When I think of Ferrari, I think of one of the world’s most desirable supercars with a thoroughbred pedigree that is almost unmatched in the world of luxury sports cars. But that could be because I just stumbled from the passenger seat of an F430 Spider that made me feel like no electric carriage had the right to be so comfortable and so alarmingly fast.
You’d think my family’s eclectic transportation tastes would have prepared me for this. I have a Land Rover Discovery, my brother drives a huge Mitsubishi Warrior, but my father has always had a passion for sports cars. From the Mg Midget to the Porsche 911 Carrera Sport Targa to the Renault Alpine, my brother and I spent our younger years crammed into seats (where more than one was available) that seemed too low to the ground for my liking. But I give you my word those cars could cut a career short. Whether on the freeway or country roads, it was an education in power and handling.
While you might hate actual arachnids with a passion that borders on hysteria, there’s nothing nasty about the Ferrari F430 Spider. When a sports car-loving friend decided his latest used Ferrari purchase required a break-in, he was offered a weekend jaunt into the darker reaches of Devon. Initially he was skeptical, because looking at the F430 you wouldn’t think luggage was much of an option. And you would be right. There’s just about room for 2 medium-sized bags in the front of the car, certainly beautiful, and you could probably squash a few bits behind the seats, but overall, you’d better practice packing light if the Ferrari F430 Spider is going to be your medium. Of transport. of choice.
Having packed in the traditional frugal fashion of the frequent traveler (you’d be surprised at the tiny size of the shoulder bag I carried for a week in Poland), I was alerted to my friend’s arrival on Friday afternoon by the impressive vibrato of the engine of the Ferrari a full two minutes before it turned up at the end of my driveway.
Let me point out that we were traveling from York, a five-and-a-half hour drive at best, and that it might be proof of even the oldest friendship. Fortunately, we had something to entertain us from any potential disputes over bathroom stops or music choice. Because the used Ferrari ruled out any performance concerns in the ten minutes between my house and Micklegate.
I won’t bore you with the details of what two lecherous old men did in cider country (no, my friend doesn’t answer to the name Withnail), but while evenings were reserved for tasting the local delicacies, our days were devoted to timeless novelty of feeling the wind in our hair while the glorious howls of the Spider resounded through the hills. And I didn’t feel any of the trepidation I expected, because while it may have the appearance of an ethereal sprite, the F430 Spider grips the road with grim determination for a driving experience that’s almost unmatched.
The return journey was no less exciting, and it was almost with a sense of sadness that I said my goodbyes as the fabulous used Ferrari said its goodbyes. In fact, I’m not sure if I was saying goodbye more to my friend or the car.
If you have the financial means, there’s a good chance you’ve already considered a Ferrari as your next luxury sports car. With the used car market offering exceptional savings, a used Ferrari will provide the same pleasure as a new model, but at a more attractive price. Choosing a specialist used Ferrari dealer will ensure that you receive personalized advice that takes into account your budget and the needs of your vehicle.
