If free, which of the 4 supercars would you pick?

Latest lap times at Ferrari's test track. I suspect F40 was a European version.

http://www.fastestlaps.com/track26.html

 

Its nice to see that each new top-of-the-line supercar is significantly faster than the last one... wouldn't have it any other way

 

That was also done on the "long" track, as were all the tests done prior circa 1990 when the track was shorted.
So the tests done recently are on a quicker, shorter track. So you really can't compare. They say take away about 1 second from the old times....

 

Honestly I don't hold Ferraris times to highly, as of course the newer car "has" to be quicker....some of the times are suspect IMO....

 

I can see that... Looking back over it i'm wondering slightly how the Scud time is faster than the Enzo even though it weighs more and makes 150 less hp... then again it could be all about the drivers... there are just too many variables IMO to take them at face value

 

Yes, there are many variables, especially tires. Some of the older cars will be much faster with more modern tires. So this is just a rough guide for performance.

When you own these cars, you'll enjoy many things that you can't read about. It's all about the details.

I can't tell you how many people I know buy a car and sell it a year or two later because it's not what they expected...

...and then some buy it back later because they miss it!

I don't know if we'll ever have a virtual way to "try" these cars to help you decide on the one you REALLY want.

Personally, I can enjoy the details for hours, without even driving the car!
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It would definately be interesting to get all the "old-school" cars on some the same new (technology) tires and see where they stack up against the current best of the bunch...

I also quite enjoy the details of most cars (especially Ferraris!) so thank you for sharing some of the smaller aspects of the cars that most people/journalists don't mention.

 

Enzo...

It's the only Ferrari i fell in love at first sight...

 

Me too. I've been close to fighter jets in my younger days and the Enzo brings back memories of that. It's the first car that ever did that for me. I got pretty emotional the first time I stood next to one. I feel very lucky to finally be able to own one. In my opinion, it's a timeless design because its form follows function and Ferrari compromised on the side of function.
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Be careful on printed HP figures.
While statistics don't lie, .... they can be misrepresentative of the real world. Specifically, HP ratings are quoted at the peak value; the highest point on the curve. This tells you nothing about how the power comes on or how the curve is developing for the usable range.

Then again, 7 years between the two models has bound to gain technological leaps and bounds. Meanwhile the price of an Enzo has appreciated significantly and Scud prices appear to be falling. Contradiction? I think not.

 

...but why choose?
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Is that a private garage or a dealership? I've seen that picture before, but never found out the answer. Pretty incredible, either way. Especially if that is a private collection.

Mike

 

I'm pretty sure it's a private collection.

 

An Enzo for sure. I just love that sound.

 

December issue of Octane magazine. "The Greatest Cars" of the past 110 years to present.

I see an F40...
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The next one.

 

Enzo, followed by the F50.

The Enzo to me epitomizes a 21st-century supercar. It features a stunning array of technology yet combines it with light weight and a purity of focus often lacking in many of today's cars. The car uses the best aspects of automotive technology and focuses them on driving. In addition the styling is striking - shocking, even - yet makes no real attempts at a throwback solute to 20th-century supercars. One can tell at first glance that it is fresh, modern, and different. Lastly I have always liked the concept of a light car with a large N/A engine in it.

The F50 was one of my first "dream cars" and remains on the list.

 

Wow! Do you work for Ferrari? I don't recall anyone summarizing the spirit of the Enzo as well as you just did!

 

Nope, just a car nut. I first saw an Enzo right after it came out at Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, NC. It was a red car headed for Louisiana IIRC. I've seen a few since...very few cars are as impressive in person. It even makes the other Ferrari supercars look almost tame....

Enjoy yours in good health!

 

I keep a 1/18 scale model Enzo, front and center on my desk at home at all times, just in case the impossible should happen (ie someone gives me a blank check to buy the Ferrari of my dreams)

 

This is my answer! The Enzo is the fastest and best of these cars, as one would expect, but I WANT the 288 most. According to Evo's extensive comparison of all 4 at the same time (a legendary feat!), the F50 is the most rewarding driver's car. But the 288 is art on the level of the finest paintings and sculptures, not to mention having very inspiring driving dynamics in its own right.

 

Ferrari absolutely would NOT have wanted an independent magazine to test the F40 vs F50 in acceleration, as I'm afraid the new gen would probably lose.

 

The only way to know for sure would be a test of all the cars, same day, same drivers, with allowances for more modern tires and brake pads.

The technology of the F430 Scud is simply STUNNING in that it can do the 1/4 mile in 11.2s, equalling the ET of most Enzo tests. Being a hardcore track car, everything has been optimized for carrying speed at all times on the road course. Of course, there are track versions of the Enzo as well that could one up just about anything short of a top shelf Le Mans prototype or F1 car.

If I could magically receive one of the 4 Horseman supercars and had the funds to enjoy it to the fullest, I'd get an F40 and upgrade to GTE spec and enjoy it-----many times a year----on the track, where it belongs, not collecting dust in some garage.

 

The Scud acceleration numbers are a bit missleading for real-life tests because of the Scud's launch control and good grip off the line. You can see how it's noticeably slower in its 60-130 mph times.

We tested a Scud vs a CGT and Enzo at the Mojave Air and Space Port from a rolling start. The CGT was much faster than the Scud and the Enzo was much faster than the CGT. We didn't race an Enzo against a Scud, but double the distance you see in this video for what you would see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhRNSO05TsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj5b7eGKUfk