Who says this 4,000+ lb GT can't put down power AND handle like a sports car?

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by clar

Not sure if u have tried it, but I realized that I can save a whole bunch of money by getting some of my need for speed satisfied via go karting. I own 2 personal karts and it's amazing fun! The amount of G it pulls and the sensation of speed is unmatched by any road cars out there. It also cost a tiny fraction of what it costs to track your cars. If u haven't already done it, u should give it a try. I am not talking about rental fun karts, but dedicated personal karts! Those things fly!

Like these? http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.com/karting/

I was up at AMP over the weekend talking to the owner about karts for my 9 yr old (and me :-) You can also do laps in Ariel Atoms as part of what they call the "Atlanta Experience" for $525/half day. http://www.atlantadrivingexperience.com/

Would be VERY cool to own a kart. I am 6'2". Could I fit in one comfortably? I might have to try this!

[clar]

Originally Posted by ColdList

Like these? http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.com/karting/

I was up at AMP over the weekend talking to the owner about karts for my 9 yr old (and me :-) You can also do laps in Ariel Atoms as part of what they call the "Atlanta Experience" for $525/half day. http://www.atlantadrivingexperience.com/

Would be VERY cool to own a kart. I am 6'2". Could I fit in one comfortably? I might have to try this!

6'2" is no issue. I see lots of big guys in karts where I am. I started off with a used kart, but have since bought a new one. You might wanna start off with a rental kart to see if u enjoy it. Best if u know someone who owns a kart and is willing to let u take a spin in it. U should of course be comfortable in a rental kart first before u try out the personal kart as they are worlds apart in performance. I actually have to train up and loose weight to drive those things.

[boots]

Clar how r the rotax powered carts. Do those motors hold up.

[clar]

Originally Posted by boots

Clar how r the rotax powered carts. Do those motors hold up.

Rotax engines are known to be very reliable. There are many racing series around this range of engines. I am not using them. I have a Swiss Auto 250cc 4 stroke with fuel injection. My nephew has a Rotax Max and it's been problem free thus far!

[omegaSMP300]

lol that car. I am sure performance wise it is awesome but if I am getting a ferrari I would go with a 458.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by omegaSMP300

lol that car. I am sure performance wise it is awesome but if I am getting a ferrari I would go with a 458.

It's not the performance alone. It's the fact that it does everything (power, handling, comfort) so well and is such a great DD compared to the 458. Drove another 458 today and felt the same way. And the V12 sounds WAY better than the V8. To me it is the best car hands down excepting only the F12. Still, my spider arrives in August. High likelihood it ends up in my garage-lol!

[stealth.pilot]

I love the FF. Have you seen the top gear video where they drive it in the arctic?

I'm hoping the next M5 models their AWD system on that of the FF. The FF AWD system is unique in that it disengages completely enabling the car to transition from AWD to true RWD. Also it is very lightweight. To me this is the ultimate drivetrain.

[mwlmd]

F12 = home run

FF = foul ball

based on looks that it. drivetrain of the ff sounds good though.

[boots]

Thanks clar.

[avlnch]

I have a rotax motor in this machine. Lots of fun, good engine.

[shahano]

CLAR is totally right. I still Kart every week to stay racefit. Its definitely very physical, almost as much as driving the racecar. I own a 125CC shifter with 6 speeds and 42hp.. I promise you it will go faster around a short track than any of the cars.
I recommend the 6 gears very much.. You will not regret it
0-60 in around 2.9 seconds.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I love the FF. Have you seen the top gear video where they drive it in the arctic?

I'm hoping the next M5 models their AWD system on that of the FF. The FF AWD system is unique in that it disengages completely enabling the car to transition from AWD to true RWD. Also it is very lightweight. To me this is the ultimate drivetrain.

Agreed. It truly is just about the perfect setup. Very lightweight AWD as well. Would be a great setup in the M. Best of both worlds. You truly would not even realize it was an AWD if you didn't know it. Honestly, I forgot myself at first then the salesguy mentioned it. In fact, the entire weekend that I had it I didn't feel like I was in an AWD vehicle.

People tend to think that because a car isn't all crazy exotic looking (especially as a Ferrari) that it isn't a cool car. They would be wrong. Even after driving a 458 Spider and then 458 Coupe again in the last week, I can still say that it is the very best car that I have ever driven.

I was having this discussion with buddy of mine at lunch yesterday. He is also a very big car guy. The issue I have with the 458 is that it is a GREAT car SOMETIMES. It is very fun to take on quick little runs to get coffee and maybe on a Sunday drive. But if you like to run around in your car a lot then it is not very fun at all. In fact, as my buddy put it, "in that league, you really want it to be a driver's car that beats everything and that you can enjoy every day". It is a driver's car but it is not a daily driver's car. And in terms of beating everything-it doesn't. I can't get over how much faster the 991 TTS is and how much better it is to drive pretty much anywhere. Also in comparison, the FF may be .3 seconds slower 0-60 but it is a far better car to drive around every day. I understand how the 458s become garage queens. It's not 100% that people just want to preserve them. It is also that they are just not comfortable to drive around. After a very long drive (in fact-2 drives) in the coupe the other day, I got out and looked at the salesman and said "Why am I not jumping for joy over this thing?" Ironically, I WAS jumping for joy over the FF. I HATED to bring it back to the dealer. It is in my opinion, the ULTIMATE daily driver. Well, except for the F12.

[shahano]

I hope they dont make the next M5 AWD. I truly believe that it should remain as a rear wheel drive as this is what M cars are all about. As for the FF, if you plan to use it daily, then it is the perfect choice... But that F12??????

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I love the FF. Have you seen the top gear video where they drive it in the arctic?

I'm hoping the next M5 models their AWD system on that of the FF. The FF AWD system is unique in that it disengages completely enabling the car to transition from AWD to true RWD. Also it is very lightweight. To me this is the ultimate drivetrain.

Ha! Just saw that video. Very cool.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by shahano

I hope they dont make the next M5 AWD. I truly believe that it should remain as a rear wheel drive as this is what M cars are all about. As for the FF, if you plan to use it daily, then it is the perfect choice... But that F12??????

I would agree with this view if they didn't make the AWD optional on the next gen M5 - it's not for everyone (even a rear biased setup) - however, several other members in another thread posted that they would boycott the M5 if AWD was offered as an option. That makes no logical sense as BMW have offered optional AWD on non-M cars for decades and no one has said that the RWD versions are/were rubbish as a result.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by ColdList

People tend to think that because a car isn't all crazy exotic looking (especially as a Ferrari) that it isn't a cool car.

Although it's no the prettiest looking Ferrari, I still think it cool for what it is - a Ferrari shooting brake (but then I would buy an M5 Touring if one existed).

Originally Posted by ColdList

I can't get over how much faster the 991 TTS is and how much better it is to drive pretty much anywhere.

Hereby lies the problem; IMO the TTS has set the bar too high (I was only half joking in a previous post about the 458 being too slow). I remember when I jumped out of the M3 to do a run of sensible high powered diesels - everyone of the BM3W (?) forum told me I'd miss the performance (even though after 6 months the M3 didn't feel fast anymore) and to be honest I've always been looking to get back into a proper performance car. I met up with a fellow M3 Cab owner and a friend of his had bought a 996 Turbo and he couldn't believe how fast that car was in comparison.

It's hard for any of us to go backwards in real world pace, although I still think a 458 Speciale would be worth it for the noise alone.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

Although it's no the prettiest looking Ferrari, I still think it cool for what it is - a Ferrari shooting brake (but then I would buy an M5 Touring if one existed).



Hereby lies the problem; IMO the TTS has set the bar too high (I was only half joking in a previous post about the 458 being too slow). I remember when I jumped out of the M3 to do a run of sensible high powered diesels - everyone of the BM3W (?) forum told me I'd miss the performance (even though after 6 months the M3 didn't feel fast anymore) and to be honest I've always been looking to get back into a proper performance car. I met up with a fellow M3 Cab owner and a friend of his had bought a 996 Turbo and he couldn't believe how fast that car was in comparison.

It's hard for any of us to go backwards in real world pace, although I still think a 458 Speciale would be worth it for the noise alone.

Agreed 100% on all of this rationale. No matter what anyone says I do believe it is hard to go backward on performance and not miss it.

I waiver in ridiculous fashion but I am now seriously leaning towards passing on the 458 Spider and tuning my TTS Cab. If I do that I will also place an order on the face lifted TTS coupe due out around may 2015.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I remember when I jumped out of the M3 to do a run of sensible high powered diesels - everyone of the BM3W (?) forum told me I'd miss the performance (even though after 6 months the M3 didn't feel fast anymore) and to be honest I've always been looking to get back into a proper performance car. I met up with a fellow M3 Cab owner and a friend of his had bought a 996 Turbo and he couldn't believe how fast that car was in comparison.

It's hard for any of us to go backwards in real world pace, although I still think a 458 Speciale would be worth it for the noise alone.

well said

[clar]

I think sound might not be the defining attribute for the Speciale. From the feedbacks from many owners, it sounds lower and looses some of that unique Ferrari scream. The Italia has that and the Speciale changes some of that tone. I am not exactly in love with the sound at this point, but I have not heard it in person just yet.

Originally Posted by Dionysus

Although it's no the prettiest looking Ferrari, I still think it cool for what it is - a Ferrari shooting brake (but then I would buy an M5 Touring if one existed).



Hereby lies the problem; IMO the TTS has set the bar too high (I was only half joking in a previous post about the 458 being too slow). I remember when I jumped out of the M3 to do a run of sensible high powered diesels - everyone of the BM3W (?) forum told me I'd miss the performance (even though after 6 months the M3 didn't feel fast anymore) and to be honest I've always been looking to get back into a proper performance car. I met up with a fellow M3 Cab owner and a friend of his had bought a 996 Turbo and he couldn't believe how fast that car was in comparison.

It's hard for any of us to go backwards in real world pace, although I still think a 458 Speciale would be worth it for the noise alone.

[clar]

Looks are really subjective. I consider the FF an abomination of a car with looks only a mother could love. How on earth Ferrari allowed that car out of the door is beyond reasoning. I cringe every time i see one. It's got a great AWD system though, which I wish M would develop something similar for the next gen M5. The V12 is delicious as well. The F12 is also another case of styling gone wrong. None of that classic Ferrari beauty with flowing lines and delicious curves. The FF, F12, and the prev Cali made up the Chris bangle era of Ferrari I would say. If the new Cali is any indication, their designers seem to have returned from their long leave and took over from Chris bangle junior.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by clar

Looks are really subjective. I consider the FF an abomination of a car with looks only a mother could love. How on earth Ferrari allowed that car out of the door is beyond reasoning. I cringe every time i see one. It's got a great AWD system though, which I wish M would develop something similar for the next gen M5. The V12 is delicious as well. The F12 is also another case of styling gone wrong. None of that classic Ferrari beauty with flowing lines and delicious curves. The FF, F12, and the prev Cali made up the Chris bangle era of Ferrari I would say. If the new Cali is any indication, their designers seem to have returned from their long leave and took over from Chris bangle junior.

lol! Yeah, it really has to grow on you. The F12 though? Oh man,. I got to see the very first one here in Atl. when it was delivered. It was GORGEOUS!

[clar]

Originally Posted by ColdList

lol! Yeah, it really has to grow on you. The F12 though? Oh man,. I got to see the very firs tone here in Atl. when it was delivered. It was GORGEOUS!

My sales guy at the stealership offered me to drive any car I wanted, but I flatly declined to drive any as I did not want the experience to haunt me while I waited for my Speciale. I did however, asked him to give me a lift home in a F12 when I dropped off my M3. I wasn't wowed by it both inside and out. The interior din wow me. What I was most disappointed was that it sounded kinda quiet on the inside. It sounded nice with the F1-like note, but could certainly be louder. Maybe he left the car in granny mode or something. It was stupid fast though. Very linear and continuous acceleration without any sign of relenting. I will certainly do a proper test drive of the F12 one of these days...