First Ride - Waited 30+ Years

Greetings - You may have seen some of my other posts lately. Last Saturday I became a proud owner of a 2001 360 Spider - after waiting over 30 YEARS to own my first Ferrari.

Today, after picking up my car last week in a rain storm, and having had only one day to enjoy it last weekend - also in the rain, today was my first ride. I considered it all week. The first ride from my home in NC to Virginia International Raceway - a very nice 90 minute run. I've been to the track many times, but today was different. Today I arrived top down in 60 degree weather on a beautiful sunny winter day with MY car, not as a very grateful guest of another owner.

I left my house with my wife of 40 years, and together we shared a great ride. We split the ride with the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and of course Pavarotti singing Italian opera as only he can, on the CD.

I've dreamed of this ride for many years and some observations are fresh in my mind. I've always associated Ferrari cars with speed - great heaping gobs of speed. I thought you had to be running and gunning to enjoy the car. I was surprised that while speed is certainly an attraction, the car is far more subtle than just raw acceleration.

Steering is a different level from other cars I've driven - slight moves get immediate results, no slop or delay at all. This is something I can enjoy minute to minute - regardless of speed. A very much appreciated experience that I thoroughly enjoy.

Brakes are amazing. I've had Brembos on many cars (and a few motorcycles), but none of them have the feel and power of these. Tight, great feedback, amazing control. Also something I can enjoy minute to minute, and also not directly related to speed.

Comfort is also far better than I thought. My wife and I are "seniors" - a polite term for people who may never have a chance to enjoy a Ferrari the way it was intended due to creaking bones, and an inability to get into a low seat without wondering if you'll ever be able to get up again. So we collectively decided that our children would shed more tears at the reading of the will if we spent the money enjoying ourselves before it was too late. The car at 60-70 MPH revs modestly given the redline, isn't overly loud and aggressive, and with the top down we could easily speak at a normal voice and be heard easily. The car stereo - something I never even tried before buying it - works well and at speed is still listenable - again, something I didn't think would be a design thought for Ferrari.

The top itself is a show. Watching the various motors, levers, and other parts move back and forth before disappearing behind the seat is worth the price of the car itself. I also considered the aesthetics of a folding roof to be an afterthought - not the case at all. Like the rest of the car it's a work of art.

Then there's the car itself. The rear window for the engine I thought was "eye candy" when I first saw it, but when I parked the car after a spirited 70 mile run, I realized that the rear vents were fully functional, as is the challenge grill, as the heat coming from each of these areas would cook a steak. My wife was delighted with our new hand warmers - they will mean more to you as you reach your "golden years".

The view from the driver's seat is also a treat - the gentle curve of the fender leads your eye to the pavement which appears to be close enough for you to touch. I can easily find the line in any road I'm driving on - partly because of the steeply sloping hood, but also because of the design of the fenders themselves - they guide your eye to where to look. Again, totally speed independent, just part of the design.

I could go on and on - and likely will - but the car to me is best described as "fulfilling" - everything has a touch of art to capture your attention, but as you use the car you realize that the art is indeed functional, and then you are hooked. I had the car on the lift before purchase and loved the aluminum everywhere design. I didn't realize how functional that is, less corrosion, and lighter weight.

I've owned many other cars, and in some ways there are better features in some of them compared to the 360, but taken in total I must admit that the dream of owning a Ferrari is actually less rewarding than actually driving my own Ferrari and realizing that even if I can't ride it beyond 8/10s (my shortcoming, not the car's) I can experience a full 10/10 by appreciating all of the subtle things that Ferrari has included as not features, but design mandates.

All I can say is what I usually say after listening to Pavarotti - BRAVO!!

So, there may come a point where I'll find that my repair bill is double what I expected, there may come a time when depreciation isn't theoretical but real, there may come a time where I can't bend low enough to get into the seats, but for now I OWN A FERRARI and "the dream" isn't a dream any longer. Don Quixote kept tilting at the windmill, I can open the garage and sit inside my windmill.

Thanks to all over the years that helped along this journey, and to Steve Barney and the team at Sport Auto for making the dream a reality. Bravo!!

 

Sorry - photography isn't my strongpoint. Obviously!
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