So you're at a point in life where you've attained enough wealth to afford admission to the supercar club. If you rule out the ridiculously expensive almost one-off marques like Koenigsegg and Bugatti, the two cars at the top of the list would be Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Ferruccio Lamborghini did well manufacturing tractors. So much so, he could afford several Ferraris. When one of his cars developed a clutch problem, he discovered it was the same as used in his tractors. Lamborghini asked Mr. Ferrari for a better replacement, to which he said Lamborghini was but a tractor maker and could know nothing of sports cars. With typical Italian hot-headed bravado, Lamborghini boasted he could build superior cars. "Prove it!" said Ferrari. That's how Lamborghini got into building supercars. But in my opinion, their latest cars are too over-the-top to be considered, that is unless you're a 17-year-old rock star or a pro hockey player.
Enzo Ferrari was a racing driver/engineer that began his career in the 1920's with Alpha Romeo, another legendary Italian sports car manufacturer. When he went out on his own, his first car, the nimble 125 Sport had a 1.5 litre V-12 engine, that for its size, created scintillating performance along with an addictive sound only a "12" can generate. From the outset, racing was, and still is, the cornerstone of the company's endevours - as a result, their road cars have high performance driving as their primary focus. But over the years, many of their offerings have come to include most of the luxury features their well-heeled clientele expect.
What Colour to Choose?
In the early years of motor racing, each country was designated a specific colour to identify their racing cars. They included: British racing green, German silver and pale blue for the French. American cars were white with a blue chassis - later when the body completely covered the chassis, two blue "racing stripes" were added over the white body. The traditional Italian racing colour was a very deep dark red - Ferrari of course chose to paint his race cars red, but a much brighter shade. You can order your new Ferrari in virtually any colour you want, but the resale value for a red car is always higher.
Which model to pick?
This depends a lot on how thick your wallet is - prices range from $275,000.00 and up. Compared to just a few years ago, the range of models Ferrari offers is quite extensive: including a retractible roof front engined car, the California; a four-seat, front-engined, all wheel drive, hatchback, the FF; the ridiculously fast and costly "F12 Berlinetta" and the mid-engined 458 Italia (their most prolific and least-expensive model). Let's say you've been able to keep your ego reined in just a bit and decided on the Italia. Personally I'd pick the 458 Spider (it's in the middle of the 458 range at $305.000.00).
In Canada, Ferrari has dealerships in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, so if you want to kick some tires and or take one for a test drive, unless you live in one of those four cities, you'll have to get in your jet and go for a ride. Recently, Ferrari has limited the total yearly production to 7500 cars - thus keeping the demand for their product strong. Wait time from the day a car is ordered until it's built is now between 12 to 18 months.
Take Delivery in Italy!
To get "the full-meal deal" you'll want to be in Maranello to watch your car go down the assembly line. You should then take delivery there, and enjoy a nice vacation in Italy with your new car. I suggest arranging a homebase for your holiday and doing little day trips rather than travelling from town to town. You see, the "trunk" in an Italia will barely fit two small soft-sided suitcases. If your lady is even the least bit "high-maintenance" the lack of luggage space will be a serious issue. The sideroads in northern Italy, particularly those in the hills around Lago di Garda were made for spirited driving in a new Ferrari! When it's time to come home, Ferrari will ship your car to Canada.
Stay tuned. The next post is "Owning A Ferrari."
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