Ferrari F40 impressions from the driver's seat

[SSO]

I just finished a short article trying to capture what its like to drive an F40. It is posted: http://karenable.com/2018/11/the-driver ... rrari-f40/ Please let me know what you think of it.

[RobYob]

Well, I'll try and put being consumed with jealousy aside. At least momentarily

I dunno, I was expecting something a bit more, emotional? F40 is such an icon, with a collosal reputation; maybe deserved, maybe not, only a handful get to experience one.

Was it scary? Is it an Elise with 500bhp and dodgy steering tilt? Is it gutless off boost and a pig before you get to the twisties? Are pop up headlights the best thing ever invented?

Can I have a go?

[Zonda_]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever. I adore the F40 so I've always thought he was talking nonsense! I have a copy of an old Performance Car which 'compares' the F40, XJ220, early Countach and 250 GTi, it's a long article but a great read.

[mik]

I havent read the SSO text.

But.

1min10secs.

John Barker.



What else do you need?

[Zonda_]

I havent read the SSO text.

But.

1min10secs.

John Barker.



What else do you need?

Unbelievable, that video was shot less than 5 miles from my house on the same stretch of road they tested the McLaren F1 and I missed them both!

[SSO]

Well, I'll try and put being consumed with jealousy aside. At least momentarily

I dunno, I was expecting something a bit more, emotional? F40 is such an icon, with a collosal reputation; maybe deserved, maybe not, only a handful get to experience one.

Was it scary? Is it an Elise with 500bhp and dodgy steering tilt? Is it gutless off boost and a pig before you get to the twisties? Are pop up headlights the best thing ever invented?

Can I have a go?

The first time you drive an F40 it is terrifying. Off boost it is a 328, on boost it is quite mad. Steering is sublime. Pop up headlights look cool but suck in terms of actually illuminating the road. Its an icon and deserves to be.

[IanF]

I havent read the SSO text.

But.

1min10secs.

John Barker.



What else do you need?

Unbelievable, that video was shot less than 5 miles from my house on the same stretch of road they tested the McLaren F1 and I missed them both!

“Please stop!”

[NotoriousREV]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

It’s also one of the stupidest comments ever. It’s a Nathan-esque “I don’t like it because it’s popular” thing, preferring the 288GTO because it makes you seem more interesting.

[mik]

I prefer the 288 GTO too.

But I still love the F40.

[SSO]

I prefer the 288 GTO too.

But I still love the F40.

When I bought my F40 it came down to a choice between a F40 and a 288 GTO. At the time the 288 GTO was actually GBP 20k cheaper. I test drove both and thought the F40 was the superior car to drive. Not the best financial decision I have ever made but the right one in terms of a car to drive.

[NotoriousREV]

I prefer the 288 GTO too.

But I still love the F40.

Exactly.

[JLv3.0]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

It’s also one of the stupidest comments ever. It’s a Nathan-esque “I don’t like it because it’s popular” thing, preferring the 288GTO because it makes you seem more interesting.

That's exactly what it was. Utter nonsense.

[Zonda_]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

It’s also one of the stupidest comments ever. It’s a Nathan-esque “I don’t like it because it’s popular” thing, preferring the 288GTO because it makes you seem more interesting.

I did follow up that sentence by saying I thought he was talking nonsense!

[240PP]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

Is that from driving one?

I saw one on the M40 recently. Quite loud and it sat so nicely.

[JLv3.0]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

Is that from driving one?

I don't think so. As Dave said, he was just wearing his Nathan miserabilist / buck-the-norm hat.

[NotoriousREV]

To be clear, I’ve no problem with people preferring the 288 at all. It’s the idea that the F40 is “the most overrated car” that I think is bollocks.

[JLv3.0]

Ditto.

[Mito Man]

That’s clearly the 250 GTO.

[Mark_bt52]

I believe it was MarkBT_52 off the old forum who described the F40 as one of the most overrated cars ever.

It’s also one of the stupidest comments ever. It’s a Nathan-esque “I don’t like it because it’s popular” thing, preferring the 288GTO because it makes you seem more interesting.

What utter utter bollocks. You may not agree with me but you should know better than to accuse me of that!

[Mark_bt52]

And to add some context the F40 remains merely an upgraded GTO with ruined styling that was even seen by the journalists of the time as little more than a cynical marketing excersise cashing in on the emerging hypercar market of the day.