So I tend to agree. Perceived speed is more important to me than true speed. All cars five years and newer go zero to jail in less than 4 seconds. Brute noise assists with the perception of speed. My Performante constantly fools me into thinking I am going much faster than I am. Same with the 812, the shriek of the NA V12 does a great job of creating drama without terminal speed. Recently, my Ford GT has taught me valuable lessons. While certainly not “fast” in terms of modern cars, it’s no tech nannies “race car” feel combined with the old-fashioned hand shaker gives the sense you are building speed much faster than you really are. It’s about the perfect car for the street. That said, I am probably going to do the tune, pulley, x-pipe mod that takes the car from 550HP to about 675HP. It will be nice to know that there is little more thrust available if I need it. Another key issue for me is GPF. I just cannot bring myself to drive a car as sonically compromised as a car equipped with a GPF. My short list of acquisitions the next couple years is kind of wacky. I am probably going to add a 2017 Viper ACR in the next month or so. After that, I really want a 991 GT2 RS, a C8 Z06 (flat plane crank NA V8), a McLaren 765LT (I know...contradicting what I said earlier), and don’t laugh...a Dodge Demon. I know weird car selection, but I love cars that slot into distinctly different categories. I don’t like any overlap. With rare exception, every car I intend to own will be an “end of an era” type car.
Interesting list, I like the “end of an era” approach yet that is quite the variety. Sent from my 16M
I agree with the Ford GT. The design is perfect, truly flawless and timeless. Don’t sleep on the Pista though. To me that design is the high water mark for modern Ferrari’s. I think that car will be the F40 of its class. Desired, timeless, and a design success that will always be chased, but never duplicated.
I know, wacky variety. Thankfully, I love my wife so much, that I need ZERO variety in that area. With cars, not so much....
I don’t think the 765LT has GPF. 720S is already too quick for ones own good so that thing will be immense and will likely bring some of that sensation of terror (fun?) missing in the 720S. I’m sure it will be amazing. I find myself wanting to collect backwards as well. I really want a nicely kept ‘11/12 Aston Martin DBS. I think it’s one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I also want to look at a 675LT, could be just the perfect combo of raw and fast but likely still too damn fast.
My next car is a Porsche 911 Touring. I had one, sold it and completely regret it. However I’m out of garage space. Trying to convince the wife to let me build a basement garage with a car elevator. Enough for 3 cars. Would go right under the driveway so as not to mess with the foundation of the house.
and I have been on the Laguna track with Ben and his wife in both of their F cars and she is a fantastic driver like Ben. They drove the whole day, with few breaks, and several Challenge drivers there from teams. They more than kept up. And they are courteous and cool people too.
we had an offer on a lot in January. The seller wouldn’t budge from his selling price and he had it priced too high. We walked. And then all this Covid stuff happened the dumbass is sitting on his lot. Likely won’t sell for at least a year. If it’s around in a year/ we will make another offer. If it’s gone- it’s gone. In the meanwhile, I think I’m going to get some plans drawn for the basement and see what happened. By the time plans are done, city HOA approvals etc, will likely be 6-8 months anyways at a minimum.
Now you’re talking! I’ve had 2 DBS’s of that generation, Casino Royale manual and later Morning Frost white auto. I agree, one of the most elegant cars designed of all time. I now daily a Vanquish. 600LT has caught my eye, but I fear it may drive too fast and smooth. Sent from my 16M
I did exactly this with the acr-e. When else are we going to have a car like that built for the road!
What is the last Ferrari NA V8 then? I was under the impression it was the Speciale? There are many threads on the Speciale so I won’t repeat but last and most powerful NA V8 are two which I thought were on the Speciale? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My question regarding the Pista goes unanswered...would like to know, outside of personal opinion, what last of or other real attributes make the Pista relevant in the future. Again not bashing the Pista as it is a great Ferrari...will it be the last Turbo V8 (no), the ??? I just checked and the Speciale is the last NA V8? Can someone prove this wrong? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes the 458 Speciale marks the last (by today) Ferrari NA V8 and the sound and his whole concept might be not seen in the future anymore. And what makes a CS so special? the Car has one of the best sounding car's out there, its light (by today's standard) and nimble to drive. yes not the fastest engine but if you ever experienced to drive a CS on empty in Tuscany's hills you know what I mean. CS, Scuderia, Speciale and now the Pista are amazing sport cars who gives you lots of driving pleasure. the only important thing is, you get the emotions when you drive them, not when you compare them on papers.
The very last mid engine NA V8 Ferrari model introduced was the Limited Edition 458 Special A which if you know an owner of one will not agree is the same car. However, Ferrari was building 3 NA V8s models at the same time the 458 coup, 458 Spider, 485 Speciale and then the 458 Special A was added after the 458 coup ended. For a brief time the lines had some of the last three at the same time if I remember correctly and based on the pictures that were posted at the time. No one but Ferrari knows which car held the last NA V8 produced and likely they've made more as replacement engines so no one knows what engine is last. But the last model was the Limited Edition 458 Special A .
+1. And I bet pista spider won't be the last turbo v8 either. just like 911R was never meant to be the last NA flat 6 manual either.
sports car is not judged solely by straight line speed but more importantly by how it handles the high speed under turn after turn. To me, 0-60 really mean less once it is near 3 seconds.
Conversely the 812s is fourth from last of the current NA v12. The 812GTS and the Monza SP1 and Monza SP2 models came after. When the 812VS is produced the 812S will fall back to fifth from last. Any future Icona with the NA V12 and you count back from there.
A lot of us in this same boat. I drive these cars for entertainment, not lap times. I don't track anymore, but I do like to go out and have a good time. Part of the entertainment value is the emotion provoked by things like sound, visceral feedback, aesthetic beauty, mechanical prowess, etc. A car like Speciale/Tdf evoke far more emotion for me than a zip-zip whizbang turbocharged anything. I'll take 14:1 CR 9000 rpm V8 or 13.5:1 CR mechanical tappet V12 over turbo any day. But that's just me and I'm not in my 20's, 30's, or even 40's anymore. Besides how could a Tdf not be "fast enough" in any category or definition of the word?
I’m not too concerned about some car tech being the very very last of a generation, if it is somewhere in the general vicinity that is good enough for me, like the Speciale or 812. I think over time the 458 Italia (and Spider) will be regarded as timeless, and lusted after for decades. The 488/Pista/F8 are beautiful continuations/variations on that design....but the purest one, and the last one coming right out of the legendary design studios of pininfarina, is the Italia.
Who cares about 5 years from now? Best worry about that in 5 years and make a call then. Why waste life and valuable time worrying about futures when the car is here now to be enjoyed. I'm sure Pista will still be just as awesome as some still viewed the F40 23 years later (which is also a turbo V8). Pista is incredible car to drive and that's putting aside about how fast and capable it is. If you can buy one of these you're in business. It's not only a blast to drive but looks hot as well. PS Pista's production #s may be twice F40, but then population numbers 23 years on from now should accommodate for the additional speculators.
I can fully comprehend the passion for the older super cars. Emotion and the exhiliration of driving a super car has proven to be collateral damage, whether intended or not, to the advancement of technological progress. The modern focus on creating more capable, faster and refined cars has had the unintended consequence of diminishing individual personalities and enhancing conformity. Super cars that ooze driver involvement and stimulate the right senses has been sacrificed in the pursuit of creature comforts, technical excellence and more speed that can ever be useable. For many, this evolutionary super car trend has been met with thunderous applause. For others, regret, lament and a longing for days of old.