[Boxer]

After way too long, the F50 finally emerged from its long winter slumber for a jaunt in the countryside yesterday. Just getting the cover off was a splendid moment. Once that was done, it was time to initiate the ingnition sequence. Alarm off, ignition key in and turned to the second position, dash powers up properly, wait several seconds, OK light comes on, clutch in, push the starter button..................and it fired up perfectly the first time and withing seconds settled into a perfect idle. Hop back out of the car and now let it sit for 15 minutes to warm up properly. with water tempature at 100 and the oil temp gauge not far behind, time to head out quickly to clear roads. On the way, focus on building up a bit of heat in both the tyres and brakes. After 10 minutes, the road opens up and not another car is in sight so off we go. The gearbox in the F50 really is second to none. In rapid order, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and the horizon just got a lot closer. Ease off an bit and drop back into 4th but allowing the revs to rise back up. Smooth glide to the right and then back left. The steering wheel is on the smaller side but just feels so right. The diameter and thumb grips are perfect. No messy airbag in the middle, just all business. Quickly through a pair of roundabouts and then back up the far side of the triangle. Time to cut through the forest and towards the highway. No piece of tarmac in this area is straight for more than 50 yards so it is all 2nd and 3rd gear with the big V12 just singing. Breaking out of the woods, it was then a quick sprint towards the highway. Closing on the entrance area, traffic was starting to build so off to the left we headed and cut back across country. More 3rd and 4th gear as the road gently cut through the farms. Steering inputs in this area were modest as it is easy to balance it on the throttle power through the apex on each bend. Then all to soon, the drive was over and back into the garage we headed. While it is a big wide car, it completely shrinks around you and inspires huge amounts of confidence. It moves so smoothly and responds instantly to all inputs. Simply the best car I have ever had the priviledge to drive. Every and any drive in the F50 is an event to savior.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Simply the best car I have ever had the priviledge to drive.

That's quite a statement given the stable the F50 has to contend with!

Now where's the pictures???!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

That's quite a statement given the stable the F50 has to contend with!

Now where's the pictures???!

Sorry, none this time but here is one from the archives.

[JazzyO]

Still haven't seen one on the move - can't wait for that experience. Great car, and finally recognised for what it is I think.


Onno

[FBI]

Great post Boxer. Feels like I'm there with you, Thanks for that.
We recently got a F50 in our town going down to take a look at it this week, Never seen one in the flesh before should be quite a treat.

Cheers

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by FBI

Great post Boxer. Feels like I'm there with you, Thanks for that.
We recently got a F50 in our town going down to take a look at it this week, Never seen one in the flesh before should be quite a treat.

Cheers

If you can, ask the owner for a ride. Until you experience the F50 on the road, it is hard to understand just how special this car is..............and it does it all with a grand total of zero electronic drivers aids.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

If you can, ask the owner for a ride. Until you experience the F50 on the road, it is hard to understand just how special this car is..............and it does it all with a grand total of zero electronic drivers aids.

Yes, it really is a very special and wonderful car. Thanks for that great writeup.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Yes, it really is a very special and wonderful car. Thanks for that great writeup.

My pleasure.

[Boxer]

Took a friend out in the F50 this weekend. It was the first time I had been out in the F50 in the past month. As usual it started right up and settled into a steady idle. After all the fluids were suitably warmed up, off we went. When you don't drive the F50 for a few weeks, you tend to forget just how perfect the gearbox action is. As close to perfection as any I have driven. The steering wheel and weight of the steering are also just outstanding. Add in the completely unique wail of the engine and it is just a wonderful experience every drive. The power is very linear and just never seems to end (although fear of jail does impose limits). All in, this is one Ferrari I just would not change a single thing on. Seemingly limitless power, outstanding road handling, great gearbox, and perfect steering. All in, no much to argue about.

After 30 minutes of driving around the countryside, I turned to my friend and suggested we head back, he was ready to go on for several more hours. Think that sums it up.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Sounds like the ultimate consumation and perfect match, Boxer. One can only imagine for most of us. Glad to hear that you are finding time to exercise your "GFs". w/ smiles Jimmy

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Sounds like the ultimate consumation and perfect match, Boxer. One can only imagine for most of us. Glad to hear that you are finding time to exercise your "GFs". w/ smiles Jimmy

Thanks. The F50 is just such a pleasure to drive.

[Boxer]

Drove my youngest son to a school party in the F50 yesterday (his request). Got a very nasty look from another father in his 911 cabrio when I pulled into the parking lot. Had to take the long way back home. Everytime I go out in the F50 it is memorable. Just such a great great car to drive and it is running perfectly.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Drove my youngest son to a school party in the F50 yesterday (his request). Got a very nasty look from another father in his 911 cabrio when I pulled into the parking lot. Had to take the long way back home. Everytime I go out in the F50 it is memorable. Just such a great great car to drive and it is running perfectly.

Poor Porsche guy...spends so much...gets so much depreciation on his car....and then this......!

[Boxer]

I took the F50 to the final ScudItalia event of the year last Sunday. Had a good drive down with #1 son. As usual the F50 fired right up and after about 10 minutes of idling, all the gauges were where they should be. Drive down was taken quite leisurely as the roads were still a bit damp and there was a bit of fog about. Had a more energising run back home. At one point I had a Aston DB9 come right up on my tail and sit there for a bit (I think the passanger was trying to get a picture). This lasted for a few minutes until I decided I did not want him looming in my rearview mirror any longer. Finished the day by giving the F50 a good bath and vaccum.

[212Export]

...waiting time is terrible.....and again a guy left behind wondering what car he should have... this time James Bond

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by 212Export

...this time James Bond

Yes,...........I don't think Mr Bond was amused......as I disappeared in a cloud of V12 noise.

[Bas Jaski]

Fantastic read Boxer. Quiet lurker here, I'm much more active on Fchat for some reason.

Have you driver a Carrera GT? If so, how would you compare it to the F50? To me it seems the CGT is the only car build after the F50 that is in the same 'caliber' (if you will...).

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Bas Jaski

Fantastic read Boxer. Quiet lurker here, I'm much more active on Fchat for some reason.

Have you driver a Carrera GT? If so, how would you compare it to the F50? To me it seems the CGT is the only car build after the F50 that is in the same 'caliber' (if you will...).

I have driven both and while on paper they seem quite similar, they are very different cars and each great in its own right. Brakes on the CGT are better but the engine on the F50 is in a league all its own. F50 also has the nicest gearbox of any car I have ever driven. Handling on both is outstanding but it feels liek the F50 has slightly higher limits.

Good to see you posting here. FLife has a great bunch of guys.

[Bas Jaski]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I have driven both and while on paper they seem quite similar, they are very different cars and each great in its own right. Brakes on the CGT are better but the engine on the F50 is in a league all its own. F50 also has the nicest gearbox of any car I have ever driven. Handling on both is outstanding but it feels liek the F50 has slightly higher limits.

Good to see you posting here. FLife has a great bunch of guys.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't enjoyed being inside an F50 just yet (currently living in Africa doesn't help things) so for now youtube video's will do...The sound the F50 delivers boggles the mind, it's fantastic (same goes for the CGT, but between the two its easy...F50 noise hands down!). You're a lucky man.

I've been browsing the forum over the past few days and I see quite a few familiar names pop up, mainly from the 550 crowd with Taz's extensive knowledge and Onno's endless awesome stories

[tazandjan]

Bas- Great to see you on FL. You should introduce yourself in member intros, which draws good responses here.