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

In fact kill 2 birds with one stone. Put some BG BK44 in the gas tank on the way to SD. The long drive and the BG will clean those combustion chambers then you can go at the belts when you get home. There is nothing better for a car than a nice long drive.

 

I would go to a local shop where the car is located, do a full check-up, top up all fluids, make sure everything is sound then just hit the road. Also, try to get one of those space saver spare tire in case your car does not have one. but the trip will deff be a great bonding experience with your new car.

 

AAA
Credit Card
Camera
Car cover

Go for it.

The belts are not the issue. The water pump, PS pump, radiators, AC, etc are the problem....and you can survive all of that.

 

Do it!

I drove 2200 miles from Los Angeles to Indianapolis the beginning of last month. You can read the play-by-play here. ---> http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/463879-2200-miles-across-usa-my-348-a.html

Did something go wrong?
Yes.

Did I fix it?
Yes.

Was I scared?
No.

Would I do it again?
Sure why not. But I would wait until the weather was more favorable next time. OH, and make sure I wasn't using a 12 year old alternator belt. D'OH!!!!

 

X 10 when I first bought my 355 this forum had me petrified. It had me thinking the car was about to self destruct. there was so much ***** a$$ bickering about the smallest stuff. Its a car its not perfect but it is mechanical so it could break down. If its sound and well sorted then it should be fine. If your going to whiteknuckle it the whole way dont do it...if you can drive it and relax it will be an epic trip. Look its a car nothing more. Its nuts and bolts and wires..if it breaks fix it and dont *****. I would think risking a break down is better than watching it collect dust in the garage.... When it comes to this stuff I always ask myself one question....on my deathbed will I say I wish i wouldnt have done that..my 2 cents

 

This and this!!

Your car sounds solid. It isn't that fragile. Check your AAA coverage, maybe get a spare, pack some basic tools and stay away from the weather if possible.

I would do it in a heartbeat. The only reason I didn't drive mine on delivery was because it was February in the NE.

Hey if you need a copilot I might fly out and make the trio with you!!

 

Did somebody say roadtrip...?

Fantastic.

I drove from Denver to Phoenix the scenic, long way through the mountains in the winter to pick mine up. Pick your route and timing based on the weather. Just went round trip from Phoenix to LA to San Diego and back. Fantastic. Ran like an industrial sewing machine.

How many opportunities do you get to do something like this in your life?

Just follow the advice in this thread and go for it. You won't regret it.

Robb.
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haha you have never driven this drive huh?? there is literally one turn the whole trip..haha No snow..no mountains..just some rolling hills

Fyi.. From San Antonio to El Paso.. there is nothing..i mean nothing out there..so good luck..

 

Am I crazy? If theres snow and the roads are clear I would love it....this week in Mich there was a light snow. The grass was white and a light powder that would scatter from under a car... I was bummed I was working I wanted to rip the roads in my Spider top up snow blowing everywhere... Sorry I missed it wont happen again for sure

 

I've driven multiple 355s cross country. One hadn't had a belt service in over 7 years, and I drove it from FL -> TX. Purred like a kitten the entire way.

Do it!

 

Yes, insane. Insanely awesome! I bought mine in Miami and drove it to Richmond, a thousand miles in two days and it was a great experience. The prior owner had bought it in Seattle and driven it to Miami, about as far as you can go in the continental US. My car was purchased new in southern California and I've driven it as far north as upstate New York, so it's been to the four corners of the continental US.

 

Now, now. There is Ozona & Fort Stockton. Ok, you got me, there is a whole lot of nothing on that stretch of I-10! However, you can legally do 80 MPH once you leave El Paso's county until near Monahans on I-20. Don't know where 80 MPH peters out on 10...T

 

I have to ask, what did you get (GTB, GTS, F1, 6sp, Red, silver, etc., etc.)? Did you find it here in Austin?

 

Drive it! Just watch the weather forecast, and bring a friend. Good or bad, everything is better with good company.

 

Mitch Alsup is an expert, and I would never claim to know more than he or anyone else on F-Chat does. But as a new owner just a few months ago, I did not realise my RHS radiator fan was not working until I noticed the car would begin to overheat when idling. This would happen even in cool weather. Getting up to speed would instantly bring the coolant temperature gauge down.

This could be a blown fuse, a bad fan or a heat-fatigued temperature sensor located deep within the engine bay (the RHS rad fan is triggered by the ECU, unlike the LHS which is triggered by a dedicated temp sensor).

To quickly test this, let the car idle (or just drive around town for 5-10 min) and see if the thermostat inches up beyond 190 F (the middle). Listen to both rad intakes to make sure both fans work as the gauge passes 190 F. I only heard the left side fan go on, and my gauge would continue to creep towards the red zone. Not sure if a PPI might catch this.

 

drive it!
drove mine in the heat of summer from Houston to Vegas in 2 days...no issues at all
we own these GREAT cars to enjoy...not to worry about!

 

When you get her home ... PM if you'd like to join us on some drives. I live near Carlsbad and we do drives on Sundays. Group is called 'Just Drive It'.

 

+1 I heard you can even drive them in the rain and they wont melt

 

As many have already advised, just *$^&@()$^@ DO IT!!!!!! You only live once. We are all the sum of our adventures, right???

Side note: 2 1/2 years ago I bought my 365GTC/4 and it was located 400 miles north of me in Carmel. I "almost" was going to ship it, then I realized WTF, I am missing out on a bucket list opportunity!!!

So I flew up at the crack of dawn with my middle daughter and we drove a 40 year old Ferrari home down the PCH. One of my best memories with the car!!!
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That's fantastic, Rob. Awesome car too

 

I believe its 85 from Austin to San Antoine.. then its 80.. but anybody who ever has traveled it knows if your doing 80.. its very dangerous, esp at night.. its not uncommon for 18 wheelers to convoy doing 90-110..in the right lane!!!haha

I have done the trip from LA to Houston a few times.. and that part sucks ...a lot.. but the rest is fun.. and the Houston to Jacksonville is a lot funner...

I wouldn't hastite to take my 348.. but i don't think it would be all that comfortable.. but i drive 12-24 hours just about straight thru usually.. now my vette or Porsche.. very nice to drive long ways!!

Ft Stockton is only cool once a year for the BBORR!!

 

Interesting question I actually have broke down more around town and never on a road trip.
I would just buy a cheap obd reader so if a light comes on you don't have to drive for 2 days not knowing what's wrong.

Check all fluids,ie coolant tranny oil, engine oil windshield wiper fluid clutch and brake.

Then just check for leaks when fuelling, and drop the hammer.

 

As a 348 owner, I did Canada to California and back, car ran perfect, but the a/c failed during a heat spell. 3 hours in bumper-bumper traffic at 100-110F wasn't fun but the oil and water temps stayed normal. There isn't a whole lot of seat padding, nor much room for your left leg compared to DD's. Do it!