2002 Ferrari Enzo from North America - Comments

None; perhaps the owner himself would have rather concentrated on everything that had gone right with the car.

(Note: I have never owned a Ferrari Enzo, nor have I ever driven one. I just had the pleasure of riding shotgun in someone else's for five minutes.)

From a design standpoint, this is the closest resemblance a road car has ever held to a million-dollar-plus F1 race car. The design is a bit awkward and lacks some continuity, especially when looked at from the side. However, it is a functional, clearly F1-inspired design that's especially apparent should you nervously glance at this thing coming fast at you in your rear-view mirror.

Inside, the driver gets a good view of the outside world from a high-tech, but still very much spartan interior. The bucket seats are comfortable, and drivers of 5 to 5.5 feet in height should fit into this Mario Kart with more than enough room to wear the a racing helmet for the real Schumacher look. 0-60 comes and goes in about 3 seconds, and the handling at legally permissible speeds is excellent. The F1 paddle-shift transmission is a welcome benefit that allows for lightning-quick shifts in a matter of milliseconds. I haven't experienced the Enzo's handling capabilities beyond 90 miles per hour, because that was as fast as we could go without frightening the locals or upsetting the police (even if the owner was skilled enough to outrun them).

You may note that Ferrari has left out some traditional design aspects with the Enzo. Gone are the rear spoilers and egg-crate grilles of yore, replaced by a purely functional, visibly Schumacher-esque design from nose to tail. Also, the car is available from the factory only in Rosso Corsa Red and what I think is Fly Yellow, although other colors have also been seen. My guess is that Ferrari's corporate officers probably saw the bright green F50 posted on the Google Image Search and learned their lesson. (I saw that image myself; it was somewhat awkward. Like a Photoshopped image of Ben Affleck in lingerie.)

The (very lucky) driver told me that he had to visit the gas station about two days after owning the car. He probably didn't mind either; normally cars like this are bought for the exhilarating experience they provide to their lucky owners, as well as the implied snobbery that comes with owning a car for which the odds of seeing another one just like it are roughly a billion to one. These cars usually aren't bought for the thrills of balancing your checkbook and amazing yourself with how much you spend to let loose your inner Schumacher on the Interstate on a daily basis. Maintenance may be a difficulty unless you happen to have connections at a local Ferrari mechanic's shop. Even then, finding parts for this car can be an exercise in patience, dealing with apologetic mechanics, and then dealing with unapologetic I.R.S. auditors.

While the Road & Track figures are respectable, the car's design almost begged for an admiring crowd. Some comments on this car ranged from "the performance turd of the millennium" to "Oh my God, what has Ferrari done to itself?" To me, however, the design is a blend of functionality and passion that sums up everything Ferrari has learned from F1 racing. To those lucky few who actually own this automotive masterpiece, congratulations! As for the lucky and generous owner featured in this review, thanks a bunch and see you at Le Mans!

I'm sure it's a stunning machine to drive, and the most capable car money can buy, but it's as ugly as sin. Ferraris should be unquestionably and unconditionally beautiful - look at the 288GTO, F40, F355, Daytona, Dino, 328 etc.

I have to agree, Ferrari blew the styling on this one... the 360 looks better. Since no one bothered to try to beat McLaren's top speed I don't see how the body could be all that functional, there must have been some half way point between an nice looking car and the Enzo, say... the Murcielago (10 mph lower top-speed and its stable as a rock). Still the car comes with status, only uber-wealthy Ferrari fans will buy this car. (I'm trying to decide if I should pay the scalpers 1.4 for such an ugly car or just get a koenig TT upgrade on a murcielago). The next question is would I want to be seen in a crass and ugly car like the Enzo?

Bah questions questions questions...

Hmmm...perhaps it is too early to say if it's ugly. Many people said that the Testarossa was ugly back in 1984... I am not decided. What I DO know though is that if I ever see one on the street my jaw will need reconstructive surgery!

It might not be all that easy on the eye, but I think the view from the driver's seat and the perceptions of all the other senses allow Ferrari to be forgiven. If only my Datsun was as 'ugly' as the Enzo...

I thought the Enzo was ugly as sin when I first saw in the magazines too, but my mind took a U-turn when I saw it in real life. It's quite beautiful and indeed stunning to look at. I'm sure it's quite a pleasure to ride in or even drive, also. I was simply in "awe" when I saw it (the Chicago Auto Show.) Everything about it is great. I could see room for improvement on the body, but very little.

I hated the looks of this car when it first arrived. I then saw a gleaming black one at the Birmingham Motor Show last year and I cannot contemplate how stunning looking it is when you see one for real - truly amazing (apparently Jay Kay has one in black)!

Go out and actually buy and drive one, then come back and write a review. You can't get a good feel by riding in the car for 5 minutes!

I bought a used Enzo at a local dealer the other day. If you look carefully, you can get a great deal... the new ones depreciate like 200k as soon as you drive them off the lot.

I dissagree. the enzo does everything, but depriciate. brand new they reatiled at £500,000. because they are so rare and everybody wants one its not un heard of for them to retail second hand at over the £600,000 mark! and in about 2 years I would not be suprised if they hit the million mark!

Its the most stunning Ferrari I've seen, especially in the flesh.

Ferrari has finally produced an ugly duckling. I don't care how fast it is, the bottom line is it's just plain ugly!

Okay...lets get some things straight:

1. The ferrari enzo is the 4th fastest car in the world, behind the McLaren, Bugatti, and Koenigsegg.

2. the enzo has 660 horsepower.

3. all you gents out there would kill for one and you know it.

4. the ferrari is a symbol, oh yes, but it does have the performace to go with it.

5. though not the fastest car in the world, it is quite possibly the most exclusive.

6. the enzo is beautiful- and I don't care to hear what you have to say.

Do you really think that this Ferrari was designed to be beautiful??? I'm sorry, but that was NOT what the designers of this car had in mind. what they DID have in mind was absolute speed, grip, power, handling. if all these require the styling to be compromised, so be it. and plus, would you really care what the car looks like on the outside when your racing around a german autobahn, racing on the edge??? I wouldn't. so stop all your whining about the styling of the enzo, and speak more of what the car was intended for, speed.

Thank you have a nice day.

Actually the Enzo's "ugly" shape is due to aerodynamic and engine ventilation concerns which really have nothing to do with handling (as in suspension) or grip.

That said, Ferraris like all exotics are really sold on beauty first and the rest second. You can see this in the classic car auctions where the "ugly" Ferraris of the past command substantially less money than "beautiful" shapes.

And the average Enzo owner also had five other Ferraris, so the target market was sold on the brand prior to purchase (as opposed to a Stryker or Pagani Zonda).

Of course this is all relative, but the new 599 is certainly a lot better looking than the Enzo and offers similar performance.