| Author | Message | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 366 Registered: 10-2002 |
Guys, Sorry about some of the spellling and grammer, I was distracted with work.. You know what else they say about big feet!!!! ITS TRUE< ITS VERY TRUE | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 170 Registered: 4-2003 |
JKR, Wow, what a story! I am glad it turned out fine, and that the accident did not turn you off Ferraris. The 348 Spider you have is a special car...I would love to have one soon. One small consolation... you know what they say about guys with big feet.. They wear big shoes! | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 364 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ron, Here goes. I was to pick my new 348 on the Saturday, but I was unable to wait so I decided to pick it up on Friday of the same week. I arrived at the dealership to pick up the car. While I was there I rang my car insurance company to tell them to change the policy for today (Friday). I explained that I had the certificate of insurance to start Saturday not Friday and it needed changing. They said no problem you are insured from now. I asked then to confirm the insurance by fax to the dealership, they said their fax machine was down, but do not worry you are insured. We have your details on the computer. So I proceeded to hand over the money for my new Ferrari a dream come true. The car was LHD and I was very nervous driving it because it was my dream. When I pulled away from the dealership I noticed that I should had worn different shoes since my feet are 14 and the pedals where close together having the sports pedals on it. For the first half hour I was driving up the freeway (motorway) in heavy traffic doing about 40-50 mph (70 limit in the UK). We approached a controflow and traffic was bad. It was stop start stop start for the next half hour. Everytime I would change gear I would keep looking at the gearlever gate thinking about getting into the slot OK. I was nervous because it was my first Ferrari I have owned and have saved since I was seveteen for the car. I promised myself I would have one when I turn Thirty !!!! All the sudden the traffic stopped and I was about three car lengths behind the car in front. I went to brake and believe it not my foot hit the gas pedal the car shot forward I panic and tied to miss the car in front so I try go between the front car and central barrier, spun the car in front into in coming traffic spun me into incoming traffic and destroyed three cars and mine, the targa roof was off and ended up with a bumper (fender) in my car etc its was unbelieveable..... !!!!!?><: I sat their in my car crying and shaking. No one was injured because the impact was below 30 mph. The front end of my car was destroyed. The police arrived to the clear the cars etc. My 348 started fine because there was no damaged to the back end just the front. The car was sent to a compound to be picked up later for repairs. The police interviewed me and other motorists and I said it was my fault and freak accident. All the drivers and emergency personnel were laughing because I destroyed a Ferrari. It pissed me off bit.... I exlained to the police that I had just picked up the car and my insurance certificate was with insurance company and I would have to take to the police station when it arrives in the post. When I got to the compound which was a few miles away all the badges from the car had been stolen, the tool-box had been stolen and stereo had gone. I was fed up. The next thing I ran my insurance company so they could pick the car up and take it to the dealership for repairing. I spoke to my insurance company and told them what had happened. I said my car is destroyed including another three other cars. Well they turned around and said we have a problem your details are on the computer, but its to be insured from Saturday and we have not processed the new request for Friday as yet so techinically your NOT INSURED. Well that was the icing on cake.. I spoke to the customer manager and he said the lady I spoke had never spoken to me about insuring the car for today (Friday and that it was a insurance scam. They said they could do nothing and I would have to arrange recovery from the compound myself... I got the car home about 5 hours later, my wife to be killed me nearly when she saw the car my family and friends could have cried because they were waiting for me at home to see my dream come true. No dream anymore just a nightmare. I threaten my insurance company with court action and after three months of hell I recieved a apology letter from insurance company director that they are sorry for the problems they caused and they found tape that had the recorded telephone message from me on it. I believe the manager was sacked and so was the lady. The accident costed all together �100,000 pounds sterling. The other car driver were trying to sue me for causes them drama and they needed couselling. If the insurance company had not paid out I would be bankrupt with civil actions and payments. It was my worst three months of my life.. My wife to be was about leave because of it etc... Evntually the insurance company paid out in full for my 348 and I bought the 348 spider. The moral of this incident, NEVER JUST A INSURANCE COMPANY and NEVER DRIVE YOUR BEFORE YOUR GET WRIITEN CONFIRMATION OF BEING INSURED.... | ||
| Ron Shirley (Easy_rider)
Member Username: Easy_rider Post Number: 481 Registered: 12-2002 |
J R K would you expand on that? I understand, though, that it may be a sore subject. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
Member Username: Lens Post Number: 289 Registered: 3-2001 |
Not yet. (Knock on wood.) | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 356 Registered: 10-2002 |
My First ferrari 348 GTS got written off after i hour from picking up from the dealership. Best day of my life a dream come true, then the worst day of my life a nightmare came true.... | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 355 Registered: 10-2002 |
My First ferrari 348 GTS got written off after i hour from picking up from the dealership. Best day of life a dream come true, then the worst day of my life a nightmare came true.... | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1465 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just once, and it was minutes after picking it up from my mechanic! Blew a hose. Otherwise, 13K miles w/o tow truck. Now, it HAS had problems. But I've always been able to drive it home. With a GT4, it's less problematic. Even if the wheels lock up, you can simply push it back home over it's oil slick. | ||
| Gary Reed (Gary_reed)
Junior Member Username: Gary_reed Post Number: 96 Registered: 2-2002 |
I've owned two different Ferraris so far and have only been stranded one time and needed to call a tow truck. The waterpump on my current 308 QV seized up (and melted the belt) about 70 miles from home a couple of years ago. I now have a later model 328 pump. AAA premium membership is a must with older cars! | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 511 Registered: 2-2001 |
Bad fuse fuse/block stranded me once in my 308, jumpered the relay and off I went....have driven to Las Vegas and back and just completed trip to Albuquerque and back with no problems.... | ||
| Ken Ghiringhelli (Kenny94945)
Junior Member Username: Kenny94945 Post Number: 58 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thank you all for taking a moment to respond to my informal poll. "wide ass" car, lack of power steering, V8 may be better as a town car and rain. All good valid points and well taken..except the wide ass...I think Jennifer Lopez is a beauty  . Kenny | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 417 Registered: 6-2002 |
F-cars LIKE to be driven, in general I find people who drive them more/regularily, have fewer problems. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 593 Registered: 1-2002 |
6 Ferraris, roughly 45K miles. No tow trucks. Dave | ||
| Lloyd (Lloyd)
Junior Member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 93 Registered: 8-2001 |
I have a 512TR and it has been reliable for the year and a half that I have had it. If you are going to drive it a lot in the rain you may want to be sure that the electrical components associated with your engine management system are well sealed and/or coated because you will get a lot of water in the engine compartment. For example, there are two water temperature sensors (on top of motor, one on each side) which if the contact is not proper will fail to read the increased temperature of the motor and the engine management system thinks the motor is still cold and adjusts the air fuel mix accordingly. As the car warms up it will then have rough idle and your slow down light will come on. I've been there, if you couldn�t tell. I would recommend traveling roads with which you are familiar as the low spoiler will hit on driveways and other slopes. After driving it a while the clutch will feel fine and when you drive any other car their clutch will feel like a toy. The only hassle with the car is going bankrupt every 3 to 4 years for the major engine out service to change the belts. Have fun and wish you all the best. | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
Junior Member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 70 Registered: 5-2003 |
What models do you have..? And have the problems been cronic..? | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Senior Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 5171 Registered: 8-2002 |
I am currently Ferrariless at the moment. One is down with ignition problems - waitning for a replacement part. Other has other issues that will take time and $$$  | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 5204 Registered: 12-2000 |
Never been stranded in the 328 with 10k miles under my belt. Drove 2 miles back home once on 4 cylinders. BMW has stranded me twice in the past year. | ||
| Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member Username: Mcharness Post Number: 611 Registered: 8-2002 |
In 10 years and 27,000 miles, I have not been stranded by my 308QV. I *have* had it towed to the shop a couple of times, but both of those were picked up by a flatbed at my home. | ||
| Grigio_512 (Grigio_512)
New member Username: Grigio_512 Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2002 |
Mine's not a daily commute driver, but I do take it to church, the gym, site seeing, groceries (just got back from PETCO and loaded 35lb dog food in the car plus chew toys), qwik runs to fast food on Sun/Sat and to the office on weekends to keep it stealth. Never stranded yet, clutch isn't a problem but the lack of power steering is, if you're going to be using it around town a lot. If you live in the City you might want to consider one of the 8's as they're easier to get around. Just my .02 cents. Eric | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 69 Registered: 3-2003 |
I had to get AAA to give me a jump once. My fault, though. I had left the running lights on my way to playing golf early one morning..........- DOH! | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 89 Registered: 5-2002 |
None of my Italian cars (Ferrari&Lambo) have left me stranded but my MB did. In all fairness I drive the MB daily and put way more miles on it. | ||
| Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member Username: Jh280774 Post Number: 781 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ken, Got mine for two years now! Had some issues with the car but it never left me stranded! Have driven it for over 10000km right now. Reliable if maintained correctly, I suppose! Con saluti cordialissimi, Jens Haller | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 714 Registered: 11-2001 |
Oh yeah, I had my car wreck a night out on the town. The generator went out on me,and the car died. I was close the my mechanics shop, so I decided to just push it there. As I was pushing it one passer by asked me why I was pushing it. Told him that I would rather push my Ferrari that drive a Porsche. LOL. But it really was because I wasn't gonna pay a tow truck to take the car five blocks. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1210 Registered: 5-2001 |
I blew the water pump the day I bought mine. Between 1981 and 1997 I dreamed of that first day. I just never expected the first to be stationary in the driveway. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters Post Number: 656 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ken..Two 308's and never a tow. Two Ford Explorers with five tows in three years. Never say never, but since you will drive it to church, you can always say a prayer | ||
| Don Vollum (Donv)
Junior Member Username: Donv Post Number: 100 Registered: 1-2002 |
My Mondial blew a coolant hose on the freeway, in traffic. Still, I'm not complaining. I think it's all part of the adventure (wife does not agree, however!). | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Junior Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 193 Registered: 4-2001 |
In 90000 Fcar seat miles: had to flat bed my 328 home from Watkins Glen due to a broken water pump (450 miles @$3/miles! the worst part was 8 hrs of country music): had to flat bed my 512TR to the dealer for a broken front A-arm (hit a rumble strip gully at Moroso): Had to flat bed my 328 for a jammed starter. Minor blips in my view for soooo much pleasure. PS-don't worry about the 512TR clutch-its no problem. | ||
| john (Johnwto)
Junior Member Username: Johnwto Post Number: 96 Registered: 6-2002 |
i had a 2000 360 that blew hoses on two different occasions. i would probably say that the guy who owned the car before me had the engine detailed with a solvent that caused the hoses to crack. i have never heard of both hoses blowing on a 360. my 355 had maintenance issues but never broke down and my 2002 has been perfect so far. | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
Junior Member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2003 |
My Mondy has never stranded us. She has her share of problems ( sunroof switch, Door locks and leaking trunk. But never a drivetrain problem. | ||
| Tony Roberts (Pantera)
New member Username: Pantera Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2003 |
I have not broken down on the other hand I drive only 3000 mile's a year so it's hard to make an accurate assessment! | ||
| Ed Christophersen (Dr_c)
Junior Member Username: Dr_c Post Number: 51 Registered: 12-2002 |
83 308 GTSI. Never got stuck. A couple of close calls, but never stuck. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1221 Registered: 12-2001 |
I have never gotten stuck in the course of owning six ferraris, with one exception. A 550 Maranello which i bought used, from a dealer, a few years ago, and within the first 3 weeks, put four thousand miles on it; it broke down during the Forza mille, only because the coolant hoses were shot, a problem the dealer honestly should have rectified before i took the car. But, the dealer picked up the car in Vermont immediately, and wound up doing a full belt service, replaced coolant hoses, ECU, etc., all at no charge, to maintain good will. I had the car back in my garage within a week. I drove my 83 512BBi from NY to Florida without a hitch; all of the other F cars i have owned, brand new, or used, 12 or 8, have had few real problems. Can't comment on using a 512 TR as a daily driver. Clutch on any of the 12's i had, including the BBi, was hardly brutal,but the trick to them is, from a standing start, to ease out; after you are up in revs and speed, it becomes more binary. | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 316 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Ken...I have an '87 Testarossa that had a "checkered" past. I spent this last winter fixing odds and ends, this is my first Ferrari and I have learned a lot and enjoyed the experience greatly. My car has been on the road for about a month now and I've driven the dickens out of it. Numerous stops, parks, starts and cruises. Not one single problem so far with reliability. As far as daily driver the TR series is a bit tough, because of the width and size. And that long front nose is not very forgiving on ramps and speed bumps. I don't think you'll have any problem with the clutch, quite smooth and does not require a lot of effort to operate. What has turned out to be a pain with my car, and I'm sure with any other low vehicle is driving at night. Headlights from the car or truck behind you can be blinding. These cars are reliable despite what others may say about them. But they are not the most ergonomically friendly. I would say that the V8 fcars are easier to use on a daily basis. Others....please chime in. | ||
| Ken Ghiringhelli (Kenny94945)
Junior Member Username: Kenny94945 Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2002 |
Well, The passion for F cars is very strong and, frankly, going from a full warranty, with rental car coverage and all to a used 1993 512TR...do I say more. So if I may ask for a current poll.... How many times have your gone for a drive and had to call for service/ tow? As additional information, this 512 is set to be a two seat daily driver that includes groceries, commute, church, errands and sight seeing. Somedays, I will start and stop my car ten times. I am concerned that logically a 512 may not be the utilitarian vehicle I am looking for. Then as a second item, there is the clutch. Will I need knee surgery from life with a Ferrari twelve clutch? Ok Ok..enough rambling. |