I drove the 458 today.

[North West Tom]

I drove 6th Gear's new 458 today at Prodrive in Kenilworth. Totally blew my mind, the only car I've previously driven was my 52bhp 1.0 Swift. Was absolutely mental going full whack down the straights, lightning fast gear changes, sounded fab too. I was surprised by how easy it was to drive. I've only had my license for 8 months, and didn't expect it to be so simple to handle. The seating position and visibility were perfect, as was the comfort. I'm thankful that it had dried up by the afternoon, really made me less nervous!

After the 458 I drove an Audi R8. This was also very good, but the Ferrari was in a completely different league! Big thanks to the whole 6th Gear team, they all worked very hard and did a great job, and fair play for getting the car fixed on time, I'll definitely be back some time soon.

[MB 1]

fk me that's some baptism of fire!

Trust you didn't tell them of your extensive supercar epxperieince first?

[North West Tom]

MB 1 said:

fk me that's some baptism of fire!

Trust you didn't tell them of your extensive supercar epxperieince first?

Just as we were pulling onto the track the instructor asked me "so what are you normally driving then?"

[tescor]

Jesus - that's some posting total you've got!

[Norbury90]

I really want to do one of these days, I would never be able to decide what to go for though, I would end up having to drive everything!

tescor said:

Jesus - that's some posting total you've got!

I take it you haven't seen the guys up near 100,000 then

[crostonian]

If only there were opportunities like this when I was 18, I'm only 36, didn't even have the net then, got my exotica fix from car magazines and visits to race meeting and motor shows. How the car world has changed, god I feel old!

[jas xjr]

Well done chap.
Been driving for thirty years and I have not got around to driving anything like that

[SonnyM]

Excellent hope it's inspired you like Thruxton inspired me years ago. I want to try 6th Gear's new cars this year too.

[RobFerrari]

You are one lucky guy! I've been driving nearly 4 years and still haven't driven anything remotely that fast

[Exoticaholic]

I can understand your reaction because I drove the same car yesterday. That followed a 911 Turbo.

[North West Tom]

Exoticaholic said:

I can understand your reaction because I drove the same car yesterday. That followed a 911 Turbo.

How was the Porsche? I was going to do that but would have had to wait longer.

[Another Fluffer]

tescor said:

Jesus - that's some posting total you've got!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[Exoticaholic]

North West Tom said:

How was the Porsche? I was going to do that but would have had to wait longer.

Awesome. With 500hp at the extreme end but harnessed by four-wheel drive and a plethora of driver aids and behind-the-scenes technology, it was a doddle to drive no matter whether you floor the throttle or not. There were times when I thought I might lose control and get it spinning but it didn't. The instructor even compliemented me on my fast and smooth driving round the bends 'kissing the kerb'

You have to try it out next time you go there.

But for sheer sense of occasion, 458 beats it hands down.

[CharlieHotel]

I drove an Audi R8 last year and thought that I didn't get enough time in the car.
Wasn't used to the power so was only using the car to probably, half its capabilities.
I've just bought a Gallardo and f360 experience day which i'll be using hopefully soon at the 3 sisters track in Wigan.
Should be good.

[simonspider]

North West Tom said:

I drove 6th Gear's new 458 today at Prodrive in Kenilworth. Totally blew my mind, the only car I've previously driven was my 52bhp 1.0 Swift. Was absolutely mental going full whack down the straights, lightning fast gear changes, sounded fab too. I was surprised by how easy it was to drive. I've only had my license for 8 months, and didn't expect it to be so simple to handle. The seating position and visibility were perfect, as was the comfort. I'm thankful that it had dried up by the afternoon, really made me less nervous!

After the 458 I drove an Audi R8. This was also very good, but the Ferrari was in a completely different league! Big thanks to the whole 6th Gear team, they all worked very hard and did a great job, and fair play for getting the car fixed on time, I'll definitely be back some time soon.

I get a bit embarrassed when we are mentioned all the time here people must be sick of it
That said I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The 458 went round the track in pouring rain, then sunshine for 8 hours a day and didnt miss a beat for both days. 76 customers drove it.
Unfortunately the other Ferrari's didnt do so well. The 599 GTB went down cos of gear selection problems, closely followed by the 430 Spider. Then a 360 spider's roof wouldnt close. So the 458 filled in thank goodness.

[North West Tom]

Sorry to hear. Oh well, you'll have to replace them with a 599 GTO


Ferrari 458 by Thomas Saunders, on Flickr

[al1991]

Another Fluffer said:

tescor said:

Jesus - that's some posting total you've got!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Pah, that's nothing.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[Another Fluffer]

al1991 said:

Another Fluffer said:

tescor said:

Jesus - that's some posting total you've got!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Pah, that's nothing.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Ahaa but by the time he has been on for 100 months he will have posted around 85000 times

[North West Tom]

CharlieHotel said:

Wasn't used to the power so was only using the car to probably, half its capabilities.

I was like this for the first lap in the Fez. I took it easy in the corners and broke (braked?) earlier, but the other laps I gave it a bit more beans.

[johnnyreggae]

North West Tom said:

I was like this for the first lap in the Fez.

Maybe you would have driven better had you taken your funny Moroccan hat off ?