is a ferrari useable?
Discussion
Having test driven 430 I'm very interested in buying a V8 Ferrari but one issue has kept coming up when I have been doing my research - the attitude of other road users, jealousy,and vandalism. So I find myself wondering if I could use a Ferrari other than for the occasional trip to a country pub for lunch.
Sure its not a shopping car but would you dare take your P&J to Tesco? Would you park it on a city side street during the day? At night? Would you use a multi storey park in one? Do you get fed up of never being allowed out of side streets. Do you get random abuse from pedestrians?
In short would I be better off in something more anonymous like a 911?
Sure its not a shopping car but would you dare take your P&J to Tesco? Would you park it on a city side street during the day? At night? Would you use a multi storey park in one? Do you get fed up of never being allowed out of side streets. Do you get random abuse from pedestrians?
In short would I be better off in something more anonymous like a 911?
Edited by bordseye on Sunday 12th April 20:55
Well my 964RS was stollen from the streets of Chelsea whereas I never had a problem with the Challenge Stradale.
Always ran my cars as daily in London and no problem whatsoever. My Ferraris use to do 10kmiles in average per year, now more like 5kmiles due to having a child.
360/Stradale are more than capable for anything really...like some said, while groceries shopping: do park at the far end. Otherwise, drive drive drive
Always ran my cars as daily in London and no problem whatsoever. My Ferraris use to do 10kmiles in average per year, now more like 5kmiles due to having a child.
360/Stradale are more than capable for anything really...like some said, while groceries shopping: do park at the far end. Otherwise, drive drive drive
Edited by 911Thrasher on Monday 13th April 11:39
I find the 360 pretty useable, of the people who pay attention I would say 80% want a look or to say something nice but sadly there are the idiots who feel the need to give hand gestures or snide comments. However I have/do park it in town centres and Tesco's car park without a problem, normally just school kids standing near/by it with camera phones so if you want a 430 I'd say go for it.
Never had a problem with abuse. Never had a problem being let out of sides streets. In fact, the opposite. Much more likely to be let out and traffic moves out of the fast lane on the motorway rather more readily when it is a red Ferrari coming up behind in my experience.
I have been to the supermarket with a Ferrari but don't really recommend it. Too wide for the parking spaces and however far away I park I always seem to come back to find someone has parked two inches away from me so I can barely open the door to get in. Not ideal for multi-storey car parks although more because they tend to have quite steep ramps which can be a worry and again, spaces can be narrow (even managed to scrape some paint off my bumper and ground on the ramp in the underground of the Hotel Planet in Maranello!). There are places where I'd park on the street and places where I wouldn't but probably they would be the same places I would park or not park any valuable car. There are always plenty parked on the streets around Knightsbridge, for example.
If you want to use the car every day, well that isn't what a Ferrari is for in my view (even something like an FF which is still too wide, too little ground clearance etc.).
Jonathan
I have been to the supermarket with a Ferrari but don't really recommend it. Too wide for the parking spaces and however far away I park I always seem to come back to find someone has parked two inches away from me so I can barely open the door to get in. Not ideal for multi-storey car parks although more because they tend to have quite steep ramps which can be a worry and again, spaces can be narrow (even managed to scrape some paint off my bumper and ground on the ramp in the underground of the Hotel Planet in Maranello!). There are places where I'd park on the street and places where I wouldn't but probably they would be the same places I would park or not park any valuable car. There are always plenty parked on the streets around Knightsbridge, for example.
If you want to use the car every day, well that isn't what a Ferrari is for in my view (even something like an FF which is still too wide, too little ground clearance etc.).
Jonathan
bordseye said:
Sure its not a shopping car but would you dare take your P&J to Tesco? Would you park it on a city side street during the day? At night? Would you use a multi storey park in one?
For me, no, no, no, and no.bordseye said:
Do you get fed up of never being allowed out of side streets.
Not had any problem with that.bordseye said:
Do you get random abuse from pedestrians?
None so far. Young kids are enthusiastic, cyclists and white van man sometimes too.bordseye said:
In short would I be better off in something more anonymous like a 911?
If you're into cars then take the 430 over the 911 - unless its a GT3 RS then its a tougher choice 
Using regularly you'll find you're more conscious about where to park but I've parked at Tescos....just right at the back out of the way. No adverse comments and generally positive.
Of all the cars I've had this one get let out of junctions with ease as many. Are keen to allow you ahead so they can get a good view of the car. My Beemer is a nightmare for pulling out, everyone becomes blind and won't let me out in that.
It's usable easily, it comes down to how obsessive you are and whether parking up in public areas will leave you in a cold sweat or not
Of all the cars I've had this one get let out of junctions with ease as many. Are keen to allow you ahead so they can get a good view of the car. My Beemer is a nightmare for pulling out, everyone becomes blind and won't let me out in that.
It's usable easily, it comes down to how obsessive you are and whether parking up in public areas will leave you in a cold sweat or not
We have a red Modena and tend to just use it for weekend cruising. Our biggest headache is parking but that's more due to the threat of damage from other vehicles/doors rather than vandalism etc. We've had 100% positive responses and whilst it does attract attention, perhaps not as much as you'd imagine (we're in the South East). Other parts of the country differ. I think depending on where you are and how you intend to use it, colour choice could be important.
It almost always gets let out at junctions
It almost always gets let out at junctions
Ferraris tend to be A to A cars by their nature; their look and sound will inevitably draw attention and combined with their size make them a worry to leave in your average car park/street. I think most sub 10 year old cars could be used as a DD, they're capable of living outside for the most part and pretty rugged. However you're inevitably going to pick up battle scars along with an increase in servicing costs. And finally perhaps there's the danger of it not feeling quite so special and the sense of pre-driving anticipation wearing off. All non-life threatening First World problems though.
I've used mine for Tesco, and I have parked it in multi-storeys. As others have said, I'm very wary of what type of parking space I'll use due to other peoples lack of care when opening their doors - but that's also true for my 911 turbo.
It does get noticed, but 99% of that is positive.
There is always the danger that some jealous scumbag might decide to key it - but there is no way on earth that the possible actions of an unknown loser is going to stop me having a car I want and using it when I want.
My 360 is a much more fun drive than my 911, so I'd vote for the 430.
It does get noticed, but 99% of that is positive.
There is always the danger that some jealous scumbag might decide to key it - but there is no way on earth that the possible actions of an unknown loser is going to stop me having a car I want and using it when I want.
My 360 is a much more fun drive than my 911, so I'd vote for the 430.
I've been using Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and Maserati's as every day cars for many years now. I have a golden rule. If you can't leave your car parked on a road and leave it there for 3 nights without worrying about it - then don't buy it. You will not enjoy the ownership experience.
They can be used as an everyday car - they need to be used often - the modern cars are pretty good and reliable. There are a few guys on here that do use their cars everyday - but you'll need to remember that for many other people it's an event to see your car! Get used to the attention - especially with the advent of car paps - who are everywhere today. Mostly all good - and much better than scratching your paint - like to bd old days!
So ultimately it not the car - it's you!
They can be used as an everyday car - they need to be used often - the modern cars are pretty good and reliable. There are a few guys on here that do use their cars everyday - but you'll need to remember that for many other people it's an event to see your car! Get used to the attention - especially with the advent of car paps - who are everywhere today. Mostly all good - and much better than scratching your paint - like to bd old days!
So ultimately it not the car - it's you!
I've just bought a 67,000 mile 575 specifically for the purpose of using it as my summer car. I'll be taking it to Aldi next week to load up on Jennings bitter and fake Quavers. Did 250 miles this weekend, parked it in a beach car park and on a square overnight. Even drove it through some rain. It seems to have survived just fine.
I'd be less inclined to buy a low mileage car and use it in this way, simply because of the perceived value of such cars. There are two ex racing school 360s for sale at the moment. Both 82k miles, both F1 and both a fiver under £34k. And both have no doubt been well looked after. I reckon one of them might be a candidate for an everyday Ferrari?...if I had the room....
I'd be less inclined to buy a low mileage car and use it in this way, simply because of the perceived value of such cars. There are two ex racing school 360s for sale at the moment. Both 82k miles, both F1 and both a fiver under £34k. And both have no doubt been well looked after. I reckon one of them might be a candidate for an everyday Ferrari?...if I had the room....
Ask yourself this how many times have you heard of a Ferrari being vandalised?..I have hardly heard of any occasions, so I think this not leaving it anywhere is a bit in the owners heads..ie 'this car cost me so much & its so much my P&J I dare not park it in the street etc'
99% of the attention is positive when you drive an F car, I parked mine most of the day in Richmond market square on bank holiday Monday, little bit nervous when I came back to it after a long walk as the market square and got very busy, saw a few people admiring it etc,but the thing that made me slightly nervous was a group of very drunk loud teenage lads close by..but all was ok, I just had a couple of comments as I drove off...'lend me a tenner mate' followed by ' I'll be your toy boy' so it was quite good humoured really. Anyway I digress, I would happily leave it ( 458 ) anywhere, with the exception of really bad inner city areas, or anywhere with tiny busy parking bays etc
99% of the attention is positive when you drive an F car, I parked mine most of the day in Richmond market square on bank holiday Monday, little bit nervous when I came back to it after a long walk as the market square and got very busy, saw a few people admiring it etc,but the thing that made me slightly nervous was a group of very drunk loud teenage lads close by..but all was ok, I just had a couple of comments as I drove off...'lend me a tenner mate' followed by ' I'll be your toy boy' so it was quite good humoured really. Anyway I digress, I would happily leave it ( 458 ) anywhere, with the exception of really bad inner city areas, or anywhere with tiny busy parking bays etc
I've had my 599 and 458 Spider in the M and S carpark (but not Tesco and certainly not Aldi). Joking aside, my biggest barrier to everyday use is that I can't get my golf clubs in the 458 and while I can get my clubs in the boot of the 599, the trolley has to go on the passenger seat which is not ideal (stands back and waits for PH anti golf abuse). I live in Sussex and have never had a problem with abuse etc etc but you will get noticed and sometimes photographed.
willy wombat said:
I've had my 599 and 458 Spider in the M and S carpark (but not Tesco and certainly not Aldi). Joking aside, my biggest barrier to everyday use is that I can't get my golf clubs in the 458 and while I can get my clubs in the boot of the 599, the trolley has to go on the passenger seat which is not ideal (stands back and waits for PH anti golf abuse). I live in Sussex and have never had a problem with abuse etc etc but you will get noticed and sometimes photographed.
Buy yourself a pencil bagrubystone said:
There are two ex racing school 360s for sale at the moment. Both 82k miles, both F1 and both a fiver under £34k. And both have no doubt been well looked after. I reckon one of them might be a candidate for an everyday Ferrari?...if I had the room....
Poo - that's only £3.5k more than we put in ISAs last weekend.Hmmm, was it this tax year you could take it out and put it back in again later?
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