[colonel1961]

...was not delivered today, which is fine - as it is snowing and icing outside - but the dealer was kind enough to provide a few photos to whet my appetite for Monday's delivery. Thought I'd share.



p.s. that old junker in the background is the 365 GTB/4 I couldn't fit in a few weeks ago...

[wheels1]

Lucky man.
Good second choice.

[colonel1961]

So, the little bit of ice and snow we had melted away this morning and we were left with a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a 'last drive'.

Never really missed the 308 GTS QV or the 360 Modena, but something tells me that I will truly miss the F430. Of course, I can always get another one sometime in the future.

Going away shot of the 'Silver Streak'...

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by wheels1

Lucky man.
Good second choice.

Not as lucky as a man with two Daytonas!

Thank you very much - I am very fortunate and very honored to be able to own, and have owned, such beautiful and stimulating vehicles.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Never really missed the 308 GTS QV or the 360 Modena, but something tells me that I will truly miss the F430.

Be very interested to hear your thoughts in a week.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Be very interested to hear your thoughts in a week.

Kinda curious myself. For the fifth time, I've bought a Ferrari without ever driving the car or type beforehand. Now, I sat in two of the last three actual vehicles, but only briefly on the showroom floor, so I knew that I would at least fit into them.

And the whole V-12 v. V-8, front-engine v. mid-engine configuration has me very curious. I'm certain that I will provide some updates later in the week - probably tomorrow afternoon!!

[wetpet]

congrats! stunning car. Little diff than the 430. can't wait to hear what you think.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by wetpet

congrats! stunning car. Little diff than the 430. can't wait to hear what you think.

Thank you! My kitchen timer tells me there are 32 minutes until delivery. (Yes, I can be a little OCD at times - no pun intended!).

I will provide a quick report and a crummy cell phone picture or two later this afternoon!

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Thank you! My kitchen timer tells me there are 32 minutes until delivery. (Yes, I can be a little OCD at times - no pun intended!).

I will provide a quick report and a crummy cell phone picture or two later this afternoon!

Well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have a min to go.

you are past due, it should have been there by now. What's more important looking at the car, driving it or keeping this post up to date?

[Boxer]

and.......

[colonel1961]

Well, my Mother told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I am trying to be very quiet, as I may have made one of the worst car purchase decisions ever. Headed back out to the garage/road to give it a second chance...

[wheels1]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Well, my Mother told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I am trying to be very quiet, as I may have made one of the worst car purchase decisions ever. Headed back out to the garage/road to give it a second chance...

NO, are you joking?
Grant

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by colonel1961

Well, my Mother told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I am trying to be very quiet, as I may have made one of the worst car purchase decisions ever. Headed back out to the garage/road to give it a second chance...

Can't really compare it to the F430 though, two completely different machines.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by wheels1

NO, are you joking?
Grant

Afraid not. I'll tell you what my wife said when we pulled it back in to the garage after the second drive: 'Well, it's not a sports car.'

Not a sports car!

And no gender bashing, she knows cars, loves Ferraris as much as I do and drives them with a passion.

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Can't really compare it to the F430 though, two completely different machines.

Truer words have never been spoken...

[colonel1961]

Originally Posted by Granucci

What's more important looking at the car, driving it or keeping this post up to date?

Thanks for the comic relief! I need it!

In all fairness, it is a great looking and riding vehicle, just completely different from the monster that left my garage this morning. One crappy cell phone photo attached...

[Baller]

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with your new purchase. I was excited to hear how good the 612 was. Can you still post some pics?

EDIT: scratch that last part, it is a very sleek and sexy looking ride.

[Barry]

Give it some time Colonel - maybe it will grow on you????

[Granucci]

Col. Gotta ask: Didn't you test drive that baby before it was delivered?

[colonel1961]

An update on the 612:

First, I hate to be petulant about getting a 'new' car - mea culpa. Having put twenty or so miles on it this afternoon and evening, I certainly am beginning to 'understand' the vehicle. It is not a race car, it's a GT (and my wife said those were the words she was looking for, as well). It is a very, very different feel, tempo, interaction, et cetera than the 430 - as many have noted - but it is very much a Ferrari and is something that will grow on me as I get used to its essence.

One poor dealership aspect: when I asked about books, records, manuals; the dealer said it had 'everything but the warranty card'. So when the car arrives, he is correct. Unfortunately, all the documents are brand new and for a MY07, not a MY05. And the tools, canister, and covers are absolutely mint, i.e., not even spotless at five years old, I mean made recently, not even NOS. That's good and bad, as they're in perfect condition, but I have to wonder about why the others are missing. And, especially true for the manuals, they do me little good, as there were substantive changes to the car between the two model years, e.g., navigation interface. So, I can't tell how to dim the green interior pin lights, or 'little' things like that. Again, a big deal, in my opinion.

Asking for advice, please. And again, mea culpa for my churlishness earlier today...