Hotels and your Ferrari

Hello everyone. Sorry, I'm a newbie and I'm picking up a 360 in Florida, and driving it back to Illinois. I'm a little worried about the parking at hotels. Any advice?

 

Quick suggestion, and I'm sure others will chime in with good ideas.

Buy a good car cover (with cable and lock), a big bag of microfiber towels, and a couple of bottles of quick detailer spray. Each evening when you get back to the hotel, wipe down the car with quick detailer and then cover it up. If people cannot easily identify the covered car, they are less likely to be curious about it.

 

Good suggestion. Thanks very much.

 

Two valets at the Fashion Island Four Seasons spun and totaled a 355 at the end of the driveway when I was staying there once (with my 550 parked there).

 

So I take it I should self-park.

 

It's just a car, dude.

Just park away from others--it isn't likely to get stolen so no worries there.

 

long-distance road trip in a sports car. giggity.

need a co-pilot?

 

Florida to Illinois? What do you need hotels for? Just drive!

Seriously, don't worry about it. Unless you are staying in fleabag hotels in bad neighborhoods, just do as Blam! Pee! says: park it a little away from other cars and get a good night's sleep before hitting the road at 0 dark thirty.

 

Seriously, no worries. Just pick a decent hotel & maybe ask the front desk if you can park it up front & nearby so they might be able to keep an extra eye on it. I imagine most will be accommodating. Just tell them you're a new owner & a bit nervous about it.

I made a few cross-country trips by 308 & did the above. They loved having a nice car up front...one said it actually drew in some business!

 

Agreed. I understand your nervousness but it will be ok. The car cover is a good idea as well.

 

The car cover is certainly a good idea. I've done the trip in the past and had the same concerns and all was well. Only problem currently of course is the jealously factor per present economy. Cover will alter to some degree that problem.

Docf

 

Insure the car.

 

Good hotel, park near the front entrance, be sure to have FULL insurance. Sleep well.

Jedi

 

+1 I did exactly that driving my 308 from Dallas to Atlanta last year. Just asked the person at the front desk if I could leave it out front over night. "I'm sorry sir, but we can't...hey nice car. I'll let the guard know it's ok." And the car stayed right there all night, drew a few people now and then.
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+10 - Do it all the time - the Quick Detailer is a breeze to use and make sure the car cover sits snugly so it does not blow around. There are some new ones out that are outdoor covers but fit like the stretchy indoor/factory covers.

Also as others have suggested be upfront with the valet guys and if the hotel has security let them know as well. I have found taking a few pictures with the valet guys by the car and being open to their enthusiasm/excitement to have a Ferrari there usually leads to them making sure it is safe. Spending a few minutes with them is good insurance so you can not worry about it.

Enjoy!

 

Nice 308!

 

I'm not a big fan of the detail every night and cover it approach, although I've done it a few times. It's a pain and you have a greater chance of scratching the car paint because of the wiping and the cover flapping in the wind, but it does work.

I recently drove a Maserati from Chicago to San Diego. This time, I did not wipe it down every night and I did not cover it. Basically, just use common sense and keep the car away from others, park to the extreme right, in the back if you can. No issues whatsoever, not a scratch due to parking issues (plenty of rock chips from driving, but no parking marks).

Either way works I guess. Whichever way you go you'll be ok. Just enjoy the drive.

Oh, and if any kids come up to you asking about it, take the time to show it to them. (For some reason this happens to me a lot when I'm driving long distances, not so much when I'm just driving around town.)

 

In Montreal for the F1 race last year all the hotels people with Ferraris would stay at had their own garages and they would just be parked in there.

 

i would sleep in the car.
If you lay down a sleeping mat across the intakes...and wiggle around a bit....you should be able to close the glass hatch.
And it will be warm and cozy at the beginning of the evening.

 

Thanks! It was a surprisingly good cross-country car, very easy to drive and solid as a rock. My son and I loved bringing it home and I hope the OP has the same experience.

 

Cool!!

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

My suggestion if you're really that concerned about it is to plan your trip so that you hit a big-city at your halfway mark (I'm assuming you're doing planning on a 2 day trip?)....Atlanta, Nashville/Memphis are probably on your way. Stay overnight at a decent hotel where they will let you self-park out front and have 24 hour concierge/security.

 

You could always sleep in the car aswell although I know from experience you will not actually get any sleep, I'm just saying.

 

I had the same experience driving from maryland to illinois. where are you from in illinois? Welcome to the club. I have found that local ferrari and high end dealers have been nice to let you park in their garage overnight if they are open those days. Call them ahead and ask, if there is a local hotel, take a cab in the am to get the car. I was able to do that when I picked up my car for the drive home. I decided to make the drive instead of trailering it or having it transported. I was so hyped up I drove from Maryland in one day!
Good luck and let us know some info on you and the car!
Paul B

 

You could check VRBO.com. You can find rentals that have garages or carports etc. We spent five days in the Black Hills. My car stayed in a garage every night.