Newbie Ferrari Owner

[Eleander]

I have been reading this board for the past year gleaning hints and tips which culminated in me purchasing a 430 at the end of the year. Like many it is a lifetimes ambition fulfilled and to be honest I still can't believe it is sitting in my garage.

There is a wealth of knowledge on this website and thanks to you all for posting helpful information which assisted me in firstly my deliberation (430 or Gallardo) and ultimately purchase.

My FOC application has been sent so hopefully I will get the opportunity to meet some of you at one of the events over the coming year.

Now for the obligatory photos.........

In the showroom



Bought and ready to be driven home



After one week of ownership and ready for its first wash (unfortunately it was dark by the time I finished)

[SonnyM]

Awesome car. Many congrats - the sound it makes is fantastic...

Is this an F1 model?

[Eleander]

SonnyM said:

Awesome car. Many congrats - the sound it makes is fantastic...

Is this an F1 model?

Thanks

Yes opted for the F1 as I thought it suited the car better. The only concern I have is whether I will remember how to use a gearstick in a few months time.

[DHE]

Congratulations, the car looks stunning. What did the drive home from the garage feel like?

[70proof]

many congrats!!!

outta interest, why the 430 over a gallardo?

[Chad_Hugo]

Congrats, the car looks fantastic. Enjoy it in good health.

The F430 is my 'realistic' dream car- I wish I was brave enough to buy one!

[Superblower]

Awesome, hope you've done a few miles in it. What did it replace?

[RevHappy]

Enjoy the car, make the most of it, it's not made of glass.

[boobles]

You lucky sod! Enjoy...

[easytiger123]

Congratulations!! Gorgeous looking car. Enjoy it!

[Eleander]

Wow, so many responses. What a welcoming bunch.

DHE said:

Congratulations, the car looks stunning. What did the drive home from the garage feel like?

The first few hundred metres were surreal. I couldn't believe it was mine. After that it wasn't too much fun as it was dark, raining and I had to drive through the city centre at rush hour. Was relieved to get home!! First drive proper was amazing. One lovely thing is whenever someone I know sees it for the first time the reaction reminds me of my own when I collected it and its like buying it all over again.

70proof said:

many congrats!!!

outta interest, why the 430 over a gallardo?

Thanks and I have to say I read your buying thread with interest as I was still undecided at that time. I was willing the right car to come up for you. Congrats on your purchase.

It was as simple as I have wanted a Ferrari ever since I was about 5. If I bought the Gallardo I think I would always have a regret at the back of my mind at not having a Ferrari. I don't know whats round the corner so I wanted to fulfil my Ferrari dream. If I am fortunate enough to still be in the position to have another nice car after this one then the Gallardo is right up there.

Chad_Hugo said:

Congrats, the car looks fantastic. Enjoy it in good health.

The F430 is my 'realistic' dream car- I wish I was brave enough to buy one!

Thanks. Once I was in the position to purchase there was a brief moment when I thought is it really wise to spend this amount of cash on a car but then I remembered someones post on here saying something along the lines of "I don't intend going to the grave never having fulfilled my lifes ambition" or words to that effect. Also the phrase you only regret the things you don't do in life sprang to mind and with that the deposit was paid.

Superblower said:

Awesome, hope you've done a few miles in it. What did it replace?

It replaced a Boxster. It was parked on the street and I didn't feel comfortable having anything more expensive than that without a garage (even the Boxster got keyed). That meant to buy the 430 I also had to move house.

RevHappy said:

Enjoy the car, make the most of it, it's not made of glass.

I think thats an excellent post and I firmly intend following your advice. It is along the lines of the advice of many on here who say buy on condition not on mileage which was against my instinct. As a result the car I bought has relatively high mileage (18k) but the history is superb, its been amazingly well looked after and I do believe that a car which is used will behave better than a garage queen.

[Tyrion]

70proof said:

many congrats!!!

outta interest, why the 430 over a gallardo?

I went the other way and chose a gallardo over a 430 recently... It's a hard to question to answer really (not that you were asking me anyway ). I felt getting in the lambo was more exciting, it made me smile more and felt more like a "real supercar". Even now sitting down thinking about it I just can't really describe why I chose that.... I just felt right for me

[Eleander]

Tyrion said:

I went the other way and chose a gallardo over a 430 recently... It's a hard to question to answer really (not that you were asking me anyway ). I felt getting in the lambo was more exciting, it made me smile more and felt more like a "real supercar". Even now sitting down thinking about it I just can't really describe why I chose that.... I just felt right for me

These cars are often heart over head decisions. The good thing is in the 430 vs G debate there isn't a wrong answer.

[70proof]

Eleander said:

Thanks and I have to say I read your buying thread with interest as I was still undecided at that time. I was willing the right car to come up for you. Congrats on your purchase.

It was as simple as I have wanted a Ferrari ever since I was about 5. If I bought the Gallardo I think I would always have a regret at the back of my mind at not having a Ferrari. I don't know whats round the corner so I wanted to fulfil my Ferrari dream. If I am fortunate enough to still be in the position to have another nice car after this one then the Gallardo is right up there.

miss that thread!!!! i really do.....

yep, gotta live your dreams if you can, provided they are rational, moral, within the law, and affordable!!

[PompeyM3]

Stunning car, looks like new. Hope to see some more photos over the coming months and hearing what it's like to own day to day.

[steelej]

Congrats on the car, i bought from the same dealer so no doubt will meet you on the FOC runs this year, the Scotland group are a great bunch

John.

[Adz man]

Stunning car. Well, better than that...the Ferrari 430 is simply wonderful.

[paulqv]

Health and happiness to enjoy it!
We have a very active and very nice group of people in the local FOC. Contact will be Gavin Struthers or Mike Shakespear. All petrolheads and just love cars
I also organise the Scottish Italian Car and Bike day at Hopetoun house. This year on 12th August. You have to come along

No doubt meet you soon

Paul

[MaxAndRuby]

Congratulations, you will love it. I bought mine two years ago and I still love it. I hadn't driven it for a while, so earlier this week I took it out for a spin about 8pm. It was cold, dark(obviously) and wet, and I could only use a fraction of it's performance, but it's one of those cars that just puts a smile on the face when you see it, turn the key, listen to the engine, etc, etc.

Enjoy every second of it.

[Eleander]

Thanks guys. Will post some proper photos up in the future. Will have to find the charger for my camera as i don't think the iphone does it justive.

steelej said:

Congrats on the car, i bought from the same dealer so no doubt will meet you on the FOC runs this year, the Scotland group are a great bunch

John.

Good to hear and looking forward to it.

paulqv said:

We have a very active and very nice group of people in the local FOC. Contact will be Gavin Struthers or Mike Shakespear. All petrolheads and just love cars
I also organise the Scottish Italian Car and Bike day at Hopetoun house. This year on 12th August. You have to come along

Paul

Thanks. I actually attended the event last year as it was a good opportunity for me to have a look at the 430s and Gallardos side by side. Will definitely be there next year.

Adz man said:

Stunning car. Well, better than that...the Ferrari 430 is simply wonderful.

Thanks. I thought the colour might be a little conservative for you!!

Actually on the subject of colour I had thought someone might have asked about it as its rosso scuderia. Initially I wanted corsa as I thought the scuderia was a little orange but that was based on a 360 Challenge Stradale. When I saw scuderia on the 430 I wanted it. I think it looks great and in poor light it looks fantastic. I also like the fact it has the association with the F1 team (my Elise was british racing Green - I do like heritage). To my mind looking at the first photo there isnt much difference between it and the corsa 458 behind it. Does the 360 CS rosso scuderia have a thinner paint which makes it appear slightly orange or was it just my imagination?