Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Decisions, decisions

[Dennis Liu (BigHeadDennis]

Rodney, FWIW, about four years ago, I met a guy named Herb at Lime Rock, who
was in his sixties. I had my 740iL at LRP as a support vehicle, and thought
Herb was doing the same with his 740i SPORT, until I noticed the MONSTROUS
BBS wheels and tires, as well as the harnesses and video-cam set-up. We
chatted for a long time, and he is an incredibly nice guy. He put over 25k
miles on his 740i Sport that year, mostly traveling along the Eastern
seaboard, attending various track events and schools. Like the saying about
zealous ex-smokers preaching the evils of smoking, Herb is _totally_ into
track events, having moved into the 740 from his prior car, a 1989 Mercury
Grand Marquis -- I kid you not! At that Lime Rock event, he started out
relatively slow in his run group, put quickly picked up the pace. 

Subsequently, he started racing an E30 M3 LTW - and DRIVING it, stuffed to
the gills with tires and tools and his 60 year old WIFE, to races all over
the northeast, even down to VIR.

I wanna be like him when I grow up.

vty,

--Dennis

________________________________

From: LtWacko [at] aol.com [mailto:LtWacko [at] aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 1:36 PM
To: ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com; BigHeadDennis [at] earthlink.net
Subject: Re: Ferrari Digest, Vol 1, Issue 8


Like many others on the list, I am also a BMW CCA member.  Funny how
everyone still praises the E38.  Even though I currently drive one, several
of us that have tracked our cars find it the worst feeling in handling car
that BMW has ever made.  Although very capable and still better than the
competition, the E38 just doesn't do it for us.  One of the guy went so far
with full suspension changes from camber, caster, springs, shocks, bushings,
alignment specs, etc, and he still couldn't find the sweet spot.  I am still
trying to dial tire pressures!  The E32 was a way better car to track (then
you have to ask what set of idiots track 7-series...).
 
That being said, a few of the guys picked up some American Iron.  Charger
SRT-8, 300C SRT-8 and a CTS-V.  There is nothing like brute horsepower then
you add a capable chassis.  Please note, the lessor hemi 5.7 disappointed
above 80 MPH.  The E38 will walk them all day long and I think the E38 V-8
is already slow (I came from an E-32 V-12 and regret the V-8).  The SRT's
are fast off the line, then when you get into the cam...  BLAST OFF!!!  Only
if someone would make some brake pads already to handle extended track
duty!!!!  The CTS-V is almost as awesome but definitely more impressive than
any E-38.  All three are superior overall to the BMW.  Maintain all three
like your BMW and you will have no more problems than it.
 
You mention gas mileage as a concern.  If it is truly a concern, turn
completely away and get something that gets 30 MPG or better.  If you only
get 5 MPG better by choosing something with less HP, you will kick yourself
from here to kingdom come.  Your commute is only 50 miles roundtrip.  Is
saving $2 a day worth the lack of pleasure on a DAILY grind?  When I finally
had to get rid of the E32 750, I thought the E38, extra gear in the trans,
more modern technology (double vanos), 4 less cylinders and better gas MPG
would still be comparable.  WRONG.  I got only 3 MPG better.  Mostly due to
the fact I had to push the car harder to get the same satisfaction level of
the V-12.  I drive about 100 miles a day
 
I looked at other European marks.  Their repair histories are worse than BMW
in the same category (large sedans).  Too many horror stories from the local
Audi chapter of $10K plus driveline repairs.  Believe it or not, the 7 was a
"budget" choice for me.
 
Take a look at the Bangle 745 second year on again.  Looks great from the
inside out...  LOL.  With the active steering, you will be chewing up
Miatas... okay, maybe.
 
You could always bring your car to the local tech school body shop and get a
quality repair on the cheap and drive it until it dies.  The SRT's should be
more available on the used market by then.
 
Rodney
 
In a message dated 8/24/2006 11:36:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,
ferrari-request [at] ferrarilist.com writes:

        So...  Sigh.  Need some input from the boys (and girls) on this one.
        
        My "daily driver" for the last, oh, 6 years or so has been an E38
BMW 740iL,
        1995.  I've gotten it up to 163k miles, mostly reliable.  The usual
E38
        problems, all addressed.  Runs great, but its time is drawing near,
        especially as someone (not moi) managed to rear end a truck
yesterday with
        it.  Cosmetic damage, but probably $1500 worth.  Dang, too bad, as I
        loooooooove(d) this car.  So, what do I do?
        
        1.  Fix it and keep driving it until it blows up.
        
        2.  Dump it for whatever it'll fetch (any ideas?), and buy one of
the
        following.  For a "daily driver", I would like a "biggish" sedan, as
I'd
        much prefer to go on trips in it with my two young daughters and all
their
        stuff in a sedan (or wagon) than the big SUV or the minivan.
        
        
        
        2A.  1999-2001 E38 BMW 740i SPORT.  Asking prices seem to range
between
        $10k-$24k, with mileage between 75k-133k miles.  Upside - I love the
740i
        sport.  I'd make sure that all of the known problem areas are
addressed, or
        else take a reserve for it.  Downside is that these are getting a
bit old,
        and miles are getting higher.
        
        2B.  E39 M5.  Between $23k-$40k, mileage all over.  Upside - hey,
it's an
        M5!  Downside - wow, potential maintenance and repair costs are
scary.  I've
        already spent way too much on those friggin' Eyetaliano beasts, so
really
        not interested in adding another delicate beast to the fleet.
        
        2C.  Brand new Dodge Magnum R/T.  $28k-ish.  Upside - hey, 340 hp
Hemi!
        Possibly the Charger instead, but why not get the added utility of a
wagon
        too?  (no, not the 350 hp Charger Daytona package, a little too
garish for
        my taste, methinks).  Decent fuel economy.  Fair bit of interior
room (not
        quite 740iL, but close to 740i I think), lots of room in the back,
great
        performance, new car warranty.  Downside - not much, aside from the
cost
        and, well, it's a Dodge.  How dependable is it?  Depreciation is
gonna hurt?
        
        2D.  Brand new Dodge Magnum SRT-8.  $35k-ish.  Upside - hey, 425 hp
Hemi!
        REAL performance.  Warranty, room, looks pretty cool too.  Downside
- fairly
        horrendous fuel economy (no variable displacement in SRT version, so
big
        mileage hit, grrr).  And what will probably be a deal killer for me:
the
        $2100 gas guzzler tax.  YOWWWWWWWWWWWZA!!!!!!!
        
        2E.  Brand new Toyota Avalon.  $27k-ish.  Upside - relatively fast,
fairly
        luxurious, and will run 200k miles with nothing but oil changes.
Bullet
        proof.  Downside - FWD, and, well, it's a Toyota sedan.  If only
they (or
        Honda) made a RWD equivalent, like a competitor to the
Charger/300C/Magnum,
        and I'd be the first in line.
        
        
        
        3.  Get rid of the Bimmer, and just use the wife's 996 as a daily
driver.
        No room for kids, but way cool ride.  Could put snow tires on the
spare set
        of rims (currently running slicks for track outings), and take out
PFC-97
        race pads and install OEM pads.  Kinda shame to put the mileage on
it (only
        43k miles right now), but the thing has been BULLETPROOF to date,
and also a
        shame to just let it sit in the garage.  Upside - no money outta
pocket,
        baby!
        
        
        
        4.  Anyone have another good suggestion?  I've never been attracted
to
        Mercedes-Benz.  The Bangle-ized 745/750 is wwwwaaayyy ugly.  Blech.
The
        Audi A8 is pretty sweet, but I like RWD, and it's too pricey for my
needs.
        The Infiniti M45 sounds about right, but too expensive for my
purposes right
        now too (why oh why doesn't Nissan have a version of the M45?  Or
make the
        Maxima in RWD??).  Had an E39 BMW 528iT wagon, and loooooved it, but
just
        too small for this purpose (hence another strike against the M5, and
why the
        Infiniti G35 isn't on the list).  The older I get, the less I care
about
        "prestige", and the more I like "no hassle".  Though I still like to
drive
        vehicles I enjoy (hence, no Lexus LS on the list).
        
        Anyway, that's where I stand.  Any thoughts would be appreciated!