Test Driving a 2004 Modena 360 Coupe Manual

Do you like the way it drives? Do you like this car? Is it smooth... etc.

Otherwise I would get a PPI from Ferrari of Quebec or some of the local Indys. Every car is unique and a handbuilt engine will vary some in sound. Someone who has driven and seen many will have a better determination if its a good example or if the throwout bearing is funky or steering play is present, etc.

 

If you are a savvy sports car owner you may be able to discern the cars condition but for me I was too nervous and/or excited to be able to tell. If you are not familiar with a fast revving car with a very light flywheel and electronic assisted throttle controls I would like to mention the following.

When changing gears pay attention to the 1st to 2nd gear change. It may feel off or a bit crunchy and this is kind of normal. If you drive a long time and things are good and warm it might work more smoothly. If it feels bad or not like what you are used to I would find a place where you can go from first to second and then stop and repeat until you get a smooth engagement. If you can get a smooth engagement in a few trys at some point in the drive (cold vs warm) I would not bee too concerned but mention it to your PPI person.

To drive the car smooth took me a lot of practice. I am still mastering the feathering of the gas for the most smooth changes. You will want to barely, if at all, lift the throttle to make the best shifts.

If car has non stock wheels or is lowered I would try to drive the car in a turn from full lock to full lock and listen and feel for anything weird. Make sure the surface is flat or you might wreck the car!

No radio, Check AC function, etc, etc.

I cant think if anything else to add beyond normal car stuff but maybe someone else can add to this.

If you get a good feeling put down a refundable deposit upon favorable PPI and get a PPI form someone who knows the cars.

 

Also check out the sticky at the top of the page.
Alan

 

Oh yes "sticky" touch every black plastic part in the car. Some may be quite sticky. Some of the parts are expensive to refinish and some are very simple.

 

If you touched all the normal areas and didn't notice anything that is all I would do. You will find some over time and that is part of the joy of ownership! If you want to get more into it you might be able to get a price list from "Sticky No More" to see what he is going to charge you to re-do the parts. In my mind the ones that bother me the most besides the high use parts like door latches and window switches are the steering wheel shroud, the window defrost vents and the air conditioning vents. The window one is easy to do yourself though so there is no real need to worry about it. I am not sure about how hard it is to do the air con vents but SNM did mine and they are very nice and highly visible in the car.