Red letter days

[ohidunno]

I have been lucky enough to recieve a Ferrari experience for my birthday. But it looks like I have a choice........

A 308 for 3 laps of Goodwood
or A Testarossa for 4 laps of Prestwold Hall

Decisions, decisions, what would you guys pick and why?

BTW I don't care about the travel aspect.

[Davey Boy]

Testarossa no question. Its a V12 with more power.

I know a 308 will be a lot more nimble but go for the power. If you want a quick nimble car hire an Elise (which I have )

[pdavison]

I did something similiar where I drove a 328, then an F355 F1 and then paid extra to drive the Testarossa and the most entertaining of the three ...

... easily the Testarossa. A hard car to drive, but by far the most rewarding and fun !

[Animal]

Did the Goodwood thing in a 308.

Nice car, but when I went out (admittedly in the pouring rain) I was told to a) start in 2nd - dogleg 'box, and b) get into 5th ASAP and stay there.

The guys at Goodwood were nice enough, especially Richard Pavey, but it did detract from the experience somewhat, as I was basically just bumbling around quite slowly without being able to sample the experience fully.

Perhaps the Flat-12 390 BHP Testarossa might be a more attractive proposition?

[ohidunno]

Tried booking the Testarossa yesterday, and the availability was abysmal. Only two Saturdays left this year and both at 9am.
Don't much like the idea of cruising round the circuit in fifth either. If I can't drive the car properly it won't be much better than sitting in the thing.

[zoom_jones]

I did the 308 Goodwood thing a year or so ago. I was also told to change a couple of times and stick to 5th, even in the dry. Its not that much of a driving experience to be honest, though I'm sorry to say it. Do the Testarossa!

[360N-GT]

That sounds pretty crappy to me.

Maybe you should rent one..... and just take it to a track day of your choice.....OH! DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD! SILLY ME!

Here's an option....in Melbourne, there's a rental company that'll give you a 348/355 for about $800AUS (350 pounds) for a whole weekend, pick up Friday.

2 hours drive from Melbourne there's a track called Winton which is quite nice. On Friday's you can drive all day for $90AUS (37 pounds).

[jay_z]

I've been seiously put off doing any kind of Ferrari driving experience due to this softly softly approach.

Christ, if your spending the best part of £300 for a full days course the last thing you'll want to do is drive like Miss Daisy!!!

I'd want the full on, foot to the floor, 8500rpm experience nothing more, and nothing less

A friend of mine did the 308/355 thing a few months back and was instructed to do the same thing. As it turned out he had more fun and enjoyment in the Lotus Elise 'Warm up car' than in either Ferrari WTF!!!!

I certainly wouldn't entertain the thought of hiring/track day option. Again, heard to many horror stories of these prestige hire companies screwing the ass of customers once the cars have been returned, saying this is wrong with it, thats been broken and by the way here's your £1500 repair bill

[pdavison]

When I did my Ferrari experience they weren't so softly softly as discribed here but they did say not to red-line the cars but that's common sense I reckon.

Lets face it you don't have to red-line a 355 to 'enjoy' the experience and if you borrowed my car I wouldn't let you red-line it either !

I've been wanting to hire a F355 for a weekend for a while now, but I have heard so many stories of people not getting their (large) deposits back it's put me off !