I drove the F430

[komotar]

Hey guys.

As usual, I've been prettey busy for the las couple of weeks...

Last tuesday, on Valentine's day, I went to Maranello.
Took us about 4 hours to get there and we were suppost to get 2 cars for the day. The F430 spider and the 612. And Italians being italians, they messed up and didn't prepare the cars.

They appologised and said if we could move the date. And then they gave us a nice yellow F430 for the whole day.

I guess the whole trip wasn't a waste.

Ok, to the car. It's simply unbelivable. Untill I sat myself behind the wheel of the F430, I thought it would not be as easy to drive as let's say the Carrera. But boy was I wrong.

I felt like one with the car in less that 5 minutes behing the wheel. Everything is just perfect. The racing seats hugy you like your grandmother used to. The steering wheel fits superbley in the hand and then you push the little red button.

Chills down the spine are instant. Every hair on your body stands up. Your heart starts to beat faster and harder in anticipation. Push the right paddle into first and you're off.

The car gentley moves forward. The noise is rough yet subtle.....in a Ferrari kinda way. I put into second. The revs start to build up as does my heart rate.

And when I get past 3000 rpm the sound changes instantly. The growling becomes much louder. I floor it. When the car hits 5000 rpm the kick to the neck is just brutal. The engine noise goes trough me as I was made from nothing else but thin sheet of paper. It keeps on pulling and pulling untill I shift to 3rd gear at 8500 rpm. And then the whole thing repeats itself. It's like reaching an orgasm with every gear.

The speedo dial is raising fast and before I know it I'm looking at the number 220 on a narrow road just a few klicks away from Maranello. The city is sorounded with small hills which are blessed with one of the best twist roads I have ever seen. The surface is good. The tires grip well and so do the brakes. Not the "normal" ones on this Ferrari.

2nd and 3rd gear corners are coming and going and I'm only getting more excited with each of the passing by. After a few minutes of getting to know the car I start to push harder. After the first few minutes I brake early every time. I just refused to belive how good the brakes were. One of the guys trying to take a few shots is trying to convince me to drive behind the the car he is in for a while. I just smile and floor it. There will be time for taking pics later.

It's just me and the yellow beast. And it's february 14th. The Valentines day. This must be destiny. This is love at first sight.

As I sweep trough a series of lefr and right handers I start to focus on the brilliantly focused steering and the overflow of information I get trough the steering wheel. I feel every hole and every iregularity on the ground. The feed back is really something else. And the best part is that in spite of all this feel, the car still doesn't feel uncomfortable. Even thought I feel every little stone on the ground, I don't feel like my spine is going to crush.

A look back to the engine bay only makes me want to go faster and faster. The beast trapped in the rear is more than willing to oblige my every wish.

The car is sensational. The looks gorgeous. I didn't think for a second that the bright yellow is too much. It's just perfect.

And you know what the funny thing is. The damn people of Maranello don't blink twice when you drive by. It's like another world there.

I spotted 11 430's in a matter of hours. All taped up on their first ride. And I saw and heard the new 599 GTB. Also yellow. Much deeper sound.

It was a day to remember.

Enjoy the pics




The Ferrari store is located on the other side of the road from the factory.





the car










one of the the new ones
















































fooling around, lol






another one





















A few detailed shots

[Shinigami]

Very cool! Congratulations

I absolutely love the looks of the 360 and 430. The most beautiful Ferrari's in my opinion, and probably the most beautiful cars ever *thumbsup*

If my 360 doesn't become a reality in the next 12-18 months, perhaps I'll wait off for a second hand 430. Should be down to the same prices as the 360 24 months from now

[Everlasting]

lucky bastard !!

[bmagni]

nice report komo, nice valentine's day, did you miss having any girls ??? i guess not !!!

[Ghostbat]

You lucky SOB

Very nice pics as always too. Looks excellent in yellow. Too bad you didn't film it..

[komotar]

Originally Posted by Ghostbat You lucky SOB Very nice pics as always too. Looks excellent in yellow. Too bad you didn't film it..

who said I didn't

[twboy1999]

nice pics and write up

how did u manage to get a test drive of the car for the whole day?

[adamwich]

Amazing pictures! Thanks man.

[komotar]

Originally Posted by twboy1999 nice pics and write up how did u manage to get a test drive of the car for the whole day?

called up Ferrari, presented them with our mag and mentioned that the mag was there 3 years ago to test the 575....

nothing special I guess.

[Johns]

Awesome write up and pics!!!!!!! thanks

[Pehtren]

The pics ate just mindblownig, espedially the one in your sig

I like the "story" and the review of the CAR 8)

And for me this pics, is the best one from the moving ones, hehe


thanks 8)

[Shinigami]

Originally Posted by komotar Originally Posted by twboy1999 nice pics and write up how did u manage to get a test drive of the car for the whole day? called up Ferrari, presented them with our mag and mentioned that the mag was there 3 years ago to test the 575.... nothing special I guess.

Yeah, most people seem to forget that it's not all that difficult to go up to a dealer and ask for a test drive.

Granted, it's harder in some countries, and it helps if you come at the spot in a decent car, but still. Never hurts to ask. It's what I did and landed several hours behind the wheel of a 360 and 550.

[TransAm]

Originally Posted by Shinri_Shiogami Very cool! Congratulations I absolutely love the looks of the 360 and 430. The most beautiful Ferrari's in my opinion, and probably the most beautiful cars ever *thumbsup* If my 360 doesn't become a reality in the next 12-18 months, perhaps I'll wait off for a second hand 430. Should be down to the same prices as the 360 24 months from now

Where do you work and do they have any vacancies?

[yg60m]

Congrats mate, it's a nice experience And it's kind of you to share it with us with all the details that are often missing in magazines

[man430gt]

Yours one damn lucky guy!And a great read as well as superb photos! :fadein: