Time to commit to Tuscany 2007

Can we have a vote on whether to have a gaurd or not

So far

Yes
Mark
Eugenio

No
Andrea


Ton, Patrick, Simon, Kevan, MarkP, MarcH?

If we all decide yes it will be €30 per car plus tax for 10 hours cover

 

Guys serious question - I am contemplating a car change and very much want a convertible - went today to look at certain cars and some were definitely too much money.

Some like 360 spiders offered good value for money, but without the usual V12 torque that I am used to and obviously need - as you know I am built for comfort, not speed - so not really sure 360 spider is right for me.

That leaves me considering other non Fcar alternatives and I wonder if a non Fcar would be welcome on the Tuscanny tour ?

Regretfully it will not be the Diablo roadster as that is just too impractical for a 2/3 week trip - the car I keep being drawn to isn't even Italian I am afraid - its British an Aston Martin DB9 Volante.

So Gentlemen your thoughts please ?

 

Lovely car, I'd have no problem particularly if I can have a go

 

Thanks Mark - one down

As for the guard I am more than happy to go with the flow and say yes.

 

Kevan,
As long as the car brings you and Linda to Tuscany, I could not care less for the type / manufacturer. I trust your good taste.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

I could not agree more!

 

1) Put all your eggs into one basket (lots of eggs, admittedly ) and get yourself a Daytona Spyder. There are some original period conversions that are cheaper than the ultra-rare (127 made) originals. The question is, would you risk such a jewel on a long trip?

2) F550 Barchetta. You still get the 12 cylinders, a wonderful shape, top notch performance, space for luggage. Just hope that it doesn't rain... You can pick them up starting from £90,000 in Switzerland. If you are interested I can point you to a few good ones.

3) F575 Superamerica. Very expensive, but more practical than the Barchetta. Again, a few for sale in Switzerland, price about £140,000.

Andrea

 

No problem with Aston Martins here. Polish chap - Tadek Marek designed their engines so they must be half decent ;-) Might be an issue in the hotel car park in Fiorano with all those blood crazed Ferrari fans around ;-)

Seriously though - that hotel's approach to security in its car park sounds like they're either very paranoid or that it's located in downtown Mogadishu.

 

Eugenio thank you - a gentleman as always.

Ton & Przemek thanks for your support.

 

Andrea all eggs are going in one basket - Lambo and Ferrari being sold to make way for new car !!

"Just hope that it doesn't rain" and the UK are not compatible

As you say very expensive - this was my reference to some cars being too much money. In the UK the cheapest 575SA is around £150k, with most being £160k +.

 

OK... here's another suggestion for a convertible that comes from Modena, is fast, agile, handles well, is spacious and yet comfortable on long trips: the Maserati Gransport Spyder.

I choose the Gransport over the ordinary Spyder because of its much improved body control, handling and brakes (and the 19'' wheels look awesome too). "Quattroruote" magazine tested one on the track, and despite being very "green" (low mileage) and hence not up to its optimum performance (about 2s too slow to 100mph compared to a properly run-in car) it still managed to lap their test track around the same time as a Porsche 997 Carrera S that was fitted with ceramic brakes, and much faster than the lap time of the F360 spyder!

Gransport Spyder. That's the car to go for.

 

Mark like Eugenio, I go with the flow.
Mmmmmm Kevan DB9 volante will definitely be allowed. The Aston V12 sounds better than anything thats come out of Maranello in recent years.

 

Hide the Aston for Veerle! She might want one afterwards!

 

Which Lambo do you hide all the time?

 

It's a Diablo Roadster I think... is that right Kevan? It's a very practical car, economical, easy to park, reliable, cheap to service, spacious and sensible for the family

Kevan, I have the car for you: MURCIELAGO ROADSTER. If you get that one I will personally polish it every single day of our Tuscany holiday and guard it with my life at night

 

As Andrea said
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Thanks Simon

 

Hellooo sire,

Been a manic time with work and was on holiday last week in Scotland, but back now and really looking forward to the trip this year - Zoe is too, and to meeting you all.

Sadly looks like Mike and Natasha will miss us by a day! Nat cannot get out of working the week we are in Tuscany, so they are heading there in the Lotus to arrive the Monday after we all leave - real pity, Mike is gutted!

Are you planning to get the early eurotunnel on the Friday morning? If so, can I be cheeky and borrow your spare room again? Or I don't mind sleeping in the Diablo (not sure if Zoe will be up for it though!!)

Thanks,


Marc

 

yes, with a beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer! (Peroni)

 

fab car, i don't mind sleeping in it instead of the 666. the rear light cluster makes me go all wobbly. do it!!

 

re: Security guard: happy to go with the majority vote, we had one in Scotland which was ultimately probably unnecessary but gave us peace of mind and gave the Glaswegian lad a fun job for a few nights and a scary ride in Andy's CS to remember.

re: Maranello sweaty smelly hot sticky crowds: delighted to be a part of it, clearly prefer to be involved as more than just a spectator in the crowd, but if thats what the deal is then so be it. NOT sure we'll get our special parking spaces this year!!!!!

 

Eugenio-in che parte di Tuscana abita lei?

 

You mean this parking?
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I do not live in Tuscany. I live nearby Lago Maggiore and my family has a summer house in Liguria, 60 km north of Tuscany.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

Agreed...