You never saw it coming but there just may be a classic Ferrari for you in 2009.  And no moustache, hairy chest, or floral Hawaiian shirt is needed for you to play Magnum P.I. this time around.

What a car. What an ego trip.

The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB Berlinetta I drove courtesy of www.affinityauto.com might not have been red in colour, but it certainly had the unquestionable Ferrari appeal.

The whole driving experience was larger than life.

The last time I got such a “drop your jaw, point and stare” response from passersbys was when I ran with some frat boys through UBC campus – pants down, family jewels shrinking in the autumn air, shouting  “We’re going streaking, we’re going streeaaakiiiiin!” And though I don’t remember much of that experience, I am absolutely positive that the gawking then was not the same as the gawking of awe I bathed in when in the Ferrari (HERE).

I mean really, when was the last time you’ve come out to your parked car and had admirers begging you not to drive away so that they could continue to ogle and gape?  Seriously, no joke!  This 22 year old sex machine has buckets of curb appeal, and as long as you’ve got the keys in your pocket, apparently so do you.

What car.  What a ride.

With a 0-60 in under 6 seconds and a 260km/hr top speed, the Pininfarina designed classic is a testament to Ferrari’s technological legacy.  Two decades may have passed, but the Berlinetta can still hold its own quite nicely among today’s sport cars.  But stat comparisons aside, where the Ferrari outshines its contemporary counterparts is in its visceral, all encompassing, give me 100% of your attention driving experience.

This is an Italian stallion that requires a little manhandling.  There is no power steering or power brakes to offer aid as you rocket forward with the 270bhp V-8 engine screaming behind your head.  With all of your senses alert and engaged in the exhilaration, it’s as if every bit of acceleration and lateral cornering is felt raw.  The experience is primal and your body responds with adrenalin accordingly.  The Berlinetta takes you back to a time when man and machine played with Einsteinian physics without the help of computer assists and fly-by-wire safety nets.  It’s a driving experience that is arguably no longer available in today’s machines.

What a car.  Why you should own it.

$50-60 grand and you are in.  But then the question of insurance and maintenance comes up, and you might wonder if you can really afford it?  You can.  And here is how:

Collector Vehicle Status

To qualify for collector plates, your vehicle must be at least 25 years old and in good condition. Basically a car maintained or restored to a condition that ICBC considers to be of collectible value.  Other than safety improvements, it is important that your vehicle’s components and condition be consistent with the manufacturer’s original specifications.

But to get a car to qualify is not as arduous or as complicated as you might think.  All you have to do is submit a bit of paper work with a dozen or so photographs of the car in question.  In short, you have to jump through a few hoops.

The beauty of the thing is how affordable insuring a vehicle becomes once it is designated a collector vehicle.  A comprehensive insurance package that includes fire, theft, vandalism etc. will cost you approximately $300 per year.  Yes, you read that right, 300 loonies for a year’s worth of driving!

There are a few catches, but no biggies if you ask me.  Your collector vehicle can be driven as much or as little as you want, but it is not to be driven (legally) to work or to school.  And with that said, you have to have a second vehicle insured in your name.  This primary vehicle can be anything.  A scooter that you insure but drive only on an occasional sunny weekend qualifies.

So let’s take the conversation back to the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB Berlinetta.   In less than 3 years the car qualifies for collector vehicle status.  Considering the beautiful condition of the car, acquiring collector’s status is just a matter of taking a few pictures and completing a bit of paperwork.  After that, all you need is a garage spot and the patience to perhaps hold off on driving the car in the winter.

At $50,000 your new Ferrari is now done with its depreciating.  Get the collector’s status and take care of it and you’ve got yourself an appreciating investment.  And with the affordability of collector vehicle insurance, who gives a rat’s hiney if your annual tune up sets you back a grand?  Your aging Ferrari gem will be an investment that can stroke your ego a lot better than the $50,000 you parked in a condo downpayment last year.  Remember, the investment in which Bob Rennie promised you that prices were only going to go up and up?

Last I checked the Berlinetta at affinity auto was sold; but no worries, they are always acquiring new stock.  And in the meantime check out the 1983 Ferrari 308 GTB offered for $55,900 HERE.

Or for that matter, check out the dozens of other exhilarating potential Ferrari investments at www.ebaymotors.com

Now you’re driving the retro Ferrari with the 80′s music blaring.  Go ahead, shrug your eyebrows up and down twice and call yourself Tom.  I dare ya.

Possibly the most timeless and iconic automobile line in autodom, the 911 underwent a significant overhaul in 2005.  Countless engineering upgrades, with about 80 percent new componentry, and once again Porsche’s rear-engined wunderkind joyfully reinforced the look that it sired back in 1964.

Modestly updated for 2006, new all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models joined the rear-wheel drive Carrera and Carrera S models that were introduced for 2005. A cabriolet version also joined the 2006 Porsche 911 lineup, with a Turbo later released as a 2007 model.

Exterior:
Internally codenamed 997, the 3.6-liter, 325 horsepower Carrera I drove was a gorgeous, shiny, metallic black.  Riding on standard 18-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels, the fluid 911 lines begin with bi-xenon headlamps and finished with an aggressively sleek whale-tail that’s attached on the auto-deploying rear spoiler.  Devoid of extraneous trim, the low, smooth-bodied car has that head-swiveling holy mother-of-gawd Turbo look that makes grown men quiver and ladies swoon.

Interior:
The 911′s interior is one of clean layouts and functionality.  You face a large tachometer with the ignition in the dash to the left of the steering column; a nice little 911 Le Mans oddity that gives you that “I am unique!” kinda feeling every time you start her up.  A tilt-telescoping steering column, multiple power assists, cruise control, and keyless remote entry are all nice features that come standard.  In particular the affinity auto Carrera I drove included the Sport Chrono Package Plus system with its sport button in the center console, analog and digital chronometer, aspirated engine possibilities, as well as adding the ability to adjust lighting, wipers, AC and door locking to suit personal preferences.  Couple the above goodies with a high-end Bose sound system that pumps digital surround sound via 14 speakers and a 7 channel amplifier that automatically adjusts tone and volume to compensate for ambient noise, and boom-boom brother, you got yourself one heck of a fine ride.

Considered a four-passenger automobile, the 911′s firmly bolstered, leather-swathed front seats offer torso-gripping six-way manual buckets that have plenty of space for pilot and co-pilot.  This said, backseat riders are in for a squeeze.

Squeeze-shmeeze!  Puh-lease, who cares?

Use the back seats for what they supposed to be used for: golf clubs, women waiting for a ride in the front, and inevitably your kids.  Yes, the “four seat 911” is a beautifully designed Porsche strategy that keeps the “I’d rather eat staples!” mini-van/SUV days delayed and out of your life for as long as possible.

In a sense, the 911’s cockpit is a place designed for serious driving; a space that fits perfect for most driving enthusiasts (if you’re over 6’5”, you need not apply) with an added benefit of having outstanding visibility in all directions.  The Porsche is a comfortable car for soaking up the miles, one by gloriously quick one.

The Drive:
The road up Cypress Mountain is the road I like to put cars and motorbikes through their paces.  The two lanes up are truly magnificent, and since it is a “dead end track,” vehicles beg to be driven aggressively up it.  Confused?  Let me explain.

I drive up the mountain the first time nice and relaxed.  I look for new pot holes, debris on the road, anything that might surprise me in my upcoming test drive… including police cars lurking in the shadows.  Once at the top of the mountain I turn around and do the same careful scanning coming down, making sure to keep an eye out for anything that may be traveling up the mountain as I head down.  Upon reaching the bottom of Cypress Bowl Road I do what is arguably my favorite legal u-turn in the whole wide world and head back up the mountain.  Only this time I know there are no surprises that await.  The second trip up traditionally takes a shorter amount of time than the first…

During my car testing I had the Porsche Stability Management system on.  I am not a practiced drifter at the best of times, and in near freezing conditions with a borrowed car, there was no way I was taking off the traction and skid control offered by the computerized assist.

That said, the 911’s stability and traction is like no other car that I have driven.  Slinging around the curves up Cypress, it railed through unbelievably.  Drive her hard into a corner and she announces her formidable limits with benign understeer; lightly roll off the throttle and her nose comes right back on line.  And considering the car’s rear engine and 60% rear-weight bias, Porsche has done a stupendous job keeping the tail from wagging with happiness.

An energetic 4.8 second 0 to 60 mph complemented by “Is this Superglue?” handling.   Power steering that progressively quickens as you ask for a sharper angle.  A stiff chassis, and on this car, Continental ContiSport Contact 2 tires that inspired maximum confidence on any road conditions.   An exhilarating quickness that anyone with a pulse should appreciate.

Stopping power is equally intense, thanks to virtually fade-free ABS brakes fortified with large rotors. Aiding the precise, on-center control was the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system, which combines skid control and traction, and uses throttle and ABS at its heart. The PSM system also detects abrupt lifts of the gas pedal and, assuming that means emergency braking is about to start, gently boosts the brake system’s hydraulics, so that the pads are lightly caressing the rotors even before the driver’s shoe hits the brake pedal. Strike the brake firm and an assist system speeds the brakes to full power milliseconds before the pedal travels to the floor.  And these brakes are gripping discs more than a foot wide, front and rear.  The 911 stops on a dime, literally!

The car I drove was a tight and quick six-speed manual.  Tiptronic?  No thanks. This is a sports car, a world-class performer.

This car is for you:
Yes, you can drive it to work, but despite its accommodating nature, you must be prepared to accept a few 911 compromises.  A little cabin noise from the engine ruffs, a periodic pang of ride harshness, and some trunk space limitations are fair tradeoffs for the stunning driving experience the wunderkind delivers on demand.

The 911 bridges the gap between the realm of German sedans and rare Italian super car cliques, and then goes beyond.  Arguably, it is its ability to be an everyday ride as well as a sunny weekend exotic that puts it in a class of its own, thereby making it the legend that it is.

The state of our economy is troubling.  But let’s assume that you are in position that allows you not to worry about future employment, in which case then there really is no better time to borrow money for a 911.  The interest rates today are arguably the lowest they will be in our lifetime.  If you’re borrowing to buy your dream car, this is the time to buy.  Add dirt cheap money to the fact that every, and I mean every, dealership is very hungry and ready to cut prices to make you a deal…

Play it cool and you’ll be walking out of the showroom with a near new 911 for a price that will make you feel smart even before you feel studly behind the wheel.

They weren’t messing with ya when they said that “there is no substitute.”

Papa Ferrari has sown new heathens, and all of their names begin with Maserati.

Background:
The 1980s were an especially dark time for Maserati, with the Biturbo having a reputation for being unreliable and rather plain. In the early nineties, the Maserati stopped importing cars into North America completely, with fiat buying the company in 1993.

In 1997 the Biturbos were halted and the factory closed for a total refurbishing. With Maserati in a vulnerable state, Ferrari initially bought 50 percent but went on to acquire full control of the name shortly thereafter.

Upon rebirth, Maserati produced two world-class cars: the four-seat Coupe and the two-seat Spyder roadster. With the availability of an F1-style gearbox, powerful V8 engines, and vastly improved build quality, the new Maserati cars were introduced to the U.S. market for 2002 and have restored status to this Italian sports car once again.

2005 was a transitional year for Maserati. The year saw the reintroduction of the Quattroporte luxury sport sedan, which is now accompanied by the voluptuous GranTurismo coupe, as well as the company’s split from Ferrari. Today’s Maseratis may lack the cachet of the marquee’s Italian rival but they hold the advantage of being considerably more affordable while still offering vehicles with supercar performance and sexy Italian styling.

My Drive:
Driving a 2007 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT off of the auto/ONE lot, the exhaust note immediately commanded my attention; the Ferrari supplied V8 under the skin made such a beautiful bark. The jet-engine-in-need-of-a-tune-up sound was so guttural, so bass. Yes, the throaty Maserati makes Germanic luxury sedans sound… how who should I say this, umm… ahh… dare I say, pathetic?

With no true manual transmission, the Quattroporte Sport GT DuoSelect system offers modes that are purely automatic, purely paddle, or a blend of the two. I found the DuoSelect F1 transmission most entertaining when paddled through its 6 gears. In aggressive driving the paddle shifts were a little drawn out, but when the gear popped, boy oh boy was the surge breathtaking.

You might think it to be sacrilegious not to have a true manual with an Italian car that has a Ferrari supplied V8, but in this case it works. The Quattroporte is for the comfort-seeking demographic, the weekend warrior with discerning tastes and a flare for mischief.

For a car of its size, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it dove in and out of corners. Unless provoked horrendously, the Maserati maintained rigid and didn’t shift its girth. It is superbly controlled, utterly without float, and yet never harsh or jiggly. And despite the ultra-low-profile tires, comfort issues are nonexistent. The GT’s ride is the near side of ideal.

Appearance:
If a 400-hp, 4.2-litre V8 connected to a 6-speed paddle-shift transmission doesn’t impress, just take a look inside. Apart from a few carbon fiber accents, the interior of the Quattroporte had black leather everywhere. As Maserati says, it offers “the kind of couture luxury that only the lucky few can afford.”

Heading outside, marking the Quattroporte as a real Maserati, the legendary trade-mark trident is branded in the center of the chrome-framed front grille. The car’s styling is antagonistic, yet elegant and manages to be free of even the slightest hint of fussiness. The side profile of the car is dynamic thanks to three air inlets on either side of the front end, while the headlights being set slightly back from the grille accent the aggressiveness of the car’s nose. The Quattroporte is a big refined car that manages a look of sport easily.

Unfortunately the Quattroporte’s tail end is weak in its styling. Outside of the dual double exhausts protruding beautifully from the mid rear bumper skirt and the “Maserati” written in cursive chrome above the rear license plate on the trunk, the Italian menace’s derrière unfortunately resembles the forgettable tush of an early ‘90s Honda Prelude.

I have mixed feelings about the standard 20-inch wheel/tire package. Badass though they are, the ‘20s sidewalls look a bit petite in the Quattroporte wheel wells. That aside, my car was finished in beautiful gun metal gloss paint that was coupled with big red calipers behind aluminum rims. It all made for a very sharp body combo.

Bottom line:
If you want to make your neighbor’s S-Class look Plain Jane, if you want an executive sport car with a rear-biased 47/53 percent weight distribution, nimbly communicative and weighted steering, and, of course, a Ferrari-supplied V-8, well then, the Sport GT dives into corners and rockets along rolling mountain roads like no other sedan this side of a BMW M5.

I think that there is a saying, something like, “Every man likes a lady in public, and a whore in bed.” This little zinger aptly applies to the Quattroporte, which will gladly behave like a passionate Italian gal in a red dress, and yet if asked will behave like a virtuous Roman Catholic bishop too.

And it is this warmth and passion that allows Maserati to distinctly separate itself from its German counterparts. Devoid of the mathematical laws that encompass the German technicalities of speed through calculus and physics, the Italian competitor’s fervor flies fast. The comparison is between it and the M5, and give or take 5 grand, both are relatively similar in 2nd hand price point, and stats. But here is where they differ, only the one is exotic.

The Quattroporte Sport GT’s style, composure, and warmth of implementation make it a most enviable automobile. Couple its $112,200 list price that’s now floating half that with barely used 2007 models, and well, who would have thought a Italian prima donna could be so affordable?

One of the highlights of the Urban Mixer Gallery Series Event on November 26th was the USnaps photobooth – a unique tool that captured some amazing candid and fun shots of the evening.

As a photographer who goes to these events to capture that ‘unique’ shot for the various publications I work for, I was truly surprised as to the power of the photo booth. Nobody’s ever posed like that for me – there’s definitely something empowering about a photo booth and having the subject take control of when to take the photo. For that, the USnaps photo booth gets two thumbs up. You can see all the photos at the link below.

Username: urban
Password: 261108

Check out additional photos HERE.

The Urban Mixer Gallery Series III event is officially a wrap!

Hundreds of attendees arrived at TRUNK gallery on Wednesday night to check out fine art, European automobiles and to support imagine1day, a groundbreaking charity created by Lululemon founder, Chip Wilson and his wife, Shannon, that is working to provide primary education to all children in Ethiopia.

Special thanks to our sponsors – Bright Ideas Events, TRUNK gallery, affinity auto, auto/ONE, Pacific Western Brewery, CKNW Radio, Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Handmade Whisky, U’Luvka Vodka, ShowMAX Event Services, School of Mix, Revel Room, Designer Cocktail Company, Fuzion Wines, Figmint Restaurant, Lonsdale Event Rentals, Bang & Olufsen Burrard Street, Davis Chu Photography, INFAMOUS Magazine, UltraXpress and SSID Inc.

You can see all of the photos in a special set we’ve posted on flickr, HERE.

On on Wednesday, November 26th, Urban Mixer’s Gallery Series III will feature the same works with artists Ward and Ellingsen in attendance and a few more surprises. Find out more about the event, HERE.

Registration is $35 in advance, $50 at the door. You can register for this event through our secure online registration system, HERE.

PS – if you’re a fan of bottle service, get in touch with us and reserve your seat in the affinity auto VIP lounge.

Attendees enjoyed cocktails, a fashion show featuring the latest by JC Studio and Dunhill London, sensational sounds by Lesismore and a spectacular auction.

To find out more about Sparkle! and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, check out their website, HERE.

Click on the above thumbnail if you’re having difficulty viewing the video or if you’d like to view the show in Quicktime, rate, comment or leave a video response.

To subscribe to our Weekly audio-only podcast for Vancouver, click HERE.

Links for this week:

• Urban Mixer’s Event Calendar for Vancouver
• Brent Ray Fraser’s Website
  

Check back sporadically for what’s happening in your city and great special guests.

Click on the above thumbnail if you’re having difficulty viewing the video or if you’d like to view the show in Quicktime, rate, comment or leave a video response.

To subscribe to our Weekly audio-only podcast for Calgary, click HERE.

Links for this week:

• Urban Mixer’s Event Calendar for Calgary
• Brent Ray Fraser’s Website
  

Check back sporadically for what’s happening in your city and great special guests.