Saw one of these today

  • Thread starter Der Alta
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Der Alta

Der Alta

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DerAlta
Yep, on my way home. Actually it's more like I saw a front view, side view in next to nothing, then I got to study the rear view in better detail.

I'm amazed at how small these cars really are.

AO
 

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Der Alta, if memory serves me correctly, doesn't it go like this:

Ferrari + Boston Roads = Bravery

Was this your first 360 sighting?
 
Giles: In the 18 months I've been around here, I've seen 4 ferrari's and the first 3 were old model 308's. I think I've seen a handful of Vipers, and an armfull more 911's.

BMW's by the 100's - from 318'3 to 750il's Seems the "car of choice round here"

Yes, Ferrari + Boston roads = Bravery
But, (more accurately) Ferrari + Boston Traffic = more money than brains. :)

And yes, it was the first 360 that I've ever seen. Italian sports cars are an extreme rarity. There's only one Lotus dealer in Massachusetts, I had a tough time locating a Lamborghini dealer in the North east (NY), and Ferrari has one dealership in Massachusetts.

So they are few and far between.

Sweet car though.

AO
 
Der Alta: I suppose that given I live in Scotland's capital, there are quite a few around here. There is a Ferrari/Maserati/Porsche dealer about 10 miles from where I live, and at least another Porsche agent and an Aston Martin agent.

We Europeans like to build are cars small: the roads are narrow and heavily congested, and large cars are more of an issue for us. Plus, size=weight.

TsLeng: I had a brief look on the net for your question, but couldn't find an answer. I would guess it's something to do with Italian translation though.
 
Giles Said:
We Europeans like to build are cars small: the roads are narrow and heavily congested, and large cars are more of an issue for us. Plus, size=weight.
Click to expand...

And I wonder why the US automakers haven't figured this out. they've taken a few stabs at it, but the Ford Fiesta isn't quite on my hihglight list. Someone's bound say "Cosworth", though. And that just shows the insolence of the US automakers. Here VW introduces the R32 GTI (avaiable 1.8T with AWD and sport suspension, blah, blah, blah) and the US manufacturers still haven't caught a clue.

Yes, Giles, I yearn for a road that isn't 50 ft and 4 lanes wide (in one direction). Of course, that means the US drivers would have to learn how to properly operate a car.

AO
 
Originally posted by Der Alta
but the Ford Fiesta isn't quite on my highlight list.
Click to expand...

On behalf of Ford Fiesta owners everywhere, I'd like to give you a hearty "**** right off..." :D

J/k - I didn't know you got the Fiesta over there though. The Zetec-S - whilst not being the world's quickest car - is one everyone should drive. It's the way FFs SHOULD handle. Great car.

My Fiesta doesn't know this yet, but she's not going to be mine next Saturday... I hope she doesn't find out in the meantime - every time I go to look at another car, she breaks down... Last one was a stuck throttle. Stuck wide open...
 
Famine, have you driven the new Fiesta? I had one as a hire car - a 3dr Zetec. Well equipped, but dull, and the front would let go quite suddenly, which was quite disconcerting. Gutless too.
 
I had a look at one, but no. They've ruined it IMO. In their haste to give it rear legroom - and honestly who uses a Fiesta to ferry people ANYWHERE - they've completely arsed the handling. And the looks - now it just looks like any old, podgy Polo-a-like (seen the new nose on the Punto? All I can say is "!"). Kerb weight's up too - 1100kg, compared to 936 on mine - that's close on my brother's Scooby's dry weight...

Mine's an aging 1993.5 Mk3 1.3i. Not half bad - and if you throw the rear seats down and leave the parcel shelf/cardboard bit at home you can stuff quite a great deal of... err... stuff in it. We put a 7' ladder in ours happily, and a 6' Christmas tree on one occasion.

Great cars.
 
I personally think the Civic is also a pretty roomy azz car, my friend had his back seats out and he fit a dryer and 3 level shelf in the back, and suprizingly!! it didn't touch the ground.
 
I'd love to see a Modena in person. I'd love to hear the engine and stuff. I saw a Lamborghini Diablo the other day, it was silver. I was really suprised at how big of a car it was. It hogged the lane and jeez, it was so intimidating. Gah.

But you're a lucky guy Der Alta. I bet it was jaw dropping and just elegant. Am I wrong?
 
Originally posted by Concept
I'd love to see a Modena in person. I'd love to hear the engine and stuff. I saw a Lamborghini Diablo the other day, it was silver. I was really suprised at how big of a car it was. It hogged the lane and jeez, it was so intimidating. Gah.

But you're a lucky guy Der Alta. I bet it was jaw dropping and just elegant. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

I have been to the Ferrari factory, so heard plenty of them as they were firing them up. The thing with them is that below 2000rpm, they sound nothing special. Then from 2-3500rpm, they're all harsh and resonant. Then (and this is the miracle), the exhaust is trick, and at about 3500rpm it goes quiet (to pass the drive-by noise regulations). Then at about 4500rpm the baffles open and the four horsemen arrive!

The Diablo's a great looking car, but Lamborghini have done it again: the Murcielago makes it look like a truck. Go, find one now to look at. Think space ship...

retsmah: Enzo looks best in Black. Yum. I don't think that the red paint suits it.
 
I've never seen a 360 in the flesh. And I've only seen one Viper. There are qutie a few M3s cruising around, though.

More excitingly, a neighbor of mine has a Honda Element!

Oh, how could I forget?! I saw one of those snazzy Lambo Murcielagos driving around Boston a couple months ago.
 
Iin San Fran i have seen several 360's (well actually in the grater Bay Area). I have only seen 3 vipers my entire life, and as a result think the viper is a rarer car than the 360. I personally do not think this is a spectacular ferrari (but definitely wouldn't mind one :D).
 
Originally posted by Concept
I'd love to see a Modena in person. I'd love to hear the engine and stuff. I saw a Lamborghini Diablo the other day, it was silver. I was really suprised at how big of a car it was. It hogged the lane and jeez, it was so intimidating. Gah.

But you're a lucky guy Der Alta. I bet it was jaw dropping and just elegant. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Hah! I also saw a Diablo on my trip down to KL. It is the most insane car I've ever seen. Better than any Ferrari or Porsche or anything. Just magnificent.
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
I have been to the Ferrari factory, so heard plenty of them as they were firing them up. The thing with them is that below 2000rpm, they sound nothing special. Then from 2-3500rpm, they're all harsh and resonant. Then (and this is the miracle), the exhaust is trick, and at about 3500rpm it goes quiet (to pass the drive-by noise regulations). Then at about 4500rpm the baffles open and the four horsemen arrive!
Click to expand...

You're so lucky Giles. I would have done anything to be in your shoes. How much did you have to pay to be in there?
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie

retsmah: Enzo looks best in Black. Yum. I don't think that the red paint suits it.
Click to expand...

CAR had that article on the black one, that is the best color for it. I don't think id turn one down just because it's painted red though :)
 
Originally posted by Famine

J/k - I didn't know you got the Fiesta over there though.
Click to expand...

We got the Festiva in the early 1990s, which was vaguely similar. Otherwise, we've never been given the honour of Fiesta, which isn't anything of a loss since they're not suited for the US.
 
This is a Ford Festiva:

autocannon03.jpg


This is a Ford Fiesta:
ford_fiesta_6.jpg


The former is CLEARLY a Kia Pride - so it's no real shock that Americans hate it. The latter is a light, well-built (err... 1995 on at least), well-specced (for the money, base models suck), roomy, good-handling, economical and occasionally fast (the RS Turbo had a 0-60 of under 8s - 132hp in a 950kg car). I fail to understand how it can't be suited to ANY roads (except maybe Arctic or Saharan... :D). When I last moved house I fitted my entire life into it - with girlfriend in passenger seat - and STILL retained a 40+ mpg. And it'll cruise at 75mph with the rest of them.
 
Originally posted by Concept
You're so lucky Giles. I would have done anything to be in your shoes. How much did you have to pay to be in there?
Click to expand...
Erm. Nothing actually. You can go to the Ferrari factory if you're buying one, or if you are connected in any way with their racing activities. Since my father is the president of the club for Le Mans drivers, the club was able to negotiate a tour.

All we had to do was get there.
 

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