1st drive of a fast car. (Supercar Experience)
Discussion
On Saturday just past, I had a quick blast in a few cars that some will dream to own and some on here will already own. These cars were a Ferrari 360, a Lamborghini Gallardo and an Aston Martin DB9, in that order.
Having been a petrol head since birth and only having experience of low power front wheel drive cars, bar a cheeky spin in my Dad's MX-5, this was rather exciting to me.
It will probably be really boring for you lot but I have a lot of procrastination to be done.
First up, the Ferrari;
I was instantly struck, as I fell into the Ferrari, with how poor the interior felt. For a £110K car when new, it wasn't what I expected. 'However,' I thought to myself, 'this is not what today is all about.' So off to the track it was.
As soon as was safe, I gave it a large helping of petrol out of the pit onto the straight. 140 BHP was all I had felt before so 400 felt really excellent. Pleasant rather than ballistic is how I would describe it but pleasant it was.
I took it easy in the corners in this car as I had heard before and the instructor told me that these cars can be somewhat skittish. I was also nervous, as you would be I suppose, about my first time in a powerful rear drive car.
All went well though and my two laps of the Prestwold circuit were behind me much faster than I would have liked.
Next in line, Lamborghini Gallardo;
This car, I am happy to say, is fabulous. I have heard people on here say that these can be a bit dull and Audi-esque. I disagree.
The instructor was great. He did tell me to change up relatively early but, naturally, I held on for a few more seconds to soak up the power and noise of the V10. Wonderful.
After the first corner, he actively encouraged me to drive fast. I was taking corners a good percentage faster than the Ferrari and I felt much safer and in control. This could be put down to maybe me being more relaxed at the wheel and certainly the 4 wheel drive of the car. Out of the corners and this car is immensely fast, the two laps were over even faster this time.
Last but not least, Aston Martin DB9;
I wanted to drive this car first as I was under he impression that it was going to be soft, wallowy and a bit numb compared to the other two.
Out of the pit and the taps were opened. Bloody hell. This car has a lot of power. I'm not going to lie, it took me by surprise, the V12 is a monster in this car, the way I was being pushed in the back is unlike anything I have experienced in a car. Or heard, for that matter.
When corners appear, the fact that this car is a GT rather than an out and out sports car starts to show. The front is vague in the corners and as it's so big it is hard to place in the track. On the road I am sure it great, on the track, I am not so sure. However, lovely car and probably the car I would buy given the funds out of these three. The interior is sublime. In pictures, the steering wheel looks dated and out of place, inside it works beautifully.
Passenger lap, VXR8;
Not much I can say about this really. The car was very fast, noise amazing. It could have been more sideways though. I do like going sideways.
I hope you enjoyed my pointless and probably rather boring write up of my day.
Cheers,
Bob
P.S. My apologies, my dear Mother isn't great at taking photographs.
Having been a petrol head since birth and only having experience of low power front wheel drive cars, bar a cheeky spin in my Dad's MX-5, this was rather exciting to me.
It will probably be really boring for you lot but I have a lot of procrastination to be done.
First up, the Ferrari;
I was instantly struck, as I fell into the Ferrari, with how poor the interior felt. For a £110K car when new, it wasn't what I expected. 'However,' I thought to myself, 'this is not what today is all about.' So off to the track it was.
As soon as was safe, I gave it a large helping of petrol out of the pit onto the straight. 140 BHP was all I had felt before so 400 felt really excellent. Pleasant rather than ballistic is how I would describe it but pleasant it was.
I took it easy in the corners in this car as I had heard before and the instructor told me that these cars can be somewhat skittish. I was also nervous, as you would be I suppose, about my first time in a powerful rear drive car.
All went well though and my two laps of the Prestwold circuit were behind me much faster than I would have liked.
Next in line, Lamborghini Gallardo;
This car, I am happy to say, is fabulous. I have heard people on here say that these can be a bit dull and Audi-esque. I disagree.
The instructor was great. He did tell me to change up relatively early but, naturally, I held on for a few more seconds to soak up the power and noise of the V10. Wonderful.
After the first corner, he actively encouraged me to drive fast. I was taking corners a good percentage faster than the Ferrari and I felt much safer and in control. This could be put down to maybe me being more relaxed at the wheel and certainly the 4 wheel drive of the car. Out of the corners and this car is immensely fast, the two laps were over even faster this time.
Last but not least, Aston Martin DB9;
I wanted to drive this car first as I was under he impression that it was going to be soft, wallowy and a bit numb compared to the other two.
Out of the pit and the taps were opened. Bloody hell. This car has a lot of power. I'm not going to lie, it took me by surprise, the V12 is a monster in this car, the way I was being pushed in the back is unlike anything I have experienced in a car. Or heard, for that matter.
When corners appear, the fact that this car is a GT rather than an out and out sports car starts to show. The front is vague in the corners and as it's so big it is hard to place in the track. On the road I am sure it great, on the track, I am not so sure. However, lovely car and probably the car I would buy given the funds out of these three. The interior is sublime. In pictures, the steering wheel looks dated and out of place, inside it works beautifully.
Passenger lap, VXR8;
Not much I can say about this really. The car was very fast, noise amazing. It could have been more sideways though. I do like going sideways.
I hope you enjoyed my pointless and probably rather boring write up of my day.
Cheers,
Bob
P.S. My apologies, my dear Mother isn't great at taking photographs.
Congratulations.
It can put you off working hard all your life to save to then spend £50k plus on a car you cant use half the year and where youre always worrying about the next £5k bill.
You'll have decided whether you want one or a life of holidays and relaxation are for you!!
(Or both if youre lucky!)
It can put you off working hard all your life to save to then spend £50k plus on a car you cant use half the year and where youre always worrying about the next £5k bill.
You'll have decided whether you want one or a life of holidays and relaxation are for you!!
(Or both if youre lucky!)
Maxus said:
Great experience, i'm sure you will talk about it for a long time to come.
I guess the Ferrari experience backs up the "don't meet your heroes" saying.
I thought the 360 felt a step up in terms of quality compared to a 355. It's all about the drive and noise though.
Noooo! I love the 355!I guess the Ferrari experience backs up the "don't meet your heroes" saying.
I thought the 360 felt a step up in terms of quality compared to a 355. It's all about the drive and noise though.
Perhaps if I wasn't so nervous about it then it may have been better, or the never meet your heroes thing.
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