I think I'm done with Ferrari

I think making a clean break is good. Go drive your Vette like mad for 6-12 mos and then see how you feel. I think track car and off road vehicle could be good for you too.

 

I get it.

$300K for a sports car? that is pretty steep. even if you have it.

at that price the car should be flawless and work great. driving the anniversary 599 for over a week, I thought - nope. I know it was all carbon etc... but for the money - it was not that special. FAST yes, Special - no.

I recommend the 80's Ferrari's - they look so cool, they are quirky - they make YOU work to drive them.. not the other way around.

to me the 355 was the turn point- last of generation... awsome looks, super pricy to keep....

the 360's is where it all went wrong... 550's kinda clawed some back... but still too normal.

the sticky gooey switches - I dont get, squeeks rattles, etc.. dont get, AC that is not perfect I dont get, radios that are not awsome i dont get... Huge orangepeel in the paint ... i dont get.

all that for $300K!

it seems to me today we are just buying 0-60 performance. for the 1% who take them to the track and really ring the necks... those guys just buy a race version of the car ...

 

I have a service business here,all my clients are here,I'm stuck for better and (mostly) worse.
Rob L suggested I go vintage (as others said here),might do that after all this mess is cleared and I have a mind to do it....
F12 is no longer of interest to me,not interested in driving that thing around here for "posing" purposes only.

 

If you're not totally thrilled after shelling out $300k on a car, it's time to move on to another brand.

I really like the direction Rolls Royce is going. Thinking outside the box:
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Bob, you're probably not the demographic Ferrari cares about, sorry to say. As long as demand is high and they're the most powerful brand in the world, they don't need to address the issues you cite. Its not part of the business model.

No offense to any owners, but Ferrari has always catered to clientele who's commitment to the brand trumps logic.

Seems like you've seen behind the curtain a few too many times?

Now, how about a Tesla?

 

Great post. Just sold my 458 Spider and no new cars (except for LaF) coming for first time in more than 10 years. Have not had any problems with the cars, happy with the dealer, cars have arrived as I ordered them, enjoy Ferrari events, like FOC, no police problems, no social issues with car - just taking a break. For Hong Kong usage I am finding air-cooled Porsches are simply fantastic. Only Ferrari road cars I still enjoy are 355 Spider stick and CS. I am sure exhaust note has a lot to do with it. Never really bonded with the 458 Spider although car was faultless and beautiful

 

That color combo looks perfect

 

oh, well...
best of luck with your issues!

 

Can't disagree with the Mayor's comments.....will definitely miss his posts.

 

I agree...love the Wraith!

 

An advancement. Now when the switches break off, you can put them back and they'll stay.

 

If you want a car with real quality control, you need to be looking at a model they make more than 1 million per year.

 

Well, it IS British. What?... Do you expect it to start on the FIRST try? It's channeling its roots!

 

Mark, you know it. Vintage cars are the best. They might not be as well put together and a bit more troublesome but so much more fun.

Since you were going for an F12, why not get a Daytona?

 

With all the automation in cars and airplanes, it takes the fun out of it. Sure, you go fast, is easy to control and have perfect handling until you reach the limit, but I would rather be in a 328 (have driven) and a P-51 (never flown) than a 458 (never driven) and a F-16 (have flown). The 328 and P-51 are quirky, difficult to master, you really have to pay attention and feel how it is responding, hot/uncomfortable, but takes some skill to master and become good at putting in smooth control inputs during maneuvering and stay in control.

When I drive the 328, it is like a go-cart experience and takes skill to be smooth and since I don't drive it daily, it is not boring and I can always get better. I like the involvement, just as in flying, since being bored, complacent and not monitoring the system there usually gets you killed.

So, the Ferrari and Merlin engines are my favorite sounds and I like the skill needed to have fun and a little sweat on the brow and back as I climb out of the car/cockpit. That is what I think fun is, having to do a little work to experience fun, rather than just sitting comfortably in a highly augmented car/airplane that can almost drive/fly itself, and will be very soon -- what fun is that?

 

Wow, very interesting perspective. Didn't you place an order for a C7 convertible recently?

 

Time for a CGT, Mayor?

 

To replace my aging -- but still beloved -- Maserati spyder.

 

Funny, last night I got my second BMW e9 coupe (BMWs flagship from 1969-74), this time a euro fuel injected 3.0CSL, with alloy panels, no AC, no radio, manual steering, etc. The suspension has been fully sorted, and the car drives wonderfully, much better than my power steering/AC/carbed US car. Modern cars are amazing, but none have that raw vintage feel. My 550 Maranello is close, but the steering is way too light IMO and just doesn't feel connected to the pavement. Plus, as the Mayor has noted, the build quality is piss poor compared with German iron from the 70s and 80s, or even compared with the 1986 Accord (purchased with 120k miles) I had in my student days.

I echo others' sentiments about air-cooled 911s, or even a 308/328.

To me one of the key assets of all of the above is manual steering, which is just so much more involving and enjoyable. But that also means skinnier tires, if absolute grip is paramount.

As a Tesla owner, I can say it is a pretty fun DD, with heaps of torque. Just completely different from a conventional car in terms of feel. Try one.

Scott

 

I am not going to be an "advisor" and tell you what to buy or experience. You are fully capable of exploring that on your own.

My preference would be that regardless of what choice you may make is that you stay with us here on FChat. I always enjoy your posts. I certainly hope that leaving us hasnt even crossed your mind though.





PDG

 

Would love it but very uncomfortable in that car with my 6'5" frame.
512 is better,some earlier cars also fit me better (Queen Mary the best).

 

I'm tired of the BS lack of transparency'

Mayor - what do you mean by this? I never understood when people say this....
More info from the dealer? Or manufacturer?
Kevin

 

When I see new Ferrari's on the road they are almost always driven around in auto mode by a woman in high heels or some poseur guy texting while in auto mode. I've driven a few Ferrari's other than my 355 but the only Ferrari other than my 355 that I've really experienced was a Testarossa. It felt challenging and exhilarating to drive. Something that women in high heels and poseurs wouldn't know how to operate and that added to its appeal.

 

You'l be back

 

Plus one. Well put. My pm was not phrased as well.