Lurkers -- come out and play

So the California isn't the way to go you think? What if you had your choice of next years models?

 

Hi, I'm Jon, I'm a Ferrariholic. I haven't touched, smelled or driven a Ferrari in over a month. I don't think I'm going to make it much longer. I'm all about that "horse."

_J

 

What are you looking for in your ferrari? Grand touring? then the California is your car, along with the older 599 or 612. DIY stuff is important to you? get something 348 or older. You want outright performance? wait for the 458. Or maybe pick up the 430 scud. Actually for grand touring just get a good 550.

 

I think I want something that will give me a quintessential Ferrari experience, although I would be hard pressed to tell you exactly what that is, seeing as how I know exactly 0 people who own a Ferrari.

I am not a total fan of the look of the California, something seems not quite Ferrari enough about its appearance. I really love high performance cars, I own some American muscle cars and would like to add a European supercar to the mix. I have narrowed it down to this brand because of the storied nature of the Enzo house and the quality of the product they turn out.

That said, I know nothing about the cars in general.

I would like something that will blow me back in my (luxuriously appointed)seat when I push the gas.

Perhaps I should mention I am a woman, not sure if that makes a difference.

 

Well if you don't like the looks the California is out. By the sounds of it you want something relatively comfortable, and fast. Your really are looking at the 550, 575 or the 599. The 612 may just be too heavy, its really not my style, but again I don't expect everyone to have the same taste. I guess the 612 is too grown up and soft by my standards. Some of the used 599s are around new california prices. But if around 250k is too much. I honestly say 550. From what I have noticed, Those are the f/r setup v12 cars that you can do a semblance of DIY maintenance work out of the modern v12 Ferraris. They are by far the least expensive of the lot. All the late front engined Ferraris are sheer luxury/sport. The 599 I am not that big a fan of purely because of the Aston Martin DBS.

Just about any of the late model Ferraris will blow you back into the seat when the loud pedal gets a press.

So my advice? Get a 550. If you are a muscle car gal you probably know some DIY stuff and the 550 will allow you to do some of the work. The 575 well they are simply faster. They look the same, just as complex, . The 599 is more complicated and pricier, and IMO not as pretty.

Only thing to look for. Make sure they have documented maintenance records.


I should mention I am a man(technically by my maturity a boy) and I must say I have 0 experience in being a woman, so I have absolutely no idea if it makes any difference. So I can't help out on that one.

Hope that helped.

 

I just wanted to take a moment thank all of you for taking the time to help me piece this thought out a bit in my head.

I looked up the 550 online and LOVE the lines on it, I definitely want something in a Spyder type variety. I like the 599s too, looks wise.

Is there any advantage to buying new? As I understand, Ferraris have abysmal warranties. Do most people buy used?

 

Unless you buy a super Ferrari like the Enzo, F50, F40, 288 gto. Or some of the older classics you have to suffer depreciation.

To me buying new is a personal choice. With the exception to the 458 Italia I don't particularly fall head over heels for anything newer than the 550/575.

If you absolutely fell head over heel for the latest model and are willing to fork over a ton of cash possibly more than retail go for it.

I would also recommend the 550 barchetta. The 599 is definitely a superior car overall, but the 550 has already taken its major depreciation hit and you can't lose too much over what you can get one for now. The 599 has a long way to go befoe it slows its depreciation.

Ultimately its your call. Ferraris always command a bit of attention from the irrational side too, so this is one of the few places where the illogical decision is still the right decision.

So if you must have the 599 get the 599, but the 599 never got a spider variant just to let you know. If you must have a new spider, get a f430 spider. But quick word of warning the 550 is a significantly better grand tourer than any of Ferraris mid engined cars. So if you are looking at a f430 keep that in mind too.

 

Hello everyone...

My name's Gary, I live in Nashville, TN. I'm a guitar player, I know, "Imagine that?" I also build and service guitar amplifers.

I've been a Ferrari fan all my life. I grew up in Reno, NV and had the chance to see Bill Harrah's collection (when it was fully intact) many times over the years, my favorite part was always the Italian sportscars... specifically Ferrari. Bill used to tool around town in a Boxer quite a bit, as did Bill Cosby... in one of Bill's cars. What a car!

I don't own a Ferrari, maybe someday. I do have a good friend with a '98 F355GTB and sometimes I imagine that's better than owning one... he just had the major service.
I'm currently babysitting the car as his new house is being refurbished and the garage is not available.
For fun, I detailed his car... using a lot of excellent tips I learned from the "Technical Q. and A." section of this site. I may just get into detailing as a sideline or take it up a notch and do it full time. I LOVE making a car look like it rolled out of the showroom... or better.

I'm also an F1 fan, have been since watching the classic races on "Wide World of Sports" when I was a kid in the '60's. These days I'm a big Felipe Massa fan and I'm looking forward to next season. Hopefully the red car will be competitive again.

This is a great site, lots of knowledgeable people and certainly some great eye candy!

 

Hello all,
My name is Christopher. I live in Minneapolis and run an import/export company with my brother. I've loved cars all my life and Ferrari in particular. I enjoy reading all of your experiences and the shared passion and knowledge. No Ferrari in the garage yet but I'm only 28 and that will come. Looking forward to becoming a more participating member of the community.

C.

 

I've waited and dreamed for almost 40 yrs but I finally purchased my first Ferrari - a 2001 360 F1 spider. Sometimes I just stand in my garage and look at it. Its amazingly therapeutic to drive. The radio is useless - I just listen to the whine of of the engine and get all the music I need. Boy am I going to enjoy this - the hell with how many miles I put on it.

 

Just updated my profile. I'd love to have a 360 some day. Continuing to look and doing my homework. Lots of good advice here. I'm an NSX and Carrera owner so have already dabbled into some pretty neat machinery.

 

Might as well throw something up here!

Checking in from the Chicagoland area, always been a fan of the prancing horse brand, and some day my small car audio/motorcycle business will give me the means to own a F355. For now, my '91 300zxTT will do just fine

 

Hello all,

Name's George. I'm from San Diego. I've always been a Ferrari fan but I'm a broke student haha. I drive a Toyota MR2 - only sudden acceleration issue here is due to my right foot! =D

 

Hello all,

My name is Gino, I live in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area. Pretty new to Ferraris, I am a certified Ducati nut- got three of those and two are track only.

I've been lurking for a few months now, not an owner just yet. Hoping for the end of 2010 for my first Ferrari. I've been studying up on 360's and 550's, and maybe a 355 here or there...they are all beautiful cars!

I'm currently a Porsche man, and the GT3 is an outside second choice.

Any ideas on how I can get a test drive in any of these cars? (I've already track driven the GT3 and Turbo)

I have never driven a paddle shift gearbox, right now I'm leaning hard towards the traditional shifter, but you never know....it would be great to get some seat time in some of these cars.

Thanks!

Gino

 

You can rent a 430 and drive it all week.
http://www.gothamdreamcars.com/miami/ferrari-360-spider-rental.htm

 

Ha! I just had dinner with those guys.

They have a nice fleet, too.

Gino

 

building a track car, OK here goes, start with molds for a Miami mice spyder :-0 that is the end of any corvette association. Oval and round tube frame, with an Alfa spider passenger compartment to replicate a 365 gtb/4 competition coupe style body. With plexiglass windows so it will never be street legal. Drivetrain is a combination of Porsche 928 torque tube and transaxle with 400i V12 motor. Ferrari powered track car for about the price of a new M3. That's more than a 308, but I want the V12 experience.
So I have 2 questions.

1. could I bring it to a Ferrari Club track day? Please remember that track day with a Ferrari V12 is it's only reason for being.

2. should I badge it? Actually I have no plans to do so, but thought I would ask.

I don't consider it any less respectable than the P4 replicas. but that is just my opinion. And this thread is the most flame proof way of asking for your opinion.

 

I've lurked for a bit, so I thought I'd write a quick intro.

My name is Zane. I'm 28 and currently working as a wealth manager and investment consultant. I've been around cars my whole life, and they're truly one of my passions (along with mechanical watches and music). My first car was a 1993 Camaro Z28 - which I still have.

I believe that Ferraris are one of the top exotic/sports cars in the world and hope to one day own a 360 Challenge or 430 Scud.

 

Cool those bmr's are great. I am 28 and finally got my Ferrari after loving them all of my life! I went through alot of cars before I got here and I think that was alot of the fun, in fact I still go through alot! Anyway, welcome and good luck!

 

That is cool that you still have your first. I do too, a 1964 1/2 ford mustang that is finally getting a well deserved reto!

 

What's up! I'm Aaron, love all the info on the site its a great source. Currently a Dental student in Seattle. Originally from Montana so moving to Seattle has been amazing in regards to seeing so many exotic cars, especially 360 CS (I prefer white).

 

Hello, I've lurked since 2004, joined in 2008, finally posted. Been a f1 racing and ferrari fanatic since I was a teenager in the '70s. btw To all those fortunate enough to own please please drive as much as possible so I might get to see it!

 

Just picked up a 1981 308 GTSi so I have picked up some great tips on the forum to get it back on the road again. Looking forward to being a member of the chat community as I restore my car. I'm looking forward to getting out of the Porsche 914 community when I sell my 74 2.0 and all of the parts I've collected. Those guys want everything for nothing and its a tough crowd when you try to make a buck parting out cars.

I've also got a 78 Trans Am I'm restoring.

Got my first ticket in a friends 77 308 GTB in 1982. I've been hooked ever since.

David

 

Just wanted to say hi. I actually stumbled upon this forum a week or so looking into custom shirts. Not a ferrari owner, but really appreciate them as the beautiful machines that they are. And living in South Florida I tend to see a lot of them around, a person can dream right. Thanks
chad