The Official Bay Area Ferrari Owners Group (FOG) Rally & Breakfast

That would be fine if you don't mind something so delicate shipped from a European country. Anything Ferrari Store Website is shipped from Either Germany or Belgium by the company there that owns the franchise rights. I know the U.S. franchise owners were trying to get a U.S. based sight, but it hasn't happened.

By The Way, The Board is made by Quicksilver if my mind remembers correctly.

 

Did you notice Benz wasn't there either? I thought Chevy had a pretty good lineup but the build was still soso. The Volt looked great till you realized it's 14k more than a Prius (neither of which I'd buy but I'm just saying). Other things I took away: Jaguar XJ is really nice, Acura is nice till you look at the nose, Toyota is aging very quick and was not impressive, New Honda CRZ is neat but man what a lawmower engine.
Oh, and the new 458 is here! Here's a few pix. Thinking of picking it up today unless it keeps raining.

 

oops, i guess you have to attach the photos
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Love the stitching on those seats!. Hopefully you can join us on Saturday if the rain holds off for us.

 

...black.

Beautiful combo on that car. Brakes and stitching...very nice.

Congrats !

 

thats a great color combo. I was watching the 458's going down the production line in maranello this summer....stunning.

 

Absolutely gorgeous! Love the color combination. Can't wait to see it in person.

 

Congrats G!

Very nice color combo. Just stunning. Do you miss the R8? I know... silly question.
Hope we see you at the next drive!

 

I actually do miss the R8. I miss the 458 more but obviously this is a great replacement. The R8 was just such a cozy (is that the right word here? Probably not) car. I tell you what though, on a track? the scud beats the 458. Not in speed, not in handling, not in lap times but in just laugh out loud this thing is a gas fun. It's like riding an untamed horse. Gear shifts sound like someone dropped an anvil. Very amusing car. I'll try to make the next DRY drive.

 

Hey guys my brother-in-law, Will, is thinking to spend $70-80,000 on a "fun" car. What car would you recommend? Ferrari or otherwise.

 

360 or a vantage!

 

...200 Hp, 470 pounds.

Acceleration and handling no waiting....

Fully adjustable suspension, runs on pump gas.

Yes please.

 

$70-80K budget can bring very good samples. Ferrari regular drivers: Maranello for V12 and 360 for V8, 365GT/C4 for weekend driver or a brand new Lotus for road and track

 

What other "fun" cars has he had in the past that he's enjoyed? There are endless choices, but it all depends on his priorities. Some like torque heavy engines, others the screamy ones. Some like planted (heavy) feeling cars, while others like alive (nervous) cars.

 

I would say 360 or 550. Both are very different cars that would suit the "itch" of a fun car in very different ways while still having all of the Ferrari mystique and benefits. 360, if he likes the flashy, high revving racier, track-balanced V8 versus the 550 if he likes the subtler, more sophisticated, torquier, max speed V12. I believe the majority of virgin F-buyers would prefer something more along the lines of the 360, but at this stage of my existence, I think I would add the 550 into my garage. Can you believe it, that 10 years ago the Maranello was arguably the most desirable exotic in the world. It can now be had for approx 1/4 of it's original price. I don't know if there is a better bargain out there.

Best thing to do would be to bring Will out with us next week and he could sample a ride in each, and make his own impressions.

 

+1; I'd venture to say there's not much of anything like it that's street legal.

 

I'll sell him my car. If he wants something new with a warranty, I drove the Cadillac CTS-V at Laguna Seca last weekend. All I can say is, what a monster! It has 556hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. What I didn't like about it was it was too quiet. I'd have to put a Borla or similar exhaust on it. The car made it around the Nurburgring in 7:59.

 

DAK,
The CTS V was in serious consideration for my DD before I bought the AMG. That car has phenomenal numbers and looks pretty good, too. Though it is a larger car than my C63, the rear seat room did not appear to be more generous. Too quiet, eh? Did you drive the Sedan or coupe? Manual or auto? Sounds like it was a blast. The simple obstacle for many who are looking to buy a sports sedan like the CTS V is whether the can see themselves driving a "Cadillac". Unfortunately, this is the reality of Marque Snobbery. Anyway, one of these days, I need to hitch a ride with you in the Nero car.

 

I drove the CTS-V coupe on the track. It was an automatic and beside being too quiet (no worries about exceeding the sound limit) it also lacked steering feel. I drove a V6 in a drag race/panic lane change set up that was pretty cool. That engine is plenty if you don't need to be extra bad. Because it was raining, it really showed off the traction control and Brembos. Then I drove a V sedan through a slalom course they had set up in the pit lane..basically at about 30 mph in sport and touring modes. Gotta say that the Caddy handles very well for its size and weight. After the event was over, I asked why we didn't drive the sticks. They told me that I could have. All I had to do was ask. Now they tell me. The auto is a great transmission and was in the car that hit the sub 8 min time at the Ring. Unfortunately, it has buttons like a Porsche, except on the back of the wheel at 9 and 3, instead of paddles. One of the engineers said that a good driver would not be turning and shifting, so the buttons were not a drawback. OK. It worked well with the traction control and mag shock setup, but I'd like to try a stick. They said that it has a very heavy clutch. Well duh, with that much torque it better. I suspect that the auto is probably a better choice if you are looking for ease and lower cost of maintenance and if you will be in any traffic. Aside from the minor flaws I mentioned, the biggest drawback would be resale. I just don't think that a Cadillac will hold value like a German car.

 

I just cant get over the styling. Its love it or hate it. There is something wrong with the aspect ratio (car looks too tall, sort of like a shoebox)

 

I think it takes some styling cues from this...
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I would have to agree the cars aesthetics are lacking. But it may be what's inside that counts....well maybe not in this case.

Glad you got the C63 Butcher!

 

I would have to vote for a 360, a lot of car for the money!

 

Trincap, beautiful 458! Cant wait to see it in person.

 

...over auto or 6 speed on the "V".

I like the styling...like that's ANY surprise as demonstrated by the GT4.

However he Caddy is a small car. about the same size as the C230 C. had on lease.

I want to drive one and am sad I missed the Laguna event.