First 8 weeks of 355
Discussion
I've had the 355 for 8 weeks now. So far I'vew logged about 1400 miles and the grin gets wider. Whats it like ? well I love it, its a Ferrari its RED and its MINE!!!!.This weekend was the first dry sunny weekend since I got it and I am just begning to learn to drive it. They say that most mere mortals (and I am one) will never get the best out of it and I go along with that.
Its also been said that Ferrari owners will bang em up in the first 5 hours driving if they are going to. Well I nearly did, monster slapper off a roundabout. I saw bollard-bush-pound note signs but some how I kept it on the black bits (Luck more than skill I think) it. I wanted no driver aids (is that an Ilness ) and thats what I got. I learned a a bit of respect.And respect to Barry (ex banger racer and passenger at the time) who didnt bat an eye lid at this. I managed a perfect (intentional) 180 degree flick round in a wet Brands Hatch paddock at my first go, lovely.
I've got the F1 box (flappy paddle to you Jeremy). I havent been able to black line it (should I be able to ?). I have tried. However as I am starting to work the box on twisty bits it is very sweet. The brakes are stunning and it hasnt locked up the back on the down change under hard braking. I use sport mode most of the time and the up-change is quite brutal, perfect!!.Would I have another F1 box ,dont know yet!
The down sides. I got stuck in a car park in Norfolk for 3 hours when the immobiliser wouldnt mobilise. The battery voltage dropped to 10 volts on Friday after not using it for one weekend and I couldnt start it.I use Optimate III charger now. Hand brake is crap and I'm talking to the dealer about both of these issue.
The handling just gets better and better. I have been lucky enough to have a few quick cars which handle but this is in another league. I went out Saturday evening it was sunny and the roads were clear. I think most of the nation were waisted after watching England beat Jamaica 6-0. There were a few out though and they all wanted to play.
To the 4 guys in the beat up Cavalier waving and cheering after a few full rev overtakes ,I enjoyed it as well. To the young lads in the Clio and trick looking Golf it was fun (I could see your smiling faces) yes a 355 is a bit quicker. And to the guy in the red Beamer that doesnt use his mirrors and forced me back off the slip road. I got another 10 miles of clear swooping (no plod) dual carriage way and I wouldnt have seen the coach full of school girls waving and doing other things in the back window of their bus on the way back.
It took me ages to clean the wild life collection of the front. The horses were particlarly difficult to wash off.
I'll be in Lemans with it for THE race. The faster I go the better it feels,better get on a track.Engine sounds fantastic Dartford tunnel, say no more!!
Bottom line, Sunshine, Hot Tarmac, fast car Fantastic.
Its also been said that Ferrari owners will bang em up in the first 5 hours driving if they are going to. Well I nearly did, monster slapper off a roundabout. I saw bollard-bush-pound note signs but some how I kept it on the black bits (Luck more than skill I think) it. I wanted no driver aids (is that an Ilness ) and thats what I got. I learned a a bit of respect.And respect to Barry (ex banger racer and passenger at the time) who didnt bat an eye lid at this. I managed a perfect (intentional) 180 degree flick round in a wet Brands Hatch paddock at my first go, lovely.
I've got the F1 box (flappy paddle to you Jeremy). I havent been able to black line it (should I be able to ?). I have tried. However as I am starting to work the box on twisty bits it is very sweet. The brakes are stunning and it hasnt locked up the back on the down change under hard braking. I use sport mode most of the time and the up-change is quite brutal, perfect!!.Would I have another F1 box ,dont know yet!
The down sides. I got stuck in a car park in Norfolk for 3 hours when the immobiliser wouldnt mobilise. The battery voltage dropped to 10 volts on Friday after not using it for one weekend and I couldnt start it.I use Optimate III charger now. Hand brake is crap and I'm talking to the dealer about both of these issue.
The handling just gets better and better. I have been lucky enough to have a few quick cars which handle but this is in another league. I went out Saturday evening it was sunny and the roads were clear. I think most of the nation were waisted after watching England beat Jamaica 6-0. There were a few out though and they all wanted to play.
To the 4 guys in the beat up Cavalier waving and cheering after a few full rev overtakes ,I enjoyed it as well. To the young lads in the Clio and trick looking Golf it was fun (I could see your smiling faces) yes a 355 is a bit quicker. And to the guy in the red Beamer that doesnt use his mirrors and forced me back off the slip road. I got another 10 miles of clear swooping (no plod) dual carriage way and I wouldnt have seen the coach full of school girls waving and doing other things in the back window of their bus on the way back.
It took me ages to clean the wild life collection of the front. The horses were particlarly difficult to wash off.
I'll be in Lemans with it for THE race. The faster I go the better it feels,better get on a track.Engine sounds fantastic Dartford tunnel, say no more!!
Bottom line, Sunshine, Hot Tarmac, fast car Fantastic.
Nice post, Ken. A few more details of the antics of the girls coach party would have been nice but I will let my imagination go into overdrive 
I'm still car-less but hope to get it back in the next 10 days.
This will mean that I will miss yet another Essex meeting at Rettendon next week but should be good for July - maybe I will see you at that one.
I'm still car-less but hope to get it back in the next 10 days.
This will mean that I will miss yet another Essex meeting at Rettendon next week but should be good for July - maybe I will see you at that one.
I've set myself a target of having one by next year (around March) and this post has just confirmed what I already knew -
Whatever the cost, it MUST be done
Mate had a 355 in black a few years ago, and that just did it for me, always been a Ferrari fan (Porkers are nice, but they just dont do it for me in the same way - too practical!)
The looks, the sound
May you have many, many happy miles mate (and next time take a friend with a video camera for those coaches!)
Whatever the cost, it MUST be done
Mate had a 355 in black a few years ago, and that just did it for me, always been a Ferrari fan (Porkers are nice, but they just dont do it for me in the same way - too practical!)
The looks, the sound
May you have many, many happy miles mate (and next time take a friend with a video camera for those coaches!)
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