High Class Problem

[belfry]

I have the opportunity of driving from the UK to Tuscany this summer, while the rest of the family flies and hires a car.

I need to choose between either a Ferrari Mondial T coupe (300 hp Manual) or an Aston DB9 Volante. The DB9 seems like the sensible GT choice, but part of me wants to take a Ferrari to Italy. My wife will join me for a leisurely trip home over 3 nights and 4 days. They are both RHD.

Has anyone had experience of taking either of these cars to Italy before? Does the romance of driving a manual Ferrari in Tuscany trump the comfort of a DB9 for this trip?

Many thanks

[johnnyreggae]

If you don't enjoy the drive down you can always have it trucked back but its not like a commute that you have to do regularly just once there and back

Ferrari have their free With You / Con Te for recovery to nearest dealer etc and you must stop for the obligatory photo of the car outside the factory gates on the way down

Is the Mondial really so much less comfortable for a long drive ? It probably can carry more luggage

[hornbaek]

Only a masochist would take a classic Ferrari without air con to Tuscany in the summer. DB9 Volante all the way ( and back ).

[Zippee]

hornbaek said:

Only a masochist would take a classic Ferrari without air con to Tuscany in the summer. DB9 Volante all the way ( and back ).

This!
Having done a road trip a few years ago in my old tvr chimaera to the south of France and Italy there are numerous times I'd have swapped cars with the first heap of junk that came along if it had working air con.

[Jonny TVR]

johnnyreggae said:

If you don't enjoy the drive down you can always have it trucked back

Is there a company who does this .. is it very expensive?

[Truffles]

Try your local dealer. They have trucks bring new cars in regularly which return empty.

[Jonny TVR]

Truffles said:

Try your local dealer. They have trucks bring new cars in regularly which return empty.

Thats a clever idea .. will ask mine

[belfry]

Thanks for the feedback.

Both cars have ice cold air con. That really would be a deciding factor otherwise.

I had a 1970's Maserati shipped to Milan last year, only for it to break down 1 hour outside Milan with points issues. I feel sure that the long drive down to Italy might have avoided this issue, but I will never know.

So, both have aircon. Does that change your opinion?

[cayman-black]

I have driven both Ferrari and Aston over to Italy, as i,m now older and as i have done it , now i would take the DB9.

[sparta6]

Take the T and click-clack the stick while your're still young enough

[jtremlett]

If it is a one-off trip then take the Ferrari. There is nothing quite like driving a Ferrari round Italy. If not then take the Aston. But you will regret not taking a one-off opportunity for the obligatory photo of your Ferrari in front of the Factory gates if you have the chance.

[348jeff]

Whatever car you choose use it as your daily for about a month before so any issues come to light and can be addressed beforehand.

Being recovered just down the road is a more attractive proposition than from overseas! :-)

[F355GTS]

jtremlett said:

If it is a one-off trip then take the Ferrari. There is nothing quite like driving a Ferrari round Italy. If not then take the Aston. But you will regret not taking a one-off opportunity for the obligatory photo of your Ferrari in front of the Factory gates if you have the chance.

What he said, factory is only 2 hrs from Tuscany

fwiw I've driven to Tuscany most years over the past 12 or so in 328, 355, 575, 599, California, 458 and they've all been superb, last Year we used the Vantage S and have to say it lacked some of the (positive) drama

You can ship the car back via truck from Modena area using the same trucks that Ferrari/ Lamboghini use to ship new cars, it's about €1200 plus VAT which sounds a lot but keeps the miles off, no fuel, tolls, tunnel/ ferry, overnight hotel etc but of course you need to get a flight from Bologna home, car normally arrives 4-5 days later

[belfry]

Where else could I receive replies this knowledgeable?

I can't think of many.

There is a part of me that enjoys championing the underdog, which must surely be the Mondial. Then I watch Harry Metcalf driving his Testarossa to the Sahara for a laugh. (Harry's garage on YouTube). The db9 is the logical choice. The Mondial T is the more emotional choice.
Then there's the whole coupe vs convertible question. In Italy in August how much will I have the roof of the db9 down?

[ANOpax]

Take the Fezza.

Driving a Ferrari in Europe, people think you're a w@nker.

Driving a Ferrari in Italy, people think you're a hero.

I've had petrol pump attendants insist in refuelling the car for me. I've had half the village out to help when I broke down. I've met wonderful people, had stories to tell and made friends along the way. It really is all about the journey rather than the destination when you take the Ferrari.

I don't think any of that would've happened in the Aston (certainly not the breakdown )

Having said all that, we haven't taken the Aston yet so maybe it'll be just as much fun.

[Jonny TVR]

ANOpax said:

Take the Fezza.

Driving a Ferrari in Europe, people think you're a w@nker.

Driving a Ferrari in Italy, people think you're a hero.

I've had petrol pump attendants insist in refuelling the car for me. I've had half the village out to help when I broke down. I've met wonderful people, had stories to tell and made friends along the way. It really is all about the journey rather than the destination when you take the Ferrari.

I don't think any of that would've happened in the Aston (certainly not the breakdown )

Having said all that, we haven't taken the Aston yet so maybe it'll be just as much fun.

Take the Ferrari .. I had similar experiences when I was in Italy with mine last year. Lots of excited and enthusiastic Italians. Which was a a nice change after the French.

[MDL111]

another vote for the Ferrari

[RSbandit]

Take the Ferrari to Italy it will be one of those life affirming journies ...I rented a Scud for an afternoon in Maranello a few yrs back, great experience the locals just love anything with the prancing horse.

[hornbaek]

belfry said:

Thanks for the feedback.

Both cars have ice cold air con. That really would be a deciding factor otherwise.

I had a 1970's Maserati shipped to Milan last year, only for it to break down 1 hour outside Milan with points issues. I feel sure that the long drive down to Italy might have avoided this issue, but I will never know.

So, both have aircon. Does that change your opinion?

In that case I would take the Ferrari and cross that off on the bucket list. I live in Italy and there is nothing like driving a Ferrari in this country. Maybe with a transport home unless you pass Milan on the way home and treat your wife. Otherwise she will never forgive you on the Route de Napoleon on the way back.

[mwstewart]

348jeff said:

Whatever car you choose use it as your daily for about a month before so any issues come to light and can be addressed beforehand.

Being recovered just down the road is a more attractive proposition than from overseas! :-)

This really is excellent advice. A decent shakedown really is the best kind of breakdown insurance - it's saved me a couple of times.