Having a Pre 1st Ferrari Crisis Of Confidence !

[DSLiverpool]

At 45 with rotundness, baldness and shortness as attributes (but a great sense of humour the missus says) will I look a tosser in a Fezza ?

Will I pull up at the lights and get "stereotype" shouted at me or "mid life crisis"

Seriously the 355 is a must but a spider may be a step too far for the reasons above (I can hide in a Berlinetta)

Can I do my 5 mile each way commute (safe parking) in one ?

Will I be fretting over parking wherever I go ?

Any other "everyday" warnings / tips for use ?

I know I sound like a tosser already but fore warned is fore armed

[anonymous-user]

DSLiverpool said:

At 45 with rotundness, baldness and shortness as attributes (but a great sense of humour the missus says) will I look a tosser in a Fezza ?

Will I pull up at the lights and get "stereotype" shouted at me or "mid life crisis"

Seriously the 355 is a must but a spider may be a step too far for the reasons above (I can hide in a Berlinetta)

Can I do my 5 mile each way commute (safe parking) in one ?

Will I be fretting over parking wherever I go ?

Any other "everyday" warnings / tips for use ?

I know I sound like a tosser already but fore warned is fore armed

I'm 46 in April (but fit and good looking with a little hair ) and having similar thoughts. However I'm going down the Aston route (propbably) because I don't want more then one car and I just do not think a Ferrari or Lambo would do as a daily/omly car. I would say that life is too short not to do the things that make you happy so, bks to your age, looks, hair - I say GO FOR IT!!!

[evil_dr_fish]

Yes!

...but who cares?!

F**k em... F**k em all!

You don 't know them, they don't know you... you don't owe them s**t!

If you want the spider - you get the spider - It's an asbolutely stunning, iconic car and if it's a life goal for you, you go out there and do it in the grandest way possible and enjoy it in whatever way that puts the biggest smile on your face!


As for the commute etc - I can't say I've never had a 355, but the general consensus seems to be "get yourself a bashed up Fiesta for that" and enjoy the 355 for what it does best on good days


I can't wait to see which one you get



(Yes, yes, I know - it's a Testa...)

Edited by evil_dr_fish on Wednesday 4th March 11:56

[AndrewW-G]

Dave, why not have a look at an early 360?

[DSLiverpool]

Thanks guys - Im slightly tongue in cheek but also slightly serious !!

I have a CLS55 AMG for the commute but on a sun drenched Birkenhead morning I would want to take the Fezza out and have a mid day tootle at least.

Andrew - will look at a 360 - maybe a bit close to the CLS (DONT shoot me I am supposin)

[Cactussed]

Speaking from experience, I get looked at / photographed whenever I take it out (the car I mean). If you don't like attention, then perhaps look for a different car. That said, I figured out pretty rapidly that people weren't even vaguely interested in me or what I looked like (so no change really), it was the car that drew attention. So, I really wouldn't worry about what you'll look like. the moment you open the taps and the noise erupts, that'll be the farthest thing from your mind. Trust me.

As for the 5 mile commute, don't bother IMHO. The 355 is a doddle to drive (light easy controls, good visibility etc) but a bit of a pain around town due to width, length of the doors which make it hard to get in/out of in a tight spot, attention and also petrol, which just seems to evaporate. You can pretty much watch the gauge moving in traffic.

I would get a banger for the commute and leave the Fezza for driving.

[Harsh]

if you've never had one....get one.

if people dont like it, that is their problem

[Cactussed]

Harsh said:

if you've never had one....get one.

if people dont like it, that is their problem

Bear in mind this is coming from a man with long hair who rides around in a car that has no bodywork on it

[diablo_pete]

Whatever your attributes, you're a better man if you get one! All about how you feel, no one else. Their attitude is of significance only if they write the cheque for the car.

[Sam_68]

DSLiverpool said:

Will I pull up at the lights and get "stereotype" shouted at me or "mid life crisis"

No, definitely not.

They usually shout 'wker' or 'dhead'.

But as Evil Dr Fish says, don't let it stop you.

[Webber3]

DSLiverpool said:

At 45 with rotundness, baldness and shortness as attributes (but a great sense of humour the missus says) will I look a tosser in a Fezza ?

Just because your short, fat and bald it doesn't stop you looking cool - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNntSdj1ElQ . I say go for it!

[Kickstart]

Whilst I like convertibles they do have more than a whiff of mid life crisis about them - always remember seeing a Lambo convertible stop outside the Restaurant bar & grill in manchester with lots of youngsters/students looking when a middle aged, rotund and folicly challenged driver got out they burst out laughing...

I can see why you are attracted to the 355 and if you want a convertible don't let anyone put you off - you can sneak under the radar screen in something like a 550, 456 or a 612

[jdw1234]

If someone yells "midlife crisis" at you, simply yell back "no - tiny penis".

[larrylamb11]

A 5 mile commute in a 355 is a bit of a waste of time im afraid, just an expensive way of adding wear and tear! A 355 won't get upto temperature in that distance unless you are in stop / start traffic and it wouldn't be any fun in that! They need a good few miles to get the oil hot enough to be able to exercise it - both engine and gearbox - and it really would not be wise to push it before its upto temp. As for whether one will look like a sad mid-life crisis sufferer - who cares!! Its your life, if you want a Fezza, buy one! Life isn't a practice for the main event - THIS IS IT - I have never yet met anyone who wanted a Fezza, bought one and looked back to regret it!! Besides, if not now, when? My advice would be use a sh**er for commuting (especially that short distance) and buy a Fezza for high days and 'special' occasions, it will make it all the more enriching when you use it. If you want a 355 convertible, buy one - you probably will get comments, but alot will also be appreciative.

[jdw1234]

On a serious note, around town with the roof up, the F355 spider is quite discrete due to the butresses and tiny rear window. I guess you could give the side windows a light tint as well.

[evil_dr_fish]

Kickstart said:

Whilst I like convertibles they do have more than a whiff of mid life crisis about them - always remember seeing a Lambo convertible stop outside the Restaurant bar & grill in manchester with lots of youngsters/students looking when a middle aged, rotund and folicly challenged driver got out they burst out laughing...

I'm far from any of those attributes and I've had tiny nob (etc) comments passed towards me by student types. It has nothing to do with one's self, or appearance, or anything else and EVERYTHING to do with their own, prejudiced, smart arsed, jumped up, know-it-all, studenteyness!

I was sitting at traffic lights outside a student night in central London. I had one guy at the driver's window yelling "REV IT!" so I did... There was then a geeky, girl-friend-less type, indie-kid leaning into the other window saying "you have a tiny n0b". I just sad "nah - I don't have one..."

Next time they'll get "That's not what your Mum says" X-D

[burriana]

For an occasional commute go for it, it's a hell of a way to start the day.

I used to do it in my yellow Spider now and again. Funniest comment I got in stationary traffic on the M60 was "you don't half look like a drug dealer" ... I said "Thanks ... I think!"

Saying that, I was a mere 42 and had a beany and shades on

Having been called a t0sser many times by many people, including my wife and friends, being called it whilst sat in a Ferrari convertible is infinitely the best place to experience it

[stuthemong]

Dr_fish,

"My penis is fine thanks, I'll have you know the reason I can afford this car is that your mum gives me a £1 every time I **** her!"

Would work well, I think

Another grand reposte, I think from a boxster owner:

tt in transit van: Couldnt afford a real porsche?
Boxster: Couldn't afford a mercedes sprinter?

Love it

Anyway, to the OP. Sod it, buy what you want. You are a long time dead.

Do grow a moustache though!

Stu

[DSLiverpool]

Enjoyed this thread chaps - informative and entertaining.

The "commute" would be to use it for a mid day spin - being a captain of industry (sic) I can bunk off midday and would be a nice alternative to the knocking shop.

[sone]

This thread could have been written for me,short fat and looking for a 355 spider, out of interest what sort of MPG would you chaps expect running these cars around town.

Cheers

Steve