Ferrari Rally! Living the Dream with the 458 Spyder and F12 Berlinetta - The Downshift Ep. 66

On this episode of The Downshift, Motor Trend's Michael Shaffer participates in an epic rally across California in two of Ferrari's most marvelous machines, the 458 Spyder and the F12 Berlinetta. With over 400 miles to drive on some of the world's greatest driving roads and a pair of rocket ships from Maranello, this is the stuff that dreams are made of.
The Downshift appears every other Tuesday on the Motor Trend channel. / motortrend
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[@OllieW501]

So nice to see a true lover of Ferrari getting to experience probably one of the greatest days of your life, I was so happy for you man! This took me back to when I was about 9 years old, we had a family friend who owned an F40. I rang him up on the approval of my folks to ask if I could "have a go in your F40". Despite his busy life he took the time out and took me and my folks, one at a time of course, for the drive of our lives. I'll never forget it, this video took me back there right when I saw the picture of you sat in there as a kid. Thanks for the memories, and thanks for the video, amazing :-)

[@AugustusCaesar88]

nice comment thanks for sharing :) this is pure what cars are about!

[@theacc2012]

I too love Ferrari, but not participating in what he was invited to do was a dick move. Your experience with the F40 is much more interesting. Thats the thing about them. Owners love to show their car to kids who are fascinated by them. They were there once too.

[@markrfisher]

Simply perfect. You have perfectly described and detailed what is also a personal dream of mine. As a working man with 5 kids this will stay a dream, but now I have had the opportunity to live vicariously through you. Given my age of 36, my dreams still have gated shifters in them! Please, continue with videos such as this....

[@TheDentist27]

Fantastic documentary. Felt like I was almost there!

[@LambChopBoys]

ikr

[@shadyguy6600]

100%. This is def. the BEST episode MT has done. You can feel his passion for the cars the way he speaks about them.

[@DJJ1973]

That was the quickest 11 minutes of my life. Great video !!

[@Kklaude]

That Kate Upton analogy had me dying!

[@leon23051992]

Ferrari = The King of supercars, always and forever!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

This was super cool to watch. His face while driving says it all. I haven't seen a person this happy in a while. Give this guy more Ferrari adventures to go on!

[@mmessina4321]

probably the best video from motor trend channel 👍

[@NoobySammy]

More of this guy! Awesome!

[@TheBrokenEclipse]

A modern day love story.

[@Texas_Cruiser]

Ha true!

[@ananddullabh]

Still better love story than twilight.

[@DarthVader-eg9jm]

I just bought a 458 Spider. The soundtrack top down is why I bought her and the scene where you stop to admire the sunset says it all. Bravo man!

[@tunjik]

This was one of the best episodes on Motortrend channel. Always god to watch someone who has passion and knowledge of true automobiles! Excellent Job!

[@petersente83]

Wonderful video! The love for the car and the joy of driving it are clear to see in your eyes and the big smile on your face. Makes me want to get in my car and drive, drive, drive...

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Very very good video. So genuine. This kid has done something he'll remember for the rest of his life. Very fortunate, indeed.

[@jax1079]

This is an excellent video because it's well-made and tells a touching story. Wonderful job, MT. You guys are killing it.

[@duweydang]

Did it right! I love the fact that he was actually genuine with the whole event. Need more episodes like this. That 458 is perfect!

[@williamchick9312]

best car video ive ever seen, couldn't stop smiling all the way through watching someone experience something they've been dreaming about their whole lives and finding out it's even better. Well done sir

[@daysofseptember]

Letting a fellow enthusiast test drive the car and participate in the rally really made it a perfect video. He's went through everything we would have went through if we were handed the keys to a Ferrari. That aspect made the video feel very personal! Thank you MotorTrend, please make more like these.

[@TheTechnologyNation]

The amount of passion in this video is awesome, it actually looks like a dream coming true!

[@iFilmSuperCars]

This video oozes with a lot of emotion. Enjoyed every second of it, literally.

[@Jon38]

Good for you man! Thank you for sharing your dream experience with all of us!

[@mpfourfour]

Amazing episode - really happy for this guy to have his dreams come true, and also to drive the cars like they should be driven. Would have been an emotional experience.

[@byZinck]

I really have to say this review was one of the best you ever done MotorTrend. There was so much passion in it, and the footage was amazing. God he drove that car good! And hard! Amazing work!!

[@Madvizion]

Bravo! Great video! This guy lived one of my dreams. And he lived it just the way I would have. Thank you Michael. Bravo

[@evanmccann7671]

Love this video. You can hear the passion in his voice.

[@moogle68]

Very well made video. I love how the first bit sets you up to be happy for the guy but still be like "this straight lace is just gonna do whatever they tell him," and then he says "so the first thing we did was ditch the rally," and all is forgiven and now you have new found respect for the guy.

[@computiNATEor]

Love this guy's honesty and smile!

[@sgfreak96]

Extremely well directed and filmed. This would be a dream for me if I ever had the chance to do this! Really awesome video. Subbing and thumbs up!

[@AnimeChannelDotCom]

This guy has true passion for cars! Props to him, need more vids of him

[@TheBigdps3]

Hands down this video is One of my favorite videos from motortrend!!

[@hiro2010group]

Wow! Lucky you, well deserved experience.

[@oscarmorgan3]

Great video. Unreal cars and unbridled passion for them. I felt like I knew exactly how he was feeling.

[@urock12201]

I've never enjoyed watching another person driving my dream cars so much, that was truly heartwarming. Glad this guy got to meet his heros. Keep it up MT!

[@o01moreatheist0o]

Imo this was the best episode ive seen so far. That sound track just gives me goosepimples.

[@morgande]

I had the pleasure to get behind the wheel of a 458 in Las Vegas. Most certainly a life changing event. Nothing better than getting behind the wheel of a car you love. One of life's great joys. Tell your boss you need a raise so you can buy one!

[@chamonixvip6706]

All the positives messages here, this guy kept his inner child and let it dream, and live the dream, somehow, we all here lived thru his lense, beautiful

[@TwistedLifestyle]

More Michael Shaffer please. Love this story and would love to see more from Michael. Great Ferrari story.

[@amarshetty1978]

Best video by far. Please make more videos like this. It's pure passion.

[@1337SuperKiller]

The energy of the guy is just amazing. His life just got made.

[@ItsXXnotXXme]

Yea you guys put him in the new head to head video! He did a very good job. I would definitely like to see him in other videos.

[@markfhales]

What was the road just out of Ventura and what was the one in the F12 footage?

[@hunterwolff.space.11]

I love this guys video's. The Lamborghini rally and now this. I love these rally vids with Schaffer.

[@hanzellutz7278]

I'm sooo glad they had that extra bit at the end.

[@emminentvictory]

I want his job! Awesome video. Full of heart and soul and truly relatable to any car enthusiast.

[@Nitrotech23]

Arguably the greatest video MotorTrend has put on KZbin in 2013

[@yellow6ird]

A glimpse of what paradise is like. Perfect guy for the video too.

[@luxurykid666]

Excellent showing by MotorTrend. Top notch filming, and Michael was great

[@Primitivegarage915]

This guy is a true car enthusiast. Need more of him on the show.

[@eminent0405]

thanks for one of the best reviews about my two favorite ferrari's. i'm hiring a 458 for a weekend drive; can't wait.

[@peakerpolo10]

I love how motortrend picks someone out of their staff that hasnt driven a ferrari because it shows the satisfaction of driving one for the first time. You can tell this guy hasnt driven a lot of exotics, unlike Carlos, but I like that in an episode sometimes. It shows that first time sensation. I can relate to this guy a lot, for the first time i'm actually glad Carlos Lago didn't present this episode:) I got goose bumps multiple times, great episode!

[@darek4488]

The reason why I watch so many MotorTrend videos is that I need to watch more than all the good subscriptions provide me. I watch MT when I have watched everything on /DRIVE, Jay Leno's Garage, Mighty Car Mods or The Smoking Tire and I still need to watch something or if there is a new RoadKill episode which is not the often.

[@Poverty-Tier]

That Kate Upton metaphor is so perfect. Absolutely made my day!

[@targaflorio3239]

What a sensational review. Loved the back story and the journey. Good for you and the fact you got to live your dream. Nice one.

[@RamblinAround]

This really is an excellent video..his passion for Ferrari's is obviously genuine. Well done!

[@williamlopez45]

That is what I want for Christmas. What a gift!

[@Halfmoon67]

If it was possible to like the video a thousand times, it still wouldn't be enough to describe how great it is. Thanks motortrend for this masterpiece !

[@soulj7sli7]

This guy is the real deal , he knows what's he's doing and what he wants ... hardcore Ferrari geek to the max ..

[@Wallstreetavarice]

Definitely one of Motor Trend's better video's. This is what's missing from a lot your other presenters/video's....the passion. It comes across in the way he talks about the car, what he does with it, and the way in which what he conveys hits home with other car guys/enthusiasts. I want more.

[@09blackcobaltss]

What a great video MT do more videos like these where peoples passion for cars comes through.

[@perez5249]

Michael, I can see the Ferrari passion in your eyes and feel it in your voice. I share a similar passion for Porsche. Glad to see a fellow enthusiast live his dream. I lived mine when I got my first Porsche. Haven't stop smiling since. Thanks for that cool vid my friend.

[@TXBlackKnight88]

Excellent video. An opportunity of a lifetime and I am complete envy.

[@mattromanes]

A good time to reflect on the history of Ferrari and why we love Ferrari. FORZA FERRARI!

[@CordellCars]

This is why I love MotorTrend! this episode really showed what it's like for car guys of all brands. way to go Michael, you deserved that moment! hope one day i'll get a moment like that of my own!! (2013-14 GT500, or the infamous 67' Eleanor GT500)

[@jatt0941]

what a passion man ...... your video was worth watching .. great job

[@kyvintan]

Good story, and seeing how you talk about it proves that you deserves it. Kudos to MT staff for letting you take this once a lifetime trip knowing that you are 'that guy'.

[@94jrose]

Motortrend, you always know how to make my day better!

[@_chipchip]

Thanks for that last sequence.

[@daredevil7442AUTOMOTIVE]

I don't know who this guy is that is presenting this video but, YEA, he got it right!! WOW,,,the ending after the credits was pure FERRARI MUSIC...that exhaust sounds MAGICAL!

[@TheCireMC]

Motortrend, Please put Michael in more videos, his passion for cars is almost refreshing to hear. People want to see people like him barreling through a tunnel in an Enzo and then listening to him describe every detail of the experience! I for one enjoyed this video, this should have been epic drive length, what a shame to make it so short when you have a subject matter like this!

[@PiZZaMaN2K]

This guy. This guy needs his own series.

[@dartagnanx1]

Just terrific! Dream come true, and well deserved. A true fan gets to drive his dream car.

[@61297kenny]

growing up, some kids wanna be president, some astronaut, I just wanna drive Ferrari . ion car how .. this is 100% me ! I love Ferrari .

[@Moolie333]

Michael, your video brought me to tears. I'm going to ring you when I get my F12. Hugs!!!

[@shoelace510]

Loved this! Glad you could live out one of your dreams!

[@mustangmike418]

Kudos to MT for giving him his dream weekend! They couldve given that assignment to anyone, but they gave it to the Ferrari enthusiast, real cool!

[@madmaz8890]

im going to watch this again but on my big speakers

[@dan63085]

This is such a great piece...so glad you mentioned your disdain for people who buy these as just status symbols. I have been a Porsche owner for 10 years and not only do I take my cars out on backroads as often as possible but I track them as well. These cars were built to be driven and your video shows just how wonderful they are when they are used for what theyre built for. Great video!

[@paul77710001]

Nice story, it shows how great a lot of Ferrari's are .

[@TheZombieAlfredo]

That Kate Upton analogy was just perfect to describe what he was feeling in that ferrari. I think every guy here connected with his feeling and passion for cars.

[@nabslp670]

Very good segment, enjoyed that. Would like to see more of this guy.

[@vanizamer]

This was absolutely awesome!

[@miniklobb]

so genuine, and he actually drives the shit out of the car

[@zakkk19]

Sometimes when watching videos like these at work, I have to pause, and remind myself to not have the biggest smile on my face, because I probably look like an idiot!

[@shahvaibhav2205]

Dude i admire your passion....doing what u desire to, makes me follow you all along..

[@TheSnappleman75]

That was a great episode, such enthusiasm.

[@bustinaarlow7602]

He's sooooo dang LUCKY!! Good video, Motortrend. (Easily the best channel on KZbin.)

[@CandyflossCottonCandy]

I feel the 458 is the apex of performance and power, technology and brawl, beauty and beast. The perfect balance. I love this car.

[@tredfxman]

Inspiring. As for Ferraris, my dream car is the 458 Spider. But i already bought my dream car & got it delivered 2 weeks ago. Its the Golf GTI Clubsport. People that dont know or havent owned it will often laugh inside when hear Golf. They think: its just a Golf. Maby a few of those didnt know theres Golfs on youtube with 800hp that even beats Lambhorghinis, yeah iknow their tuned but their also the best in its class to become tuned.. Well anyways back to reality. So the GTI Clubsport i now own is 290hp, theres an S model of it with only 20 hp more where they throw out the backseat to save weight. That model took the World record on Nurnbergring Germany. it beated BMW/Mercedes & Audi all of them in its class !!! Then they took this model out for another spin & it beated its own World Record with 1.5 seconds... So the Clubsport i got is quite comparable to that S model & uses the same engine whichs made by Audi. I just thought i will tell this little story if any civilized person was interested. If other people are interested in arguments or flaming this thread, i will kindly ignore you. Please respect each other people! Other stories & questions will however be listened to with interest.. Wish you all enthusiasts a good day!

[@vqpwr]

This guy needs to be on the MT channel more often! You definitely can feel the passion he has for cars! ...especially ferraris lol

[@mufreddinchoudhury3043]

Great film! Thank You :)

[@forzaferrari93]

truly great vid, love to see dreams come true like that

[@michaelshaffer1201]

Thanks for the tip Boosted, I'm happy to go drive the cars more

[@alvaro1728]

Awesome video. Any chance you can share the location of these roads where you got to drive these cars like they were meant to? Thanks!

[@suntzu861]

Part of it is on Route 68 between Monterey, CA and Salinas, CA. Laguna Seca main entrance is off of Route 68

[@thomaswagener103]

That's exactly how I felt after driving a 458 for the first time; I met my hero and it was even better than expected. If only I could afford to buy one. Oh well, always nice to have a dream.

[@danieldelouya]

Videos of this quality - MY GOD! Keep em' up!

[@YOUS1F94]

Best motortrend review ever! I love the 458 spider.

[@call911ok]

So awesome, I watched the video until the last second. It makes me want to get one too

[@mikitoo]

One of the better videos motortrend has produced! Give this man more camera time

[@Kendrag3]

awesome segment motortrend.. actually really enjoyed this guy as a reviewer I would consider him in other videos in the future