DRIVE A FERRARI: HERE'S HOW

Buy a Ferrari

‘Buy one’ is perhaps the most obvious answer to the question ‘how can I drive a Ferrari?’ – and, though our focus is on the many alternatives, it’s still an option we’ll consider.

So, let’s begin with…

Buying a New Ferrari

New Ferrari Portofino (Image Credit: www.evo.co.uk)

You might think the only obstacle to having a Ferrari in your garage is the amount of money (or lack of it) in your bank account. But that ain’t necessarily so. With Ferrari’s approach to production being so much more focused on exclusivity and quality than quantity, there’s often a waiting list for new models. In fact, with some of their most exclusive editions, you’ll need an invitation from Ferrari in order to get your hands on one. Such is the case with LaFerrari, with that limited edition of just 499 cars. Though that’s a bountiful number when compared to the number of Pininfarina Sergio’s, of which only 6 will be rolling very carefully off the production line. As a Ferrari spokesman advised The Independent, these “are only offered to our most loyal and passionate clients that have a long-standing relationship with the brand.”

Of course, there are other lovely, shiny Ferraris that are less challenging to get your hands on. In the UK, there are just 13 official Ferrari dealerships, selling new and sometimes also classic and part-exchanged cars. Thankfully, as they’re dotted around the country, from Exeter to Edinburgh, there should be one near you. Not just brand gurus stamped with the Ferrari seal of approval, these dealers will also be able to provide an exceedingly agreeable warranty, so you won’t have to fret about your investment (recent Autocar research noted that new UK cars have a four-year cover, plus routine servicing is free for a new car’s first seven years).

In addition to the official dealerships, there are other non-franchised but extremely knowledgeable dealers who’ll be able to help you. Both sets of sellers will really know their (Ferrari-shaped) onions. And while they most regularly deal with repeat customers, they’ll be happy to welcome new enthusiasts into the fold.

Buying a Used Ferrari

Ferrari 250 GTO (Image Credit: www.supercars.net)

Picking a used car is much easier, but not necessarily cheaper, since older rarer models tend to increase in value rather than depreciate. In fact, the most expensive cars tend to be those that crop up at auction.

Take Eddie Smith, who in 1968 bought one of just ten 275GTB/4 NART Spiders, for a price reported to be somewhere between $8,000 and $14,500. After Eddie’s death in 2007, the car was sold - for a whopping $25 million. Incidentally, you may find it heart-warming to know that Eddie’s son, Eddie Jr, declared that this money would be donated to charity.

And the exclusivity factor doesn’t diminish with used models, either. Some, like the Ferrari 250 GTOs, normally only change hands behind closed doors, with a small number of brokers negotiating deals between the world's richest car collectors (all this being so private that it’s not publicly known what kind of sums are exchanged).

However, opt for a used car and a budget of £60-£90k can get you in that driving seat - plus you’ll be able to skip the waiting time involved in ordering a new model. Obviously, you’ll want to carefully consider who you buy your car from - another reason why approaching a knowledgeable dealer, in possession of both expertise and the history of their vehicles, is the way to go.

Whether brand new or a more experienced vintage, if you do splash out on a Ferrari, they have the potential to be a good investment (so, you know, why not buy two?).

HOW MANY OTHER FERRARI DRIVERS?

It’s estimated that in the history of the company, Ferrari has manufactured approximately 190,000 cars. Which sounds like a lot, but in fact if you’re a Ferrari owner, you’re in pretty rarefied company. Happy to be an exclusive brand, for whom demand - and desire - far outstrip supply, they sell roughly 8,000 cars each year (some folk even claim they’re a little too exclusive). About 800 of those, so a pretty hefty 10%, are shipped to the UK - meaning more are sold here than anywhere else in Europe. Clearly, Britain’s car-lovers are gaga for a classy Ferrari!

Test Drive a Ferrari

Unsurprisingly, dealerships are reluctant to allow just anyone to test drive a £200,000+ supercar. In most cases, they’d rather avoid the risk of damage or undue miles on the clock, and besides – if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it.

Ferrari’s brand is built upon exclusivity. That means they’re selective over who they sell to – and most customers are not the type to try before they buy.

However convincing you appear, therefore, you’ll need proof you’re a serious buyer to have any chance of testing even the more ‘affordable’ models.

And as for the high-end stuff – you may as well forget it! Cars like these are usually reserved for established Ferrari owners and VIPs, so you’ve little chance of getting your hands on the keys.

That’s not to say, however, that others haven’t – one prospective buyer, for example, was left with a face redder than the car, after crashing a pricey F458 during a test drive in Essex.

Ferrari facing wrong way on A12 (Image Credit: www.mirror.co.uk)

Ferrari Driving Experiences

If you’re not a multi-millionaire playboy, or member of a royal dynasty, supercar driving experiences are a far easier way to take your favourites for a spin.

Events are hosted at tracks across the country, offering drivers the chance to select from an enviable fleet of the world’s most exotic vehicles – including Ferraris, naturally.

Although personal responsibility is encouraged, drivers are covered by the companies’ liability insurance – often with an optional excess waiver fee – so you can put pedal to the metal with confidence.

Experiences range from single-car, three-lap blasts, to extended six-car thrill rides – with optional extras, such as high-speed passenger laps or premium car upgrades.

Venues also vary between spacious airfield circuits and big-name race tracks – like Goodwood and Brands Hatch – and drivers are usually accompanied by a professional instructor to ensure you make the most of the – relatively short – session.

Supercar driving experiences like these are ideal for those wishing to simply spend time around the cars and try a few out on the track.

Of course, if you only have eyes for Ferrari, you could also opt to keep driving a 360, 458 or California throughout a five/six-car experience.

Ferrari Track Experience

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to see how one handles in the real world, there are several on-road experience options, which allow you to really get a feel for the cars – often over a full day and many miles.

These don’t come cheap compared to their track day equivalents, but they’ll certainly bring you closer to feeling like a real supercar owner!

Rent a Ferrari

Go one step further and consider renting a Ferrari for the day. Once the preserve of specialist firms, luxury supercar sections can now be found on mainstream rentals websites, like Hertz and Enterprise.

The former has a particularly impressive range of nine different Ferraris, including convertible variants of the 488, F458 and F430 – because you’ll want to be seen, of course!

When hiring, you can expect to spend anywhere from £600 - £1000 for a day driving the Ferrari California, and over £1500 for the F12 Berlinetta.

To hire the space-age hypercar, LaFerrari – one of only 500 ever made – it’ll set you back a whopping £3500 per day! Drive it for two days, and you’ll have spent more than the cost of a brand new Dacia Sandero. That said, you’ll also have experienced over ten times the brake horsepower!

Some companies, like Supercar Experiences, have long-term packages with attractive off-peak rates if you don’t mind cruising in the winter months – so it’s still possible to find a great deal.

Join a Supercar Club

There are several private clubs offering members access to an immaculate collection of supercars, in exchange for an annual subscription.

Clubs, such as P1 International and Auto Vivendi, have a variety of membership packages – each worth a certain number of ‘points’, which can be exchanged for days driving. The fleet of cars is broken into tiers, and typically more exotic vehicles cost more points per day. Driving on weekends and during high season will also cost you more.

There are numerous benefits to joining a club like this –

Members gain shared access to a constantly-renewed collection of stunning cars, free of the stress and expense of ownership. Depreciation, insurance, servicing and maintenance are all taken care of by the club, and members’ perks can include affinity discounts and invitations to exclusive lifestyle events.

As you’d expect, Ferraris feature prominently in each catalogue – so If you can afford the annual fee, clubs are a sure-fire way to put one through its paces.

Auto Vivendi Club (Image Credit: www.howtospendit.ft.com)

Become pals with a celebrity Ferrari driver

Intrigued as to who some of your fellow Ferrari fans are? Naturally, there’s no shortage of celebrity drivers - and what a diverse bunch they are: David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugh Grant ‘n’ Harry Styles, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Nick Mason, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eddie Murphy, Nicolas Cage, Justin Bieber, Geri Horner, 50 Cent, Pharrell Williams, Simon Cowell, Ozzy Osborne, and Kim Kardashian. So, if you get invited to a party at any of their houses, maybe ask if you can borrow the keys?

Eric Clapton and his one-off Ferrari (Image Credit: www.thisweekinmotors.com)

Then there are the famous Ferrari devotees who get the extra mile - and get a custom car. Like Eric Clapton, who’s the proudly lonesome owner of a Ferrari SP12 EC that was ‘specially built for him from a Ferrari 458 Italia. And film director Roberto Rossellini solved that age-old problem of what to buy the person who has everything - and no doubt earned some pretty impressive brownie points - when he gifted his new wife, Ingrid Bergman, with a custom Ferrari, painted a unique gilded grey (the Ferrari website states that this shade has since been dubbed ‘Ingrid Grey’ - a custom car and a colour named after her!).

John Lennon’s Ferrari 330 GT (Image Credit: www.telegraph.co.uk)

As you’d expect, Ferrari has a history of being loved by cultural icons. Elvis Presley owned a black Dino 308 GT4, and John Lennon drove a sky-blue Ferrari 330 GT (with a blue interior, no less), one of only 500 of that model that were built. It was the car Lennon bought after passing his driving test - snapped up in 1965 for £6,500, and in 2013, quite a few owners later, sold at auction for £360,000!

Become a Ferrari Racing Driver

Ferrari Formula One car (Image Credit: www.formula1.ferrari.com)

To reach the (literally) giddy heights of the racing circuit might seem like a crazy dream, but where there’s a will, right? A good foundation for this path is go-karting, which will teach you the craft of racing, plus invaluable technical skills - and 95% of race car drivers start out this way.

Your next step is to attend a racing school, where they’ll give you feedback on your skills and performance, and help you earn your motor racing license. There are a number of UK schools ready to get you in the driver’s seat, including Silverstone, or Ginetta Racing Driver’s Club (you can find details of accredited training through the Association of Racing Driver Schools, or ARDS).

If you fancy a jaunt further afield, you could hop to the Jim Russell Racing School in Quebec, which was founded in 1957 and has seen a slew of champions, such as Jensen Button, spin round its tracks.

Taking your ARDS test will cost approximately £300. Then, it’s time to make a name for yourself on the championship circuit, in events such as the Ginetta Junior Series, Junior Rallycross, and Junior Saloon Car Championship.

To really get ahead, and get in the seat of that Ferrari, you’ll also need to learn the business, be determined, dedicated - and have some cash. The dosh required for equipment, and the costs of racing for a season, are substantial - from multiple thousands at the beginning, to millions as you edge towards Formula One. Though if you prove to be an exceptional talent, with winning potential, a team who’ve already got a few quid in their piggy bank might take you on.

If you’ve recently won the lottery, and money’s no object, there is a quicker route: the Ferrari Challenge series. Here you’ll drive intimidatingly fast, and smart, cars. Not for the faint-hearted - or those without over half a million dollars to burn (and that’s just an estimate).

Become a Motoring Journalist

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May (Image Credit: www.abc.net.au)

So, you’re not only a supercar lover, but a brilliant writer? Then obviously this is the perfect job for you. As with any career, you’ll want a solid foundation, and in this case, the best start is going to be a Journalism degree, or course (you could check out those accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, or NCTJ).

Naturally, other essential strings to your bow will be an extensive knowledge of the motoring world, and being able to illustrate that wisdom, and your writing prowess, in a portfolio of work. Then you’ll need to hustle and get your work out there.

Handy to know about might be The Guild of Automotive Writers - motoring journalists, authors, editors, photographers, and more besides, working in print, digital, and broadcast media in the UK and throughout the world. They offer a free e-book, So You Want To Be A Motoring Writer, which advises on routes for getting into the industry, including education, training and work experience, as well as the various options available once you’re ready to hit the printing presses... and myriad digital equivalents. As if that wasn’t enough, the Guild runs several competitions for new writers, which can give a (turbo) boost to getting a foot in the (car) door.

Another publication that may be worth a look is How To Become a Motoring Journalist by Carlton Boyce - intriguingly, a somewhat contrary Amazon review of said tome declares “I wouldn’t say the book was useful, but I followed much of the advice and won the Guild of Motoring Writers Breakthrough Award so, you know, there’s probably something to it!”

And so you know what to expect when you’ve reached the tyre-burning, new supercar-stroking heights of success, you could read Ben Griffin’s entertaining advisory, 10 things nobody ever tells you about being a motoring journalist. Yeah, it’s not all glamour!

Finally, love him or loathe him, having spent decades as one of our most recognisable motoring journos, Jeremy Clarkson would obviously have a few kernels of advice. And here are some of those morsels of wisdom, via a Top Gear article from back through the mists of time - that is, 1994. There’s common sense, encouragement... and a sprinkling of questionable commentary that only Jezza could come out with. Oh dear.

Become a Valet

A more accessible way of earning a crust and driving a Ferrari - plus a shed load of other potentially posh motors - is to become a valet at a fancy restaurant or country club. It could make for an all too tantalisingly brief experience, leaving you craving more, but it’s a start. Though may we recommend avoiding any naughty high jinks, as reported in this story by Vice magazine.

Steal a Ferrari

Here at Experience Days, we might have a developed sense of adventure, but we certainly wouldn’t condone any questionable activity. However, we do like to be thorough, and as some might consider stealing an option (tsk!), here are stories of Ferrari fanciers who decided to put that option in motion. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t work out so well...

In 2017, a Californian man was arrested after stealing a Ferrari 458 Spider worth nearly $300,000. He managed to spend two weeks behind the wheel, before his luck - and petrol - ran out. When he began begging at a gas station for money to fill the tank, suspicions were raised, and, despite the canny cover of some nearby bushes, Police nabbed him. The same year, a Florida thief pinched a Ferrari California, but his motorway getaway was foiled thanks to stolen number plates - and another bungling giveaway: the dealership sticker was still in the car window. Doh.

How fast can you drive your Ferrari?

Well, now. Unveiled last year, the 812 Superfast is the fastest production car Ferrari has created. With a 790 horsepower V12 engine, it will zip from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 2.9 seconds. Its top speed is a highly un-snail-like 211 miles per hour.

Ferrari makes more powerful motors, such as the 949 horsepower hybrid LaFerrari, but those were hand-crafted by Ferrari elves, rather than being part of the company’s more standard production line. And that’s reflected in the price: the 812 Superfast is likely to sell for a relative snip, at approximately $320,000, whereas you’ll be pocketing less change with LaFerrari, at a cool cost of $1.4 million.

But then how fast you can go depends not just on the model, but where you’re going to be able to drive at full throttle... If you own a Ferrari and you don’t mind risking an accident, then you can take part in various events where you can run it at full speed. Such as Brighton Speed Trials, held in September each year. Taking place on Madeira Drive on Brighton’s iconic seafront, a couple of hundred cars and motor bikes (comprising a bunch of different categories, including road cars and race cars), heat up the tarmac as they compete to be crowned fastest.

Brighton Speed Trials (Image Credit: www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk)

There’s the Vmax200, which, fittingly for a Ferrari, is an invitation-only event, where supercar owners come together at a private runway - an opportunity to really hit the accelerator, and their motors‘ top speeds. If being in possession of such a car didn’t already make you feel special enough, how’s this for a witty quote as to the event’s exclusivity (as featured on the Vmax200 website): “The VMAX operation is deliberately discreet. Indeed, the events have a certain mythical status. Many of those present have been coming for years and newcomers tend to be invited – and consequently vouched for – by existing VMAX members. Think of it as joining a 200mph Masonic Lodge without the funny handshake.”

Track days, which let you take your car to a circuit and drive it on the track, are another option. These have noise restrictions and not speed restrictions so technically you can drive as fast as you like as long as you’re driving safely. Held regularly at locations all over the country, they’re also not too bank balance busting, with prices starting at around £129. You could even hire an entire race track if you want to… Many circuits are available for private hire, letting you be king or queen of the road (as before, noise restrictions are likely to apply).

For locales with a 365-days-a-year lack of speed limit - where you don’t need an invitation or an advance booking - there is of course the Autobahn in Germany, a highway system stretching to nearly 13,000 kilometres, half of which is unregulated, with merely a recommended limit of 130 kilometres per hour. Somewhere that may not have immediately sprung to mind as the setting for unrestricted speed is the Isle of Man. Long associated with motorsports, the island is home to annual motorcycling events The Manx Grand Prix and The Isle of Man TT. It may not have any motorways, but you can put your foot down on its rural roads (just make sure to be cautious in more populated areas, where there are some restrictions).

Ferrari in the Autobahn (Image Credit: www.youtube.com)

And finally, until fairly recently the Stuart Highway in Australia’s Northern Territory featured a long stretch with an open speed limit. So, if, in addition to a Ferrari, you happen to have a time-travelling DeLorean, that’s another option (just set your destination to early 2016).

All this leads to the thought that if you do want to regularly test the limits of your Ferrari’s speedometer, given that there aren’t too many places where you can actually do that, you could also consider a move to Germany or the Isle of Man (and hey, the good news is that the additional cost of a house will be small fry compared to the price tag of LaFerrari!).

Alternatives to the ‘Real Thing’

If it’s an unshakeable dream that you really want to the proud, badge-polishing owner of a Ferrari, but this talk of limited edition, invitation-only motors makes you wonder if you’ll ever get to jangle those keys, don’t fret, we’ve got some other creative solutions for you... the following will provide suggestions of models that you could indeed park in your garage (or possibly even get through the cat flap...).

Fake it til you make it

Are you a car enthusiast with a matching penchant for DIY? Like a project you can get your teeth into? Plenty of time to spare for tinkering in the garage - and scouring eBay? Have we got the solution for you!

Replicate that almost-authentic Ferrari magic by building your own. First, purchase a kit for the model you really want to be driving. Next, you’ll need to source a donor car - the kit should advise the best base car for what you’re looking to build (though being a similar shape to a Ferrari, the Toyota MR2 is often a popular foundation for replicas). Then, it’s time to roll up those sleeves, and bring on your best complicated Lego/IKEA building game... and you’ve got a kettle in the garage, right?

Though a forewarned-is-forearmed note: you’ll need to check that your creation is road-worthy, and not a garage-only Frankencar... some countries have strict rules when it comes to rebuilt vehicles.

Ferrari Enzo Lookalike Jet Car (Image Credit: www.driversmagazine.com)

Kids Ferraris

If you have a shrinking potion, or want to give the junior members of your family a Ferrari-owning start in life, there are fully licensed kids Ferraris available.

The kids’ F12 Berlinetta and LaFerrari electric 12v cars may not be quite as speedy as the real thing, but at under £250 they’re an affordable way to have a vehicle with genuine Ferrari badges. Plus, with their MP3 player input, you can enjoy in-car stereo!

Little ‘uns don’t need to be deprived of the rarer, vintage - and pricier - models though, oh no! In 2017, at an Art of the Automobile auction in New York, one of just five surviving titchy 180 Testa Rossas - a reproduction of the 1958 250 Testa Rossa - sold for $126,500. The price of this pint-sized version may sound extravagant, but in 2011, a prototype of the fully grown original sold for $16.4 million. It gets more gobsmacking: in 2014, an unrestored, 1957 250 Testa Rossa - which won many high-flying races, and twice competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans - was apparently sold, as part of a private sale, for over $39 million (now the LaFerrari looks like a steal, hmm?).

For the sportier kid, or trainee race car driver, with a few more pounds in their piggy bank, there’s a kart inspired by the limited-edition Ferrari FXX, which costs closer to £2k. Maybe count that as an investment towards a future motor racing career?

F12 Berlinetta for kids (Image Credit: www.ebay.co.uk)

Remote Control Car

At the other end of the spectrum... the cheapest, tiniest Ferrari is one you can drive from the comfort of your sofa. Indulge your inner child and achieve your dream of driving a Ferrari (sort of) with a nifty remote-control number. From the very affordable price of £15.99.

A remote control Ferrari (Image Credit: www.amazon.co.uk)

Ferrari Bikes

And finally, there is another way you can get a set of wheels with a Ferrari badge (and save on your gym membership!): a Ferrari bike. There are a number of Ferrari branded bikes available, but the showstopper is the result of a collaboration with Bianchi. Extremely light (its frame weighs a mere 780 grams), smooth to ride (it features a vibration cancelling system which aims to reduce up to 80% of pesky vibrations), and regarded as a technological marvel, the SF01 road bike is a two-wheel wonder inspired by Formula 1 cars. Unsurprisingly, it’s not cheap, retailing for approximately $18,000. But then, you didn’t think a Ferrari cycling experience would be any less exclusive, did you?

A genuine Ferrari bike (Image Credit: www.cyclingnews.com)

E Per Concludere… (and finally)

Re-enactment of 125 S driving through the Maranello gates (Image Credit: www.executive-bulletin.com)

Phew! That about wraps up our guide to driving a Ferrari. We’ve done our best to list all conceivable ways of getting behind the wheel, and we hope you’ve been inspired to give one or two a try. As we’ve discovered, Ferrari drivers needn’t necessarily be heir to the family fortune. Indeed, thanks to the great affordable options out there – some are regular people, just like us!

As always, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. So, if there’s a dynamite suggestion we’ve totally missed, or a Ferrari fact you’d like to share – please do get in touch!