Hey guys, My name is Jonathan Musser and I am from Des Moines, Iowa. This past weekend I traveled to Seattle for a baseball event called the Mariners Cup and had the privilege of playing at Safeco Field. While this was all really cool it was not the best thing that happened on the trip. A couple of days before my dad and I took off from the airport, I sent Kuzi a message asking him if there was anyway we could meet up while I was in town. He said sure so I gave him my number and we were able to set it up. Sunday night at 7:45 Andrew picked me up from the hotel and took me out to Kuzi's house. Once we arrived, we pulled in the driveway and I saw the 16M and F40 staring me down. Prior to this, I had never seen a 16M or a F40 in person. The 16M is my favorite Ferrari so as you can imagine the site was almost breathtaking. It was one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. Sadly, once I got there I only had an hour until I had to go out to dinner so I didn't have a whole lot of time for pictures, however, I got to go on the ride of my life! Kuzi was riding in front of me in the F40 and Andrew was driving the 16M that I was riding in. We took about a 45 minute drive through Seattle and I had a big smile on my face the whole time. The sound of the F40 was amazing and taking off in the 16M was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I can not express to you how thankful I am that Kuzi and Andrew were kind enough to take time out of their day to take me for the ride of a lifetime. Not many 17 year olds get the opportunity to ride in a 16M let alone while following a F40! Kuzi is really one of the kindest and most generous guys I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I really cannot thank Kuzi and Andrew enough for doing this. If I am ever fortunate enough to own a Ferrari when I am older, I will definately be just like Kuzi and offer rides because I think everyone needs to experience it at least once in a lifetime. Andrew, thank you so much for taking me on the awesome ride. The way you were describing your passion for Ferrari reminded me alot about myself. Also, thank you for picking me up from the hotel, if you hadn't done that odds are this all wouldn't have worked out. So, a little more on the ride. I had a smile on my face from the second I saw the car. (Sorry Kuzi you might have to wipe all the slobber off the car lol). I am a big guy at 6'5" and I fit in the 16M quite comfortably. The downshifts sound like they are from heaven and the upshifts are simply mindblowing. What is even more amazing though is when you pull the paddle softer, the shift is so smooth you can't even tell it just changed gears. At 6000 RPM when the valves open up and the lights come onto the steering wheel it is simply remarkable. I did take some video of the ride and will upload it once I get a chance. Kuzi, again, thank you very much for the ride. You are really one of the nicest guys I have ever met and you went above and beyond anything I was expecting. Thanks, Jonathan Musser P.S. If you are ever in Des Moines and want a ride in a Honda Civic Si Mugen feel free to look me up Image Unavailable, Please Login
+100 to kuzi. And Andrew, of course Both of them stand up guys. Grats on the ride, you'll remember it for awhile to come
I'm only 14 and I've recently hooked with exotic owners and I've had about 4 ferrari rides but my friend scotts has the lotus elise and that car is so Much fun!
Hey Jonathan, I'm glad you had a good time. It took some maneuvering to finally get together, but I believe you thought it was worth it. Next time give me a bit more notice and I can clear some more time. How can you go wrong??.......A gorgeous summer evening, the wind in your hair accompanied by the sound of that glorious engine note!! Its a good way to cap off your trip wouldn't you say?
Kuzi is a good man for sure. Great story and good job Kuzi. I too share my cars with everyone possible it is part of the fun of ownership and giving back
Kuzi and Andrew both told me about this kid and all I have to say is, they both are a class act unmatched by others. Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to write about your first Ferrari experience. I still remember mine like it was yesterday. I met others through forums similar to this and they were also generous enough to let me try their Ferraris out. Over the years, I've had a chance to drive a huge multitude of F-cars ranging from the F430, 360, 360CS, and even the F40. All of them have etched a permanent mark into my memory banks. There's just nothing like hearing the rifle like sound when the gears bang into place either up or down!
It did take quite a bit of maneuvering but it was eventually able to work out and definately worth it. Next time I visit Seattle I will let you know well in advance so we can plan it a little easier.
Hey here are links to 3 of the 4 videos I took...i have to make room on my computer to upload the 4th. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEbc8loHj8o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugtQgR4rzT8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADTXXZCc-B8 sorry i talk a little bit too much in the video kind of ruins it but i was just so excited i couldn't help myself but i hope you enjoy them. i am about as amateur as you can get when it comes to filming it took me awhile to even figure out how to record on the thing.
This is how the tifosi passion all starts. One ride and you're hooked for life. Jonathan, good meeting you and glad you enjoyed the ride. It was neat to see that ear-to-ear smile the entire way. I'm certain you'll have many more Ferrari rides, but you can only have one first ride. Certainly it'll be a memorable one in a 16M behind the classic F40. You didn't mention anything about the exhaust note bouncing off the buildings in downtown Seattle or the wot wot wail after dropping you off.
BTW, it's hard to tell in the photo, but what's really cool is to see Jonathan representing the tifosi with a proper cavallino t-shirt. Good work!
Oh yeah, how on earth did I forget that, because that sound was amazing. I heard you at least 3 blocks away and my dad was walking around the restaurant looking for us and he said he heard us but he never saw us.
I was just talking to Andrew and he was saying how psyched you were. This is a great story, and not surprising that Kz and Andrew were the perps; they are both great guys.
That's an awesome story, and some good videos. It made me smile watching them. I miss hanging out at the Ferrari events. Hopefully i can con someone into a ride when i come home in late September. -Matt
Oh yeah Kuzi and Andrew were really great guys and I was about as psyched as I had ever been in my life. I had only seen a Ferrari F430 spider in person before so seeing the 16M and F40 was an amazing sight.
