Best daily drivable Ferrari for narrow city streets?

Fiat X 1/9.

joking


I would think most of the V8 models would work. I have no problems with my 348 around town and in side streets. I am still cheering for your success in getting that 348.



Although I have had four of the X1/9's and they were great fun.

 

California --- no question.

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/09/officially-official-fiat-confirms-abarth-695-tributo-ferrari/

 

It's not the size that matters.

Anyone who has tried to wrestled a 308 around narrow city streets in Europe will tell you it's more than size. It's the ability to park and get in and out of tight spaces that matter. The 308 turning radius is about the same as a 747. The lack of power steering makes parallel parking a workout.

The CA is designed specifically as a Daily Driver. It's what it was meant to do.

If I wanted a daily driver for city streets and that was my highest priority, this would be my choice.

 

I supposed I'd need a hat sometimes.
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If I had a Ferrari, I'd drive it as much as I could, if it were an Enzo or a 400i. Out in the suburbs, in the city or the countryside. But you're saying compact cars so I would drive a

Ferrari 400/412
or a Mondial
or a Cali
a 456 would be good too.

 

It has power steering which is a must. Get the park assist front and rear. Rear view is marginal. I would get the much bad-mouthed rear camera for the city.

 

Tcannon may have been joking about the Fiat X1/9... But he's on to something. I own a 308 and a bunch of X1/9s, and I always reach for an X when I'm going to be driving in city traffic. My daughter uses one for a DD around town.

And seeing as how you can buy a driver X for less than the roundoff error in Ferrari maintenance costs... It's easy to own a bunch of them.

 

NO Ferrari for daily driving in a narrow city.
A Ferrari deserves to be driven in the open country.

 

Mondial T cab. The T because of the power steering, the cab so if the street is so narrow you can't open the doors you can still get in and out plus plenty of space for groceries or whatever you need to get in town. But I'm a big fan of the X1/9 idea as well.

 

Excuse my ignorance, what is this gorgeous piece?

 

355 for European sized narrow streets.

Ferrari transporter for America's idea of a narrow city street

 

I say a 308 is the best choice. Put an extension on the wheel and give your arms a workout, it's not that bad. It's reasonably cheap to acquire, and since it's not worth a fortune you can leave it without fear in most places. It's small and fits anywhere, hell you're looking UP at a Smart driver. It won't break the bank to repair, actually has a very good ride, will retain its value very well, and everyone thinks it's a beautiful car, unlike the J-Lo kali. If it fits you (and mine fits me like a glove) then it's a fabulous choice.

 

It's a 340MM Vignale Spyder, 0324AM. I took that picture at the '99 FCA National in Atlanta.

More info on the car here: http://www.pirro.com/english/all.ferraris/Detail/0324AM.340MM.htm

 

Nobody else gonna suggest a 206 or 246?

 

For me, outward visibility is about as important as size in tight conditions, so that would always mitigate against the mid-engine car.

 

I have also owned a bunch of X1/9's over the years. Used one for a DD for over a decade. Great car, cheap to own, but in the year 2011, I have to think what about the Fiat 500?

But if it has to be a Ferrari DD then get one with power steering. I had a Mondial Cab and without PS it is a bear.

 

Living in a city with very narrow streets and speedbumps. Cities are torture in most Ferraris. For a good city car it would need good looks, good visibility, easy parking, comfortable low-speed driving, good groundclearance, not run hot, and not be screaming loud. For narrow streets, add small turning circle and not too wide. It needs a degree of expendability, too, for most cities.

Thinking out loud I believe Ferrari has not made such a car the past decades. Some will mention 355 or 458. Expendable. But too wide, too low, big turning circles, wheels will get crooked on the curbs and bumps. I prefer more visibility too. The 456 is pretty good at it, visibility and all, but again too wide, QE2 turning circle and the ground clearance isn't great. It's a little tiring, and the fan noise drives me (and everybody else) mad. It'll do it but it's not made for it.

So vintage it'll have to be. I do have a favorite vintage car, that happens to be good at this, the BMW E9 CS. I use it a lot here, love it. Ticks all boxes, it's a nippy glasshouse, narrow, turns on a stamp and somewhat expendable to boot . But of course it has to be a Ferrari. Not expendable, the only Ferrari that is similar in concept to the CS and that ticks all my boxes would be a 330GTC for me, thanks. With power steering option of course. A/C preferred. One of the last Ferraris to have realistic DD ground clearances, too. And the looks... I believe I would absolutely love it.

 

Any 1980's or earlier Ferrari is going to be miserable on narrow city streets IMHO. The turning radius on most of these cars are a joke, they sit low and don't offer great visibility of the front corners. Worst of all, though, the steering is unassisted and very heavy at low speeds. Maneuvering in a parking lot is an actual workout. Add to this a stiff clutch and recalcitrant shifter in some models and you definitely don't have the recipe for a good time. This of course does not take into consideration that some of the clutches in these old cars will wear fast if forced to endure a life of constant stop and go.

Almost all older Ferraris were designed to be backroad barnstormers, track stars or GTs. A life of city use was not part of the design plan and, resultantly, they aren't much fun in that element.

As others have said, the best Ferrari for the application you describe is far and away, the California.

Just my .02

 

Oops. Overlooked that. 13.4 metres, seriously?
California... hm, I am not a fan of FP gearboxes. And at 1.9 metres, it's still too wide.

Ok, my conclusion: no Ferrari should ever be allowed anymore to drive into an historic city. Ever. They should ALL be banned from them until they get their act together in Maranello. Do you hear me, mr Manzoni?

 

Modern.......the Cali. This is the best daily driver Ferrari has ever built. Good visibility, easy access, simple to drive with low effort. Has room for packages and stuff.

Vintage.......the 330 GTC. Great visibility, easy access, simple to drive, but with no power steering, lots of package and stuff space. I use mine for grocery, pizza or whatever.

However you need to be a vintage nut to even think about using it everyday.