First Week with my F-Car | FerrariChat
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First Week with my F-Car

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Ari Car, Sep 19, 2009.

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  1. Ari Car

    Ari Car Karting

    Aug 29, 2009
    103
    NE United States
    Full Name:
    J
    #1 Ari Car, Sep 19, 2009
    Okay, so I just finished my first week with my 2003 360 Modena. Wow, what a week. She now has 350 miles more than she had at this time last week (started with 9,322). After the first couple of bad start attempts (due to my being unfamiliar with the sequence of steps, not anything wrong with the car) and one OMG moment when she wouldn't start at all (turns out I had parked her in gear and wasn't pressing the brake forcefully enough while trying to put her back into neutral), it has been absolutely smooth sailing!

    Although I took the time to install the Becker iPod cable, I haven't listened to any music because this car sounds so friggin' unreal that who wants to listen to anything else?!? Not sure what she would have sounded without the Tubi, but she sure sounds as close to automotive perfection as I can personally imagine with it...

    It has been a long time since I have driven an exotic. For the past 8 years I have been driving a series of Priuses -- don't laugh, even though this 360 easily could be a daily driver, with a 60 mile round trip commute, I couldn't deal with the environmental footprint of it. So, I completely forgot just how often people react to seeing a Ferrari out on the road...I guess the best way to summarize it is as either "grins or grimaces."

    Last Sunday I had the idiot on the crotch rocket that wanted to race (I passed), Tuesday I had the Minivan Mom riding my a-- and flashing her brights because I wasn't going fast enough (I was doing 35 on a 30 MPH street in a school zone), LOTS and LOTS of thumbs up, lots of cell phone cameras and the occasional "20 questions" about the car from folks as I am getting into or out of her, at the gas station, car wash, etc.

    Thursday evening when I was driving my son to a doctor's appointment was the most fun. On the highway drive to the doc's office we ended up spotting a Red Mustang GT with a bumper sticker that said "In Torque We Trust." He has a big old police shield in his window and pulled up next to us with a big smile and thumbs up. Five minutes later, after losing sight of him, we arrive at a toll booth and who is immediately next to us at exactly the right moment? Mr. In Torque We Trust. Since he seemed like a really good natured fellow, I hit it...and so did he. We pretty much smoked him and that was the first time that I really took the car to redline 3 gears in a row. The broad smile and giggle Mr. Torque flashed when we had slowed back down to normal traffic speed and he pulled up next to us was priceless...

    Anyway, enough rambling, it has been a fabulous week. The one thing that I cannot figure out is how the prior owner managed to put just 1,600 miles on the car in 16 months is beyond me...having a portable amusement park in my garage and not driving it? Impossible. Folks, enjoy your cars, life is short!!
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,580
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #2 Bullfighter, Sep 19, 2009
    Congrats and I agree.

    As much as Porsche, BMW, Merc and Audi build great cars, there really is nothing like driving a Ferrari. In a world of milquetoast cars -- Camrys, Odyesseys and yes, Priuses ;) -- it's a very good thing when someone drives a car that actually means something.
     
  3. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,687
    #3 Mitch Alsup, Sep 19, 2009
    I always wonder about people who put big $$$ stereos in Ferraris. Mine came with a 500 Watt super-duper jobber. Since I've owned the car (8 years) the stereo has been on exactly 3 times. Once was the test drive.....

    1: why not just listen to the motor
    2: can you even hear the stereo over the motor
     
  4. Ari Car

    Ari Car Karting

    Aug 29, 2009
    103
    NE United States
    Full Name:
    J
    #4 Ari Car, Sep 19, 2009
    Amen and if you could hear the radio over the motor.

    1. Why would you want to?
    2. You're not driving hard enough! ;)

    Anyway, yes, a Prius is transportation plain and simple -- and darn good transportation. A Ferrari is an adventure and the pinnacle of automotive design IMHO. My Dad had a 2006 Porsche 911S. Told me I could use it anytime I wanted. I took it out twice in the three years he owned it. Drove it hard, but sadly, for me and IMO, it just never came across as much more than transportation to me, and spending close to six figures for transportation just doesn't make sense. Ferraris stir your soul.

    Frankly, those of us that own them (and yes I know that I am a big time noob), should thank our lucky stars that we are in a position to do so and revel in every minute with these cars...BTW, the weekly mileage tally is up to 425...

     
  5. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,212
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #5 PAP 348, Sep 19, 2009
    Fantastic to hear Ari!! :D:D

    Congrats and enjoy mate. :):)
     
  6. UmarS2K

    UmarS2K Rookie

    Aug 11, 2009
    27
    SoCal
    #6 UmarS2K, Sep 20, 2009
    Nice. :)
     
  7. ferio

    ferio Karting

    Mar 10, 2009
    104
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Phil
    #7 ferio, Sep 22, 2009
    Great write up. Glad your enjoying it.
     
  8. andy308

    andy308 Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2005
    2,024
    Sarasota, FL
    Full Name:
    Andy
    #8 andy308, Sep 22, 2009
    Let's see some pics! Or did I miss the thread with the pics?
     
  9. VorteC

    VorteC Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2009
    562
    Toronto, ON
    Full Name:
    Elan
    #9 VorteC, Sep 22, 2009
    Yeah post some pics man! Really happy for ya!
     
  10. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
    5,611
    San Antonio
    #10 VisualHomage, Sep 22, 2009
    thank you for posting your account; helps me to live through your experience ;)
     
  11. 05011994

    05011994 Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 1, 2004
    1,865
    Golden, Colorado
    #11 05011994, Sep 22, 2009
    I got to spend an additional $1,500 fixing what some idiot did to the electrical system with their installation of a "great" stereo in my F355, had the car 3 years, stereo on maybe 3 times tops. At least it wasn't the issue of putting metal screws into an aluminum structure like some of the 360 guys have had to deal with ouch! Maranello music through a Tubi always beats anything on the IPOD!
     
  12. WJGESQ

    WJGESQ Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2004
    1,477
    #12 WJGESQ, Sep 22, 2009
    Environmental Footprint? What kind of footprint do you get when you dispose of a those electric car batteries? Aren't those batteries problematic from an environmental view point?

    Congrats on the F-Car.
     
  13. Ari Car

    Ari Car Karting

    Aug 29, 2009
    103
    NE United States
    Full Name:
    J
    #13 Ari Car, Sep 22, 2009
    I will be taking a complete set of pictures this coming weekend and posting them early next week. I am out of town on business and it is KILLING me to be not driving the 360!
     
  14. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,177
    Texass
    #14 Nurburgringer, Sep 22, 2009
    great post :)

    Feel much the same way about my first Ferrari, an '85 308 I've owned for almost 6 months and put a bit under 2000 miles on (~50 at Road America).

    Congrats and best of luck with her!
     
  15. ryankjb

    ryankjb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2006
    1,071
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    #15 ryankjb, Sep 22, 2009
    Great story!

    Congrats on the car, and enjoy in good health.
     
  16. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,774
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #16 AceMaster, Sep 22, 2009
    awesome, congrats and enjoy in good health!!
     
  17. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,774
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #17 AceMaster, Sep 22, 2009
    +1
     
  18. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,774
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #18 AceMaster, Sep 22, 2009
    That is exaclty what happened to me. When I was looking at buying a Ferrari for the first time, I asked the salesman if it had a CD player in it, and his response was "I am not sure, people don't typically listen to music when driving a Ferrari, they listen to the engine". I thought his response was odd, but that was because I was a Ferrari virgin and didn't know what he meant until I test drove it for the first time...and after that the last thing on my mind was a stereo.
     
  19. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,774
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #19 AceMaster, Sep 22, 2009
    That is exaclty what happened to me. When I was looking at buying a Ferrari for the first time, I asked the salesman if it had a CD player in it, and his response was "I am not sure, people don't typically listen to music when driving a Ferrari, they listen to the engine/exhaust". I thought his response was odd, but that was because I was a Ferrari virgin and didn't know what he meant until I test drove it for the first time...and after that the last thing on my mind was a stereo.
     
  20. FinishLine360S

    FinishLine360S Rookie

    Sep 22, 2009
    13
    #20 FinishLine360S, Sep 22, 2009
    i just picked up my 360 spider exactly a week ago, and i already put 700 miles on it. I grew up driving lambos, but the ferrari is one amazing machine. im almost annoyed with all the attention it gets no matter where i go. i guess you know what its like to be a celebrity when you drive your ferraris around. i personally was a little annoyed with the amount of attention but who cares its an amazing. hope to meet some of you one of these days in one of the cruises or meets.
     
  21. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2006
    15,130
    Deep South
    Full Name:
    PDG
    #21 GrayTA, Sep 23, 2009
    Congrats and welcome to the club. I loved reading your story!!


    PDG
     
  22. kevinmosleyI

    kevinmosleyI Karting

    Apr 30, 2009
    189
    Lawrenceville, GA
    Full Name:
    Kevin Mosley
    #22 kevinmosleyI, Sep 23, 2009
    Thanks for the story! :) Enjoy the car and drive it!!! -kevin
     
  23. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    #23 Jackmb1, Sep 23, 2009
    Congrats, and enjoy it.
     
  24. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    #24 hank sound, Sep 23, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2009
    Hi Ari Car,

    As regards the part about listening to your sound system - - - when I tell folks that in my five years of Fcar ownership, I've never turned mine on - - I'm asked why.
    My pet answer is: "because I have a built in Italian opera right behind my head".

    Congrats on your new "joy".

    Cheers, Hank
     
  25. ferrariKP

    ferrariKP F1 Rookie

    Jul 29, 2004
    3,994
    BKK/ LOS
    Full Name:
    Kenny
    #25 ferrariKP, Sep 23, 2009
    Glad u enjoy driving Ferrari...Likewise, time behind the wheel of my CS is always happy moment...

    Congrats,
     

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