Hi!

Question arise because yesterday I saw a yellow F430 being test driven in my school (NTU). It has normal registration plate, and another 4-number plate tied above the reg plate. So i assume its being test-driven. Its the 2nd F430 i've seen being test-driven in NTU, previously a red one appeared. Both times they were loud, shiok. Here are my questions:

1) Who can test-drive Ferraris, or exotics for the matter? Is it only potential customers?

2) Are the cars they test-drive usually the ones they own(already bought and just arrived) or are they just showroom 'spares' so customers can get a general feel first then decide to buy?

3) Are there routes to follow when test-driving? Because of all reasons, why choose NTU? I know Lambo and Ferrari showroom in Teban Gdns and Lok Yang respectively. So customers can choose their own test-routes?

Just curious, hope you guys can help, thanks in advance!!!  

1) I would suggest that other than the press, only potential customers would get to test drive an exotic. Dealers will normally put clients through a venting process to determine how serious they are before handing over the keys.  

2) Lambo & Ferrari generally don't have demonstration vehicles, so "test drive" cars are normally secondhand trade-ins or personal cars of the dealership. Even then most buyers don't do test drives, given the majority are current or ex Lambo/Ferrari owners. I for one didn't have a test drive before purchasing my car. Porsche, Audi & Aston etc. do have "demo" cars but again you have to convince them that you are serious, or turn up in something expensive. When I went to Audi to check out the R8 the salesman seemed more interested in my 430 and virtually threw me the keys before I'd asked for a test drive.

3) I've never heard of a test drive route and would imagine it depends largely on the salesman. When I took out the R8 my wife came with me, so I could go where-ever I liked.  

I hope that answers you questions.

nice ride you got there dipsomanic . u prefer HRE rims over DPE?

Originally posted by bryanw:

nice ride you got there dipsomanic . u prefer HRE rims over DPE?

thanks. it get's me from A to B. I just prefered the look of HRE versus anything else I saw at the time.

that 4-digit blue plate can also mean that the vehicle may be driven by the mechanic who is doing the test-drive after servicing... they usually go through a certain route to check for unusual noise while on the road.

to dipsomaniac, ever regret buying the 430? What's the waiting list like, 8 months?

to tomsss, hmm makes sense, didnt thought of that.

Thanks!

may i know how often you service your 430? have you done any possible mod so far?

Originally posted by kajagugu:

to dipsomaniac, ever regret buying the 430? What's the waiting list like, 8 months?

Regret? you're kidding right! It's without doubt the most exciting car I've ever owned. Initially I intended to get a 599 next, but now I'm content to wait for the 430 replacement. Of course there will be a completely few Ferrari model (code name F149) released at the Paris motor show later this year, so that could all change once I've seen that.

As for servicing; it has 2 major services a year, plus it has a holiday at HSM whenever I'm away for 2 weeks or more. The only mod I've done thus far are the wheels. I thought about putting Tubi's on it but decided I'm quite happy with the stock pipes, as I'm sure my neighbours are as well.

Originally posted by dipsomaniac:

Regret? you're kidding right! It's without doubt the most exciting car I've ever owned. Initially I intended to get a 599 next, but now I'm content to wait for the 430 replacement. Of course there will be a completely few Ferrari model (code name F149) released at the Paris motor show later this year, so that could all change once I've seen that.

 

As for servicing; it has 2 major services a year, plus it has a holiday at HSM whenever I'm away for 2 weeks or more. The only mod I've done thus far are the wheels. I thought about putting Tubi's on it but decided I'm quite happy with the stock pipes, as I'm sure my neighbours are as well.

Lol...

Why not buy a Rolls since you can get a Ferrari?

wat's a tubi?

Anyway, dipsomaniac, this 430 your 1st exotic? Do you think you will suffer from 'gearlust' or 'carlust'? Like you feel the urge to upgrade or change to the latest supercar or something? That's provided money is not an issue for you.

Never thought i have the chance to chat with exotic owners, they feel so far away...Nice knowing you, and everybody else!

Originally posted by kajagugu:

wat's a tubi?

 

Anyway, dipsomaniac, this 430 your 1st exotic? Do you think you will suffer from 'gearlust' or 'carlust'? Like you feel the urge to upgrade or change to the latest supercar or something? That's provided money is not an issue for you.

 

Never thought i have the chance to chat with exotic owners, they feel so far away...Nice knowing you, and everybody else!

tubi is an aftermarket exhaust for exotics eg. lamborghini, ferrari, BMW.. for japanese cars, it's like fujitsubo, tanabe, hks  what whatnot.

damn. when i grow up i wna be like you and own a jdm type r at least! i'll be contented!

fellow forumnites, dun be sarcastic by just stating since u can afford this, why dun you get that, etc etc. please be more mature...

anyway, back to the point. so you mean you will service it every 6 months? do u need to drive the car every 3-4 days to prevent engine brakedown? high rev in low gears? what's your fuel consumption like? ever achieved 6km/l?

did u upgrade your rims to bigger sizes? ever thought of upgrading the brake kit to the carbon ceramic set?

seriously, how much will tubi cost? only offered by hsm? i seriously wonder if anybody ever thought of selling just the titanium tips instead. lol

Originally posted by Kenneth93rox:

Lol...

Why not buy a Rolls since you can get a Ferrari?

Oh I forgot Ferrari is cheaper by like more than 4 times.

Haha.. Get a Bentley then..

why not get a rolls??

cos rolls is what u get chaueffeured in... is a different car from ferrari...

u dun compare these 2 cars at all....

and whoever says a rolls is 4 times more expensive than a ferrari.. get ur facts right first...

and bentley is in a way, VAG's answer to BMW's Rolls in the top end of the market...

so erm.. super contradicting ur statement...  

Originally posted by n0x:

why not get a rolls??

cos rolls is what u get chaueffeured in... is a different car from ferrari...

u dun compare these 2 cars at all....

 

Not true for the Drophead Coupe :)

Sorry for the long post but I'll answer all your queries in one go.

I agree, a roller is to be chauffeured in (except the drophead of course), and unless I'm completely mistaken a drophead is approximately 2x a fully optioned F430 Spider, not 4x. Just becoz someone can afford a rolls (or any other car for that matter) doesn't mean he has to have it, or is a better person becoz he does. I know plenty of people with a LOT of money who drive around everyday type cars, simply becoz they'd rather spend their money on something else, or just not spend their money. Either way is ok with me. Rolls, Bentley, Toyota; what ever makes you happy coz they all get you from A to B.

The second I start buying cars to impress others I'll start taking a cab! I buy my cars to drive them, and enjoy them (which is why I wudnt buy a rolls). Not because I want to be the envy of everyone else but because it's always been my dream to own these cars since I was a little kid, much like many of you. I'm extremely thankful that I've had the opportunity to own some lovely cars over the years, all bought with my own money that I've worked extremely hard for; something which makes the whole pleasure of owning cars like this that much more enjoyable. Daddy having this and daddy having that simply doesnt cut it for me, simply becoz I'd rather live my dream than someone else's, with my own money.

Vertmonyet is correct; Tubi is an aftermarket exhaust for exotics. Many Ferrari's and Lambo's in Singapore have it. They cost approximately 8k and can be bought through HSM or independently, and I'm sure you could buy the tips if you wanted to.

As for carlust; not really. I'm not one of these people who chops & changes cars on a whim. I'm always looking at what I might get next, but actually doing it is a different thing. That being said I'm still in love with my 430.

I drive my 430 every day. Why? Becoz I enjoy it. It makes me feel good to hear to sound of the engine, the way the car drives on the road. Despite opinion, these cars are made to be driven everyday, not once a month like in the past. The 6 month servicing is standard, but like I said it goes into HSM maybe every odd month whilst I'm away for a fluid change and check.

Fuel consumption? I've no idea. High revs in low gears? It depends on how I'm feeling. Redline is 8,500rpm and I've hit that in the first 4 gears before, just not everyday (or in Singapore).

The rims are 19' front & 20' rear versus the standard 18'. The ceramic brakes are great on track, but you really don't notice the difference on the roads. They also take a bit to warm up, which for short drives probably isn't optimal, not the mention the price (+S$70k).

I hope that answers everyone's queries.

Haha.. Nice..

But the Phantom is what starting price 1.9 mil?

its about there..

Does tubi exhaust actually make the sound that much more nice?

Originally posted by dipsomaniac:

Sorry for the long post but I'll answer all your queries in one go.

 

I agree, a roller is to be chauffeured in (except the drophead of course), and unless I'm completely mistaken a drophead is approximately 2x a fully optioned F430 Spider, not 4x. Just becoz someone can afford a rolls (or any other car for that matter) doesn't mean he has to have it, or is a better person becoz he does. I know plenty of people with a LOT of money who drive around everyday type cars, simply becoz they'd rather spend their money on something else, or just not spend their money. Either way is ok with me. Rolls, Bentley, Toyota; what ever makes you happy coz they all get you from A to B.

 

The second I start buying cars to impress others I'll start taking a cab! I buy my cars to drive them, and enjoy them (which is why I wudnt buy a rolls). Not because I want to be the envy of everyone else but because it's always been my dream to own these cars since I was a little kid, much like many of you. I'm extremely thankful that I've had the opportunity to own some lovely cars over the years, all bought with my own money that I've worked extremely hard for; something which makes the whole pleasure of owning cars like this that much more enjoyable. Daddy having this and daddy having that simply doesnt cut it for me, simply becoz I'd rather live my dream than someone else's, with my own money.

 

Vertmonyet is correct; Tubi is an aftermarket exhaust for exotics. Many Ferrari's and Lambo's in Singapore have it. They cost approximately 8k and can be bought through HSM or independently, and I'm sure you could buy the tips if you wanted to.

 

As for carlust; not really. I'm not one of these people who chops & changes cars on a whim. I'm always looking at what I might get next, but actually doing it is a different thing. That being said I'm still in love with my 430.

 

I drive my 430 every day. Why? Becoz I enjoy it. It makes me feel good to hear to sound of the engine, the way the car drives on the road. Despite opinion, these cars are made to be driven everyday, not once a month like in the past. The 6 month servicing is standard, but like I said it goes into HSM maybe every odd month whilst I'm away for a fluid change and check.

 

Fuel consumption? I've no idea. High revs in low gears? It depends on how I'm feeling. Redline is 8,500rpm and I've hit that in the first 4 gears before, just not everyday (or in Singapore).

 

The rims are 19' front & 20' rear versus the standard 18'. The ceramic brakes are great on track, but you really don't notice the difference on the roads. They also take a bit to warm up, which for short drives probably isn't optimal, not the mention the price (+S$70k).

 

I hope that answers everyone's queries.

damn dude you're saying a pair of ceram braakes costs 70k?!

Originally posted by Kenneth93rox:

Haha.. Nice..

 

But the Phantom is what starting price 1.9 mil? The Ferrari is.. below or about 500k.. so

its about there..

I agree.. My passion wasn't cars until recently.. So there would be a lot I need to know. And it wasn't sarcastic. You were reading too  much in it. It was fully in jest.

So dipsomaniac I wasn't sarcastic. ( :

I phrased it too differently from what I actually meant, maybe.

Does tubi exhaust actually make the sound that much more nice?

I might be mistaken but I believe the Drophead is priced at approximately 1.8/1.9mio whilst the Phantom is 1.4/1.5mio. Maybe I need to go down Leng Kee Rd to confirm that.

As for your figures on Ferrari's .. you need to do a little homework. An entry level F430 Coupe is around 850k (without options) whilst a Spider is around 900k. The new Scuderia, 599 & 612 are 1.1/1.3mio give or take.

Originally posted by newcomer:

damn dude you're saying a pair of ceram braakes costs 70k?!

not any more, as from 2008 all new Ferrari's are fitted with CCB's as standard ... but previously yes it was a 75k optional extra!

Hi dipsomaniac, im just curious to find out whats ur occupation? and how old are u? :)

Originally posted by dipsomaniac:

 

I might be mistaken but I believe the Drophead is priced at approximately 1.8/1.9mio whilst the Phantom is 1.4/1.5mio. Maybe I need to go down Leng Kee Rd to confirm that.

 

As for your figures on Ferrari's .. you need to do a little homework. An entry level F430 Coupe is around 850k (without options) whilst a Spider is around 900k. The new Scuderia, 599 & 612 are 1.1/1.3mio give or take.

Are you serious? I didn't know that.. I only know the Rolls Phantom Price.. Nope.. The phantom is definitely more expensive than that.. I think.

Does the Scaglietti have 4 seats? I think it does right?

Anyway about Bugatti,

the royal brothers ordered one.. I'm not sure whether they ordered the Hermes or Normal edition..

Originally posted by Kenneth93rox:

Are you serious? I didn't know that.. I only know the Rolls Phantom Price.. Nope.. The phantom is definitely more expensive than that.. I think.

My dad wants to get a Spider. Is the F430 good? From your p.o.v since you own one..

But it only seats two people. Haha. Does the Scaglietti have 4 seats? I think it does right?

Trust me, I'm serious on the price. I think I've already raved enough about the 430. The Scag is too big for my liking and I've never been a fan of its design, although it has grown on me over the years. It is a true 4 seater, i.e. comfortably sits 4 adults.

FaTe_TwisTer - Finance/Investment Banking, 39 year old ang moh.

Bugatti -  I'll check with the Royal boyz when I see them next.

Originally posted by dipsomaniac:

Trust me, I'm serious on the price. I think I've already raved enough about the 430. The Scag is too big for my liking and I've never been a fan of its design, although it has grown on me over the years. It is a true 4 seater, i.e. comfortably sits 4 adults.

 

FaTe_TwisTer - Finance/Investment Banking, 39 year old ang moh.

 

Bugatti -  I'll check with the Royal boyz when I see them next.

Oo.. Haha.. The F430 looks nice..

The Scag is a pretty good car, though a lot of people complain about the design..

Is your F430 grey? Maybe I've seen you in it before..

Originally posted by Kenneth93rox:

Is your F430 grey? Maybe I've seen you in it before..

Red - there's a small picture next to my profile if you click on it