I think I'm done with Ferrari

Great video, I know those roads and miss driving in the tri-state area, but tax rates are better in Florida! (BTW, different Chao than in video).

To OP, I left Ferrari in 2001 for reasons similar to yours. Mine was compounded with desires to track/race vs just street driving enjoyment. I've returned to owning a Ferrari this year, but chose a model that I drive only occasionally and is totally "analog" as the preferred description has come to mean. So each time it's a treat, don't need to be going fast to enjoy, and other drivers/onlookers are respectful and appreciate that I won't be goaded into street racing it. So take some time away and see what might interest you later on. No reason to do/own something you don't enjoy. Good luck!

 

I think someone needs to introduce Bob to the new Ducati 899 Panigale. I'm considering picking one up, and Chas has expressed interest, so maybe we could get a group rate!




Mark

 

interesting thread. it's a conversation I've been hearing a lot lately...modern cars are too good for their own good. a lot of people I know are selling their 430/458/991/etc and buying something older, slower, and more "fun" to go to the track with.

to be honest I think there is a huge opportunity for smaller, lighter, less powerful cars (think Lotus Elise), and I can't figure out why Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche/Aston et al haven't given it a shot yet.

 

I imagine its because they'd have to slash prices to sell smaller, lighter cars in the US. Oh, that and because there's a huge percentage of the sports car buying population that measures their penis by multiplying actually length by engine displacement, so smaller wouldn't work for them.


Mark

 

de-contenting cars would solve problem #1 (who really needs 19 way power adjustable seats and bluetooth nav?)

for the second problem they could make these:
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They have. It's was called Porsche Boxster Spyder.

The snobs don't want them because

A: the roof leaks, (so did every MGB/TR/XK/E-type/Beetle/911 Targa and they sold how many million of them?)
B: its not a 911,
C: its based on the BASE model the brand produces,

but those that have drive them can't be beaten out with a stick. 1250kg and 320bhp with a clutch pedal and a stick.

 

I am dealing with shrunken dash, headers and leaky cam seals on my 360 RIGHT NOW, sure seems like other cars don't have this problem. But other cars don't take my breath away when I walk up to them.

 

I can relate...

Most days I walk right past the testarossa in the garage and jump in the porsche 914, or the 930. It really is more satisfying. If I had to sell one of the cars, it would be the ferrari...

I enjoy the ferrari, don't get me wrong. But everytime I drive the 914, I get out of it with a huge smile, thinking to myself that this is a great car! And, cheap to boot!

 

I love the Boxster spyder but even that is too big/powerful/heavy/fast for what I'm talking about.

it should be under 2200 pounds, 300 horsepower, tires no bigger than 235/17s.

actually maybe I should just buy a Miata

 

It says on his profile that he's already owned a couple of 308s. If he would be considering them now I think that would have been stated in his first post. Maybe!

This is very interesting for me to read since I got the Ferrari bug earlier this year and have been lusting about a 360 or 550 and read only positive things for the most part. Then I started considering maybe getting a 308 instead so I can have a bigger rainy day fund if/when something major goes wrong. Maybe I should just stick to my 993 and E-Type?

 

Awesome video Oliver! I am tempted to leave work right now and go driving!!!!

To whoever suggested 550...Darn Straight! There is a nice red one at CNC now that would make a nice fly in and drive home adventure for Mr Mayor. (after you get them to change the wheels that is!)

 

If you do that, you'll never know, will you? Something major is no more likely with a 308 than it is with a 993 or E-Type. Rest assured if you step off a curb on a rainy day, you are likely to get mud on your shoes.

 

Alfa 4C (assuming weight stays in check) seems more and more like nearly the ideal car to me...it would be ideal if it had a manual!


Mark

 

I really like that car, at least conceptually.

it's like a BRZ/FRS with some style

 

Have you thought a old Morgan +4, or a +8. If you want seat of the pants driving, then they cant be beat. If your in a nice climate, it might be the best bang for the buck. I also cant believe how active this forum is, you Ferrari guys have lots of knowledge and are a passionate group. I like browsing here.

 

you made my day...
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Wow, I couldn't agree more about Ferrari: I will never, ever do business with anyone who treats me poorly or doesn't care about my business, no matter how good the product. Ferrari is the absolute worst embodiment of that problem, I'm sad to say.

On the boring v. fantasy topic:

A few years back, I had the same feeling and did something a bit silly: I bought a cheap 2001 Mazda Miata to turn into a track car. Problem is, it turned out to be an absolute ball on the street -- heavily modified but still just legal. Sure, it's slow (verrrry) and rough ("refined" it ain't) but what other sports car can you use 90% of its capabilities to grab a quart of milk? How many cars today are great not for their glossy perfection but for their sublime flaws? Not many, and definitely not from Maranello.

I'm not suggesting it by any means at all, but I think that cheap, stripped-out little roadster speaks to the old school engagement missing from modern Ferraris. IMHO (which Ferrari doesn't care a whiff about), those of us seeking a more real, connected experience would be happy for a modern 166MM Barchetta - Raw, filled with fantasy and far, far from "perfect."

 

Are you considering a track car as some are suggesting? Sounds reasonable, especially with the C7 as a DD...

 

If you're going to drive around town, or even on the freeway, what is the point of a sports car anyway? It doesn't matter if it is a Ferrari (new or classic), a Countach, a Lotus, a track-oriented car, a Vette or a Camry. It's going to be boring or scary/frustrating -- but it's not going to be fun.

To me, a major part of keeping the driving experience fun is to find satisfying places to drive. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, there are a lot of twisty roads, with and without hills, where simply going 40-50mph can be good (reasonably) safe fun. This past weekend, I drove with Mrs. Ski Bum further upstate to Seven Lakes Drive, and had a huge amount of fun on the Drive and several of the roads that branch off it. The precision, nimbleness and response of the 458 was wonderful. On the other hand, if I was limited to the driving on the Thruway to get there and through NJ to get back, I'd rather stay in my DD SUV.

Bob, I know you're in Las Vegas, and driving around Vegas is not a wonderful experience. But aren't there some great roads in the mountains outside of town? Your Spider would not have felt like a Camry there. You need great roads to enjoy a road-oriented sports car, whether it be a Ferrari, a Corvette or an Alfa. If you can't do that, then there is always the track for a track-oriented sports car. If you can't do either, take the Camry.

 

Funny enough I am selling my Porsche as I want to go back to a Ferrari..Anyone want a Carrera GT?

 

Boxster S is a hoot. 315 hp and a power roof that does not leak. 6 spd stick. corners great. brakes great. has all the toys including heated and cooled seats; XM, SatNav, A/C, cruise, auto wipers, AFS lights, power seats w memory, auto dimming mirrors, TPMS, sports exhaust, warranty, two trunks (carries more than 458), etc.

doesn't ride as well as a 458 Spider with magnaride but is a third the price.

 

I thought it was one of your keepers. If you don't mind, why are you selling this? I'm curious to this because one other owner (I think it was Fchatter RufMD) compared it to the F40 and said it was of very few cars that kept giving you thrills every single time.

 

+1

you can't sell the CGT...if it's in FL I'll come exercise it for you to keep it moving