What I would and would not do with my car | FerrariChat

What I would and would not do with my car

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by TomW458, Aug 14, 2013.

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  1. TomW458

    TomW458 Rookie

    Mar 2, 2013
    22
    Las Vegas
    Full Name:
    Tom Wilcox
    I was thinking about the plight of an earlier post where a member is stuck with his 458 as his only car for a week. Tears, right? It got me thinking about what limitations that would incur. I thought it might be interesting to see what level of paranoia exists among owners. This is where I stand:

    I DO drive to work once or twice a week and park in covered parking next to similar cars.
    I DO drive to to the supermarket and other quick errands like the dry cleaners or small shops where I can keep the car in the corner of my eye.
    I DO go on drives where returning home is my final destination.
    I DO to visit family and friends.
    I DO take the car to “Cars n Coffee” on Saturday mornings to see other car enthusiasts.
    I DO put a gun in my glove box (with concealed permit) if I have to drive interstate or long into the night. A ferrari with a flat tire on a dark deserted highway is a sitting duck.
    I MIGHT leave the car in covered parking to attend a movie.
    I MIGHT drive to the mall for a quick errand, and try to find a parking space that is landscaped on one side.
    I MIGHT go to Walmart, Sam’s club or Costco or other slightly lower economically shops where people push big heavy carts and poorly controlled trolleys to their car.
    I MIGHT go through a drive through, although some can be pretty tight and can ruin your rims.
    I WONT put particulate matter in the trunk: bags of flour, rock salt, dog food, cement, mulch or manure.
    I WONT park in venues that have large gravel parking lots.
    I WONT go to spectator events like football or monster trucks where there is likely to be a lot of drunk spectators leaving the event.
    I WONT go to large public events where I can boxed in playing bumper cars for an hour trying to get out of the parking lot. There is no where to go if approached.
    I WONT go to destinations that are in unfamiliar or depressed parts of town.

    Where do I stand on the crazy meter?
    Am I too trusting or too paranoid?
    Tell me what you would or wouldn’t do.
    Add your own scenarios and experiences.
     
  2. dr.sb

    dr.sb Formula Junior

    Aug 19, 2011
    789
    UK
    Full Name:
    Sunny B
    Not crazy I must say. How much have you driven your 458?

    Great post. Will revert back with my input :)

    Sunny
     
  3. SlowV8

    SlowV8 Karting
    BANNED

    Apr 21, 2013
    110
    The gun in glove box is amusing.
     
  4. Woppum

    Woppum Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2010
    677
    I must stop driving the bloody thing! 2.5k miles in my first three weeks is not a good start . If this continues I won't have enough money to buy the next one! ;)
     
  5. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,167
    Vegas baby
    I parked mine next to other cars
    I took it to the supermarket, Walmart, and even Home Depot once.
    I went to Cars and Coffee once. Never do it again... not my thing. Took it to other cars shows though.
    I took my GF out in it and went on short trips with it.
    I took it through a drive-thru.
    I drove it to North Las Vegas. That's pretty depressed.

    That's about it.

    It's not a great everyday car. It's a good everyday car. What makes it not a great everyday car is that sometimes you just don't want the notoriety and attention it brings. And, it's not very good at storage space (duh!).
     
  6. Zinger

    Zinger Formula 3

    Apr 11, 2009
    1,894
    Leesburg, Va
    Full Name:
    Ryan M
    Wow, did you drive across the country and back? :D. Thats A LOT of miles in 3 weeks, glad you are enjoying the car!
     
  7. Ski Bum

    Ski Bum Formula 3

    Jun 19, 2012
    1,088
    Well, I've got a little more than 2,500 miles on mine in 5 months. I agree with most of the DOs, MIGHTs and WONTs, except for supermarkets. I've seen too many shopping carts rolling on their own through parking lots and slamming into cars. People leave them unattended in unlevel, windy lots and they are treacherous.

    I've also ventured briefly in depressed areas without incident. And, I've made it without incident through countless construction zones, with the bumpy road setting of course (in NY, you simply can't travel without going through construction zones).

    Another WONT for me is valet parking.
     
  8. Woppum

    Woppum Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2010
    677
    That's long early morning drives through the country with friends plus a day taking donations for laps in aid of a cancer charity. Plus using it everyday - which I really shouldn't be doing ! Epic car! :)
     
  9. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    I WONT put a gun in my glove box without a permit to carry.
     
  10. Arnie

    Arnie Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2011
    465
    New Jersey
    I have 2700 miles on my 2013 spider since Jan. Too much fun to leave it in the garage.
     
  11. Porsche911s

    Porsche911s Karting

    Apr 17, 2011
    200
    South Carolina
    Full Name:
    Lou
    I don't have a gun, but other then that I see it the same way.
     
  12. Clutch5150

    Clutch5150 Karting

    Jul 27, 2013
    221
    I do carry my gun everywhere I go...All legal of course.
     
  13. Clutch5150

    Clutch5150 Karting

    Jul 27, 2013
    221
    The Golden Nugget takes very good care of the 458 when I'm there, but yea the rest of the town out that way pretty depressed, but we do like the Nugget. Beats the strip of fools! :-D

    As for the attention you mention, you so correct here. That was and is my biggest concern. I've seen my share of exotics before the 458 was had, so seeing them on the road was no big deal. Nothing prepared me for what I experience when I go out to the local ice cream shop with my son. Crazy stuff folks do to see this car.
     
  14. since-15

    since-15 Formula 3

    Nov 26, 2008
    1,142
    #14 since-15, Aug 14, 2013
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2013
    I will take it to my Ex-wife's funeral.
    I won't take it to a tax audit.
    I may take it to a strip club.
    I won't take it to a middle school car wash.
    I will take it to car shows (especially for the kids).
    I may take it to traffic court.
     
  15. bball16

    bball16 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 2, 2011
    4,127
    NY LI FtL
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Really funny....lol
     
  16. skinguy23

    skinguy23 Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2011
    612
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Steve
    +1

    I will drive over my ex wife with it after my current wife drives over her with a steamroller. Twice
     
  17. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    I take my FF or Cali to middle school car washes ... not for the car wash though, give them $5 and simply drive away!

    Rick
     
  18. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    #18 PhilNotHill, Aug 15, 2013
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2013
    As someone who has put over 8.5k miles in 3 months I say it IS A GOOD START. Enjoy this one. Why worry about the next one. the 458 is perfect.

    I avoid parking in places where doors can be opened and dent my car, or the bumpers will get dinged from parrallel parking. I will pay to park in safe places in town. We have a covered garage that is never full and it's worth it. It's a small town and after 12+ yrs I know where all the good parking spots are.

    I have found with my 3 Fcars people are pretty respectful. Never had a problem but it only takes one wacko to mess things up.

    Carpe Diem = Enjoy the car.
     
  19. Dansage

    Dansage Karting

    May 20, 2012
    230
    + infinity
     
  20. Porsche911s

    Porsche911s Karting

    Apr 17, 2011
    200
    South Carolina
    Full Name:
    Lou
    2500 miles in 5 months ... Seems like you make a great choice... Enjoy it!
     
  21. Clutch5150

    Clutch5150 Karting

    Jul 27, 2013
    221
    The look on my wifes face when I dropped our son off for the first time in the car was priceless and she still must be scratching her head why she gives me Child Support every month!
     
  22. Mozella

    Mozella Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2013
    905
    Piemonte, Italia
    Here in Italy, all the supermarket carts cost one Euro to unlock. When you return it to the rack, you get your money back; consequently, there are zero run-away carts in that lot.

    However, the parking spaces are narrow and the Swiss visitors are, for some reason, famous for creating door dings. So, unlike the OP, I don't care about keeping an eye on my car in a supermarket lot because it is unlikely to be stolen. And I don't see why watching a door ding happen is much better than discovering it when you return to your car.

    My usual supermarket has two marked parking spots oriented in such a way that both spots on each side have so much extra room that door dings are impossible. If neither are vacant, I park WAY on the other side of the lot.
     
  23. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    My candidate for humor post of the month.
     
  24. kona2003

    kona2003 Rookie

    Mar 13, 2013
    24
    ....5,150 miles in two months....its the most remarkable car. I feel badly for my 2012 911 cab, alas it feels like a new car when I take her out. I truly love driving the 458. I've taken it to a track day in Canada (mosport), and to the Ferrari Club 50th anniversary at Elkhart Lake (road america)....its two different cars: 1) smooth, quiet, relatively spacious when in sport/auto mode, and 2) fire breathing beast when in race/paddles....It is truly a privilege to drive such a remarkable car. As for where/when I will drive it? I do not have a gun, but one has to be smart about where you go. Smart destination and parking choices are not difficult....and yes, i do take it to saturday morning hockey...the hockey equipment bag and stick fits better in the 458 passenger seat then in the 911....

    wrt the mileage, I tell my friends, heck I don't see any therapist....driving in my therapy....and therapy ain't free....but what a return on the investment. Can't wipe the smile off my face when I slip into my nero beast and hit the red button....love to hear about people who enjoy their car as well...
     
  25. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    My wife gave me an article about people who work and people who retire. The gist of the article was that people who work have purpose and are happier; people who are retired and idle are more likely to be depressed.

    I know what depression is. When I ruptured my achilles tendon on New Years Eve a few years ago and could not ski, I got depressed. went to counseling and got out of it in time.

    Driving the 458 Spider is therapy. No depression, just the joy of driving one of the best cars in the world. I am blessed, not depressed. :)
     

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