Would it be insane to drive my new F355 from Austin to San Diego?

It would be an awesome trip but if you break down it could really suck.

 

Question 2 saddends me

 

I would do it without a second thought.

1) No

2) Is this a real question?

3) I would guess in a year and a half as you stated current mileage and not mileage when the service was done.

 

you may run into some snow when you get to the mountains.

 

As to question 2, how much less would you have paid if the car had 34K miles vs 32.7K?

There is your effect on resale value.

 

It's not the belt you need to worry about.

Anyhow, most guys go 3-5 years between majors.

If you're going through mountains this time of year, I would absolutely not drive my car through it. I did that once with my old NSX and nearly had a heart attack.

 

Majors are now time based. Ferrari recommends 3 years but most dealers will tell you off record 4-5 is fine. That should be the least of your worries. You need a really good plan should the car breakdown. You are not going to find experience or parts mid way on your trip. Too risky for my blood.

 

Cars break down all the time regardless of what your driving. If the car is mechanically sound, you should have no problem driving it back.

 

I would never take a road trip in a car that didn't come with a spare tire. I doubt AAA would cover a 1,000 mile tow.

 

Epic drive. Just do it. No fear. Life story regardless of outcome!

 

Take southern route, I-8 to Phoenix, then I-10 to SA, then up. Longer, but likely less issues with mountains/frost/snow than other routes. If you do the big drive, please document with pics & best wishes for a safe trip...T

 

Agreed!

I flew to California once to buy an 87 Turbo Buick that turned out to be junk. I found a 4 speed 78 trans am that was for sale locally and drove it back home with a friend.

It would do exactly 200 miles a tank at 100mph. We started running out of time (had to be to work the next day) so we kicked it up to 110mph per tank.

Only problem was the clutch throwout bearing died when we were 50 miles away from home.

Still made it and it was the best road trip I ever had.

There are no certainties in life. You could pick up a brand new 458 and have it break down on the way home. If you can't stomach the thought of that then have it transported for sure but I for one would drive it

 

^^ This is the kind of epic journey we are talking about. Make your own history. Do it. Just go southern route. You don't want to drive that sled in a freak snow storm. Ask me about my April trek across the Rockies in a Spring snowstorm in a 1980 Vette, circa 1984.

 

Drove my 348 from SanFran to Milwaukee,WI. Estimated $600 for gas and only used $300. Avg. 26mpg, I think she qualifies as a "green" vehicle.

So, DO IT!

 

If you can stay away from the snow and ice I wouldn't worry about the car at all. Once you've made a few long trips in her with no problems you will get much more confident in it.
You have to just do it and see. Hondas break down too.
If I worried about it where I'm at I'd never take my cars past the end of the block. I'd be lucky to find a truck that could even load it here in rural Montana.

I lost the clutch in my 348 this summer and my daughter had to bring our pickup and tow me home 30 miles with a tow rope. Just make sure you have a tow hook and roll out
If you're worried about putting miles on it then you will never enjoy the car and your ownership experience MAY feel more like a burden then it should.
Too many pansy asses own Ferraris don't be one!

 

+1

 

+1

 

Too funny and so true! Do it! If you spend your life worrying too much about the risk you will: 1. Not have much fun and 2. Have very few epic stories to tell your buddies over a beer.

 

1) Do these cars typically overheat easily in traffic?
Generally no unless it gets up into the 105dF range. These temperatures will not be present over the next week or so.

2) Would it ruin the resale value?
No, not in the slightest. A nice long run has a way of rejuvenating a car as all the connectors get thousands of tiny flexes, and subdues one of the garage queen syndromes.

3) Silly question but after how many miles is the next major?
It is not a question of miles, unless you are putting 10K miles per year on the thing.
It is a question of years.
Factory recommends 3.
Many of us go 5.
A few of us go 7.

 

Not only that but the 348/355 braintrust is quite thick. There are many along the way who would help in a pinch. Az has a very large number. If your PPI is solid go for it.

 

I drove my Diablo from Seattle to Irvine, with an overnight stop in Oregon and a few days in SF doing some drives with the Norcal Exotics club before heading the rest of the way down.

I'm sure there are some people who thought that I was crazy to do that trip. Imagine breaking down in central Oregon at 11pm at night as a possible nightmare scenario

It all boils down to has the car been gone over and properly prepped, and will you encounter snow? A car that is an unknown quantity or snow/ice on the road would be a no-go for me.

In terms of values, my general impression of Ferraris (and V12 Lamborghinis) is that once you crack 10,000-12,000 miles total on the odometer, it instantly becomes a "driver" until such a time as the cars become very hard to acquire in any sort of condition and mileage becomes much less of a pricing factor. I bet a 100K mile 250 GTO in great condition would still not be shunned at the auction block, in fact it may make it ironically even MORE rare/expensive lol

To me, based on talking with owners (inc. horror stories), 355 prices should be all about condition. Especially given the stories of cars having their speedos disconnected etc. When I go to buy one it will be all about condition and results of an expert PPI.

So I say if someone reputable (such as Norwood out there) signs off on her to make the trip, and it isn't snowing (southerly route shouldn't be), then GO FOR IT! The only insane thing would not be giving me a ride if you bring her up to Irvine C&C some time