Our first date and I just kissed her good night

I first saw the 360 about 10 years ago. I hung a photo on my wall and began dreaming of some day being able to touch those beautiful curves.

I was broke at the time but figured someday I'd find a way to make her mine.

After and years of working my ass off and six years of looking, my "360 used" Autotrader alert notified me yesterday of a fine 03 manual rossa corsa over tan in Del Mar. Daytona seats, premium stereo, shields, Tubi, driven, recent major. I was in Tahoe at the time. I called the seller and liked what I heard. ALL original accessories accounted for, down to the flashlight. We banged out a contract pending PPI and I got on a plane for SAN.

Woke up early this morning at my hotel and met the seller at his house before 8am. He had her waiting for me in the driveway. It was love at first sight.

We took her up to the good folks at Cavallo MotorSports in Carlsbad for a full PPI with compression. The guys let me hang around while we inspected her every nook and cranny. There were a few minor issues, but overall she was given high marks. Very clean. 200-205 on compression. The seller and I made some adjustments to accommodate the issues, and we closed the deal.

I spent the next couple hours driving up the coast. Teenagers stopped and screamed out their windows at stop lights. People were giving me thumbs up and taking pictures. I got so much attention I was actually embarrassed.

We stopped at Carlsbad Beach just north of La Costa for our first seaside moment. I video Skyped the gf who just happens to be a gear head. She oooh'd and ahhh'd and said she couldn't wait to make it a threesome.

I continued to drive and somehow managed to throw an engine check light shortly thereafter… perhaps I didn't secure the gas cap tightly enough. Will have Cavallo look at it in the morning.

Overall, an intense and action-packed day. I made my way back to the hotel to rest up. Then the realization of what I had done hit me. Had I made a reckless decision? Was I ready?

After an hour or two, I had to go back out and see her again. I had her parked in a covered parking garage, illuminated by fluorescent lights. I went back out to take another look and before I knew it I was in the driver seat pulling out of the garage and onto the coastal highway. She was fully alive and oh so responsive in my hands. We took off, found the freeway, shifted straight through the six, and flew together into the night.

When I brought her back to the garage, I just stood there, staring at her curves. Taking photos. Listening to the hum of the fluorescent lights and the sound of the crickets chirping along the coast. I had nowhere to go. All I could do was stand there and gawk. She was mine at last.

When I finally parked her, I just sat in the driver's seat for the longest time. I remembered back to the first 360 I drove at Scottsdale Ferrari in 2005. The way it felt to feel that grounded, explosive acceleration. The intoxicating smell of Italian leather. The chrome metal details. Could it really be true that after so many years she was finally mine? My fingers explored every inch of her…the handstitched leather dash, the shifter ball, the stamped Ferrari logo on the gate, the embossed logo on the headrests...it all felt real enough.

I felt like a kid again. Like a teenager with his first crush at summer camp. Something inside me that had been waiting for this for so long suddenly came alive, breathless, charged with ecstasy.

I finally pulled myself from the cockpit, closed the door, and gently kissed her good night. I watched her as I waited for the elevator, my red beauty shining in the lights. Mine at last!

And that's my story. Hope you enjoyed it, and photos attached.

BTW, Original stock wheels with recent Bridgestone tires, in outstanding condition, are available for sale and pick up in the San Diego area. Posting photos shortly. $1800 obo. PM me!

Cheers,
Josh
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Thanks chaps!

I fell asleep exhausted, so no 4am check, but after our wild ride together, I knew she'd be there in the morning waiting!

Photos were taken with an Android and a free app called Snapseed. Very cool photo manipulator and easy to use. I used "drama" effect then saturation boost on the car. Available for iPhone too.

Ronc123 was a true gentleman. He took great care of her for 4 years...Cavallo said it was one of the cleast 360's they'd ever seen...and he has been fair, honest, and very helpful to me. Much appreciated!