Joining the thread late, but I must concur. As some of you know, I have a
number of cars, including two Ferraris. They are both from the Enzo-era and
have minimal electronics (ignition only).
I recently was tempted to 'upgrade' from my '85 Testarossa in favor of a 360
Modena or perhaps even a 430. I then spent a weekend working on my friend's '89
Mondial T. Its a 2+2 Ferrari with the 348 drivetrain. And I know these words
and numbers mean little to anyone who isn't familiar with these cars - and it
doesn't matter. What does matter is that the Mondial T / 348 starting in 1989,
changed from mechanical systems to electronic systems.B
Now I like electrons as much as the next guy but the circuits they run in are
another issue. The Mondial T I referenced was running terribly when it arrived
at my garage. One bank of the engine was buggered. Turned out to be a failed
MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. And if this were a Honda, a new MAF would probably
be $100 at O'Reilly's Autoparts. But no. The Ferrari part is NLA and the used
part, if you can find one, is over $600 plus shipping from Europe.
The short story on this car is that I opened the MAF and found the problem to
be corrosion in the A/F ratio potentiometer. I cleaned it and lubricated it
with 'tuner cleaner' (Remember when TVs had 'tuners'?) and B the MAF once again
worked. If the problem had been the 'hot wire' or something less simple than
crud in a pot, we would have been hosed.
So the reason for the story is to state that this experience told me to stick
with my old-school cars. I mean, with a limited production car like a Ferrari
430, who's to say unique parts will remain available? What do you have when
someday you push the 'Start' button and nothing happens? B Can you say $100k
parts car?
On the parallel topic of advertising; almost nothing is said about the machine
we call a car. Everything seems to be about the fluff. Bluetooth and iPhone
interface my a$$. And how does selectable mood lighting affect handling?B
I guess a plus for incompetent drivers is that in a new car one can go into a
turn at 20 over the limit, texting and sipping a latte, and probably survive
it. Sit down in my 308GTB. And with a four-pack of Webers it says, "I'm going
to kill you. Now try to stop me!" I like that.
Okay, rant over. I'll go quietly back to my cage now.
-rickB
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