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We drove the car that Ferrari is counting on for its future
Business Insider ^ | Matthew DeBord

Posted on 04/10/2016 2:36:04 PM PDT by MtnClimber

In 2014, my son, James, and I drove up to Watkins Glen International, a storied racetrack, to watch a Ferrari race. We did not, however, make the drive in a Ferrari. Last year, Ferrari kindly lent us a California T, the company's "entry-level" car — its base price is $198,000 — to make a sort of return visit.

The Cali T is now an important vehicle for the prancing stallion now that it's a public company and need to grow beyond its current 7,000-cars-per-year in sales. At the New York Stock Exchange in 2015, when Ferrari — ticker symbol RACE — began trading, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO and Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne said that many of the 9,000 cars the Italian sports car maker will sell in 2019 will be Cali Ts.

Ferrari shares have endured a slide since the IPO, down 30% since last October. But of course there is Ferrari the stock and Ferrari the cars. So what is the California T like to drive?

When James and I went to the Glen in 2014, we watched a Ferrari Challenge race in which the contestants run in Ferrari 458s. In 2015, we attended the Six Hours of the Glen, an endurance race featuring teams from a variety of automakers — Porches, BMW, Aston Martin, Mazda, Corvette — alongside Ferrari. It was an interesting weekend with a long drive in a cool car and a race that was heavily affected by the weather.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: automotive; ferrari
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To: Vendome

No doubt; ironically, those same subsidized folks would be among the first to come after him.


41 posted on 04/10/2016 4:08:05 PM PDT by jttpwalsh
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To: MtnClimber

But where can you drive such cars at speed anymore? You have to find a track. As long as the acceleration is helpful, useable, on the actual road, for passing and the like, then I’m interested. Otherwise, everything sucks compared to racing track cars.

Mercedes all look like modified bank vaults to me - heavy, thick. Works for the biggest cars, but as they get smaller, the thickness becomes more noticeable.

For ridiculously fast, you could get the R8.


42 posted on 04/10/2016 4:08:16 PM PDT by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: MtnClimber

IMHO, the GT4 is the ultimate car for under $125k........my dealer just had one come in that was ordered and it was stunning - Agate Grey, close to my Meteor Grey.......of course I didn’t drive it.......

I’m so happy with my S I just can’t justify a new GT4......


43 posted on 04/10/2016 4:10:36 PM PDT by Arlis
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To: Talisker
There are several local road courses where sports car clubs can rent track days. The highest speed track nearby is Pikes Peak Intl Raceway south of Colorado Springs. I am only looking for a weekend driver. The acceleration can be used on mountain roads (like where I live) with sharp turns without breaking the speed limit. Also, when using an entrance ramp to a highway you never have to brake into an opening in traffic. The cars I was looking at are in the 0-60 mph range of 2.7 to 3 seconds.
44 posted on 04/10/2016 4:19:28 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Arlis

I saw a GT4 pulled off to the side of the mountain road near my house not long ago. It was white and looked really great. I live off Colorado Hwy 72 about 10 miles into the mountains west of the Denver/Golden area. This road seems to be famous with car clubs. I have seen large groups of cars such as Porsche 911, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ford GT40, Lotus, Corvette and many-many Mazda Miatas.


45 posted on 04/10/2016 4:31:45 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Talisker

Still look good chasing chicks....


46 posted on 04/10/2016 4:39:23 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway - "Enjoy Yourself" ala Louis Prima)
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To: Arlis

I used to have a 1986 911 Turbo. That was an insane car to control especially in rain or, heaven forbid a dusting of snow.


47 posted on 04/10/2016 4:40:16 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: newfreep
Very nice lines...but those headlights are U-G-L-Y.

Looks a lot like an early 1970s Ferrari GTC. I always thought the GTC was one of the most attractive Ferrari ever - very classic lines without over-the-top extremes.

48 posted on 04/10/2016 4:41:36 PM PDT by CommerceComet (Ignore the GOP-e. Cruz to victory in 2016.)
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To: Talisker

The DB is one GEORGOUS automobile. You’re right that the assend is way too short.Corvette same problem. DB wins in the looks department walking away.


49 posted on 04/10/2016 4:49:08 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: Hot Tabasco
I was thinking of trading in my 2013 Ford Focus for this Bugatti Chiron but after getting an inch of snow today, I've decided to hold off.....I don't think it's very good in snow and ice.

No worries, the Bugatti has all-wheel-drive with umpteen traction and stability control gadgets on board to keep you between the ditches. A new set of tires would probably rival the cost of that Focus, though.

50 posted on 04/10/2016 4:52:11 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Talisker

GOOD ONE TALISKER!


51 posted on 04/10/2016 4:53:28 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life's tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: CommerceComet

Many of the new headlights on higher-end cars are very complex. On my 2013 Audi S6 I got the LED headlight option. It has a daytime white running light s.et of lights, an amber set of turn signal lights in the same shape as the daytime running lights. The hedlamps are a set of (I think) 13 LEDs per side, each with its own lens and pointing. The headlamps are amazing, not two circles, but a rectangular pattern. And if you are turning at low speed a light will point to the side so you can see the curve


52 posted on 04/10/2016 5:07:35 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim
point well made, I am a Honda fan through and through. 78 Civic, 87 CRX, 90 Accord, 97 CRV, 2000 Odyssey, 2002 Shadow ACE, 2006 Ridgeline, 2010 Fury, 2012 CRV and 2012 Odyssey - well over 2mm miles total

2 regrets with Honda - never got a S2000 and traded in my Ridgeline

favorite one


53 posted on 04/10/2016 5:27:25 PM PDT by Cyclone59 (Where are we going, and what's with the handbasket?)
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To: Cyclone59

They do know how to build them.


54 posted on 04/10/2016 5:45:04 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: wally_bert

http://www.silverstateclassic.com/default.aspx


55 posted on 04/10/2016 6:48:01 PM PDT by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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