458 My First Ferrari, My First Year...

Woo hoo!!! This past December, I passed a significant milestone in my life, my first full year of owning a 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia. It has been a mind-blowing epic adventure from the get-go!

My passion for Ferrari started in the late seventies when I was eighteen years old and I moved out of my mums house into a flat. That flat happened to be located behind a Ferrari dealer.

Everyday, I would pass by the dealership drooling at all of the F-cars and telling myself that one day, I would have one in my stable. I had a lot of hair back then, but not much else. I was driving a Chevy that cost all of $1,200.00 that I bought used from a car rental company.

Whilst I set about building a successful career in sales, I never forgot about Ferrari and I maintained a keen interest through the years, especially in their racing program. I also became passionate about Mercedes-Benz and I purchased two in 1986. Thirty two years and many Benzes later, I still love SonderKlasse cars. They have been good to me through the years.

Fast forward to December, 2019 and I pulled the trigger on a 2015 458 Italia. I decided to drive it home from the dealer in an epic 878 mile, eighteen and a half hour drive. It was the first time I had ever driven a Ferrari (not including the short test drive a few minutes before I bought it) and I was instantly in love with all things Ferrari.

The ride home was epic and I could not believe all of the thumbs up I received from other drivers and how many took photos, as I made my way home from Atlanta. Every stop I made for petrol, I was surrounded by other people who stopped filling their tanks to walk over and talk cars. I even received tons of thumbs up from cops along the way and at petrol stations.

I have come to call this the “Ferrari Effect” and it continues to this day. My 458 has been flawless in its first year. I have logged just over 5,000 “s-miles” in it during my first year. There have been no mechanical issues whatsoever.

The insurance was half what I was paying for a 2018 SonderKlasse 560 4Matic and that was a pleasant surprise! It is such a special car that always exceeds my expectations. I particularly love the smooth flowing lines of the body. As an artist, shapes have always been important to me in my artwork. The smooth flowing lines of the 458 are intoxicating...

There are three cars that rank at the top of my dream car list... 1.) Racer X’s car from the Speed Racer cartoon of the late ‘60’s (yes, I know it was a cartoon car, but I was a wee lad at the time and that car was awesome to a six year old! 2.) The Jaguar E-Type, a car that Enzo himself was quoted as saying was “The most beautiful car in the world,” and 3.) The Ferrari 458 Italia.

Well, I got one of my dream cars... Not to rain on any other Ferrari models, as I love them all!!! My 458 experience has been epic in every way. All I have to do is just sit in it and hit the red button to feel instantly better about everything. It’s the same feeling I have when I drive to the summit of Mt. Haleakala on Maui. When I’m there, I know I’m in the presence of greatness.

I feel the same way when I’m in my 458. The Ferrari gods reached for the stars with the 458 and they achieved an epic performance experience, wrapped in a stunningly beautiful, timelessly elegant body.

Thanks to all of you for helping this rookie with my Ferrari questions. I truly appreciate and value your assistance and I look forward to many more years in my 458!!!

Cheers!

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Thanks! I used to be in the Fire Department, so the RC colour is a nice touch! I also love those OZ rims...

Cheers!

 

Thanks bruddah, they are awesome!

Cheers!

 

Thanks so much for your comments! I named her “Giada” after Giada DeLaurentiis the famous Italian celebrity chef. I never get tired of looking at her, or enjoying a spirited drive on the twisty bits.

Around these parts, you can see Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, BMW, Jaguar, Alpha Romeo, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and others regularly.

One thing is constant, all of the other drivers look at my 458 at the stop lights and whilst driving. I also look at their cars! We all share a love of awesome cars, no matter the make or model. There are also lots of awesome restored classic cars running around....

Cheers!

 

Thanks bruddah! My next addition to the stable will be an 812 SF, or an F12 perhaps. Gotta love those V12’s! I’m never selling the 458 though, so all of my future F-cars will be additions...

Cheers!

 

Well, close but no cigar... My ancestral home is Blighty (also my wife’s), but I was born in Texas. In school, I frequently wrote in the QE, much to the dismay of my teachers!

For several years, I wrote a monthly article for an international magazine that was published in London and distributed in ~72 countries around the world. If I did not write my articles in the QE, my editor would change them to the QE... Guess which language I used? So I guess I’m both, an Ameri-Brit and a Brit-ican......

You will find that I also mix in Hawaiian at times. We have been to Maui ten times in recent years. We love Maui so much, we are looking for land to build a second estate in the mountains at around 3,000ft or higher.

We looked for an existing option, but none had a gourmet kitchen that met my expectations. I fancy myself a gourmet chef, so my requirements for kitchen equipment and workflow/layout are stratospheric to say the least.

Mahalo Nui Loa Bruddah,

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the kind words! I used to be in the Fire department (also certified as an EMT) and our engine and rescue truck were blood red...

RC feels like home to me, minus all of the burning buildings, cars and being in the “belly of the beast” regularly.

BTW, I love your colour brah, I almost got a similar colour, but it sold before I could get back to the dealership. Then “Giada,” my 458 popped up and I was in love, like it was the first time...

She is such an awesome ride and I’m always looking for reasons to take her out and hit the twisty bits. Best wishes to you and yours and your F-car.

Cheers!

 

Thanks so much! We are indeed blessed to be able to own and experience these exceptional cars. I feel like I’m living a dream and I’m still awe struck every single time I go out into the car park and see my 458...

Cheers!

 

Thanks for your post and your very kind words. I just can’t say enough about the Ferrari experience and driving my 458. I have made so many new friends here and through FCA.

We are all from different places, but we are united in our passion for the awesome Ferrari cars we get to drive.

Cheers!

 

Thanks! They are indeed a stack of fun and awesomeness to drive!

Cheers!

 

Thanks for your comments! I’ve never had a car that I look for reasons to take it out for a spin. This is an incredible car!!!

Cheers!