an m. but i cannot imagine living with an f40 in the same neighborhood as i live now, when it is lower, as wide, more imposing, less comfortable than the 512tr. if you live in or near a city, and that is your daily beat, then only having one car for road and track will compromise both endeavours. if you can't/don't want to afford both the f40 and the 512m/tr, then get the f40 and something else cheap for the daily commute (keeping in mind that there are some great 'low cost' ferraris for daily driving if you can't bear to live without the cavalino staring at you every time you drive.) | ||
| Chris Parr (Cmparrf40)
Member Username: Cmparrf40 Post Number: 740 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think the 512M's are finally becoming something to look at, Sheehan has one for $125,000 right now and I always felt that something around $100,000 was the max for any of the TR family, including an "M". I am one that just never warmed up to this series, I know they are excellent cars, but I feel like they are not aging well, this is supported by a continuos and now rapidly declining asking prices. But, as a daily driver, a 512M properly priced, would be more enjoyable than a F40.... The more enjoyable car to own... well an F40 is hard to beat! (Hey, we all have or favorites, this is apple to oranges here) | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Advanced Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 2611 Registered: 10-2002 |
JB Never use race cars as daily driver's and never use daily drivers as track/Sunday drivers. Yesterday I drove my friends Murcie. That is a daily driver. If you come to a speed bump you throw a switch and over you go. Today I drove my MK-IV (GT40) now that's a sunday driver... I too used a TR as a daily driver. (115K miles in NYC traffic,rain sleet and snow) The only 512M's that are more fun than an F40 on sunday or at the track are like the ones my friend Mark Drove at LeMans. (THe 512S's are great cars as well) | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 286 Registered: 4-2002 |
Roland: I agree that the F40 is the ultimate car but in all fairness the TR is not anywhere near an F512M. I have owned a TR, 512TR and F512M. The improvement of the 512TR over the Testarossa is HUGE and of course the M is yet another significant step. But, I agree the F40 is pure performance. Just don't make the mistake of equating a Testarossa with a 512M! Regards, Mark | ||
| Roland E.Linder (F40lm)
Junior Member Username: F40lm Post Number: 57 Registered: 3-2003 |
Nothing could compare the M and F40....Both car have their reasons but when I had a TR, the parking, speed bumps etc...where the same problem. Not many people are driving DAILY their TR or F40..So, better be in a F40 and be the king on the road and be the fastest on the track.. I talk by experience !!! | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1419 Registered: 1-2002 |
F40 | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 930 Registered: 6-2002 |
JB- from what you've been saying, I think you will be happier in teh F40. It is *THE* raw F-car in my opinion. (well, F50 honestly comes close with it's hiem-end suspension and engine bolted rigidly to the tub!) Best! Ben. | ||
| JB CVT (Palmetto_tr)
New member Username: Palmetto_tr Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2002 |
THE 360 AND THE 550/575 ARE GREAT CARS BUT THEY DON'T DUE ANYTHING FOR ME. FRIENDS OF MINE HAVE THEM. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1607 Registered: 8-2001 |
Get the suspension lift kit for the F40. Even then, I think the F40 is only good for track and weekend backroad blasts. I think I'm spoiled because my 360 does everything so well and tolerate "normal" use. | ||
| Ryan Sabga (Sherpa23)
Junior Member Username: Sherpa23 Post Number: 146 Registered: 5-2003 |
The F40 is my favourite Ferrari of all time but after some extended drives with one, it is hard to buy one for a daily driver. The comfort is fine for me, the lack of power steering is fine, the visibility is fine and the reliability should be fine. The problem is that it is a very low car and it is really difficult to take it anywhere around town that you want to go. There are a ton of parking lots you wouldn't be able to enter, lots of streets you wouldn't be able to drive on because of certain dips or gutters that you have to cross. It's things like this that make the F40 a very difficult car to be your only car. However, these are the things that make it such a beast. I think that the solution is a 360 or Gallardo for most days and the F40 for killer drives and track days. | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 830 Registered: 2-2002 |
I drove an F512M last Thursday and it was fabulous. However the F40 is simply something else.... The few occasions on which you would you be able to use the F40 would outweight the pleasures of driving the 512M on a daily basis. The comparison is between the greatest car ever (F40) and a great car (512M) - as a result I think it's a bit pointless. | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 243 Registered: 6-2003 |
Dude, if you can afford an F40 now or in the future, buy it! It will be the ride of your life...screw practicality or daily driving...just get a few revs in every week on the track or on the street and you will be in NIRVANA> | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 944 Registered: 6-2002 |
F40. | ||
| JB CVT (Palmetto_tr)
New member Username: Palmetto_tr Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2002 |
YES | ||
| Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member Username: Boxer12 Post Number: 242 Registered: 6-2003 |
Is this a serious questioN? | ||
| JB CVT (Palmetto_tr)
New member Username: Palmetto_tr Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2002 |
THE REASON I ASK IS I'M DECIDING WHETHER TO PURCHASE A 512M NOW OR WAIT 1-2 YEARS AND PURCHASE AN F40. I USE MY CURRENT TR AS MY DAILY DRIVER . I DO TRACK EVENTS, | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3142 Registered: 2-2001 |
dont know about comparing a 512M to a TR4. The whole TR series was groundbreaking for its wild styling. Yes they are expensive to maintain but so are private jets. Dont like that? then go get a Honda | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 327 Registered: 7-2003 |
While F-chat was down due to a server problem, I examined the following page: Sportscarmarket This is their as always, arguable opinion which can and will raise justifiable ire. It is cited for reference only for reference's sake. Model | Years | No. Made | Tier F40 ___ 88-91 _ 1,315 ____ A F512M _ 94-96 __ 500 ____ C A Tier: Cars that will always have a following and will always bring strong money when they are offered for sale. They embody the attributes of style, performance, historical significance, rarity and competition history that often typify first-rank collectibles. Examples are the Ferrari SWB, the Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster and the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza. C Tier: Cars that have some inherent interest, but had few special or desirable characteristics. Examples are the Porsche 914, the Saab Sonett II and the Triumph TR4. Graded on Sportscarmarket's curve, F512M has been relegated to the ranks of a TR4. Though the pricing is not displayed on a non-gold sportscar page, it's quite obvious that whether as-new or on the secondary market - there is price and indeed, value discrepancy between not only different manufacturers - but within the product range as well. The proverbial, though inherently flawed apples and oranges debate could prove riotous. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3139 Registered: 2-2001 |
JB, look at my profile  its an F40s nightmare | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 312 Registered: 4-2001 |
F40 as a daily driver? Where do you put your briefcase or anything else for that matter? | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 816 Registered: 11-2002 |
What's the split? 50/50?: 512, but just by a hair 20%street / 80%track: F40, no doubt 80%street: 512, you'll place more emphasis on comfort and torque at lower rpm. Maintenance will be close, each car is different enough that maintenance is more a function of previous owner(s) and your use. | ||
| Mark Moon (Enzomoon)
Member Username: Enzomoon Post Number: 272 Registered: 4-2002 |
I'm partial obviously as I own an M. The car is really amazing and unfortunately never really received the attention it deserved. It is much more than a cosmetic overhaul of the 512TR. I have actually given some consideration to approaching one of the car magazines to offer my car for a proper road and track test. I think the numbers will surprise alot of people. Of course the heart of the car is that flat 12. The F40 is an amazing car but IMHO there is no substitute for the 12. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Intermediate Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 1005 Registered: 9-2002 |
I'd take the M...its just cooler IMO...as its my fav car. | ||
| rico nijhof (Riconijhof)
New member Username: Riconijhof Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2003 |
Hmm, I think an F40 would be too wild as daily driver, depends on what you drive it at most, track or road. | ||
| JB CVT (Palmetto_tr)
New member Username: Palmetto_tr Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2002 |
WHICH WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE FOR ALL PURPOSE USE,TRACK AND DAILY DRIVER |