If it Flies, Floats or [is a Ferrari], Better to Rent (or Borrow)

"rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S" (rb1971)
12/22/2014 at 15:12 • Filed to: None

Things that start with F are better to rent, as the saying goes.

On Saturday morning I took my Lincoln over to my local detail shop since it had a lot of pine needles in the back seat (due to transporting several Xmas trees) and since that's where I get all my cars washed anyhow. The owner has a brand new 458 Italia, which he was nice enough to let me sit in a few weeks ago. With around 200 miles on it as of Saturday morning.

I told him I was going up to Napa for the weekend (about 100 mile roundtrip) and he said "Oh, you should take the Ferrari."

As you can imagine it took me all of 5 seconds to agree.

I've driven several Ferraris and other exotics. So far nothing on the pure sports car side (unlike, say, my Maserati, which errs on the side of "gentleman's GT" even though that label doesn't really apply to me) that seemed like it could be a regular driver. Until the 458. Sure it's powerful, but the delivery is linear and the driving experience is very nice. When you are not getting on it, it seems about like my 1M in terms of general brutality of the experience.

Please refer to some great posts a while back by BTU on supercar ownership:

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And by TV's Frank - I mean Jalopnik's Doug Demuro:

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I've seen all of this stuff in my Maserati, and to a lesser extent in classic and/or more common sports cars I've owned over the years. (The 93 RX7 back in 94 comes to mind.)

But nothing prepared me for the amount it would ramp up in a red Ferrari.

The idiots! Oh gods, the idiots! Hey man, I like VTEC Civic Si's, and I used to own one back when they were boxy. But we're not in a race. You know how you can tell? You are still beside me. Now stop revving your motor while holding your iPhone out the window to take a picture and swerving into my line. I'm already pooping my pants over here since this isn't actually my Ferrari.

Here's a quote from Doug: "Next up, we have people who want to race. ... And here's the thing: it doesn't matter what they're driving. They could be in anything. I've had Jeep Grand Cherokees. Acura Integras. Last week, I got a race offer from a Saab 900. And a few months back, a guy in an Infiniti FX35 flipped me off because I wouldn't race him on a highway in the middle of the day." I had all these idiots in the SAME FREAKING DAY on a 45 mile drive.

OK, John, you're saying to yourself, even though you didn't know until now my name is John, so what were the redeeming factors?

1. I did get to take the car out on some twisties around Napa that I know fairly well. Let's just say I was probably faster than I have ever been, and I didn't even scratch the surface of the car's performance. Frankly, although I consider myself a very good driver, I'd be lucky to get to 7/10.

2. It's livable. By which I mean you could probably drive it every nice weekend and it would never feel compromised. Unless you're over about 6 feet tall, then sorry, get an SLS.

3. My wife, who previously counseled against Ferraris, really liked it. I mean, really liked it. "The prettiest car I've ever seen." and "Can I try it?" She hates driving. So now it's a waiting game.

It's still no Hudson however.

Returning it to my buddy was a whole different stress level. He owns a detail shop, is very OCD about cars (good quality in that business), and especially his cars. I don't want to know what a diffuser nick costs to fix on a 458, but apparently I managed to keep it together except for the bird poop on the roof.

DISCUSSION (9)

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/22/2014 at 15:27

As cool as the offer was, if i was in your shoes, i would have probably passed. Ad much fun as it would be, id be to scared to actually drive the car for fear of hurting it.

Then again, I drive a rusty '91 SHO, so maybe my opinion is completely invalid.

jeffywk > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/22/2014 at 15:31

Cool Hudson! Also, I wish I had friends who let me borrow their cars. I'm not a bad driver; they're all just too nervous to let ANYONE drive their car.

William Byrd > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/22/2014 at 15:37

I got to take a red 458 just like that (mine had black wheels) out on a track for a morning just after getting seat time in a Gallardo Superlegerra. This thing blew that out of the water. Everything was better, the sound, the handling, the ergonomics, everything. As nice as the Lambo was, this was better.

And I may suggest that the 6 foot tall recommendation may be more like 6'3" or taller. I'm 6' even and had a helmet on and was very comfortable. The Lambo I literally had my head turned slightly sideways so the helmet would fit. I was supposed to drive the Aventador, but alas it wasn't meant to be.

Anyway, you must be a hell of a customer!

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > William Byrd
12/22/2014 at 15:42

That is good to know on the height thing. A buddy who is 5'11" but long-legged thought he was just about maxed out. A friend who is 6'6" is a "no way". So it's in that range.

Saracen > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/22/2014 at 15:51

Hm, I'm 6'4" but long in the torso....though I'm pretty sure I only managed to drive my parents' neighbor's 360 Spyder because the top was down.

Looks like I'll have to befriend a detailing business owner in order to verify the 458's height issue.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/26/2014 at 14:57

Unless you're over about 6 feet tall, then sorry, get an SLS.

*Single tear* Maybe, I'd fit though. I dunno. I'm around 6'1" 6'2"....

B_dol > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
12/29/2014 at 18:02

Excellent report and glad to see that you have a sparked (and maintained) a friendship with local talent! Do you know if they do Opticoat application? Recently my go-to detailer fell off the deep end and his odd calls/texts were enough to sour both mine and my girlfriends opinion of him.

As a sidenote, I will have a chance to be behind the seat of a friends new (used) 458 italia this week, any words of wisdom!?

B_dol > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/05/2015 at 18:10

I ended up getting some seat time in a 2013 458 Italia this weekend. Holy hell, if I could only have one weekend car it would be that without a doubt. Such an immaculately crafted car and perhaps the last NA V8 out of Maranello.

I can see why you might be looking for one now, best of luck!

Manuél Ferrari > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
01/16/2015 at 17:51

Black Ferraris are WAY more under the radar

My Dad's black F430 doesn't get that much attention.