Hey, i've been in one of those before...! S/N 2819... When i think about the Ferraris i've ridden in and driven, i realize how utterly lucky i am... Beyond privileged, to say the least... 550 - Ridden in 360 - Ridden in 348 - Ridden in Mondial - Driven (My First!) & Ridden in 355 Spider 6 Speed - Driven (My Second!) & Ridden in 88 TR - Driven (My Third!) & Ridden in 348 Spider - Ridden in (Another) 355 Spider - Ridden in 328 GTB - Driven (My Fourth!) 328 GTS - Ridden in (Another) 328 GTS - Driven (My Fifth!) & Ridden in F355B - Ridden in (on a track!) NNO - Ridden in (on a track!) The Breadvan - Ridden in (on a track!) (Another) F355B - Ridden in (Another) Testarossa - Ridden in (Another) Testarossa - Ridden in F40 LM - Ridden in (on a track!) Non-Ferrari Exotics: Lotus Esprit V8 TT - Ridden in Lamborghini Countach QV 5000 - Ridden in Lamborghini Diablo SV Monterey Edition - Ridden in NSX - Driven Maserati Ghibli - Sat in With all the addiction that comes with Ferraris, Bob Callahan is the reason i killed my Saturn; that day in California when he let me drive his 355, all he kept saying was, "Keep it above 3,000 RPMs, don't let it drop below 3 grand..." Then i came back home and ran my Saturn into the ground... Thanks, Bob...
My first ride and drive took place in the spring of 1989. I was a big fan of Porsche cars and never quite understood what was so special about Ferraris. I purchased a 1984 F512BBi simply because it was a good deal at the time. It was Grigio/Cream. The car was picked up in Newton MA and transported to near Chicago where I lived at the time. The car was lifted off the enclosed carrier. I remember thinking this car looked so much better than the photos I had seen of it. I couldn't keep my eyes off of it. I got in the car. The leather smelled intoxicating. I fired it up and drove it slowly down the side roads. I had been pre-warned that the car needed to warm up before shifting into second gear. The car just felt different than anything I had ever driven and certainly different than the 911s I was used to. Finally, I hammered the car and it was like unleashing thunder. Oh my lord. It felt like I was one with the car. I couldn't get enough of it. I got out of the car and I was shaking with excitment. I remember saying to myself, "Oh my God, now I know what the fuss is all about." And I've never been the same since that day.
NNO, Of all these cars you have driven, which one of them gave you the most unforgetable experience ??? and why ???
Congratulations. Do enjoy the ride. I can't offer you much info as I have never gotten a ride in a ferrari. Closest I come is watching Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman." Actually I do not know anyone (aside from this board) that owns ferraris. Where I come from (my family not the place) thinks cars are just 4 wheels that is needed to go from point A to point B. Enjoy the ride for us who are not fortunate enough to be in your place. Definitely tell us when you get back here, so I can live vicariously through your words.
Just gave someone his first ride in my 348 on Friday. He said "No stereo" as it is covered under a flap and I replied "Its in the back". Thats where the music comes from. We managed to get it up to 240kmph (150 mph) before the traffic slowed us down. After a half hour ride, he was grinning from ear to ear and it well and truly converted. Once driven....forever smitten!!
I am STILL waiting for my first ride. The closest I have come was when Frank Foster tossed me the keys to his now ex-308 and let me start her up. Quite cool since I had only met him minutes earlier! My day will come
Mickey... The Mondial was my first and you never forget your first... Ron was so cool about it... It wasn't some spin around the block; it was through Malibu and up the coast... He had complete and total confidence in me... Even when we parked and i backed into the space... i shifted so close to red line and he never even blinked... It was an experience i'll never forget... The Testarossa is another notable drive; i've driven Bruce's TR more times than i can count... i've even taken it for a few "long" rides, one of which was for about an hour... The whole package that comes with a Testarossa, the look, the acceleration, the Italian symphony in "12 major" right behind your head- it's all so unreal... i have emotional attachments to Bruce's TR... It's just that amazing... Coincidentally, Ron, the gentleman who let me drive his Mondial, knows all of this about the TR; he's got a 512. Damn, i love Ferraris.
John, Just rent one! Or you and a buddy (over 25) go together and rent it. That's when the fever really sets in! Go to Vegas where they're readily available and see first hand!
Well since everyone else is posting... Here is my list What a dream! Exotics Ive driven in 308 GTS 308 GT4 308 GT4 (another) 328 GTS 348tb 348 Challenge 348 Spider 355 spider F40LM Mondial T 512bbi 550 575M (04) Enzo Lamborghini Gallardo Cars Ive driven 97 Jaguar XJ6 BMW Z4 308 GT4 328 GTS 575M (04) Ferrari Enzo Lamborghini Gallardo
Jordan! Dude! I knew you drove an Enzo! I was there! ( In Spirit ) But I didn't know you drove a Gallardo? How was it?
Went & saw the production line in 1996 when the F50 was being produced, along with Testarossa's & 355's. Small group of 10 from the UK, factory show, meet with LdM, & then 3 laps round the track in an F50 with DB (Chief Test Driver); spoke little English & his words to me were "fast or very fast" What skill that guy has, still excites me thinking about it 8 years on.....
Another fun thread. Brings back some VERY fun memories My first ride was a pure adrenalin rush. It still is very exciting to drive my 328 every time. For what it is worth, I've always had the idea that the Ferrari experience is so grand that I'm eager to share it with responsible people. If any of you who haven't had the opportunity to ride in one ever come to the Puget Sound area (Seattle), let me know & we'll see what we can arrange. The sound & feel is awesome.
My first ride in a Ferrari was uptown Manhattan where my friend kept his car stored. It was a silver 308. We had the top off and he immediately nailed it driving up 5th Ave. We were going 90, just like that, and took a little air over an intersection transition, much to the delight of the crowd on the sidewalk. Not very responsible but a great beginning. After that we tooled around Manhattan and the park, and he let me drive for 30 mintes or so. Besides the very visceral joy of driving my first exotic, the thing that struck me most was how few people noticed us walking around after being like a rock star when we were in the car. What a let down, it was pretty comical.
Jordan, I was in the Caribbean that week, that's why I missed your post. Thumbs Up to you, AND Wayne for being so kind as to let you drive his Gallardo I think the color he chose the best color I've seen.. No doubt better in person though.
