Road Test: 550 Maranello in the Snow | FerrariChat
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Road Test: 550 Maranello in the Snow

Discussion in 'New York Tri-State' started by pchop, Jan 30, 2005.

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  1. pchop

    pchop F1 Rookie
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    #1 pchop, Jan 30, 2005
    Tonight I went out to a pretty posh club named "Posh". I thought the roads are pretty clean and it would be nice to take my "baby" to arrive in style...of course, I never bothered with to the weather forecast. When I came out of the club, my car was covered in snow. So I did a little first hand road test of the Maranello in the Snow, and here's what I found:

    1. Don't do it
    2. I was passed by: MB ML500, Porsche Carrera 4, Nissan Maxima and an old Chevy Stationwagon.
    3. With traction control on, it's freaking annoying as hell when it cuts the engine power.
    4. With the traction control off, my car's a$$ is all over the place
    5. When you take a turn at speeds greater than 15 MPH, the car's a$$ will come around...and it nearly did.
    6. When you climb a 20 degree incline, the car BARELY made it up and it took almost 5 minutes to go 800 feet in distance.
    7. You will slide...and it ain't FUN.
    8. The most enjoying moment of the night: when I pulled into my garage.
    9. Ferrari can be driven in snow...barely
    10. If you think it's meant to be driven in snow, you're freaking out of your mind.
    11. Would I do it again: hell, no!
    12. What experience did tonight most resembles: Geoff's Driving.
     
  2. udalmia

    udalmia Guest

    #2 udalmia, Jan 30, 2005
    'oh splif' geoff :D
     
  3. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    #3 Napolis, Jan 30, 2005
    It's the tires. MANY cars can hardly be driven with high speed tires in the snow.

    If you switch to snow tires it will be fine.
     
  4. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2003
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    #4 ghost, Jan 30, 2005
    Funny stuff John. Glad to see you - and the car - are safe and sound.
     
  5. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
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    #5 sjmst, Jan 30, 2005
    100% correct. That was exactly how my bimmer behaved with the summer tires. With the Pirelli snowsports, it goes through anything.
     
  6. f1f355

    f1f355 Rookie

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    #6 f1f355, Jan 30, 2005
    hey pchop, not sure if you remember me. we met at the grand opening of the ferrari showroom in the city. we talked outside for a few minutes. anyway... you talking about posh in the garden city hotel? i usually go there on thurs nights. how is the sat crowd? i heard it is much older. thurs nights the girls are in there 20's. i have next sat night off and was thinking about going. also, you should check the weather before bringing the 550 out. it called for some snow after midnight.
     
  7. jptyke

    jptyke Formula 3

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    Master P.
    #7 jptyke, Jan 30, 2005
    You been Geoffed!
     
  8. W00dEar

    W00dEar F1 Rookie
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    Chris
    #8 W00dEar, Jan 30, 2005
    RWD + summer tire does not do snow, for any car.
     
  9. Schultzois

    Schultzois Formula Junior

    Jun 22, 2004
    879
    #9 Schultzois, Jan 30, 2005
    The first few months I had my car I got caught in light snow once at Lake Placid while on my way to Montreal. This was October/November and the snow was very light, but there was no handling problem at all. Not sure what kind of tires I was running then. Maybe you had a bit more snow last night and I'm sure temperatures were a little colder.

    With the couple of winters where I had work out in PA I'm sure I must have taken her along roads with some light snowfall but probably not fresh snow - I would have used another car or changed the schedule.

    I am curious what kind of tires I had in the past... will have to see if I can find out.

    Geoffed? I seem to be developing some dubious notoriety here... ;)
     
  10. JPF

    JPF Formula Junior

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    #10 JPF, Jan 30, 2005
    Word. THrow some blizzaks on that *****, it'll go anywhere.
     
  11. Black355

    Black355 F1 Veteran

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    #11 Black355, Jan 30, 2005
    FWERRFF!
     
  12. pchop

    pchop F1 Rookie
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    #12 pchop, Jan 30, 2005
    Thanks Jim! But my garage is 1/8 of yours...so changing them tires will be an all day task.
     
  13. pchop

    pchop F1 Rookie
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    #13 pchop, Jan 30, 2005

    Yo Louie! What's up bro? Yeah, it's the Garden City Hotel. Sat night was a "dude fest" and I went there for a b-day party. Usually I go there on Thursday nights as well. Give me a call on my cell 516-902-4027 next time you go, we should meet up. I remember seeing a red 360 there a few month ago, is that yours?
     
  14. pchop

    pchop F1 Rookie
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    #14 pchop, Jan 30, 2005

    You have no idea :)
     
  15. jptyke

    jptyke Formula 3

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    #15 jptyke, Feb 1, 2005
    Geoff, I say that with much love to you my friend! ;)
     
  16. Hemiragtop

    Hemiragtop Karting

    Nov 5, 2004
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    #16 Hemiragtop, Feb 9, 2005
    I agree 100% as well, my SL500 is completely useless in the snow and my previously owned 993 Porsche was as well.
     

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