UPDATE 19th Feb 2008:

As requested by the apparent owner of the car, I have removed all references to the plate number.

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When it comes to motor vehicles, this is a sure head turner. The ultimate status symbol. Especially so in this part of the world. Seeing a Ferrari on KK streets is probably as rare as seeing someone wearing Parmigiani watches.

For other luxury vehicles I’ve seen around KK, a Mercedes S-class cost about RM700K. A Range Rover about RM800K. A BMW 7-series about RM700K. A Porsche about RM900K. I have also seen a few Mercedes SLK (or is it CLK), does anybody know how much those cost? Lower down, we have the Toyota Harriers, Toyota Land Cruisers (Ninja Kings), Mazda RX-8s etc.

I think brand-new Ferraris cost more than a million ringgit, on the road, here in Malaysia.

It’s a work of art. It’s the same feeling as when I looked at the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and was absolutely entranced by its beauty. It’s not just world-class beautiful – it something that transcends space and time.

Then, it’s an unattainable fantasy. Why should you get a Ferrari when you can get TWO Mercedes S-classes with the same kind of money? And even if you have the money, can you imagine a Ferrari on the kind of roads we have even in the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu?

Back to the original question, I have only ever seen two Ferraris with Sabahan plate numbers in Kota Kinabalu. The first one was in January 2003 at Wawasan Plaza. It was a 360 Challenge Stradale, with plate number SA1T.

Then, one fine morning on the 25th of January this year, I saw this as I walked across the street to CIMB Bank, in the middle of KK.

Look at that – it is the same height as the window level of the Kembara in front of it! In its spec list, the height is a mere 1.21m (about 4 feet).

Close-up:

Front view:

Plate number [deleted: please see update at the top of this post], which is different from the one I saw 5 years earlier. I thought it was the same car, with changed number plates, but upon closer inspection, it is not. This guy is apparently an F430, which only debuted in 2004 – it’s the successor model to the 360 Challenge.

Back view:

Look at these specs:
number of seats: 2: definitely not a family car
Engine: 4.3 litres V8: the petrol company must be smiling…
Transmission: 6-speed: but at speed limit of 110 km/h, when can you actually USE the 6th gear?!
Weight: 1450 kg: that’s a ton and a half, more than twice a Proton Saga (less than 700kg).

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