I did it! My first Ferrari!

You got it Eric!
NH has better driving roads than Florida, that is for sure!
Maybe I could store it in your purpose-built Ferrari garage, no?

 

Stunning and I love the colour combo.

Congrats.

 

Stunning! My first Ferrari was a 550 as well - what a car to start with... Just fantastic.

Please - a word of warning: the ASR is archaic and slow to react on slippery roads. It will NOT save you from a spin. BE CAREFUL! It's very easy to write off a 550. In wet conditions, be gentle on the throttle - there's plenty of torque even at low revs!

Enjoy her for many healthy and safe miles!


Onno

 

Congrats! Great looking car.
You being in Florida that car gets the Crockett and Tubbs seal of approval!

GT
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LOL!


Thankfully it isn't white!
(though....I do kinda dress like Crockett.....golf shirt and sport coat......dang)

 

Stealing a quote from Two-and-a-half Men last night.

They should put Crocket and Tubbs' pictures on Money.

I have all the old Miami Vice episodes and all Magnum PI.

Yes, I know, I am a very disturbed individual.

 

Car is coming tomorrow morning....doubt I'll sleep much tonight.
I'll post pix.

 

Congrats! If you need it detailed, I used this guy when I had my 308...
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CONGRATS! That is a beautiful ride! I wish you as much fun with yours as I have had with mine, "My first Ferrari" How cool does that sound? - Get out and drive that thing and show it off, it is sweet!

MBFerrari

 

Ha...Gotta admire his technique, eh? That belly hang has the added benefit of buffing out the wax on the hood while he's wipiing down the lights.

ketel

 

sandles with socks is a nice touch too.

 

congrats that is a great feeling.. 550 was my first as well..
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beautiful car. Only thing I noticed in the pictures is that there appears to be some glue or other residue around the gauge cluster.

Is that just my imagination?

 

Hey, but aren't sandles with white tube socks the international attire for German tourists everywhere??

 

Watched Enzo Ferrari movie last night, gooood movie.
I was up at 5am, staring at the walls.
Heard a truck, heart skipped a beat, maybe short run of V-Tach, and ran to the front door...oops, just the garbage truck.
Much pacing like an expectant father.
9am the truck pulls up...what a feeling. Christmas morning, and a new sled!
Back door of truck opens...posterior view of 550 Maranello, Cavallino glistening in the morning sun.....perfection!
I take her around the block to make sure she runs OK before the delivery guy leaves.
Kids take turns going for rides.
I then take off for a somewhat long cruise....AMAZING!!!!

Maserati gets an occasional look....the Ferrari just casues people to gape in wonder. A guy in a truck was yelling "Bad Ass car dude...Bad Assssss!!!" After staying with me for a few miles. Jerk in a 928 tried to race me, automatic and had his left foot up by the mirror as he guns it away fro the light leavign smoke. I was hopeless with the clutch and shift-gate and didn't bother. A couple miles on and an older guy in a beautiful black DB7 convertible was grinnng ear to ear and telling me how awesome the 550 was.
I could get used to this......

First impressions:
1. WOW....up to then I though my Maserati rocked....there is no doubt who the big dog is....550!
2. Why did they bother with a 6th gear (or 5th for that matter)......I'm going to lose my license in 4th.
3. After driving an F1 tranny for years I have now discovered what a lousy driver I truly am. Jeez.....very humbling...one needs a good technique with that beautiful shift-gate and that heavy clutch......I plan on working on that a lot tomorrow!
4. The car is gorgeous in titanium, and the bordeaux leather is absolutely perfect. I was hoping for more smell, but maybe after 8 years it has worn thin, oh well.
5. Sitting next to the Maserati in the garage I am struck by how low and wide the 550 is...the hood must have used 3 gallons of paint alone! The scoop and front profile is aggressive, beautiful.
6. Rear view is stunning...should be posted in "Rear Ends NSFW."
7. Rear 3/4 view is also stunnig, strong lines......heck...all views are stunning.
8. Standing behind car running with Tubi vibrates your innards to the point you feel like you have to pee. What a sound!


Fellas....you can deduct one 2000 550 Maranello Titanium/Bordeaux from the Ferrari market roster....this one will never be for sale again!

Once I upload pix to the computer I'll post 'em.

Can't wait for tomorrow....80 and sunny....and the forecast is all Ferrari!

 

I think he likes his new 550.

Congratulations! Drive it in good health.

 

congratulations pal, sounds fantastic! I remember the first time i was taken out in a 550 maranello (my best friends' dad used to have one). Each time i think about that I'm still grinning ear to ear. And thats just a memory! what if i own one? a smile would be permanently on my face! Oh well, only a matter of time and money now...

I think the start up sound is absolutely savage, such a deep growl making the windows shake. I used to love it when i stayed over at my friends house and his dad left for work at 7 am, his room being next to the garage had its benefits!

The last time I was in it was 2 years ago now, just before it was sold, he owned it for 8 years i believe, put a **** load of miles on it (around 90K i think). This being in holland though (the land of speed humps!) scraping was inevitable, you cringe each time you go over one. especially the one he didnt see, which by his luck was quite high aswell and scraped the front, mid and then the front again!

Oh well enough about my life story, enjoy the car and more stories!

 

I'm jealous! Congratulations. BTW: Try some Leatherique on the leather, it may bring back some of the original smell.

 

Congrats, love that combo.

 

Just absolutely lovely quotes from you regarding your first experiences - nice to read. W.r.t. 6th gear - I think you're forgetting this is a European car! I've had mine above 150 mph lots of times, and over 180mph once (legally in Germany) and so 6th actually gets used!

But even here, you get a little frustrated I must admit. Here in Holland, the maximum speed is 70pmh. The 550 pulls SO LOVELY from 5,000 rpms, and if you do a little over that in 3rd you're already close to 100mph... enough to lose the license. It's just a staggering car.

Enjoy her to max!


Onno

 

So moving. What we have here is a poet..and we didn't even know it.

Seriously, great story. Enjoy in all good health and keep us posted.

ketel

 

Congrats! Enjoy your new ride

 

Very nice! Enjoy her in good health and welcome to the brotherhood.

 

Great story!

 

Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing (and seeing) how the cruise went.