How old where you the first time you drove a Ferrari - and what model was it?

You and I are in the same boat.

Now my first ride in a Ferrari was P 4/5, so the bar has been set a tad high.

 

Early 20s, 308 and frankly thought it was a huge disappointment. Bought a Pantera which have finally eclipsed the 3x8 in value as I personally thought they always should have all along.

 

I was 54 the first time I drove a Ferrari. It was the rosso corsa 456M I had bought sight unseen and paid cash for (I saw photos and got the Carfax). Technically, I owned the car for a week before I even drove it! Picked it up and drove it home, some 250 miles or so. Had to drive it home in my stocking feet because the pedals were too close for my running shoes!!!

As background, I fell in love with the original 456 when it came out in Europe back in '93. The 95's were the first year model available in the US, and I drove all the way to the dealership in Dallas - or is it Plano? - just to see it. I was a broke doctoral candidate at the time and never thought I'd actually ever own one.

It's for sale BTW, as I want to move up to a 612.

Cheers,

George
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64, and test drove a 575 F1, bought this one
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Wow! It looks like a carved silver ingot. What is that color called?

Cheers,

George

 

19, last year when a very generous friend and owner of a 2010 California allowed me to live out a dream. Still can't get over it, at the time it was probably the 2nd or 3rd car I've ever driven. Due to my obsession with Fcars getting used to it was almost instantaneous. I still remember downshifting from 6th to 3rd in a small tunnel before giving it some gas with the top down. Absolutely brilliant car. Thanks again V.

I hope there are more I will get to experience.

 

argento nurburgring I believe, car is not here yet.

Ferrari colors

 

I was 18, my dads F348...that when I know one day I had to have one...so I worked my ass off and I have a beautiful 360...hopefully one day a 458...IMO the sexiest car ever made

 

at age 16, Coming from less than nothing and surrounded by disfunction and abuse (another story) I was working at a very small Dealer as an apprentice to the autobody tech and the owner came in to ask any one if they could drop off a car for service at a shop down the road and would have to walk back. The older guys clearly did not want to so I agreed being the new guy and all. I walked out to the lot while looking at the strange almost guitar shaped key the boss handed me and almost fell over when I saw the Red Ferrari 308GTS waiting! The short trip was unforgettably full of inspiring sculpture, smell and sound, After a hell of alot of work I bought my own at 38
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17. 355 Spider. I was a detailer.....

 

Age 33 - 1987 328 GTS - Test drive at FCI in Greensboro, NC - ending up buying that car.

 

Now that's a great story!

 

The first time I drove a Ferrari was on April 18, 2013 (I memorized the date because I've replayed the experience over and over again in my head a thousand times), I was 17 years old, and it was 458 Italia.

A friend had called me over to his garage to check out a new toy he had added to his collection, which already consisted of an Enzo, a Ford GT, a 430 Spider, and an NSX, so I rushed over there as fast as I possibly could. I got to the location and he was washing a 458 Italia in giallo modena with a tan leather interior. Absolutely beautiful.

We caught up for a bit, I asked him a few questions as he continued to wash the car, and eventually I asked "What's it like to drive?" I was expecting him to say "Oh it's fun" or "Great car to drive," but instead he reached into his pocket, threw me the key, and said "Go ahead and find out for yourself." Definitely made my week (month, or maybe year...)

I ended up fish-tailing the car during a launch, but it was easy to control and I had an absolute blast! So much control, power, and good looks to match. Ferraris were already my favorite brand, but this really made that permanent.

Unfortunately, I forgot to have the owner take a picture of me while I was driving, so instead I just took a few after the drive with the biggest grin on my face which lasted the rest of the week.

It's too bad that I lost touch with the owner because he was a superb man and definitely one who loves to share his passion for cars.
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Age 16, working at a local dealer and they needed someone to drive a F430 Spider to a car show, needless to say it was a great day.

 

I had my first drive in one when I was 3 or 4 in a testarossa. That started my passion. Starting age 21 I drove a ferrari myself for the first time. It was a 575 Superamerica with grigio silverstone exterior and cuoio interior. After that I had a long series of ferraris that I could drive. Now I am 23.

so far I have driven pretty much everything incl. enzo, 599 gto, 250 cali swb, 458, f12, FF, 550 barchetta, and many many more. Other cars too including the veyron but nothing ever did the job like ferrari.

 

I was 25 years old & flew to NY to look at a Maserati Ghibli. It wouldn't start (!), so I drove a used Ferrari 308GT4. I remember we went from White Plains to somewhere up near Vasser College, & I drove the car about 40 miles back to White Plains. It was a great experience, and I remember thinking it was like a well-built, larger & faster version of my Lotus Europa Special. I certainly intend that as a compliment. Very memorable day.
I have had a Mondial 3.2 for 12 1/2 years, with most of that time as a daily driver, and I'd love to drive another GT4 to see if it lives up to my impressions.

 

33 and a 308 gtb. The first day of the rest of my life..............

 

56. I purchased the car(430 spider) never having driven one. After a tutorial and many questions later I drove the beast.

 

47 in a 1986 Sera blue 328GTS. Did not buy it as I wasn't ready for a Ferrari. Now at 56 I have a 2007 F430.

 

For my 21st birthday a couple of months ago. Been saving for a 360 for about a year and got a present to drive an F430 round a track. Was brilliant and now I can't wait to own one.

 

21. I bought a totaled Mondial 8. I spent 9 months putting it all back together (Did the work myself). I can still remember how nervous I was that first weekend drive after it was done. I also remember that a good running RX7 would beat the tar out of it. But it was a Ferrari! I did the work, and best of all, it was MINE!

About a year later, I sold it and the money helped put me through school. That was a great car!

 

At 38 I had the opportunity to drive a 458. Simply put. Amazing. Every fantasy you've ever had about a Ferrari is summed up in the driving experience.
A year later I was able to purchase a 360. Nowhere near as fast but just as enjoyable to drive. And every day I walk into the garage it puts a smile on my face.

 

Great thread as I really enjoy hearing everyone's first Ferrari experience.

 

35. 348.

Two months later I bought one.