Finally ending one saga to being another saga, let's hope the offer is real!

Hey, all, updates, I have finally decided to go in this Sunday to the dealer for a test drive. They have a bianco avus on RED as demo and I will drive it. I rule out the R8 and the Lambo... as they are never gonna be as practical and coming from Porsche, the next logical and can't go wrong choice is the Ferrari. I justify myself with the Cali purchase more based on the fact that it has the first getrag, first metal folding roof and first V8 Front engine... the V12 usually takes more hit on depreciation. So this can't be wrong.

I consigned my 911 C4S PDK at Porsche and within a day I got a call from the dealer and was made an offer pending finalization and I said yes. So I will let fate decide on that.

Now I have butterflies in my stomach and it looks like it will be 2011 Jan/Feb Prod. I will have to go in Sun and put in deposit and all... and arrange financing. The C4S PDK stood up well against depreciation because it is still current but the new one will come out next year so it is probably not a bad time to sell it.

Now for colours, I am all excited. The first Ferrari may have to be the usual suspect of Rosso Corsa and Rosso Scuderia (I can't tell which is what and which is more classic) on Black with Yellow Stitchings, Yellow belts and Yellow Calipers. I will just take the basic and 20" Rims (or should I just stick to 19"?) and rest can be skipped... afterall, the car speaks itself already and oh yes, the scuderia shield (which i find oddly interesting that it is an option). I do like Bianco Avus for a change but not sure if it is too faddish and too trendy (as white is really in now) and not sure if White is good as my first Ferrari. I hope that I won't regret this and that I won't miss my 911 C4S PDK. It is a huge purchase for me to spend this much on a car in this economy (afterall, Europe is in bad shape and unemployment is high and bankers are not making as much)...

 

My about to go ride is a C4S PDK Carrara White with Black leather on Red Stitchings and Red belts and it was sold in a flash... the dealer said Carrara White and Black on Red Stitchings are really the "in" colour now... if my car were silver, it would stick longer... white is the new black?

Given my rather good experience with a white carrera on black with red stitchings and red belts, I wonder if California will be good with Bianco Avus... the whole area had only 2 ever delivered and rather rare the dealer said... what this means is that it is not a very obvious choice for some reasons... bianco avus on red... you can save the stitchings too. My natural choice:

1. Rosso Corsa with Black Leather on Red Stitchings and Red belts (not sure) and Yellow Caliper and 20" and Scuderia Shield (this to me is a real rip as a sticker is like 20 bucks... and I don't understand why an expensive car like this can make the badge an option... anyways...). I may get ipod but I am skipping everything else keeping it simple... not sure about piping... I can do black on red piping and that's it no stitchings... btw, what are the defaults? Black stitchings... I did hear Tan is more classic but I am never into tan.

2. Can someone tell me the real diff between Rosso Corsa and Scuderia? Which one is what and which one is more classic? The Rosso Corsa definitely is the safest choice like a BLACK PORSCHE

3. The Bianco Avus will be um... too Miami Vice. There was a real nice one posted on this site as Bianco Avus on Tan with White piping. That's a good choice and is the prancing horse in white or special colour an option? I can't find that.

4. Black? but Black hides the curves... one friend did mention that the white will make the already clumsy rear looks every fatter... but coming from driving the FAT LADY 4S, it maybe a good thing

5. What's the magnaride and would I miss it if I forego that? I ain't gonna get the LED though.

The fun begins before even going in but I heard my test ride is in Bianco Avus on Red ! I could buy the demo... but... don't think so... the wait is jan or feb prod 2011 March delivery and my bday is in march!!!! I will have no 911 to drive meanwhile but will detox on my Mercedes JEEP. I am however invited to the SLS launch next week... but I am biased I admit on AMG as I think Mercedes makes good passenger car and never quite keen on its sports ride... also I dislike mercedes' centrum approach on getting A-Z dizzying range of cars... A B C E R CLS CL SL SLR SLS SLx... or bmw's X 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 till 1000 variants... with x5, x3, x6, x1...how many x s more can there be? I do see Porsche going down that road as welll though... though i love 911... because my dealer called me on my consignment today... said he founded it a bit cheap that Porsche is selling even cheaper variants in the future...

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-07/porsche-new-ceo-faces-first-test-with-smaller-boxster.html

but he said Porsche sells more Panamera V6 and Cayenne V6 than anything else... well it's survival of the cheapest...

currently, I think Ferrari and Lambo are not moving into that range yet but Aston... everyone else is and Porsche is a very successful seller now but its range is really watering down and the quality of service is really dropping at the service centre due to overwhelming number of vehicles... I love 911... still but...

see below:

Porsche wants to expand its four-model lineup to double sales in the medium term to 150,000 cars and SUVs.

150K cars... I wonder how many cars Maranello build although it is still going up I think 10-20K/annum?

The fun begins but in general, being my first Ferrari, I think a minimal option list will keep me happy and save some costs...

 

I also wonder if I should buy used... but I think at this point in time, if I can wait, I should make my first a new one since the different may be only 10%. I heard the doctor who bought the car LOST HIS LICENSE after 2 months owning the FERRARI CALIFORNIA as he finds the exhaust noise too intoxicating and he kept gasing the pedal... jez... and ultimately his wife asked him to sell the ride cos he got his license suspeneded anyway and she found it a dangerous liason... but creme colour while nice is really not durable and nasty if I ever wear jeans... so as an everyday ride proposition.... black tan would be best... I do like daytona seats or diamond seats but I wonder what the normal seats are like... the demo car is loaded with options so it will be misleading... finally, i am am going in and salesman said coming from a never FERRARI guy and Porsche guy, I should test the California for an hour thoroughly before deciding... I can consider the 458 which will have to wait till 2014??? Also I am unsure on the new Ferrari's plan... it seems like while the Cali is new, they are already talking about a facelift in 2013... and if I take delivery in 2011... the car will be facelifted after 2 years???? Anyway, lots to consider on options and fun and thx to you all. I sound like a 2 year old coming from Porsche land... cos Porsche buyers are less design oriented and more functional... interior is sturdy and more along the AUDI functional line... Ferrari is more rich with italian design elements. I admit I do like the look of the 911 rear and front (I am too deeply rooted with the hunchback shape of a 911 and find it beautiful indeed) and I was never really a fan of Lamboghini but regardless, anything that doesn't look remotely like a 911 will take me some time to get used to and I think the colour red is the same. However, I am sure the eyes adjust fast and the car is still rare so I have to see it in real metal. I am sure it is stunning.

 

McClaren is out for me. 911 C4S is the best everyday drive but let me test the Cali. There is no test drive here for 458 they care very little as they are sold out till 2014 and there are no show cars and no launch. New Lambo? You mean LP 570 or the next new Gallardo which never came out? The Cali is safe for me but I have to see it in real life... pix are just iffy unsure but my salesman secured me Jan prod if I pay up. I am still waiting for my C4S deposit but nothing so far. Hope it's not bogus.

I think I am onto Rosso Corsa (can someone tell me the diff between that and Rosso Scuderia?) on

1. Black with red stitchings
2. or TAN with red stitchings (?)

I am so unsure about TAN but is the most classic ferrari always with a tan interior? I always feel TAN is too senior for me it is very classy yet a bit on the retro side but I think Tan with red stitchings can be cool.

I did see the post here on the White with Tan car with WHITE PIPING and WHITE HEAD REST prancing horse, is that an option? White on TAN is interesting but given how conservative I am, my most natural is 1. Also, regarding longevity, is tan leather less durable than black ones which hide all dirts?

I have never had a tan car but CREME colour really shows the jeans fading and dirt after 6 months even.

 

I am sitting tight... got my deposit today and tomorrow the new buyer wants the C4S for the weekend so deal is sealed... I am missing it a bit though cos I will be driving my Mercedes Jeep until Jan prod 2011. Now thanks Ray, so I hope I won't miss my C4S but again, it takes time to get used to RED and the shape... which is less classic and engrained in my mind to me. Will I miss the handling and speed (the 911 for sure is more nimble) is another question waiting to unfold. Now I have the cash... I am still waiting for my test drive n going from Porsche, the next natural choice is Ferrari. However, what I do worry a bit is that I am not the first batch to get this and considering that a facelift is already out 2013... it means my car has only 2 years worth of model life before it gets changed in 2013? This is my holdback don't know what this means... since I am spending so much, I'd probably wanna get something new. Prior, I was thinking about keeping PDK till 991 comes in... but now it's over. I m looking for something.