Originally Posted by sospan
I drove two different cars on trackdays.
Exige on Silverstone
Ferrari on Rockingham.
Both great fun and superb.
I have driven a Ferrari “in anger” on a teack so it’s potential ( as faras I dared” could be felt. Rear V8 at high revs. Chuffing awesome!
Exige with rear engine howling also superb. Getting out back in the garage meant falling/crawling to great amusement of others. Ferrari civilised.
The bigger grin? Ferrari.
The driving experience was similar (ish). But the badge added an aura.
On a recent trip to Scotland another hotel guest had a Lambo. We chatted. He was a high up in military aircraft design, certification. He loved Lambos. Pootled round as an almost everyday car but occasional blasts.
I’ve ticked the box for Ferrari. Happy to tick other boxes. Own one? A few years ago possibly if ££££ was available. I could get an Exige but impractical ( getting out of it).
I’d LOVE a Bentley Bluetrain. That would be my choice.
Parking...... I tend to look for open areas with whatever car I am in. Amazing how others then park right next to me!

As it happens, that was the route I took ( from Lotus to Ferrari) and for the same reason - I had difficulty getting in and out of my Elise.It may be fond memories but I still think that the Elise was marginally the more fun to drive than either Ferrari or Porker thanks to absolutely delightful steering.

I am on my second Ferrari now, and after the first I went backwards to a manual gearbox spider - a 2003 360. Bit heavier than Peters Boxter at 1500kg and with only slightly more power at 400 bhp but even then more power that I can use on the road. Its worth maybe 65k on a good day compared to the 35k you can buy a good a 2018 Boxter for.. Its a bit more raw than the Boxter and likely a bit less capable but it has more personality than the various modern Boxters ( and 911s ) that I have tried. That said I like the look of the Boxter Spider that has appeared at the yacht club.

What does it do more than the 718 Boxter? Nothing really. But then you dont buy either car for rational logical reasons do you? For me a Ferrari is special even a cheap one like mine. And as for Morgan, even though I thought the CX series so much better than the old trad as to be in a different league, I dont think I could ever contemplate spending the amount a new one would cost when the alternatives are my 360 or Peters Boxter.

One final comment. The build quality of Ferrari is excellent as is the reliability. Service costs are £ 600 pa with £1300 every third year. Parts vary from downright cheap to supercar prices and not all are now available. And being all aluminium, it isnt subject to the Porshe tin worm. Or bore scoring, or intermediate shaft bearings.

All said I still cant give any sort off rational reason for owning any such car in the pothole infested 20 mph scamera land I inhabit.

P.S. Tried the 488 and the 458 before buying the 360. They were simply too powerful for me. Even with the 430 a foot to the floor NSL overtake of a truck would see you coming out on the other side at 100mph. Imagine a further 200 or so bhp!


PPS have done the shopping at Lidl in the 360 before now. Sure you try to park next to a privately owned car rather than a builders transit, but never had a problem other than people gathered round and wanting to chat.

[Linked Image]
The car:

Last edited by howard; 19/11/23 05:23 PM.