Does anyone drive an exotic as a daily driver? | FerrariChat

Does anyone drive an exotic as a daily driver?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by ZR1, Jan 24, 2007.

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  1. ZR1

    ZR1 Karting

    Dec 23, 2006
    113
    USA
    Are there many people who drive their Ferrari everyday? Do any people drive their Ferrari to work, or for grocery shopping and all the other daily tasks?

    I've been giving thought to buying a higher mileage (and cheaper) 3x8, and using it as a daily driver. Part of my logic is that most people say a Ferrari needs a $3,000+ belt tune up every 3 years no matter how little it is driven. I've read people who put on 5,000 or less miles getting their Ferrari serviced. Yet, most places also say you can drive 30,000 miles before service is required. So why not put on the miles?

    How much value can a 3x8 lose if it goes from 85,000 miles to 115,000 miles in 3 years?
     
  2. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,511
    West Coast
    Full Name:
    A
    I drive my 599 every day as daily transportation. It's perfect!
     
  3. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 17, 2001
    34,435
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    Joe Mansion
    997 C4S not exotic but its my dd
     
  4. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    yes people do drive them as DD's.

    You have a misconception about belt service though... it varies by model but it averages out to be recommended at every 5 years or 15K miles... so you will run into a belt service every year or two depending on your mileage.

    Also consider, not very practical as a sole car, because when the go in, they can be gone for several days or longer. (this will vary depending on the car and where serviced)
     
  5. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    I won't park the Lotus at the train station, but I use it for grocery shopping, odd errands, kid transportation, Home Depot runs for small items, etc. But I don't drive in rain, snow or on wet roads so it's not really a daily driver. I do drive all winter when conditions allow though.

    Ken
     
  6. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    you won't lose much value going from 85K to 115K. maybe nothing at all. i've tried making a 308, 328, testarossa and now a maranello as my daily driver. the only car that really works in that role is the maranello. the 328 is a not too far away second. my biggest issue with making a 308 a daily driver is not the value loss from extra mileage, but rather the fact that it's a 30 year old car, with heavy steering and clutch, not the best climate control, and not nearly as smooth as a modern car. for me, it was too much work in the cockpit to make it useable as daily car. same for the tr. 328 is a vast improvement over early 308s, and definitely useable as a daily car. you'll just need to get used to its 20 yr old switchgear.

    john
     
  7. Robin

    Robin F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,931
    Arlington, VA
    For the 8 months out of the year that I keep my 355 at my place in DC, yes. I'm only 400' from my office so I don't drive it to work, but it goes everywhere else with me. Grocery store, movies, downtown for a night out, baseball stadium, midnight fast food runs, etc etc.

    -R
     
  8. D.Mauro

    D.Mauro Formula 3

    Jun 18, 2006
    1,266
    Cumming/ Hlwd Fl
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    I drive my cars everyday, everywhere I go they are meant to be driven.
    DM
     
  9. nerd

    nerd F1 Rookie

    Oct 12, 2003
    2,535
    Coronado, CA
    Full Name:
    RSK
    Yup, my CS and 550 are driven to the office, coffee, shopping, etc. every week. The pets ride in the M3 or the 4Runner.
     
  10. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
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    Peter Krause
    I drive my t Coupe every day, everywhere. The depreciation is more than offset by the pleasure the car gives me every gearchange, every turn of the wheel...
     
  11. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
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    Feb 11, 2005
    4,553
    PC, UT
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    Joe
    My dad DD's his 996tt cab unless there's salt or snow (Range Rover goes on duty). It got 7500 miles from April to Sep.
     
  12. Rosso328

    Rosso328 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2006
    7,345
    Central FL
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Not every day, but I drive my 328 at least 2 or 3 times a week. To work sometimes, 7-11 runs, whatever...

    (As for the mileage, as someone said on another thread, I bought the car so that I could enjoy it, not so that the next guy could.)
     
  13. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
    15,810
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    There was a guy here in Fresno who drove a black ENZO as his daily driver for like 3 years straight, hard to believe but it's true.
     
  14. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    I don't drive mine during the week as I drive my kids to school.
     
  15. tjacoby

    tjacoby F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,857
    Vancouver Canada
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    tj
    nearly every day in the summer: to the store, work, groceries, whatever. But only one kid likes it, and not when there's salt on the roads. Also try and avoid the rain when the tops down in the city.

    Agree with the previous post: when it's time for maintenance it can be a few weeks on the waitlist and a few weeks in the shop - so need a 2nd car.
     
  16. staylor

    staylor Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2006
    766
    Sydney/London
    Full Name:
    Scott
    As a family we dont really find it practical to drive every day, plus the poor local road conditions wouldnt be good on it... thats what we use the range rover/territory for.. :)
     
  17. sspooner

    sspooner Karting

    Jan 14, 2007
    165
    Sunnyvale, CA
    Full Name:
    Simon
    i have a supercharged 996 as my daily driver, not an exotic, but I have a 348 as well.

    I've only had the 348 a month or so, but I do take it out to the shops, fast food runs, work etc.

    I go a few days in the 996 then a few days in the 348.

    Now, having said that during the summer months I tow a jetski up to the lake with my 996. This is generally frowned up by my buddies, but then again they also frown upon me running the 348 through the in 'n' out burger drive thru too.

    I'm all for using them as daily drivers, after this last weekend jaunt to Las Vegas in the 348 where I put 1300 miles on it in 3 days I can say that they respond well to having miles put on them.
     
  18. yellowenzo123

    yellowenzo123 Formula 3

    Oct 18, 2006
    1,118
    Purgatory
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    JOHN
    My Enzo, perfect and easy to drive compared to my F-40.
     
  19. Bob Zambelli

    Bob Zambelli F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    When there is no salt on the roads, I use both the Ferrari 330 GTC and ALFA GTV as everyday drivers.

    I get strange looks at Home Depot when I open the trunk of the Ferrari and toss in three or four bags of mulch.

    Bob Z.
     
  20. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

    Jan 11, 2005
    661
    Sparks, MD
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    Alexander Leventhal
    #20 aleventhal, Jan 25, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes . Every day. I drive my 1984 400i (#049773) every day, including in rain, snow and salt. In and around NYC and between my country house and NYC apt. I put snow tires on it in the winter. BTDT. The car is bullett proof - never been happier with a daily. Do IT!

    A
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  21. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    Alex is correct... a driven car is a happy car!
     
  22. Bob Zambelli

    Bob Zambelli F1 Rookie
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    Nov 3, 2003
    3,657
    Manning, SC
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    Robert G. Zambelli
    Hi, Alexander - GREAT JOB!!
    It's really fine to hear about people using their cars for their intended purpose:

    TO DRIVE THEM!!!!

    Keep up the good work.

    Bob Z.
     
  23. mycarsux

    mycarsux Formula Junior

    Feb 9, 2006
    906
    Houston, Tx
    Full Name:
    Wylie
    One of my customers drives a Vanquish S to and from the office three or four days a week. He even drove it earlier in the week down here when it was nasty weather, and it was.......gasp.......dirty.
     
  24. indaville

    indaville Formula 3

    Oct 6, 2005
    2,309
    Louisville, KY
    I drive my Lotus almost everyday. We have not had any snow yet, but I doubt I will take it out when it does snow. The 308 stays inside when the weather is bad, but I could drive it everyday if I wanted to. I have driven both cars to the grocery, Home Depot, etc.

    Matt
     
  25. Tomf-1

    Tomf-1 F1 Rookie

    Jan 17, 2004
    4,528
    Leawood KS/ South FL
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    Thomas

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