Specifically -Where do you drive your Ferrari?

The best way to ask my question is by example.

I have several cars and drive some anywhere. However, with my Ferrari (which I really protect like one of my children) I find in San Diego I park it one place (at a particular restuarant) and on rare occassion, when absolutely forced to do so, on a street I feel is "safe". Otherwise, like the flying dutchman, I am sentenced to driving my car from my house and back again more often than not. That is the extent of my Ferrari "universe" ini San Diego.

I have home in Vegas as well. I have two restaurants I can park my car (I do not let the valet's touch the car and take the key). However, I do not trust parking, even in front at sat, the Bellagio or Palm Hotels, since the car draws the attention of every kid wearing jeans with keys jangling from his pocket. Again, I generally leave my house, drive until I have had my fill and come home.

I do put considerable miles on the car and given that I keep the car in San Diego most of the time, have the chance to take long freeway rides up/down the coast, but still, a limited existance. If this was my only car, I suspect I would have to work from home.

What is your story?

Best

 

To you it means almost the whole world, but to a lot of people a Ferrari is just a car and really a lot of folks don't give it a second look.

I drive my car and park it anywhere just like I do with any car. Never think about if it will be in one piece or not and never in my whole life has anything happened to any of them. For the last years I have been using a handicap permit and that allows me to find a good parking spot without hunting five minutes for one.

In reality just go to the movies, bowling or whatever and watch how nothing will happen to the Ferrari. Enjoy yourself and the car, that's what it was made for.

 

I live in the Bay Area and like you I have some choices on vehicles to drive. I drive quite a bit for my work seeing clients, even down to your neck of the woods at times, so driving the 430 really makes my day more fun. I am not afraid to take my 430 most places as long as I know there is some decent parking, I try not to take it to certain parts of SF for example. I have never had a problem leaving the car while I go to my appointment, on occasion there has been people looking at it or taking pictures when I returned, but no damage of any kind. Maybe I have been lucky!

For me it is a car, albiet a special car, but I use it at least 6 to 10 times a month, sometimes more as we get alot of good driving weather here. The more I drive it the better it seems to run, really! Last summer I drove it 2K miles on a exotic car rally, I swear the car was faster when I was done!

Drive them is what I say!

 

I drive and park my 430 just about anywhere within reason. Do I worry about it when I can't see it... YES. Is there much I can do about it... NO.

It is just a car, it is gonna show wear and get damaged. I do my best to keep it as nice as I can, but I know I will get rid of this one and get a new one in a few years anyways...

 

I wonder who owns the totally pristine ones with no miles? Just kidding. Actually, I exaggerated to make a point, but I suspect for those of us who tell others "it is just a car", we probably would not trade it for a Volvo. Best

 

The typical paranoid Ferrari owner who walks around his car with a rag after he parks it cleaning up every little spot. Stop it man. People look at you and laugh. If you worry about it, dont drive it. Buy a toyota. They say worrying causes cancer.

 

I've parked my F430 at probably every hotel on the LV strip. Never a problem. I don't let the little stuff phase me.

 

Sorry, I would not use a handicap permit if I was not handicapped . I would rather have a dented car.

 

You got the wrong guy.. I was simply making a point about "being careful", not fanatic.
Can understand for some who things came easy or who give advice to others without risk, might park next to a old truck with dents, while another person, who actually worked for their money and who "stretched" themselves to obtain a dream, might keep a clean cloth nearby. Some people like to watch other detail their cars while some love and enjoy touching and feeling something they cherish It comes with age my friend. Light a candle, don't curse the darkness. Best

 

San Diego's back country is huge. I've stayed overnight with the cars in Julian and Borrego.

I think there's a San Diego drive in the works this month. PM me with your email if you're interested.

 

I live in Hong Kong and vandalism is not much of an issue. I park on the road anywhere. I let my cars suffer wear while I own them and then get Dent Dr., repainting, new windscreen, grill and anything else that the fussy next buyer will worry about fixed just before I sell. This is the cost of carefree use and it is worth it to me.

My intrepretation of your asking the question is that you simply want to get some views from others - the very purpose of fchat. I did not take it to mean that you were toilet trained at an unnaturally young age

 

Of course. But I would not have a dented car anyways because I never did get dents before.

 

It is still possible my toilet training occurred a bit early and lasted too long, but I still would appreciate views.

Thank you for your input. Although there are many of us who can afford our cars and do not need to "worry", I am sure , as with all else, Ferrari owners represent the full spectrum from anal retentive to expulsive.

However, unheard from thus far are , what I believe to be the majority, as evidenced by all the low mile Ferrari's , who drive very few miles and gaurd their cars with all but their lives. So far, and maybe not surprising, the more confident/aggressive among us, have stepped up first. In any case, not a life or death issue. Enjoy your car. Best

 

I have seen a red F50 in Tokyo years back, parallel parked on the side of a small alley, no more than 15 inches from the car in front and behind. Perfect example of an owner who has an attitude that "it is only a car".

 

I drive my Ferrari to Morning Drive for crazy speed and to trackday. I also bring her to carwash and waxing, that's all

 

You crazy honkies with your morning drive haha! Love the 5:30am rush?

Becareful out there.

To RBK: You should take the car on different trips and car meets. You'll enjoy it more. Meanwhile, use the daily for groceries! Enjoy!

 

Careful but not fanatic. I prefer large parking lots, put on the top and lock the doors.
No valets - no on-street parking (with certain exceptions) - prefer a restaurant with
a view to the car, but not required. She's fully insured for what I have into her. So
I pretty much go where I want, within reason.

Jedi ('86 328-GTS)

 

I park the car in a reasonably safe spot and valet when available. I go about my business and don't worry about it.

 

No valet for me ever. No f---ing way.

 

My 360F1 Spider is my daily driver - to work, to gym, everywhere... Sometimes, when I feel like it, I take my Testarossa for a spin (usually draws more attantion than 360F1 Spider !). I park at the top level in garages to avoid other "considerate" drivers scratching my car... When I go to restaurants, I park my cars only myself - NO VALETS ALLOWED !!! I usually order valets to move away those red cones, so I would be able to park in front of a restaurant and then tell them that the restaurant owner should pay me for partking in front and promoting their joint...
Some people tell me that I am crazy, that I use my Ferraris as daily drivers, that I "... depreciate the value of the car...".
My answer to those people is that they are wrong - I do appreciate the value of my cars, every minute I drive them !!!
Ferraris are ment to be driven and not being "garage queens"...

 

In the 360 price survey the average age is 8 yrs and the average mileage is 13,XXX-- so about 1500 miles per year.

I think most people drive them around for a while then bring them back to the garage.

 

I have to believe, predicated on years/miles and all the claims of "pristine" and "no stories" accompanying cars advertised here, e bay, and all the sites, few people use a Ferrari as a daily driver and/or leave them all over town. I believe every post, but the facts suggest otherwise.. Again, just curious, not invested. No one is right or wrong here, just living their lives. Best

 

To me "no stories" does not mean "garage queens only apply". No stories means it has properly recorded maintainence/service/repairs, not crashed or damaged in any signficant way (fire, flood, rats???), not abused, not needing any repairs at the point of sale, and had a completely normal life for the mileage involved.

Some touch up, a respray of the front bumper to get rid of stone chips, and paintless dent removal that no one can see are not "stories" you have to explain. It's just a part of the normal life a car driven in a normal manner.

 

I have a 430 and i drive it every chance i get (live in chicago so it's not as often as I like), been known to drive it to pick up some eggs from the store 100 feet from my condo . I valet it as a rule because I've been valeting my cars for years and the hell if I'm going to change just because I'm now driving a Ferrari. I park wherever I find a spot, it that means i end up next to a rusted out 1981 piece of junk then so be it.

I'm enjoying the experience as I'm sure soon enough I'll get a new one or just get tired of this one.

But then again I'm one of those take it or leave it live for the moment guys so I understand if all don't see things the way i do.

 

i used to drive my 430 to the mall and park it myself.
one day a family of 5 was all over the vehicle, looking and touching.
when i got home, i saw a long scratch in the paint, along the door.
i realized that one of the "observers" must of scratched it with his coat zipper, probably innocently.
since then, i have been more careful about only parking with a valet (i park myself, keep the key and pay the valet whatever the "going charge" is.
now i generally drive to restaurants and only rarely to the mall.