Living with the Ferrari F430 “Lamborghini Mustang” Edition

Sharing my perspective of what it’s like to live with a Ferrari F430 based on the most common reactions I have received

I’ve been a Ferrari F430 driver for over a year now. It never fails that whenever I drive around town, as I cruise down busy streets, idle at stop lights, or maneuver into parking spots, people are determined to yell out and express their insightful perspectives about my Ferrari F430 (Lamborghini Mustang Edition).

The legend of this beautiful machine is larger than life and precedes it. Perhaps you have had these same reactions and questions, but exercised a bit more self-restraint than to shout out at any Ferrari that passes you by.

I thought I would take a moment to respond to the 5 most pressing reactions people have and share my perspective of what it is like to live with a Ferrari F430.

Reaction #1: What an incredible drive that must be!
Response: Yes it is EPIC!

No misconception here. The visceral sensation each time I start the engine and drive is like no other vehicle I have ever driven. The second I sit inside the cockpit I feel like a racer. The F1 inspired motifs, the sight of the engine in the rearview mirror, and the vibration that follows when I hit engine start all validate that I am, indeed, the ultimate racecar driver. The moment I hear the sound track of 480 BHP: this is how I imagine the voice of God. I am familiar with performance machines, since I had my motorbike license well before my driver’s license. But, somehow, the Ferrari F430 produces all these sensations rolled into one to create a thrill like no other.

Reaction #2: Wow! You must be a millionaire! Did you win the lottery or do you sell drugs?
Response: Not true!

You don’t have to be a millionaire to own, maintain, and repair a Ferrari F430. Yes, older generation Ferraris have proven to be problematic to maintain, but this is not the case with the F430. Truth is, maintaining a Ferrari F430 is just like any other car: ensure the car is regularly serviced and your fluids are changed. Yes, this includes your blinker fluids. Maintenance will always be more expensive as you will require specific technical expertise, tools, and parts. For example, my one-year oil service cost me 400 USD. Repairing a Ferrari is a completely different ballgame, but it can be managed and anticipated. Given the 10 year history of the car, the life expectancies of certain components are well documented (F1 Pump, Clutch and Headers) and you can plan and budget for these events.

Reaction #3: What a girl magnet!
Response: No, more like a Creepo magnet

You may think that Ferrari ownership will open (club) doors for you, peel panties, and make you an overnight sensation. Not so. The common theme across my POV Reaction videos is the negativity the Ferrari actually generates. As a result, I keep my Ferrari secret from acquaintances. The last thing you want is the stigma of being known as “Mr. Ferrari”. In my videos, I brush off some of the comments, but, the truth is, I could never have anticipated that a 10 year old car would generate so much negativity by virtue of its brand. Yes, you can anticipate that people will ask you, “Is it a Lambo?”, “Do you sell drugs?”, or even ask you to rev the engine. Try to have a little fun with these typical questions; otherwise, you risk turning your experience into the biggest “disappointment” as Doug Demuro learned after owning his Ferrari 360.

Reaction #4: You could have done better – there are other, faster, shinier cars.
Response: Says who?

Enthusiasts will always challenge your decision to get a Ferrari F430. They argue that there are much better options from the perspective of price and performance. Truth is, the experience of a great car is subjective - there is no global, standard formula. So many points, large and small, go into the total equation of your ideal supercar. For some reason, car enthusiasts tend to forget that the car you drive is an extension of your individual personality and not a “one size fits all” magic formula. As a result, be prepared to either defend your decision or accept defeat, as we know car enthusiasts are a relentless and opinionated breed.

Reaction #5: Won’t driving the Ferrari hurt resale value?
Response: Love it or lose it!

Thinking that driving the Ferrari will hurt resale value is the worst illness that Ferrari owners suffer from - a condition that will paralyze you from actually driving your car. I made this mistake when I had my Aston Martin V8 Vantage: in fact, I set a cap of 500km (300 miles) per month. This got to the embarrassing point where I would take the bus to see my girlfriend rather than drive. To really enjoy your Ferrari, you have to accept that it is a car and not an investment. The F430 is not a collector’s car; rather, it is a mass produced machine (as far as Ferraris go) that will depreciate and there is only so much you can do to affect that rate. In fact, hibernating Ferraris with low mileage have a history of being more problematic than their high mileage counterparts. My YouTube channel was a means for me to break free from this illness. I was able to experience the car in different environments and truly appreciate it.

Ferrari and Toronto

The Experience:

Owning (and really driving) the Ferrari F430 has been a hell of a ride. People’s reactions are interesting, but I didn’t buy this car for them. In fact, it isn’t until I clear the city streets that I am connected to the driving experience and sensation.

The old bond between a man and his horse has become the new bond between a man and his Lamborghini Mustang, and it spells ‘freedom’.

The fact is I don't drive just to get from A to B. I enjoy feeling the car's reactions, becoming part of it.” Enzo Ferrari”