why ferrari?

Ive been arguing for and against all kinds of cars for as long as i can remember. I go off of things ive seen and read mainly performance FACTS (weight, hp, tq, etc.) ,quality (materials, fit/finish, reliability, etc.) , and design though based on opinion...

Now before i get into it, i should state ive been a Fchatter for a reason. I think some of their designs are hard to top (360 cs, 288 GTO, 512 TR, etc) but im also a huge fan of many different cars American, italian, german, and englsih... not so many asian

I have never drivin or even sat in a ferrari and have only seen a very limited amount in person (though one was an enzo! behind glass though ) and ive also never really drivin anything fast and modern. (72 charger with a 440 doesnt count right?)



So why ferrari?

In my land of FACTS i see the porsche turbo and C6 z06 being right with, and most times being faster then the F430. Now im not saying the z06 is the better car cause i know the fit/finish and quality arnt there for the most part (not reliability though). But the porsche on the otherhand... better quality? same performance? IMHO looks better then the 430 (not 360CS) yet costs a good $100k less...


Usually when this topic comes up most f car owners say soething about heritage, exclusiveness, prestige, name, etc... and i dont give a crap about those. to me thats as bad as ricers using the HP per liter argument...


Then something else will come up and ive read it in some articles as well. Everyone seems to think the 430 has a better "feel". Not just the 430 though. In about every discussion about any F-car someone will say something along the lines of it having a better feel. Again, i work with facts and until one of you lets me drive your ferrari I cant let this go without a detailed explaination.


SO! What physical/measurable material/product/design/parts give ferraris their "feel"?

Is it suspension design? seating position with a mid-motor layout? (if so do front motor fcars have the same "feel")? or is it italian voo doo?

Why is it no other car maker in the world can seem match ferraris "feel"?

 

hello,

more formula 1 victories than any other automobile manufacturer on the face of the earth.

kind regards,


joseph

 

I could sit here and explain why Picasso is a better painter than my five-year old niece, but you kind of need to experience his art (and hers, let's be fair) before you know.

You need to sit in and drive a Ferrari. Preferably one with a manual gearbox and the radio in the 'off' position.

If you can explain why a BMW always feels different than the Infiniti or Lexus that's supposed to be its direct competition, you'll have an idea of why a Ferrari and a (Mitsu 3000GT, Corvette, Supra, NSX, 300ZX, insert car name here) aren't the same thing.

 

There some very good reasons why Millionaires are lining to pay 80k over sticker for 430 spyder.
These people are not stupid nor is it the only status symbol one can buy.
Ferrari is the most rewarding car to drive with NO PEERS.

 

hahaha.... I love it.

You see... you got caught by the Ferrari magic as well.... !!! You're at a point where you can't find the answer to " why the hell Ferrari ". Man.!!, the car isn't that fast, isn't that light, too too expensive, isn't that super great performer... but why the hell is it the most popular, why the hell is it the most desirable cars for all men....... I found that out myself when I owned one... probably the slow of them all; the carb 308... but it got all the magics no cars I have owned come close.......... until you experienced that, no simple words can make you understand.... " why Ferrari ". ....sorry

 

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...

 

Engineering artwork at it's finest!! Have you looked at a Ferrari engine and listened to one with a race exhaust on a track!? Then go look at the chevy and porsche. Does the porsche even have an engine back there? I've never seen one LOL. Regards, Vern

 

I didn't really get it until I started driving a few, and comparing to the competition. Maybe Lotus (Esprit TT) is the only other car I've driven that came close.

I believe it's a single focused obsession with being the best sports car in the world. PERIOD. no cup holders, no cruise control. big enough to do real testing and R&D. small enough to not cater to soccer-mom's, and the thousand little needs of different markets needed to sell 80,000 cars a year (hmmm, Porsche?).

The feel, to me, is so much more confidence inspiring than any other car I've driven. With a sophisticated suspension that's "grown up", doesn't kill you, but gives more feedback than expected. Every mp/h faster feels better and more confident than the one before it.

Once I started looking for an Fcar, I began to think the used Fcar market was full of too many "stories" and gave up. But nothing else I drove or looked at could compare, these darn hunks of metal do get under your skin.

 

They make me grin like no other car.

 

"It's witchcraft!" - Clarkson

 

Why?

Because insanity has its privileges.

In hindsight, i see taking care of a Ferrari in 2006 was like doing cocaine in the 80's. It is G-ds way of telling you you have too much $$$ to burn.

 

Why not.......

 

You cannot rationalize the purchase and ownership of a Ferrari.
However, once you sit in one, preferably with the signature gateshifter, drive it around with the windows open and the radio off, you will stop asking these questions....
Saluti,

 

I will attempt to describe the non-emotional, objective traits that make the Ferrari different from a Porsche 911 or COrvette Z06. I currently own an F430 F1, so I'll use that f-car for this comparison.

Driving position: The F430 is a low car with a low, slightly laid-back seating position. The cab is forward, so the view over the front fenders and hood is excellent. The windshield is steeply raked which increases the feeling of roominess on the inside (interior edge of the dash is closer to the front bumper). The front wheel wells are positioned behind the pedals, so there is a slight alignment to the right for your feet. The door line is proportional to the low roof, so it is set low (near the driver's elbow). Both the Porsche and Corvette are more upright seating positions.

Engine sounds: The F430 engine is directly behind the driver's neck. It sits low in the middle of the car but the top of the engine is about the same height as the driver's shoulders. The two primary sounds heard are exhaust noise (burbles, pops, & roars) and the intake sounds (whooshes and slurps). When one is driving in a spirited fashion with the RPMs between 5000 and 8500, the sounds coming from 12 inches behind your head are amazing. Every time you accelerate or brake, the engine goes from singing to burbling. This constant feedback from the engine helps connect the driver physically to the driving experience. The Porsche and Corvette have more sound insulation and little engine noise, other than a mild exhaust note, is heard.

Steering Feel: The F430 has very light steering effort and the driver's hands can sense the relative pressure of the wheels during turn-in while accelerating or while braking through the beginning of a turn. Some of the road's roughness makes its way through the steering wheel. This gives the car a very non-Lexus like feel, a very connected feel to it (without being harsh like an old hot rod). The Porsche and Corvette have a more power-boosted feel to their steering and less direct feedback.

Hope this helps understand "Why Ferrari?".

 

nuff said. gonna be difficult to understand the allure. It's not in the numbers. But if you are a performance car guy and especially if you are a race fan, you might understand. after the first drive, you'll likely get it. but, ferrari isn't for everyone. that's why there are porche and lambo.

 

it's funny, this is one of the only reasons i generally prefer older ferraris. try getting a tr out of a tight spot in a parking lot and you'll know what i'm talking about. between the shifting, clutch and steering, you've got to work for it.

 

You have to earn the experience.

 

And longer than many of us want to remember.

Remember back when you asked before?: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53367
And some of your other questions?:

Search: Threads Started By: needcash

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• why ferrari?
• whats the BEST 1/4 mile time someone has got out of an enzo?
• How are newer maseratis for repairs/maintainence?
• Tell me what you know about caterhams
• Lets see all your paint flaws
• Has anyone modded a enzo yet?
• 288 GTO clones of all kinds
• What are your thoughts on the VW Phaeton?
• Walk me thru the costs in owning a 512TR
• Bugatti Veyron VS Saleen S7 TT (1000hp version)
• Post Pics of ferraris without the original motors
• Im looking for all the cars and owners of ferrari "hybrids"
• Anyone know of any lambo "hybrids"
• Post pics of modified F cars
• Post pics of ferrari hyrbids (not feiro kit cars)
• Has anyone tried putting an american V8 in a 308 or 328?
• How much does owning your ferrari cost you?
• how does lambo reliability and maintainence generaly compare to Ferraris?
• How is the reliablility and modability with the 308 and 328 motors?
• Has anyone modded an enzo motor yet (besides exhaust)?
• Has anyone tried a F40 replica off of a 308 or 328?
• Would you use a 21 year old as your realtor?
• "work from home" mailings?
• Anyone know anything about debt collectors?

Dude, you're just bouncing off the walls.
a) Figure out what you're looking for from a car.
b) See (a).
c) Drive one, then criticize.

No car is going to give your life meaning. Get that first, then talk cars.

 

LMAO!

 

If you're a self-professed car nut, you haven't lived until you've driven an f-car at near full-revs through a tunnel with all the windows down. It's one of those life affirming moments, and you suddenly realize that a Ferrari is worth every penny it costs to own one.

As Wetpet said, Ferrari's aren't about numbers, not in a world where Pontiac will sell you a 400hp GTO for $30k. There's something else about Ferraris that can't be rationalized. Like all things Italian, it's emotional.

-James
My new love: Alfa Romeo 8c Spider

 

Well, maybe an F40. But in general you're right.

 

Any sports car that you buy based only on numbers is not being bought by a car guy. That guy is buying for some kind of image he thinks that car will project.

Ferrari owners are generally more concerned with the art of the car, which encompasses the body style, the sounds, the smells and the mystique of the brand. If they are faster or slower than a Lamborghini or your neighbor's Lexus is besides the point.

I think you will be disappointed with a Ferrari if all that you care about is bragging rights; plenty of other cars will go faster, cost less and be more reliable. I would venture that a Vette might be more your cup of tea.

Ken

 

that question all the time: "Why do you love Ferraris?" Like you, I thought about it because I wanted more than a pedestrian answer. So, I addressed it on my website:

http://alfonsofaustino.com/Enzo_Ferrari.html.

For me, it's the Old Man and my father.

 

Hello...

I let a new friend who has been working on Corvetts EXCLUSIVELY for sixteen years drive my '78 308.

Once I convinced him to get RPM's up to an acceptable level (he rally wanted to shift "short") he asked, "How do they do that?'

I said what do you mean?

And he replied, "Everything!!"

I didn't have an answer...I just know it's lots of fun!!!