Long trip

I don't have one yet, but most everyone who has POSTED about taking their car on a long trip said the experience was incredible. They say don't be afraid to challenge it, it is a Ferrari and will be able to do the duty with grace.

That said, they've recommended taking a few supplies in case you need them (it is an Italian car, after all). Usual things like engine oil, coolant fluid, possibly a spare tire, those kinds of things. You probably won't be stranded, but if you have the payload space, there's no harm in taking a little "insurance" with you.

Others can post about specific "supplies" to take with regard to the car. Others will also echo what I've said about driving it with confidence and enjoying every smile it gives you, mile after mile.

I've considered driving my purchased car home, in lieu of transporting it on an enclosed truck. I get more control, and frankly, a little bit more enjoyment that way. It would probably only happen if I could do the drive home in 1 day. More than that, I'd rethink the choice just because of the value of my time. Good luck, enjoy the drive!

 

I drove my F430 1200 miles across the US Southwest desert to get it home after I bought it. It was a great adventure - my wife and I had a lot of fun. I could have shipped it for about the same cost but then I would have missed the experience.

The only drawback was the lack of cruise control which makes it tough to stay close to the speed limit. A previous owner had unplugged the exhaust valves and that made a pretty good resonance around 80 - car was much quieter at 100. Short term loud is cool - 18 hours of it gets old. Now that I have them hooked up again it would have made 80 livable.

 

40+ Ferraris, including 360s and 430s, recently did a rally from SF to LA without mechanical failure. www.fogrally.com While some shipped their cars back, others drove them back, also without failure. These are robust cars.

 

I drove 1250 km's in 11 hours in May 2012 in my 360 Spider. Amsterdam to Italy.

No problems.

 

I flew out and drove my car home, 11 hour drive, loved the drive. Since then (back in April) I have only put 4,500 miles on the car and longest trip has been 4 hours each way, looking forward to some longer drives.

 

Same as others, flew out and drove mine back 6 hours no problems at all. Terrific fun.

 

One way to think about it is that to maintain 60-70mph on the highway it only takes about 20-30hp - so what exactly are you worried about ?

Is a Ferrari going to blow up idling along at 5-10% load for 6 hours?

is it likely a leak is going to happen during any given 6 hr exposure ?, bearings fail, etc?

Driving on the highway is a little more stress than sitting in your garage - a little IMO.

 

I picked mine up new at the dealer on the west coast and proceeded to drive it 800 miles home through the mountains, Its what they are made for! Three weeks latter I was back there for a 2 week vacation.
Its a very easy car to drive and its also extreamly comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. I have taken it for a 3 to 4 thousand mile holiday every year since I got it 08.

 

Drive it.

You will learn a lot about your car during the trip.

 

well it might melt with all that driving, what the hell do you expect ??

 

It may just be me.....but after a couple hours my back gets sore (daytonas) ....not sure why, seats seem great when I initially get in....(as an aside- I'm young' ish and fit)....never had seat concerns before this car.

Suggest a 2 hour drive and see how you feel before you commit to a "trip".

 

I may not be young but I am fit - and I had the same issue with the daytonas. My upper back at the shoulders got sore after a couple hours.

 

I made several long trips in my 360, 430, and now 458, no problems at all (besides the attention it draws!)

Very comfortable cars and a blast to drive.

 

I dont have any seat time with the daytonas but my standard 06 430 seats are very comfortable, longest seat time was ~4hrs, supportive, not overly firm or soft, and very adjustable.

(I really dont hate the Daytonas, I just dont prefer the look)

 

I drove mine 800 miles stopping overnight at the midpoint each way. The car ran like a top.

 

Drive for 1.5 to 2 hrs. Get out and stretch, admire you car. Get back in and drive with a big smile on your face!

 

I have had several 5-6 hour trips in my 360. Replace the ashtray with a Carbonio cup holder so you can place a coffee or coke in it. Take a stack of CDs. Plan your route to avoid bumpy roads. Several times I have bottomed out at speed and ripped the underfloor panels up a little. I keep a roll of duct tape in the car to tape the panels back up but if it happens out of arm reach you either need to keep driving until the whole panel rips off(bad) or get it lifted to get under the car to rescrew it back in. Have a radar detector and laser jammers. Maybe think about a GoPro2 camera to record good times.

The engine will not blow up or anything, the car will run like a dream.

 

360 spider Chicago to Charlotte 900 miles awesome except my lower back hurt for a day after.

 

1300 miles from Phoenix, to Yakima Wa. Through Vegas at 110 degrees, rain in Idaho, Never mist a beat. Just make sure you stop at the small gas stations, lots of people like to look. They are great cars, but in the end, they are just a car, made to drive.

 

I find the Daytonas to be the most uncomfortable car seat I have ever experienced. Six hours would be out of the question for me. And I've tried every position of these power adjustable seats.

 

Hey Mike,
Good question. The cars are just fine on road trips. The lack of cruise control can tire you more quickly than a car with it. Also keep in mind the lack of a spare. You should either have a roadside assistance policy, or a can of fix a flat, or both.

Enjoy the drive!

 

Did a 5-hour open-top non-stop a few months ago. Little Sophie joined me for 1/2 the trip and found the Daytonas perfectly comfortable. Along with the continuous breeze and the hum. Not a single complaint out of the little girl. Definitely a young person's car, I guess.
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I assume you mean a 360 or 430? There are no issues what so ever. Go for it and have fun.

With other Ferraris, a long trip can be a little bit of a headache. When I had a 348, my legs kept falling asleep on trips between AZ and CA. Our old Mondial had an AC unit that couldn't keep up with the Arizona and Central California August heat going to Monterey (not many old cars can). Other than that, I blew a tire in my old F355 in France during a two week trip and had a hell of a time finding a shop to replace it.

 

The cars from 99 onward are considered daily drivers.

I have a friend in the Ferrari France club with a 308.
He says he always ends the cruises on the hook of a tow truck.