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Road Trip This Summer

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by scrowe, Mar 8, 2011.

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  1. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

    Mar 7, 2011
    185
    SoCal
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    Steve Crowe
    #1 scrowe, Mar 8, 2011
    Hello. I just found this site/forum two days ago ... I could have used it about a year and a half ago when I ordered my California. I got what I wanted anyway but the information and experience displayed here would have been helpful and reassuring. Oh well.

    I have had my Cali for just over six months now and have only put about 1600 miles on it so far. That's going to change this summer as I am planning to drive from the LA area to Lac ste Marie, Que. - about 3000 miles for the route I have planned. I am going to stay there for a couple of months and then drive back to LA - the trip back may be a little shorter, or maybe a lot longer depending on what route I decide to take. Really looking forward to it!

    The thing is, I will likely not be back in LA before the very end of Aug, which is when the car should go in for its one year service. Obviously I will get it checked out before I leave (probably late May) but I was wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom that they might like to pass along. One specific question: someone suggested that I might want to consider getting a "clear bra" installed. Whatcha think?
     
  2. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
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    #2 RickLederman, Mar 8, 2011
    No to the clear bra. With 19,100 miles on mine since December 2009 it has only a few stone chips, easily filled with Dr. Color Chip. The first two were well above where the clear bra would have ended. I have seen many Ferrari's with the clear bra, they all would look far better without them.

    I would consider doing the one year service before you leave on your trip. I don't like to push warranty items. I did my first two services early because it was convenient and I was close to the miles recommended. 10,000 or so on the first one and 17,000 or so on the second one as I just happened to be at the dealer.

    Hopefully you have cruise control, and magnetic shocks, both will make the drive much easier on you. Enjoy the drive! Even with all of my miles, most are local. A long distance drive would be very cool.

    Rick
     
  3. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

    Mar 7, 2011
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    #3 scrowe, Mar 8, 2011
    Thanks for the advice Rick. I really don't like the look of the clear bra either but I thought I should ask.

    Yes I have the magneride and cruise control. (Funny about the cruise - when I ordered it the salesman looked at me a little funny. Later asked him about it and he said that it was just that the California was the first car they sold that had the option and so they are not used to people asking for it. When I told him that I was glad to have had it on my vette because it helped me to keep my speed DOWN he sort of smiled. He also chuckled when I asked why I didn't see a trailer hitch on the factory options.)

    I have done cross country trips before but not in a while. Thought I should check out the GT aspect of the car - really looking forward to it.
     
  4. gdhodge

    gdhodge Karting

    Sep 12, 2009
    70
    Houston
    #4 gdhodge, Mar 8, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2011
    I personally recommend using clear bra for cars that take to the roads. If you use your car for the long hauls, as you are planning on doing, I feel it is a must. My normal once a year trip to Sedona for example has taught me the value of it. Most people who have seen clear bra installed and believe it looks bad, have usually looked at POOR jobs. In Houston for example, their are only 2 installers that I would consider using. Since you are in LA, you have the Number One installer in the US at your back door. Web at: http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/#southerncalifornia. They have done a couple Enzos, F40 and tons of other high end cars. Yes, you can always paint the bumper and hood. How about the replacement headlight, replaced one on my SL63 for $4200. Break or scratch one on the Cali, paint will not fixed it. I hate chips anyway. By the way, do full hood, full bumper, full fenders, headlights, mirrors and full kicker panels, all WRAPED edges. Just my opinion.
     
  5. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
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    San Francisco Area
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    #5 Balsamina, Mar 8, 2011
    Welcome to the forum! Pics please!

    I'm envious that you'll be taking your Cali on an extended road trip. Please keep us posted on how it goes, and post some pics with interesting backdrops if you can. Living in a major metropolitan area, I have no worries about service if there is a problem with the car. Not so confident about getting computer glitches debugged while driving in vast stretches of rural countryside.

    I also got cruise on mine for the same reason as you. I set my car to beep at 75mph but it comes up so quickly that I half-ignore it already, so cruise on longer stretches of highway is helpful.

    I'd agree with Rick on having the car serviced before the trip. I'd echo gdhodge's remarks about Premier clear bra. I've had them do full hood, headlights, front bumpers and quarter panels, and Apillars and side mirrors on 2 of my cars and (knock on wood) I have yet to have any chips. They ensure the seams are hidden so it's hard to tell the bra is on.

    Enjoy your car!
     
  6. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

    Mar 7, 2011
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    #6 scrowe, Mar 8, 2011
    I will definitely get the annual service before I take off.

    OK, so for the bra that's two in favor and one against. Hmmm ...

    As for pictures - I'd love to post some except for two things:

    1) I am embarrassed to have to admit that I have only taken two pictures and they are both terrible; bad lighting, bad background, bad photographer.

    2) I tend toward very conservative taste. I think the California is a work of art (really the best looking of all the Ferraris (really)) and is not served well by a lot of flash. Please don't get me wrong - I have never seen one (yet) that didn't look great. But given what I've seen of other people's choices, mine might look maybe a little too, umm, understated.
     
  7. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
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    #7 RickLederman, Mar 9, 2011
    Just a reminder, the first two stone chips on mine were well above any clear bra. I think I only have a single chip in the area that a bra would cover. But of course it is your choice.

    Rick
     
  8. fpb

    fpb Karting

    Dec 18, 2003
    179
    MI, Chicago
    #8 fpb, Mar 9, 2011
    1,000,000% get the clear bra. Why not have something that will protect your paint? Touch ups look bad unless you repaint the entire bumper, but how often are you going to do that? Also, the clear bra will protect the paint from other stuff besides rocks (ie, tree sap, bugs, etc). IMO, you should get the clear bra when you buy a new car.

    Make sure you take lots of pics on your road trip!
     
  9. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
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    #9 RickLederman, Mar 9, 2011
    An analogy .... would you cover your girlfriend's face with a bag to protect her from the sun? Nope, look at her, let others look at her naturally ... her face will take a bit of a beating from the elements but everyone will get to see how beautiful she really is. She will be worth a bit less when it is time to move to another girlfriend ... but that is OK for the joy of seeing her now.

    Scrowe, I envy your trip. I would take mine in a heartbeat that far and further if I had the excuse. Maybe a Ferrari National meet some day for me?

    Rick
     
  10. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

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    #10 Balsamina, Mar 9, 2011
    LOL Rick. I've become my grandparents - they put clear vinyl on their couch!

    scrowe you're teasing us. Understated is fine! I enjoy seeing all the variations that people come up with.
     
  11. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
    1,924
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    #11 jeff, Mar 9, 2011
    Clear Bra 100%. A lot can happen on 3000 mile road trip. You can always have it removed after you get back home if you didn't like it.
     
  12. XSSSIVE

    XSSSIVE Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2003
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    #12 XSSSIVE, Mar 9, 2011
    Yes for the clear bra as well. Got the clear bra on my California shortly after my purchase.
     
  13. HH11

    HH11 F1 Rookie
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    #13 HH11, Mar 9, 2011
    Bra is a must. I would have had to fix about 10-15 pretty bad chips without it. Like stated, you can always take it off.
     
  14. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 PhilNotHill, Mar 9, 2011
    +1

    And see-through bras are sexier! ;)
     
  15. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

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    #15 scrowe, Mar 9, 2011
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  16. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

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    #16 Balsamina, Mar 10, 2011
    Nice! Is the interior ciocolotta? I've not seen it with Nero exterior before.
     
  17. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

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    #17 scrowe, Mar 11, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2011
    Yes the interior is (pretty much) solid cioccolato. But the exterior is not nero - its actually verde (a colori vernici "anni 50-60") - i.e. 1950-60 green (for us non-italian speakers). To really see and appreciate the color you need fairly bright light. I liked it when I ordered it. I loved it when I finally got the car. And I'm liking it more and more all the time.

    I really have to get a decent picture - sorry.
     
  18. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
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    #18 Balsamina, Mar 11, 2011
    I thought there was a tinge of green in your picture, but I wasn't sure if it was reflections of grass or just my monitor. Looks like you have a very unique combination and you must share more pics with us! :)
     
  19. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
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    #19 RickLederman, Mar 11, 2011
    What a great color combo!

    Rick
     
  20. ARED4RE

    ARED4RE Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2004
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    #20 ARED4RE, Mar 11, 2011
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  21. deppi0

    deppi0 Formula 3

    Jun 30, 2010
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    #21 deppi0, Mar 11, 2011
    Very nice combo! I love cioccolato and that's what I ordered for mine....still waiting
     
  22. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

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    #22 scrowe, Mar 11, 2011
    ARED4E - Nice! I really like the Nero accents on the seats. What are the door panel inserts?

    deppi0 - Still waiting huh? I remember that. How are you sleeping? You are going to LOVE it.
     
  23. rainforest

    rainforest Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2010
    419
    #23 rainforest, Mar 11, 2011
    Can I see some exterior shots of your car? The interior is nice!
     
  24. scrowe

    scrowe Karting

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    #24 scrowe, Mar 11, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2011
    Rick & Balsamina - Thanx, I wasn't sure how such a non-traditional color would go over.
     
  25. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
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    #25 RickLederman, Mar 12, 2011
    My ego loves the attention that red gets ... yellow would possibly get more but is a bit much for me. The other colors might not get the head jerks that red or yellow gets HOWEVER anyone that knows Ferrari's at all should appreciate the other colors. I am not a fan of the dark blue but have not seen one in person yet even though there is one here in Toledo. And I would love to see yours in person! It really is way cool in the photos and am sure it is even better in person.

    Rick
     
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