Aquineas
4th Genesis
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2010
- Messages
- 4,326
- Reaction score
- 1,117
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Georgetown, TX
- Genesis Model Year
- 2020
- Genesis Model Type
- Genesis G70
A buddy of mine bought an F430 about a year ago, and we've been trying to sync up since then so I could take it for a spin. Both of us travel for work a fair bit, and we finally got around to a lunchtime drive yesterday.
Observations:
I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. I also have to say, his previous car was an Aston Martin DB7, and given the choice between the two, I'd honestly go with the Aston. It didn't have the same "racer's edge" feel as the Ferrari, but I'm not racing anyone
. I guess I'm getting old, but the perfect car to me is fast, silent, smooth, and handles well (but not the same razor handling as the Ferrari). Some of you are old enough to remember the old Jaguar marketing phrase, "beautiful, silent, strong." That's exactly what I want. Well, perhaps not silent, but subjectively speaking, I prefer the sound of the Genny V8 to say, one of a big-block Chrysler .
I think if money and repair costs were no object, I'd get an Audi S6 or a BMW M5, or maybe a next generation Genny.
Observations:
- Nothing could have prepared me for the glorious sound of that engine at 7000rpm. It's like something that broke free from the bonds of Hades, wailing 12 inches behind your head and announcing to the world, in the most vociferous way possible, your presence.
- Getting in and out of that car requires a contortionist. I had to seriously twist my hips and body to get in and out (note that I'm 6'2 and 230, which I'm sure played a role).
- The best way to describe the handling is as such: you know that direct steering wheel to pavement feel that you get from say, a go-cart? Where there is no play at all in the wheel and the car responds instantly to your steering input? That's kinda what the F430 felt like.
- Gear changes are millisecond quick. Well, maybe not a single millisecond, but I would guess less than a hundred.
- You really have to watch your speed in these; they gain speed quite quickly, and I was actually embarassed by how fast I got to the "bury you under the jailhouse" speeds
- Ergonomics are a tad quirky. Electric window switches on the dashboard?
I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. I also have to say, his previous car was an Aston Martin DB7, and given the choice between the two, I'd honestly go with the Aston. It didn't have the same "racer's edge" feel as the Ferrari, but I'm not racing anyone
. I guess I'm getting old, but the perfect car to me is fast, silent, smooth, and handles well (but not the same razor handling as the Ferrari). Some of you are old enough to remember the old Jaguar marketing phrase, "beautiful, silent, strong." That's exactly what I want. Well, perhaps not silent, but subjectively speaking, I prefer the sound of the Genny V8 to say, one of a big-block Chrysler .I think if money and repair costs were no object, I'd get an Audi S6 or a BMW M5, or maybe a next generation Genny
.
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