Once the new cars are ten years old, and it starts getting hard to find replacements for all the computer modules, sensors, servos, solenoids and such, they are going to be a trial to own. And I doubt they will appreciate the way the vintage cars have. I like the idea that I can open the engine lid on the Dino and recognize every part, and fix or replace it with relative ease. Besides, I really like knowing that Enzo himself was in charge when my car was built in Maranello. The old cars define the mystique. Barring calamity, I'll never part with mine.
As wspeer suggested, I've posted the reciprocal question to the one I posted here on the 430 thread to see how owners of new V8 Ferraris respond. This should be interesting although I suspect wspeer's hypothesis is correct. The following shortcut takes you to that posting. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=137210604#post137210604 Cheers...Keith
Guys, I have been following chat for a long time. I have Dino 206 00160. She ( with these curves what else could she be) has been in my life for 25 years. She is the reason my best friend and I got together. Let me tell you a story, if you don't mind the time. Found her after an ad and went to see her. Seller had parked her on the driveway , brillant yellow against an industrial garage and I was done! Drove her, didn't need to, was gonna buy her anyway. Took her home, tune up, oh ****, valves, oops cups, engine overhaul 10K (1988 dollars). Transmission, had to double clutch to enter 2nd gear, hmm synchro (surprise), took her to Thomkin (sp). Got a call from mechanic, "can't find bearings anywhere." "Called London, Modena, no luck." Went to see. Took friend (yeah, was girl). She looked at bearings. She then went to Napa Auto parts and got the bearings. Married her. Many fun rallys, written up in sports car editorial, etc. Now she, Dino, needs someone who can and will take the time and money to bring her back to where she should be. Life changes as we are busy making plans (Lennon, I believe), she is going up for sale, check Sheehan's.
Last week at my golf club, I pulled in next to a 430 Spyder in dark grey with tan leather (the absolute best color combo in my opinion). The wedgy fat tail with the bugged-out lights and the "look at my dick" clear engine cover were just silly and pathetic next to the Dino. Did a quick poll of the caddies and staffers -- which one would they want to own? 7-1 for the Dino. The 430 got a vote from a 16-year-old. Four or five members stopped over to look at the Dino... zero had any interest in the 430 -- after all there were three in the lot! Great and classic design will always get attention. A 575 Maranello is a beautiful and elegant vehicle, and makes a better comparison to a GT -- and a really good one is cheaper than an OK Dino! Ferrari recently has and still does make some beautiful cars, but why you would want one as your "everyday" car is beyond me. A car that can only carry two people and an attache case (but really, really fast) is not an everyday utilitarian vehicle unless you work at a track. Do you drive 150 MPH every day? Do you need to make gear changes in milliseconds on your way to work? Do you need to make the kind of statement that a 430 makes every time you go out on the road? The point of these cars is the thrill of driving them. The new cars isolate you more and more from that thrill, and make incredibly dangerous speeds feel far too comfortable. Having driven 360s and 430s, a couple times a year on a track is the only place I would really want to drive one again. That's the only place you can safely and sanely explore a significant fraction of their potential and enjoy it without the angst of losing your license or life, or worse costing someone else their health. A 430 at 60-70 on a twisty back road is a snore -- there's a reason they have such massive stereos! A Dino is a laugh riot, and the radio will just annoy you!
