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Looking forward to my first Ferrari next week:)

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by SuperMagnetMan, Jul 4, 2014.

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  1. SuperMagnetMan

    SuperMagnetMan Rookie

    Jul 4, 2014
    22
    #1 SuperMagnetMan, Jul 4, 2014
    After 50 years I will finally have my own Ferrari - A new 2014 California 30. I bought it a couple of weeks ago at Boardwalk Ferrari in Plan Texas and I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I started with little HO race cars and the Ferrari design back then captivated me and through my teens I only saw one in magazines and maybe once or twice a year on TV. At the age of 21 a friend bought a Dino and took me for a quick ride and I knew then that one day I had to have one. In the early 1980s before having kids - I had a Berlinetta Boxer 512 framed on my desk. People asked - why on earth do you have that car on your desk. I told them - THAT is what I am working for - one day I will own one.

    In 1986 our oldest daughter was born and naturally the Ferrari pix was replaced by daughter's pix. About 10 years ago I reminded my wife I would have a Ferrari one day and she said NO WAY!!! I had 2 daughters to get through college and get them married and she wanted a new house. Last year my youngest graduated with her Masters Degree and got married (the oldest one preceded her by 5 years) and I got my wife a house twice our previous house size and I told her - The Ferrari is NEXT!.

    My youngest daughter lives in Fort Worth and came up with the great idea that instead of staying on a few days extra and taking the car back that I could come back on the 9th and she would ride back with me. So on the second day I have the car I will be putting more miles on it that most Ferrari owners put during the whole time they seem to own one. But i am buying the car to DRIVE and ENJOY. If I did not want to drive it I could simply get another photo in a frame.

    I have only been in that Dino and a couple of weeks ago when I drove a 2013 Cali on a four block test drive. WOW!!!! I can't wait:)

    Any suggestions from those who remember their first time in a Ferrari:)
    Thanks and delighted to join this elite club:)
    George
     
  2. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #2 4th_gear, Jul 6, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2014
    George, welcome and congratulations on finally attaining your first Ferrari. I know it must be especially gratifying after being such a fan for so many years.

    I've had mine for a bit over a year and I love it. I'm always learning new things about it and new things… about the roads here.

    Here are some 1st time suggestions for you:
    A) have the car wrapped in protective film, at least the frontal portions (complete hood). I also did the rocker panels, mirrors, rear wheel well flanges and roof contact surface on the rear deck. If you drive fast, the car will pick up flying debris which will mar the paintjob unless you have it wrapped.

    B) start SLOWer than you would like to. Give yourself and the car a breaking-in period of 500 miles so you can safely work up to the car's potential on your roads. The car will still entertain you even if you stay below 4,000 RPM for the first 500 miles. Driving is all muscle memory.

    C) always approach driveway transitions slowly, at an angle and watch for suspension travel

    D) drop the top

    E) wear lots of sunblock
    ​
    Enjoy your trip and don't forget to post photos of your new ride. :)
     
  3. SuperMagnetMan

    SuperMagnetMan Rookie

    Jul 4, 2014
    22
    #3 SuperMagnetMan, Jul 6, 2014
    4th gear - great advice and yes, I already have the full covering of clear shield for the car:). I have a Lexus IS 250 C and did the same thing with it except it was only a half hood covering and the only blemish is a BB size hit that is just above the Clear Bra covering - so I went full hood with this one:). At my age the thinning hair has already prompted a frequent sun screen application. Definitely appreciate the words of caution and will heed the advice. Can't wait to get the photos and share.
     
  4. Royalpar1

    Royalpar1 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2013
    1,767
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Lombard
    #4 Royalpar1, Jul 6, 2014
    What did you guys pays for full hood covering ?
     
  5. SuperMagnetMan

    SuperMagnetMan Rookie

    Jul 4, 2014
    22
    #5 SuperMagnetMan, Jul 6, 2014
    Royalpar1 - I would imagine it can be found for less than I got at the dealership but mine was about $2,500 for the XPEL full clear shield including headlights. Its hard to tell because I also got window tint and the Escort Passport 9500 ci - fully installed and I asked for and received about a 12% discount. So, pro rata the XPEL clear shield was probably $2,200.
     
  6. Royalpar1

    Royalpar1 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2013
    1,767
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Lombard
    #6 Royalpar1, Jul 6, 2014
    Thank you, I have the 1/2 covering on the hood of my GTC S, However it does not have scoops, how does the full bra handle the scoops ?
     
  7. Ron4pro

    Ron4pro Karting

    Oct 21, 2013
    180
    Arizona
    #7 Ron4pro, Jul 6, 2014
    Congrats on your first Ferrari. I was new to Ferrari this year with my Cali 30. I picked it up early may and already have 1300 miles on her and she is a weekend driver only.

    My advice is drive it and enjoy it. You have earned it.

    Also, go take a factory tour of Ferrari. Now that you are an owner, you are entitled to an inside factory tour. Your dealer can arrange the details. You will appreciate much more how your Ferrari was painstakingly assembled.

    Best of luck and enjoy the ride


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  8. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

    Sep 10, 2005
    5,669
    UK
    Full Name:
    Lewis Mitchell
    #8 gt4me, Jul 6, 2014
    Congratulations on finally achieving your goal :) I drove my gt4 400 miles home the day I bought it and there's no better way to get to know your new baby.
     
  9. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #9 4th_gear, Jul 6, 2014
    Looks like you're ready to roll!

    BTW, Nike running caps work well when it's warm and humid out - they breathe well and come in many colours. ;)
     
  10. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #10 4th_gear, Jul 6, 2014
    My wrap is 3M Venture film done at the dealer. The initial wrap included bumper, fenders, A pillars, rocker, headlights, full hood and mirrors for CAD 1860 + taxes.

    This was my first car wrap so perhaps other people can comment on quality.

    Here's a closeup of one edge of the scoop on my car. The other side's pretty much identical. The fit is not perfect, especially at the corners and the film has some wrinkles on the curved surfaces going into the scoop however the rest of the wrap doesn't have these issues. All in all it permitted me to cover the entire hood and not have it look obviously wrapped. You can't see the imperfections or know it's wrapped unless you look very closely.

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    Not sure how tough the 3M Venture film is compared to others but I already picked up a pea gravel on my bumper when I disposed of a Honda that was intent on blocking my progress on the back roads. The hit lifted and gouged a bit of the film but doesn't appear to have damaged the paint.
     

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