Commuting in the 308

I am not quite sure why, but I have never taken by 308 to work. As I will be on vacation for the next few weeks (going to Maranello!), I decided to enjoy the 308 and take it to work, braving the urban jungle commute to downtown San Francisco.

While it didnt like the potholes, and I arrived at work a little more crumpled up and windblown than usual with a slight air of eau de gasoline, all in all it was a pretty civilized ordeal. I was smiling the whole way.

 

A great way to start the day indeed!! Good for you - and have fun in Italy!!

Jedi

 

I always wondered how driving a old ferrari in san francisco might be considering my car was driven there daily for the first 4 years of life. Literally 35k miles those first few years and not a dent or scratch. He must have had a special parking hiding spot or something

 

I drove thru San Francisco on the way home, once...it was FUN!!!!

No parking places, tho........

 

the young kid who parks cars in my building downtown waved me into a "special spot" and asked if my car was brand new

then he asked me how fast it was. I didtn have the heart to tell him....

 

I drove my 308 for a week and a half to work when both my daily's were down,
who'd ever guess that the old reliables would go down at the same time and a vintage foreign temperamental car would bail me out.............

 

I generally drive mine to work at least once a week. If the weather is nice and not rainy I will drive it more than that. I have driven it to work five days in a row - no problems here.


PDG

 

I drove mine to work daily for years. 80 miles round trip. No worries.

I don't do that now due to a change in location. No point in crawling along in bumper-to-bumper in that car.

 

"then he asked me how fast it was. I didtn have the heart to tell him...."

I just say, "The speedometer says 180 but I've never had it over 145." I have found that that works well all the way around - don't have to tell a lie and it sounds pretty impressive. Obviously you can substitute whatever speedo figure you've had the car up to and there you go!

If I had owned my 328 when I lived on Long Island, I would have used it as my daily driver (30 miles each way) instead of the 911 I had at the time.

 

I live on Long Island and commute 50 miles round trip. I wouldn't drive it to work and sit in traffic riding the clutch. I did it once and it was no joy. People tailgate and cut you off and that is no fun.

 

Good answer, I tell them speedo says 180 but I have street tires that are only good for 140 or so.

 

A few years ago when I worked at a Nuclear Power Plant I drove it on most nice days. There was little traffic on my 15 mile drive and it was guarded by some very nice guys (and gals) with AR-15s who all knew it was my car.

 

at callaway?

 

Well it was a great day. An early morning commute with clear and sunny skies over the golden gate bridge before traffic.

Then i decided to take it from the city to silicon valley, where it was 80 degrees, and I got stuck in traffic and suffered from schweatyballs in my suit and tie.

Then i drove back home over the GG bridge and was met with pea soup thick fog. My left leg is damn sore, but overall it was a great day.

the little 308 sure gets alot of attention, especially in the commuting hours. People expect to see it over the weekends, but not mixed in with the commuting zoo. Biggest problem was people riding my ass looking to get a few cars ahead in the bumper to bumper.
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Re Long Island - my commute was from house in Centerport to Ronkonkoma: 25A for 5 miles to the Sagtikos to the LIE and then around the back of the airport. So the only real bumper-bumper traffic potential was the last mile or two and there was never any anyway. I agree that daily bumper traffic would be a total PITA.

 

Great to use your car whether driving to work or for a weekend blast. I drive my Daytona in Central Hong Kong - no problem at all. I also find that driving a motorcycle to work guarantees a happy day

 

I drive mine to work once in a while, but under the hot TX sun I have to bring her indoors where there is A/C. Yes...I spoil her...she deserves it.
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Geno, the first time I got behind the wheel of my 308 was downtown SF in the financial district - I thought it was wonderful. The sound from the exhaust echoing off the buildings was pretty nice at 7,000rpm - that's one way to make sure nobody steps off the curb with a "Don't Walk" signal facing them.

San Francisco seems like just such a great place to enjoy a 308...it's a bit hip...and a bit retro. So, enjoy!

 

Right there with ya Doug. My wife's 525 blew the upper radiator hose last night. (I am between "real" cars right now). She ended up heading to the Center in the 308 this morning. Once again the 308 bails us out.

 

I have commuted in all my Ferrari's.......

308, Mondial t cab, 348, TR and an F40. They all worked and always left me with a big smile. The biggest problem was picking which to drive!

 

That is the best problem to have!