New Owner's Diary: Week 1

Thank you for posting this diary, Jon. It brings back memories of my early ownership days. FC was on a much smaller scale in those days (January, 2002). There were a few members that were very helpful in those first few months I owned my car. They seemed to be "on call" and were very responsive to my email questions. Like Magoo, Peter, Ed Gault, Dave Handa, Verell Boaen, Steve Magnusson, and Mike Charness. One even told me to stand by while he ran out to his garage to check on a part! I know you'll find the same caliber support today here on FC.

So, keep this diary going. I'll certainly be following your story attentively.

With this in mind:

This is quite common. The door jamb switch is not waterproof and the ground clip is prone to oxidation. Just slide the switch out and clean the contacts every once-in-awhile. The switches commonly stop functioning after washing the car. Pull the switch and dry it off.

Enjoy your new ride! Notice the difference in steering when you transition back to your daily driver after a day in your 328?

Barry

 

It's also been said that they're just marking their territory.

 

My BMW 635 (best BMW sheet metal ever) gives me that feeling. But I'm looking for it again, so it's good to hear these stories. Plus, it sounds like this club has the same sort of feeling as the sixer groups. Now I have to figure out which Ferrari, so keep up the diary -- thanks!
Shawn

 

First of all congratulations and hope you enjoy your ferrari without any major concern. I am looking forward to reading your next diary.

 

Nice write-up, Jon, and reminds me of myself last June when I got my car.
And still reminds me of myself today 9 months later.
I don’t think that ‘Oh my god’ feeling will ever go away! I think it must be some sort of self perpetuating disease that will infect you for the foreseeable future! You do get used to living with it, but I don’t think you’ll ever get over it!
My first week I must have looked out in the garage at least a 100 times, now I just look maybe 3 or 4 times a day. And when I walk by, I still give her a little ‘feel’! That first week I sat straight up in the seat while driving, gotta see everything, just where is the front of the front end sort of thing, but now I’ve found it more comfortable to just slouch down deeper into the seat and enjoy the ride! All the strange noises, strange smells, are still there but I know what they are now and am comfortable with them. A few have taken me back down to Gary’s shop for reassurance, and one intermittent gear-train noise is going to require attention in the near future. But at least I know what it is.
So prepare yourself because you’ve just become infected, but it’s a most delightful infection I’m sure you’ll enjoy living with!
Enjoy the ride, John

 

Over the last 4 months, I have been going back through the entire 308 section here - refreshing my knowledge base for my second round of 308 ownership ('85 QV this time). On page 505, I came across this little gem from Bullfighter, almost exactly 10 years ago....

He did a phenomenal job of capturing the essence of F-car ownership in his New Owner Diaries.