Which F-Car is the most fun to drive?

Let's see. I've been fortunate to have driven three Lussos, a PF Spider, a 500 Mondial through the factory gates at Maranello, several 330 GTC's, a 365 GTC, a 275 GTB, a 275 GTB/4, a 275 GTB/4*S (OMG), a SWB, a Queen Mother or two, several Daytonas, several Boxers, a BB/LM, a dozen Dino's, many, many Mondials, a bunch of GT4's, several 400's, a 412, almost a hundred 308/328's, a couple dozen 348's, a dozen 355's, a couple 360's, two 550's, a 348 GT Competizione (from Michelotto, not the street car), two 456's, a dozen and a half Testarossas, on and on. It's my job! <grin>

The most fun to drive? William H's F40 (long before he got it), bar none! Incredible driving experience.

-Peter (thanks, Carbon, for the inspiration to post...)

 

MY HERO...!!!

 

Thanks for posting that. That is an awesome collection of cars you have driven. Alot of awesome experiences were had im sure. I bet you would have some cool stories to share over a few beers mate. Cheers.

 

All of them, but most of all the cars that at some point it seemed as though I'd never get a chance to own or drive..........and of course the cars we've rescued from the scrap heap

 

Pap, thank you for all you do to help keep the Brotherhood up and running. I guess I'm an honorary member with my t Coupe. <grin>

Honestly, the major reason I walked into a local businessman's office twenty-five years ago and said, "I'm Peter and I would like to service your Ferrari" is the same as it is for many folks. A fascination with the history, an appreciation of the aesthetic and a relishing of the "driving experience" of Ferrari.

I've been very, very fortunate to be friends with and a resource to a bunch of incredibly generous people who've shared the experience of a drive (or more!) in their cars with me. I've tried never to take advantage of that trust, just as you cannot when you're entrusted with the service and repair of their car.

I loved driving Watts Hill's two Lussos as much as the BB/LM and the 348GT (straight cut box) and I aspire to own a 355 Berlinetta. I love my t Coupe.

The F40 is awesome, though...

-Peter

 

You are most welcome Peter. Im still yet to see my 1st F40 in person. So thats a start. When I do, then ill try and get to be a passenger in one. One day......

 

Lolaman,

If you don't mind, would you mind giving a little more of your impression on the (lowly ) GT4 as compared to the rest of that awesome group of cars?

Thanks...

 

For me, it would be a 550. Awesome all round car that you could use every day without being 'in your face' and is very very driveable while still being special.

Also driven 348, 456, 355 Spider and 360 Spider. 360 was incredible too, but gets too much attention for my liking.

 

Haha that's how they use to recruit people into the Army Airborne...what are you trying to pull?

 

David, I'm a little prejudiced towards the GT4, it was the first F-car I ever (very briefly) owned (10852? 10876? twenty-two years ago, black/red '75 US car). To me, the driving experience of the GT4 is wonderful, very direct, very basic, taut. The car makes lovely noise with the intake near your ear. Tons of room inside. I like the simple straight lines of the Bertone design, too. The cab-forward design allows for much better visibility than the 2-seater cars. You're on top of the road instead of looking at it unfold before you. These cars are gems.

-Peter (they're ALL gems! <grin>)

 

Most fun? I have driven a carbed 308gtb, two Mondials - an 8 and a QV - and a 328GTS. That makes me more qualified than 99% of the population but still a neophite in the Ferrari world. Regardless, here are my opinions in some kind of chronology:

In 1997 I bought a carbed, Euro 308GTB: Finest car I have ever driven.

In 1998 I bought a Mondial QV after test driving a Mondial 8: Both cars were nice but felt very "open" and impersonal compared to the "you put it on, one with the car" GTB.

In 1999 I drove a friends 328GTS from Houston to Tulsa: Nice car, more modern feel - a little - and with a functional A/C. Powerful as the carbed 308GTB but without the wonderful Weber howl.

In 2000 I bought my original 308GTB back from the guy I sold it to: Still the finest car I have ever driven.

Would like to own (and may soon): a 355 berlinetta or a well sorted 348 berlinetta. I like the 355 styling a little better than the "I am eighties!" cheese grater sides of the 348. Still, the 348 is more car than I can exploit.

That's it. Two cents please.

rick
'79 308GTB
other cars

 

It depends on whether you're talking about new or old. See this thread for my thoughts on 550 v. a GTC. Very, very different cars.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=135977811#post135977811

I don't know what vintage Ferrari is the most fun to drive. I haven't driven that many. I used to have a book by the drummer for Pink Floyd who compared all his cars. He naturally liked his 250 GTO the best.

When it comes to new cars, the newer the better. The F430 is the most fun Ferrari that I have ever driven. However, I suspect that the 599 will be even better.

Dale

 

Another vote for the GT4. Fair enough I've only ever driven a 208GT4, 308GT4 and a 456 but the GT4s are for me the most fun to drive. The reasons being:

1. The noise
2. The power delivery - mostly top end
3. Very neutral handling and with the 195 tires you could take them to the limit in comparative safety.

Overall the GT4 offers great feedback and a really visceral feel that is missing from modern cars.

I was also told by a 348 owner that my car was more fun to drive than his!

 

Slight digression...when you do see and hear and F40 bear these words in mind...from the moth of an F40 owner I was speaking to after seeing and hearing this monster
Me: you have a stunning car whats it like to drive on the road
F40 owner: its a fantastic car every man should have one...

Enough said....

 

I have driven many Ferraris, including an Enzo. I would say the most fun was a Challenge Stradale.

 

Your own!

 

I have only driven a Testarossa and a 328. I am biased toward the 328 because it was the first Fcar I ever drove.

However, the Testarossa was a great ride as well. I was a little more intimidated by the Testarossa and drove it appropriately (meaning I didn't push it because I didn't want to wreck someone elses car).

But in the end my vote goes to the 328... perhaps one day when I gain more seat time in these cars my opinion will change.

 

I drove my friend's father's 328 gts back in high school. was kind of like a ferris beuler deal. anyways, the thing i remember most from that was the reaction from people seeing a. a ferrari and b. two 17 yr old kids driving it.

last summer i got to drive a 6 speed f355 spyder. i must say, this is probably my first real big ferrari experience that had me completely intoxicated. the overall feel and sound of the motor, the 2-3 click on the shift gate. beautiful.

i then got to drive an f1 f360 modena, and although it was faster, it felt like a little less of an experience, maybe because it wasn't a spider, most because of the f1 transmission. it was still fun and felt great, but it just didn't feel like it had as much character as the f355 spyder. i'm wondering if driving a manual 360 would be on par.

 

Simple......Mine!

 

Surely it's more fun to drive someone else's Ferrari?...You don't have to pay for the maintenance!

 

Thank you Peter!

I've always heard great things about the GT4. And I don't recall ever hearing anything really disparaging* about the car except the styling. Although the Bertoni "look" has stamped itself on so many other super-cars now, that many who do not follow the different makes and models don't seem to even know the difference.

Perhaps the GT4 was simply ahead of it's time.

I'm so glad I bought one. I waited a long time. It's the fastest car I've ever owned. And it handles, terrific. It's even made me appreciate my little Alfa Spider much more too. Albeit and slower and more reasonable speeds. No need to push the Alfa anymore. If you want to go faster, change cars! There's no need to beat yourself (or the car) to death.

And it's great to hear that it was your first car too!


*I did have an experience with a salesman about 8 or 9 years ago though when the 550 first came out. I was admiring one at Ogner Ferrari and asked the salesman, "Do you ever get any GT4's in here for sale?".

He gave me a genuinely puzzled look. And I waited for what seemed like ever for an answer. Then his eyes rolled straght up as he slowly closed his eyes firmly shut. There was an almost audible, "Humph" as his head shuddered ever so slightly. He then promptly turned on his heel and walked away.

I think the stick he turned on, ran from his heel, though his a$$ and right up into his brain. And I wanted like Hell, to bury my foot right in the middle of it!

Uh.... Cheers!

-D.

 

I thought the same thing until I drove a F430 on the track at Mt. Tremblant. Just imagine a Stradale with more torque. The 430 also feels more planted.

Dale

 

Sorry for the highjack, but David’s experience at Ogner reminded me of my GT4 purchase…

When I was looking for a GT4 twelve-odd years ago, I called every Ferrari sales/shop in the western U.S. On the long list I had compiled from various sources was Tillack & Company in Los Angeles (Redondo Beach). I had heard of the shop over the years; it was known as a very high-end place that did Pebble Beach-winning restorations and tuned and transported super-rare Ferrari racecars to events all over the world for big-time VIP clients. So I purposely avoided calling them in my quest to find a lowly GT4. Well, after not finding the right car through any of the other contacts, I sheepishly called Tillack’s shop as a last resort (maybe a client used one as a doorstop or something). I spoke to the owner, Steve Tillack, who told me that HE personally owned a GT4, that it was one of his favorite street Ferraris of all time, and that it was for sale! Going to the shop was an experience in and of itself, as they had just taken delivery of an ex-Nikki Lauda F-1 car, which was in the process of being dismantled when I arrived at the shop. The other cars in the shop were beyond incredible. And here I was, buying my first Ferrari for $19,000. Long story a little longer, I bought the car and it was an awesome experience; everyone at the shop could not have been cooler and I never felt “less than” because I wasn’t on my way to the Mille Miglia (and I also learned that you don’t have to own a 1958 Testarossa to get your car serviced there!).

So to answer the original question… my 365GT 2+2 with a broken exhaust system!!
Instead of the 8 mufflers it’s supposed to have, the car had 1 –1/2 mufflers on it when I bought it. When the original mufflers rusted out, the owner had just cut them out and added straight pipe. Oh, and the “1/2” is because one of the two remaining mufflers had a big hole in it! Anyway, the car made the most amazing sound I have ever heard. Driving the car in the Santa Monica mountains was intoxicating, with the sound bouncing off the canyon walls. I felt like a combination of Ginther, Hill and Schumacher all in one. The car itself was awesome, the handling surprisingly good despite the heft. But that sound!! It’s amazing how much that added to the experience. And just driving down the street would set car alarms off one after the other much to the glee of my passenger daughters.

The harder I drove the 365, the more I missed the handling and feel of my GT4, so I recently bought a GTB track-prepped car. Part of me still misses the GT4 though – the visibility and driving position are very unique in a GT4, you’re more “on top” of the road in that car than anything else I’ve ever driven; it’s like a motorcycle! The GTB, conversely, is more enveloping. The GTB’s visibility, however, has a unique aspect to it as well, which is the view of the front fender curves – makes me feel like I’m driving a P-3 or 206 SP!

Never had the chance to drive a “modern” F-car, so I have no comparison!!!

Oh, and the 365 was just too loud for polite society (and the Db rules at Laguna for FCA track days at the national two years ago), so I begrudgingly put it back to “stock” – I swear when I got it back it (comparatively) sounded like Buick!! I almost cried!! One of these days I gotta chop off maybe one row of the mufflers –keep 4, lose 4, that might work!

It’s amazing how things that can’t be rated or defined on a spec sheet add so much to the experience of driving a car or motorcycle. How some cars can look perfect on paper but be devoid of emotional involvement when being driven.

 

The first Ferrari I ever drove was the 365 GT/4 2+2! It was a '75, at Fantasy Junction. Black/tan with a 5-speed and the price was $19K. I really wanted it, but I knew I was losing my contract and would be moving back to LA within a month or so. So I had to pass.

But that was my drop-dead dream car. And it might still be. I'm not sure, since the car I drove had been sitting in storage for 2-years and was very very mooshey. Also, I was only able to drive it through an area of abandoned warehouses, and wasn't able to get to freeway speeds or accelerate much. So I don't really know how it compares to the GT4. Although maintenance and cost wise, I'm sure I'm better of with the GT4!

But even still. It was my first ride, and the sound of the motor was pretty awesome, even at 35-40mph.

 

The 430 is awesome, no doubt about that. I just loved the "rawness" of the Stradale, with no sound insulation. It just felt very purposeful, very dedicated to track driving.

As powerful as a 430 is, the Stradale did post quicker lap times than a 430, I believe at Fiorano.