| Author | Message | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2104 Registered: 5-2001 |
I looked at a 250 GTE once and I think this is a great daily as well. Roomy and strong. PArts are a concern, but then if you can not spring for the cost of parts, maybe you should not own the car in the first place. As I believe that cars are getting better when driven, it would only make sense to drive a classic as well daily or at least almost daily. | ||
| Richard Stephens (Dino2400)
Junior Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2001 |
In a way it would be a shame to see a truely rare Ferrari totally destroyed beyond repair by a major accident. But in reality there is very little that could go wrong to a '50s or '60s Ferrari that couldn't be repaired. The cars are valuable enough that even fabricating replacement parts is worth it. And someone will always have enough money to do it. I don't think you need to feel guilty about driving a classic everywhere. Since Novemeber I've been using my '71 Dino Fiat Coupe as a daily driver. It is not a very desireable car to most people and is therefore not very valuable. Although I love the car dearly, the world at large would feel no great loss should the car be destroyed by a runaway SUV. Wearing out parts is a concern however, since there were only about 2500 coupe of this series made and many parts are simply unavailable or outrageously priced by those who acquired the last stock. Since the cars were never sold new in the U.S., finding "parts cars" is quite impossible as well. (well, i do see several poor condition 2.0 coupes for sale every year but in the last two years I've only seen one 2.4 coupe for sale: and I bought it. The cars share very few panels and little interior). Very little is reproduced because the cars aren't collected and restored like Ferraris are. Engine parts will probably always be available since Dino 246gt owners are willing to pay the costs associated with remanufacturing parts since their cars are valuable enough. I'm tempted to bid on the single rear wheel bearing on Ebay right now even though it is up to $150 because I know they are impossible to find and I know I will need two eventually. But if you put all that aside, the car has been very reliable and a joy to drive. Yes, it requires some tinkering and I have had to rebuild the alternator, replace the fuel pump and ignition system, but these were old parts that are now new and will provide years of trouble free motoring. And the car is simple enough to work on myself. The Dino V6 sounds fabulous, performs well, and starts right up with no trouble every morning. It is a highway warrior and still as smooth to drive around town as a honda civic. Getting only 12mpg city and 18mpg highway on premium is the only difference, ha! My current dream regular driver is indeed the Daytona. I might not drive it around town but on any trip over 20 miles, I'd take it. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Junior Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 84 Registered: 5-2002 |
Believe me Willis, I believe every Ferrari ever made should be driven and never garage kept for any lenght of time.. I just feel some should be drive alot more than others.. And yes, no Ferrari should ever be refered to as a garage queen.. Road King is more like it... And to my man Mark, I think of the Daytona as a classic too, but that one needs to go on the track every once and awhile..I understand that that engine is god enough for daily driving. Strong as hell, but to me it is still pre 77 and should be loved in a special way......  | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 717 Registered: 8-2001 |
I don't see why a classic Ferrari cannot be driven daily. The worst thing you could do to these cars is leave them in the garage (or museum) and let them rot. Ferraris need to be exercised regularly. The harder you push them, the better they run. The classics are simpler machines than the modern ones. So with proper tuning, they should be very reliable. "Garage Queen" are dirty words around here, Ron. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 430 Registered: 10-2001 |
My 72 Europa isn't exactly a 250 GTO...but I consider it a classic and drive it every opportinity. If (when!) something breaks or wears out I fix it and keep driving. That's what cars are for! I wouldn't drive it cross country though. | ||
| Mark Izzo (Tdf355)
New member Username: Tdf355 Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2002 |
What about a Daytona Ron? | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Junior Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 80 Registered: 5-2002 |
In my mind, a classic Ferrari should be driven only on weekends and to shows..Never transported unless going state to state. Classics should be garage queens.. I don't know how easy it will be to get parts or find those old craftsman to repair the lines of the body in a fender benders. I say use you 77's and up as your daily drivers and classics as a conversational work of art... | ||
| Rijk Rietveld (Rijk365gtb4)
New member Username: Rijk365gtb4 Post Number: 34 Registered: 1-2002 |
Since I walk to work in NYC, my Daytona is no daily driver. However, every chance I get I will drive the Daytona. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 968 Registered: 6-2001 |
Ask Rijk, he drives his 365 GTB/4 daytona all the time. Its in good condition, not perfect (its not a garage queen, its driven). IT runs strong as hell, i was suprised by the power. I also wouldnt mind living with the sound it makes I dont think, and couldnt imagine a GTO being a daily driver. | ||
| Mark Izzo (Tdf355)
New member Username: Tdf355 Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2002 |
Has anyone ever daily driven a classic Ferrari? (Daytona, GTO, Superamerica, 275GTB, ETC.) If so , how about some experiences. Thanks. |