Drive or Transport?

Well I just secured a '01 456GTM after looking for several months. It will be a nice addition to the twins (not really identical twins since one is a spider and the other a targa) that are currently in the garage getting lonely since they don't get driven (not enough room to haul the kids - finally problem solved!)

I am debating doing the long 1600 miles journey from San Jose CA to Austin TX - anyone done that before? Was is fun or am I better off just doing the usual enclosed carrier thing? I would have to do it over a weekend. Any cool sightseeing/ roads along the way?
THX
Franck

 

It really depends on the individual. I've certainly enjoyed my coast-to-coast drives in the 308. You could map out your route to stop at the Grand Canyon as I did, for instance.

 

Definitely DRIVE IT

I bought a 1982 Mondial in LA, CA and drove it to NC. Best 2800 miles I have ever driven, even with an unexpected stop over in Grants, NM.

Drive it back, you really will be glad you did.

Paul

 

I bought my car in Detroit and drove it back to Chicago. Started out at 5:00 AM Sunday morning, no traffic and great fun. Then again it was only 320 miles.

 

A few thoughts:

The drive will probably be exciting- I always used to love picking up a new, or at least new to me Ferrari and driving it home some distance.

The car may show some quirks en route- good things to learn about, if you are of the theory that it will help you sort out what may be wrong. (It also might not be a bad idea to plot out Ferrari dealers or competent independents on your route, just to have a safe haven along the way).

The PCH is glorious if you have never driven it, and worth the trip for that reason alone. At some point, north of LA, turn left (if you are going southbound).

I'm sure there are other destinations along the way, from Cal. to home.

 

I'd pass but as others said it's up to you. If you have time to kill and look forward to seeing a few states then go for it. Not unless you have FF miles it will end up being a wash in terms of cost is my guess. Good luck and congrats on the new car.

 

I bought my 1984 308 in Cleveland and then drove it to Long Island. It did not miss a beat resulting in 23.5 mpg. The next day it overheated. Go figure.

 

You want to do 1600 miles in a weekend?

Call Intercity and save the dings and paint chips!

Have fun driving it locally.

BTW, is that 456 green?

 

I did Miami to Kansas City in a 355 B and Atlanta to Kansas City in a 355 Spider, the top was never up! It was a great time

 

Congrats Franck!!
I say drive it back so that you can sort things out like whart said. What color is it?

 

DO IT!!!

 

Congrats on the purchase and I would also say to drive it back. Have fun in Austin, and I would recommend staying the weekend there if you like to go to bars at all.

 

agree

 

Drive, enjoy, and get to know "her". Jimmy

 

good chance for a real bonding sesh

 

lol... I think he'll be here for a while.

 

Drive it and make sure you post some pics when you get back home.

 

I went to by an RED/TAN 83 mondail with 19k what should I pay? they are asking $26k. your thoughts? no records no books either!
Tony

 

I chose to have my 89 shipped but is older than yours. A 2001 I would probably drive. I alway think about what would happen if it broke down so far from home. Not like you can get parts in any red neck town w/ Ford & GMC dealerships.

 

Nope, Grigio Ingrid - yes it has to be on a weekend and I am leaving for a month long vacation the week after, worried that I leave before the car makes it to my house...

 

Yes indeed - have been enjoying the scene for the last 20 years, I guess that makes me an Austinite! Missed you guys at Mandola's, will bring her at the next gathering in June!

 

Hey, if you like sitting in a car, ferrari or not, leg in one position for , say, 10 hrs, back against a surface getting all sticky and all, doing a monospeed on the typical American HWY with none of the road curves that have been made mandatory in Germany to alleviate boredom/traffic fatalities, and racking up mileage, and risking that your PPI didnt notice a "minor" fault in the car causing a break down, which otherwise would have been noticed around your home and more conveniently fixed by your local mechanic, well, drive it.

But whatever you do, congratulations and best of luck with your ownership!!!

 

I just got back from a 5000+ mile drive from AR>Las Vegas>SF>Napa>Monterey>Las Vegas>Southern Utah>Santa Fe>Dallas>AR in an '02 Maranello. When I bought the car, I was short on time and drove 1450 miles through rain and snow with only gas and food stops. With 63,000 on the clock I have never been stranded but I do think about the possibility and have some idea where to go if needed. I'd drive it home. You can check it out on the drive down to SD and then head east.

Steve

 

Drive the car if you are confident of the mechanicals. What better way to get to know your new mistress?

 

It's your car, you should do what you feel most comfortable with.


If it were my car, I'd definitely drive it back. Definitely. It'll be a drive you'll never forget.