My First Ferrari

Been saving up for years...in February 2011, I checked the fund balance and IT WAS TIME!!! Shopping began with the F355, but the first few I looked at just weren't THE ONE. I got on a Mondial T kick for a few weeks (still love 'em...I will have a "T" before I'm gone), but again, couldn't find the right one. And then...I saw it...a 1999 Berlinetta in Titanio Grigio over Rosso Corsa. It was instant...I knew it...this was THE ONE. Fresh Major performed in October 2010. Lots of talking and negotiating over a span of 3 weeks...a PPI...more talking and negotiating. And finally, a first class seat on a 7:00am Delta flight to O'Hare on 4/7/11 for the pickup!! Got pulled over on the way back to Detroit by an Indiana State Trooper because my temporary plate was on the front, not the back, of the car. He really dug the sound of the car (Challenge Exhaust) and encouraged me to "Give 'Em A Show" on the way out. I did, and the cop gave me a big "thumbs up"!! Tires were rotten, and I knew it...I just didn't expect to shred one just outside of South Bend. Friendly flat-bed low-boy operator/owner "Randy" drove me to The Tire Rack World Headquarters and we dropped the car off. I stayed in a crappy hotel room going over my service history and manuals, eating pizza, calling someone to take care of my dog back in Detroit (RIP Monty...the Ferrari of Dogs), and getting maybe 2 hours of sleep. Next morning, I showed up to a virtual VIP treatment at The Tire Rack, including an introduction to owner Peter Veldman and a tour of the impressive facility. One hour and $1150.00 later, I rolled back out on the road on Michelin Pilot Super Sports. A superb ride home!!
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Yes!! I live in Royal Oak. You?

 

Post a pic when you can! Maybe the tire thing is a plot hatched by clever Michelin rep!!

 

Oh man...that is a gorgeous color!!

 

Thanks!!

 

Addiction is right!! 6 speeds with that nice clinky shift gate!!

 

I'm here to tell you....it will happen! And, when it does, you won't find a better resource than here on FerrariChat!!

 

Truer words were never spoken!!

 

I've been up and down Woodward a few times...there's a little get together near Normandy every Friday evening...mostly Tuner cars. We need to stake out a spot and make it ALL ITALIAN!!

I've done all work on the car myself so far. Engine mounts, couple of new oil hoses, alternator rebuild, shock rebuild and spring swap back to stock, CV boot replacement. Patience has been the key so far...there are usually quite a few things to remove in order to get to the thing that needs fixing, so I've found that if I don't get rushed or anxious things go pretty smoothly. Nothing like doing it yourself, in my opinion...and saving money for more important things is quite a bonus. I try to do my work late at night, to avoid encroaching on family time. My wife is adjusting well to my new mistress...still a bit jealous, but that's normal with one of these Italian beauties laying around.