[Boxer]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Sounds like you were on your first drive. That's the true mark of a car that is earning its keep. You gotta keep the 8YO Boxer happy.


Onno

Yes, the inner 8 year old loves the F40.

After a big service earlier this year it is really running well.

The key thing on these cars is regular use and regular service.

Despite what many people preceive, the F40 is a very useable supercar. It has very good luggage space, great comfortable seats, is docile to drive when you just want to cruise, with the adjustable suspension it can navigate speed bumps, and goes like a spanked cat when you want.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Despite what many people preceive, the F40 is a very useable supercar. It has very good luggage space, great comfortable seats, is docile to drive when you just want to cruise, with the adjustable suspension it can navigate speed bumps, and goes like a spanked cat when you want.

If ever there was a lesson in "how to convince your wife you need to buy an F40"...

... apart from the last line of course.

[Boxer]

Good drive in the F40 today. It got the call to lead one of our Sunday Country runs. 12 cars in total, 9 Ferraris, a Lambo, and two others. Quite foggy and the roads were damp so grip was not great. Despite having not been out in about a month, the F40 fired right up as soon as the starter button was pushed and settled into a happy idle within a minute. Once everyone had assembled, off we went. 45 mile route was one of the better ones with some great roads through the back country forests. However conditions did keep things rather calm. I was quite happy to be in the F40 though as it is the car I probably know best of the lot as we have been together the longest and at this point have driven it in just about all conditions with the exception of snow. Information feedback to the driver is terrific and you immediately feel when it is starting to get twitchy. Also the steering is so good it allows you to place the car exactly where you want it.

The f40 really is running so well now, it is really too bad winter is around the corner.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Boxer

The f40 really is running so well now, it is really too bad winter is around the corner.

Couldn't agree more .

Had our own Ferrari run here today. All of 2 Ferari's participated.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

Couldn't agree more .

Had our own Ferrari run here today. All of 2 Ferari's participated.

As long as there is no snow or salt on the roads, we will try to continue to have runs though the winter. Finding a nice day can be a challenge.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Good drive in the F40 today. It got the call to lead one of our Sunday Country runs. 12 cars in total, 9 Ferraris, a Lambo, and two others. Quite foggy and the roads were damp so grip was not great. Despite having not been out in about a month, the F40 fired right up as soon as the starter button was pushed and settled into a happy idle within a minute. Once everyone had assembled, off we went. 45 mile route was one of the better ones with some great roads through the back country forests. However conditions did keep things rather calm. I was quite happy to be in the F40 though as it is the car I probably know best of the lot as we have been together the longest and at this point have driven it in just about all conditions with the exception of snow. Information feedback to the driver is terrific and you immediately feel when it is starting to get twitchy. Also the steering is so good it allows you to place the car exactly where you want it.

The f40 really is running so well now, it is really too bad winter is around the corner.

The chassis in those is just outstanding. One of Ferrari's best.

The power curve intimidates some but the chassis is great.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Brian

The chassis in those is just outstanding. One of Ferrari's best.

The power curve intimidates some but the chassis is great.

Not really a curve, it goes gently uphill from 1000 rpm to 3500 rpm, shoots straight up from 3500-7000 rpms and then flattens out until you hit the redline at 7500 rpm. Call it power stairs.

[TurboTerrificNo9]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Not really a curve, it goes gently uphill from 1000 rpm to 3500 rpm, shoots straight up from 3500-7000 rpms and then flattens out until you hit the redline at 7500 rpm. Call it power stairs.

Great write-up, you capture the spirit of the car superbly - but you're also making me miss mine! Nice one.

[dfm]

Reading this makes me want to sell all of my earthly possessions and purchase an F40. There was one for sale at Ferrari of Seattle not so long ago. Only 13xx miles if I remember correctly and meticulously maintained.

[Boxer]

We had another nice semi warm day here today. As these are few and far between right now, we took advantage and took the F40 out for a nice hour plus drive. It is such a well engineered car, despite not having left its warm garage this year, it started right up on the first jab of the starter button and settled into a perfect idle as soon as the cats were warm. In respect for the long slumber, we took it very easy for the first 20 minutes to let everything warm up and loosen up properly. If you don't drive it for several weeks, the memory of just how great the steering is, how phenomenal the acceleration sensation is when spin the turbos up, and how heavy and exact the clutch is, tends to fade. 30 minutes in the F40 today and they are all back front of mind.

We did a little over an hour in the car today on some of my favorite roads. The fact this car was designed over 25 years ago just does not seem right. It is still way ahead of just about anything else on the road today, not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of driver interaction and enjoyment. Needless to say, I really enjoyed the drive out today and hope to be able to repeat it next weekend.

[Dan Harrison]

Boxer

Reminds me of all those times leaving work at 2AM, walking to the parking garage, and seeing the red gem sitting there. Firing it up, oil and coolant cold, sitting with my eyes closed as it idled. After two or three cycles of the fans kicking on, the oil and coolant temps would be up, the oil pressure would be down to optimum, slowly roll out of the parking structure...
Nice curved entrance ramp onto the highway heading home, no traffic.
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd just before 7750rpm with the speedo just below 105mph...
Just as God and Enzo Ferrari intended..

Dan

[koolaid117]

Originally Posted by Boxer

We had another nice semi warm day here today. As these are few and far between right now, we took advantage and took the F40 out for a nice hour plus drive. It is such a well engineered car, despite not having left its warm garage this year, it started right up on the first jab of the starter button and settled into a perfect idle as soon as the cats were warm. In respect for the long slumber, we took it very easy for the first 20 minutes to let everything warm up and loosen up properly. If you don't drive it for several weeks, the memory of just how great the steering is, how phenomenal the acceleration sensation is when spin the turbos up, and how heavy and exact the clutch is, tends to fade. 30 minutes in the F40 today and they are all back front of mind.

We did a little over an hour in the car today on some of my favorite roads. The fact this car was designed over 25 years ago just does not seem right. It is still way ahead of just about anything else on the road today, not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of driver interaction and enjoyment. Needless to say, I really enjoyed the drive out today and hope to be able to repeat it next weekend.

Always a pleasure to read about your weekend drives!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Dan Harrison

Boxer

Reminds me of all those times leaving work at 2AM, walking to the parking garage, and seeing the red gem sitting there. Firing it up, oil and coolant cold, sitting with my eyes closed as it idled. After two or three cycles of the fans kicking on, the oil and coolant temps would be up, the oil pressure would be down to optimum, slowly roll out of the parking structure...
Nice curved entrance ramp onto the highway heading home, no traffic.
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd just before 7750rpm with the speedo just below 105mph...
Just as God and Enzo Ferrari intended..

Dan

Excellent description. What a great car.

[Boxer]

As yesterday was another brilliant day, out came the F40 for a romp around the countryside. Thanks to the battery conditioner, it started up on the first push of the starter button. It then did the usual of revving to 2000 rpms until the cats warmed up and then settled back down to just under 1000 rpms before beginning to hunt a bit. Not sure what was causing that but it is off for its annual service next week so will have it checked. Once a bit of heat was in the engine, off we went. The strategy today was to wait and go late in the hope that the roads would be clearer and to the most part, it worked. Got a few stretches of completely clear road in which we were able to give the turbos a good work out. It still puts a huge smile on my face every time they kick in. The slow whistling as they build power, the scream as they kick it, head & back pressed back against the seat, followed by the popping on the overrun. Sometimes it is much better to be an adult than a kid.

[Pablo]

Jajajaja..... those are the posts that i like! Keep them coming Boxer!!!

[RicardoRJL1]

It seems the car goes as it looks, fantastic!!

[JazzyO]

Boxer,

people tell me yours' not standard. What are the modifications exactly, and what hp is it churning out? Apologies if you posted this somewhere before.


Onno

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Boxer,

people tell me yours' not standard. What are the modifications exactly, and what hp is it churning out? Apologies if you posted this somewhere before.


Onno

It has a custom made Swiss exhaust and up graded turbos. It puts out around 600 bhp.

[JazzyO]

Quite the beast! Thanks for the info, very interesting.


Onno

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Quite the beast! Thanks for the info, very interesting.


Onno

Thanks, it is very quick. The modifications where both done by the gentleman who owned it before me and are easily reversible.

The custom exhaust really is a work of art and much nicer than the stock.