458 speciale

after eons, i have finally received my speciale -- one of the very last one ever produced (anyone have detailed stats on vins for me to see how far back i was?)

Only 8 speciale's were delivered by Ferrari of Seattle - and we're definitely near the end of the estimated 1700 car production. There are not enough reviews of this car online that do it justice. The steering input is extremely light and fast (reminds me of my old f355 challenge racecar). The brakes are not a brick like the F50 was - there is actually some travel. It sounds outrageously wicked - in fact you can see the engine from the rear view mirror. Starting from zero is very gentle and soft - but if you put your foot down a bit more, then it'll unleash the 600hp without really any squeamishness. Also, unlike a lot of cars, you'll notice there is not really a center console "display" - everything instead is built in to the main dashboard and two joysticks (one left, one right) let you configure/tweak things. Notice that virtually all driving controls are on the steering wheel - turn signals, volume control, wipers, etc. You never have to pull your hands from the steering wheel. Which is good because the telemetry package comes with three cameras including one that points at your hands on the steering wheel (which is of course recorded to a USB as well s a multitude of performance metrics). I only gave the side-slip-control system a little bit of a test - the car is so damn fast it really needs a racetrack to play. Either way, it appears to be marshmeowlow approved... at least he is on the car cover!
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oh i am sure they are making more - let alone the speciale aperta, but i'm thinking they're probably 80-90% through the whole run.

so far i really do like the seats. they're plenty wide, pretty comfy etc. my only complaint would be the typical "racecar" type of things -- like how the chairs are bolted to the frame making it more difficult to adjust. i'm only at about 200 miles and haven't tried any long drives yet, but for toting about town they seem comfy. also, you can make the suspension pretty spongy feeling with a few button presses, so that could help some people's comfort level.

 

easily the best ferrari i have driven ever. i don't know how else to explain it really other than the car is super extremely very amazingly ultra excellently balanced. it feels so light and agile. darty. quick. dextrous. all while feeling very, very "safe" -- i don't think there is an evil bone in it's body. it's like it wants to help you drive faster without making it feel like you are goign to slip up and accidentally kill yourself (or someone else). it's like this harmonious benevolence it there watching over you. actually, it is watchign over you because it has cameras and crap all over the place. anyway, you all need one!

of course, three are a few complaints. biggest complaint is the "stereo". it's terribly horrible. now, i don't consider it an important feature of the car, but it sounds super cheap. i'm sure it's fine for bluetooth talkign to people, but it's terrible. [the 'engine stereo' easily makes up for it though.]

@458steph // f355spider -- i did bring it for an hour to e@rtc this past saturnsday. honestly i think there were so many cars -- porsches (!) that it probably got a little bit lost in the crowd. of course, that's fine. also, regarding the stripe, i really badly wanted it. but both my wife and father in law forbid me from doing it. so we compromised and now instead i have this super nice italian flag thingie going down the seats. so i have a stripe, it's just on the seats instead of the car! honestly though, with the red body and shiny black roof thingie though, i find it extremely pleasing to look at!

@storybook -- maybe - if it was on the eastside i've put 100+ miles just in woodinville/redmond over the past few days. and now i have to figure out this gas tank thing. it looks weird.

@FerRrari --
INTP Leather single colour Nero
EMPH Horse stitched on headrest Filo speciale Bianco
External colours Rosso Corsa
DEDI Additional options Silver dedication plate
EXT1 Additional options Handy fire extinguisher
LEWA Lower Zone Leather wheel arches
CALS Brake calipers Rosso Scuderia brake calipers
LOGO Additional options 'Scuderia Ferrari' shields
DEPK Infotainment Telemetry kit
NAVC Infotainment Radionavi system + Bluetooth
SND2 Infotainment Integrated audio system
TRCA Infotainment Track inner cams kit
SRSC Seat type L
HAW1 Additional options Heat insulating windscreen
ELEV Additional options Suspension lifter
RPMY Rev counter Giallo
EXAT Additional options Titanium sport pipes
PAR2 Additional options Front and rear parking sensors
PAC1 Additional options Parking camera
AFS1 Additional options AFS System
CEXN Carbon fibre options Carbon fibre side nolders
CTU3 Lower Zone Lower tunnel in leather
STC2 Special stitching (dist/thick) Filo speciale Bianco
RUF1 Leather headliner Nero
BIC2 Two tone body painting Nero Pastello
CEL2 Carbon fibre options Carbon fibre engine cover
CEXD Carbon fibre options Rear diffuser in carbon fiber

 

/LOL! not only does it purr funny, but it sure is warm!

btw if you look at the third picture above (of the interior), you can see he was actually on the window when i took the picture... well you can see his four paws at least

 

there were four at rtc last weekend. i believe there have been nine delivered by our local dealer -- though obviously people could have moved them around or whatever. i havent seen any aperta's tho. have yoU?

i was kinda surprised by the white one at rtc last weekend. it looked pretty awesome, but also seemed to have schizo wheel colors. anyway, it was neat.

p.s. did you see that awesome purple 430 near the enzo/f40/gto? omg what a great color!

 

hey great minds think alike - no problem there!

it is really the best one yet. it's just a very light, tight, precise package that is really quite nice to drive. very excited about this car still...

 

/agree!! glad i could inspire someone! feel free to flag me down or whatever if i'm putzing by.

now, how you two both are in my neighborhood and i've never met you... well that's a mystery to me. well i guess i've now met you, fq.