New member waiting (im-)patiently

Hello fellow Ferrari-chatters.

My name is Ulli, I'm from Germany and last month I ordered my first Ferrari, a 458 Italia. I've been to Maranello doing the final configuration and am now stuck waiting for it.

My former (sport-)cars have both been Porsche, first a 996 Turbo and recently a 997 Turbo. Those were great performing, solid and rigid cars (very german ) but somehow lacked -at least for me- that certain feeling of life that all of us here seem to have in common.

So, without further ado (and without You asking for it...), here's my config:

- outside: Nero daytona, red calipers, no SF-badge (don't like the optically vertical breach they produce in the smooth flow from the front wheel arches to the back ones)
- inside: 2-colour leather/alcantara black/bordeaux, red stitching (black on dashboard because of reflections)
- 20" Diamond finish rims
- front lift + AFS
- carbon fibre racing seats in L
- basic sat nav/CD/radio + iPod-connection
- front/rear parking sensors
- electrochromic mirrors in-/outside
- tyre pressure/temp monitor
- thermo insulating windscreen
- personal add-ons: bordeaux alcantara center-stripe on black steering wheel, black leather stripe running through bordeaux alcantara mid-area of seat, silver wheel-caps with RED prancing horse (so it will be all red and black in the sideview starting from the calipers across the wheel-caps right on to the rear-lights)

Delivery is said be in Q4 2011 (yes, THAT quickly) but I am feeling the pain of waiting already.

Cheers from the land of (at least partially) unlimited highway-speed !

 

Hello again to all and thanks for the warm reception 'round here - much appreciated !

I wanted to achieve a rather laid-back, stylish impression with my external/interior combo as the 458 in itself is 'loud' and attracts interest anyway. My wife told me if I was to order a RED one, she wouldn't even step inside of it (OK, she'll get out quickly anyway once she learns just how furious that machine with her hubby behind the wheel can be... ).

Yes, the time to delivery IS short. I placed the order in june this year. To me it seems to be a question of production slots being reserved for certain dealerships (?) and I was just lucky to place my order at the right time. Also, keep in mind that many orders were not placed for delivery in the winter season plus that I'm located in Europe 'just a couple of miles' away from the factory.

I'm really looking forward to taking posession of that sculpture of a machine (don't dare to call it 'car'). It's so d*mn emotional !

On the shields: Mind You, I did NOT listen to what apparently EVERY Ferrari-sales-person tries to bang into your head: 'Shields are a MUST-have !'

Explaining my reasons for NOT picking them to the (very kind -Hi Vittorio- !) guy at the atelier, he was able to follow my arguments. For one, they simply disturb the side-view line. Second, SF always stood for the RACING section of Ferrari. So I'd say, stick the shields to a 458 Scuderia only. Just my 2 cts, of course.

Stay comfy and I will post pictures, of course (even though I guess I'll only officially register it in january/february next year).

All the best,
Ulli

 

Thanks for that and so kind of You to say so.

Cheers !
Ulli

P.S.:
Your cheque is on it's way NOW...