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Drove a Ferrari for the first time!

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by fastliz, Oct 24, 2006.

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  1. fastliz

    fastliz Formula Junior

    Jun 22, 2005
    439
    Palm Bch County, FL
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #1 fastliz, Oct 24, 2006
    Hi all,

    Well... a moment I've been waiting 30 years for came true last Sunday. A new friend who I've come to know through the local car-nut community joined us on a F-chat / Lotus group cruise. He has a very nice collection of cars, but he brought his F430 along. Our group stopped at a park on the beach, and we all hung out and talked cars, of course. I was sitting in the driver's seat of his F430 and admiring the view and feel. He asked if I had ever driven one. No. I've never driven ANY Ferrari and had only ridden as a passenger in one Ferrari 20 years ago (a 308). He handed me the key and said, "It's time you did!"

    I've been dreaming about Ferraris since age 13. And, I have planned on owning one. And, I will! I believe in goal-setting and visualizing those goals. So, over the years, I've had Ferrari posters, books, key chains, models, t-shirts, hats, and jackets. I make regular visits (pilgrimages) to Shelton Ferrari in Ft. Lauderdale. I go to the Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach every year.

    But, I never had the opportunity to drive one until Sunday, thanks to a very generous new friend. It was awesome. It was a brief drive in traffic, but nevertheless, it was everything I dreamed and then some. And, importantly, it was another BIG step in visualizing my dream. I've heard plenty of Ferrari engines scream. But, I've never had one screaming right behind me. Ooooh BABY! Better than sex!! The F1 paddle shift was cool. I still don't know if I'd prefer it over a standard stick. I like rev-matching / heel-toe shifting myself. But, having the computer do it for you was pretty slick, too. The dashboard and steering wheel are perfection. The racing seats hugged me as if I just simply belonged there. The handling is exquisite. It is an experience that titillates all the senses.

    Anyway... wanted to share a landmark moment for me. Thanks to Chris who is a true enthusiast that enjoys sharing the experience!

    Mike
     
  2. Dincenzo

    Dincenzo Formula 3

    Oct 11, 2005
    2,434
    Columbia, SC
    Full Name:
    Adrian
    #2 Dincenzo, Oct 24, 2006
    Yeah, but did you enjoy it? Just Kidding. Congrats on making another
    very important step towards Ferrari ownership.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Oct 24, 2006
    "The feel of the wheel will seal the deal"
    -- Every car salesman on the planet


    Time for you either to buy a Ferrari or at least heap abuse on the guys who post the "Viper or Ferrari?" threads here. Your innocence is lost forever. This is good.
     
  4. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,811
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #4 miketuason, Oct 24, 2006
    Realy, better than sex?
     
  5. meloyelo

    meloyelo Karting

    May 20, 2002
    245
    Houston Texas
    #5 meloyelo, Oct 24, 2006
    The first one I drove - I bought it.

    It took me over 25 years to get there.

    Hang in there and it will happen.

    my
     
  6. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    #6 J. Salmon, Oct 24, 2006
    Driving a 430 first is like loosing your virginity to a supermodel!
     
  7. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #7 spiderseeker, Oct 24, 2006
    Now you just have to pick your colors and place an order !
     
  8. crazynova23

    crazynova23 Formula Junior

    May 2, 2005
    895
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Kyle
    #8 crazynova23, Oct 24, 2006
    Im 17 and I got to drive my first Ferrari VERY breifly around the parking lot at work to move it while I was detailing it. Nevertheless, it was awesome. I haven't even ever had a true ride in one...
     
  9. cavallino33

    cavallino33 Formula Junior

    Jul 10, 2005
    559
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    #9 cavallino33, Oct 24, 2006
    I hope to ride in or drive a Ferrari someday. Preferably before I buy one.
     
  10. Webby

    Webby F1 Veteran

    Sep 12, 2004
    6,821
    #10 Webby, Oct 24, 2006
    Congrats! I haven't ridden in one yet but I did get to drive a Lamborghini thanks to a former Fchatter a couple weeks ago.
     
  11. turbotrip

    turbotrip Karting

    Sep 9, 2006
    180
    Calgary
    #11 turbotrip, Oct 24, 2006
    good to hear that there are some owners out there who are willing to allow others to enjoy the experience to that extent
     
  12. rossocorsa13

    rossocorsa13 F1 Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    2,557
    Nashville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    M
    #12 rossocorsa13, Oct 24, 2006
    :) Consider yourself lucky...there are many owners on here who have not driven a 430...Congratulations. Now you won't be able to make your next pilgrimage to the dealer and leave without one.
     
  13. yoda

    yoda F1 Rookie

    Sep 27, 2004
    2,598
    UT
    #13 yoda, Oct 24, 2006
    Congrats, I am 27 and have yet to drive one. Heck an acquaintance of mine won't even let me drive his '03 Evo. I must look like a crazy driver or something although I have perfectly clean driving record :)
     
  14. Ado4wd

    Ado4wd Formula Junior

    Dec 27, 2005
    284
    Germantown, TN
    Full Name:
    Andrew O
    #14 Ado4wd, Oct 24, 2006
    I was eighteen years old and a very nice Ferrari owner that I had come to know handed my friend and I the keys to his then new 6 speed 360. He told us to have fun. My jaw dropped open and my friend and I entered the car with caution. I started it up and had difficulty getting it into reverse(you have to push down on the shifter). After a few stalls my friend had to get out and the owner got in the passenger seat to give me a few lessons(it was my first time to drive a stick). Needless to say it was a great experience and one I'll never forget.
     
  15. jsnazzy

    jsnazzy Karting

    Oct 16, 2006
    137
    Irvine, CA
    Full Name:
    Justin
    #15 jsnazzy, Oct 25, 2006
    Wow, what a great owner!

    I hope to be blessed to drive one some day, and hopefully own one! :)

    Congrats on getting to drive the 430!
     
  16. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #16 PAP 348, Oct 25, 2006
    Congrats on the drive mate. You are very lucky to have driven the 430. Hopefully I will get to drive/own one in the future. Red/tan of course. My 1st Ferrari drive was in a 348. Then I bought it. :cool: The best day of my life. Thanks for the post. :)
     
  17. Caddie

    Caddie Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 16, 2006
    38
    Houston, Tx
    Full Name:
    Benjamin
    #17 Caddie, Oct 25, 2006
    Congratulations! Now your one step closer! I may be a bit overboard but after driving a 430 i would probably have to take some time off to collect myself because all that would be going through my mind day in and day out is "Ferrari! Ferrari! Ferrari! Ferrari!..."

    Ado4wd: learning to drive a manual gearbox in a 360... boy o boy that would be one hell of a driving school!
     
  18. MARQ

    MARQ Formula 3

    Feb 9, 2002
    1,924
    East Coast US
    Full Name:
    Marq
    #18 MARQ, Oct 25, 2006
    Same here.
    Congrats on your first Ferrari drive!
     
  19. steve-gt4

    steve-gt4 Rookie

    Oct 24, 2006
    13
    Surrey England
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #19 steve-gt4, Oct 25, 2006
    Congratulations!-i hope its not too long before you own your own.I remember my first drive,i didnt know if i should laugh, cry ,wet myself or what!
     
  20. fastliz

    fastliz Formula Junior

    Jun 22, 2005
    439
    Palm Bch County, FL
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #20 fastliz, Oct 25, 2006
    I felt like I should plant a kiss on the owner! ;) I know that I did have a case of "perma-grin" afterwards!

    Mike
     
  21. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    #21 jungathart, Oct 25, 2006
    Congrats on what will remain an unforgettable experience.
     
  22. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #22 134282, Oct 25, 2006
    This is a great thread... Congratulations on an unforgettable experience... Big thumbs-up to the owner for his generosity...
     
  23. dysko

    dysko Formula Junior

    Sep 20, 2005
    923
    Altus
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #23 dysko, Oct 25, 2006
    MY first driving experience was a 328. I was working as a car salesman at a Jeep/Chrysler dealership and was the new kid on the block. I was with a customer when it pulled onto the lot. Every salesman eyed that car waiting to pounce on "the guy with money." Then it pulled behind the dealership, to park away from other cars in the spacious rear lot.

    About 20 minutes later I saw a guy, who looked like he didn't have the best personal hygene, wandering the lot. I was done with the customer I had been working with, so I asked him if I could help him. Over the next couple hours I came to realize that this was the guy with the Ferrari.

    He said to me, "I think I have driven everything you have, what's next?"

    Jokingly I said, "I guess I get to drive yours now."

    He handed me the keys... I was in shock. I assured him that I really didn't need to drive his car, but he insisted. So, we took a spin up one of the canyons here and back to the car lot. It was amazing. It is an experience I will never forget.
     
  24. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    #24 johng, Oct 25, 2006
    hey that sounds great! my first ferrari drive was nowhere near as exciting as yours. i drove from the bottom of the driveway and into the garage! each step gets you closer to calling one yours.

    john
     
  25. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    71,947
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    #25 DGS, Oct 25, 2006
    An F1 box -- gah, too easy.


    Only when you can snatch Second from the Gated Shifter will you have truly driven a Ferrari, grasshopper. ;)
     
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