I want to Tour the FFR Facility, but....

[Ironhydroxide]

.....I live so damn far away.

I'm Certain I want to buy an 818, because whatever it is (or isn't) i can change to make it what i want it to be.

That said, i would like to go tour the FFR plant to see an Assembled 818, and if possible, pilot one around some cones.

I wish i could have gone to SEMA (and i tried like hell to get there, but it wasn't happening) so I could have seen almost everything i wanted to.


How many of you have been to the FFR plant? seen the 818 in person?
I'm thinking it just might be feasible to fly out and check it out (though its looking like a $1000+ investment by the time its said and done), but thats a large investment into something i'm already certain about anyways.

so, do I just quietly order the 818 and wait for it to arrive? or do i go tour, see how it is, then order?


PS. if anyone on the western half of the US is getting one, i would LOVE to make a road trip to help you out/see it. (i'm probably not going to be ordering one till this coming winter, so receiving my earliest guess, a year and a half from now)

[Martin]

I flew from the UK to New York, then drove 4 hours to Boston, visited for 4 hours, and drove back to New York and flew out shortly after.

1) Seeing the birthplace of your car is kind of cool. It *smells* of steel. They build stuff there and you can't get a feel for it unless you are there.
2) The people were all really nice and helpful.
3) You'll walk around the showroom thinking "I want one of those, one of those too..."

I'm glad I went to the open house. Yes, it rained, and attendance wasn't as good as it normally is, but I left having drunk a gallon koolaid... and because of the rain, about 5x more hot dogs than I should have eaten. I think they had about 1000 left over!

Martin

[Xusia]

I feel your pain (I'm even farther away than you are)! I want to go too, but it is a large investment. If I was on the fence, I'd probably do it because I'd want to be sure and the investment to do so pales in comparison to the completed kit. That said, like you, I'm sure I want one, so while it would be nice, it'll have to wait. That's money I could spend on other stuff (like for my 818!). :)

[Ironhydroxide]

I feel your pain (I'm even farther away than you are)! I want to go too, but it is a large investment. If I was on the fence, I'd probably do it because I'd want to be sure and the investment to do so pales in comparison to the completed kit. That said, like you, I'm sure I want one, so while it would be nice, it'll have to wait. That's money I could spend on other stuff (like for my 818!). :)

Well, if I was going out that direction anyways, then i'd HAVE to stop in... as of right now, thats the only reason for such a trip.


though, noticing your Profile pic..... get a bunch of us together and bike there. make it a REAL fun trip.

[longislandwrx]

You guys have time. I fly from NY to PDX all the time for around $300-400. I'm sure Boston can be had for around the same price. Flying out on a Tuesday and back on a Thursday will probably be your best bet. Rent a cheap subcompact for $30/day and plenty of hotels within 10-15 minutes for $80 a night. I bet you could pull it off for under $500 if you shop the tickets right. Just make sure the 818 will be there.

I'm going to try my best to make it to the open house.

[Kalstar]

Last year I flew round trip from Boston to Las Vegas for around 240.00 going to SEMA. Granted it was crappy times (late-early). I live about 10 miles from F5R so if you do decide to fly in take the BP bus line down to Sagamore (32.00 round trip) and I'll come pick you up and bring you to the factory. It will be difficult to do it in one day but worst case stay at a local hotel for one night. I too would suggest coming out for the open house in June, start looking on Kayak or Hotwire now.

[WIS89]

Iron-

Perhaps I can offer an alternative. I was fortunate in that I was able to visit the plant, and it was beyond awesome! What a great place, and a terrific tour to see how everything comes together.

However, if you went now, I am not sure you would see an 818 anyway. Also, you said you are pretty certain you want to build this car regardless if you had a tour or not. I feel similarly on the Roadster, and didn't "need" a visit to the facility to convince myself. It did cement my decision however!!

So, what if you placed your order, and instead of having the car shipped to you, take a road trip with a trailer to pick-up the car. Add in an extra day and tour the facility, ask questions, look things over, and just enjoy yourself? You could save the money on shipping, and use it to partially finance your trip, and then you can tour the place and pick-up your new baby at the same time.

This is something I would consider, but I don't think you can make a bad decision regardless of your choice!!

Regards,

Steve

[longislandwrx]

Personally I wouldn't want to pull a trailer/box truck 3 days from Utah/Portland to Boston and then 3 days back. I think fuel tolls and motel + added stress would add up to much more than the shipping cost + $500 to fly out and see the shop.

but hey it's a hell of an adventure.

[Movieman]

I can't tell you what to do but I can tell you that when i took the tour they impressed the hell out of me.
A saturday morning, Dave Smith with a cell phone welded to his ear going here and there.
Jason took me on a 3 hour tour and answered all my questions.
Treated me like family is the best way I can describe him.
First rate manufacturing with a group of talented people.

[narkosys]

I was thinking like WIS89 and contemplating going to pick up my kit in person. I live on the same coast as xusia but several hours north and a bit to the right. The delivery charges would be well over 3k for me so it may actually be cheaper to drive over. I like long drives so it's no big deal.

Besides getting the chance to tour the factory at the same time is a massive bonus.

P

[68GT500MAN]

The tour will blow your socks off, you will be impressed by the facility and employees. If you can be there for the open house it would be a bonus as there will be lot's of completed examples of the current production models and their owner/builders to talk to and the tour and free lunch and lots of fun and....
Doug

[wleehendrick]

Personally I wouldn't want to pull a trailer/box truck 3 days from Utah/Portland to Boston and then 3 days back. I think fuel tolls and motel + added stress would add up to much more than the shipping cost + $500 to fly out and see the shop.

Agreed... If I were in the North-East I'd consider picking up my kit, but for those of us out West, Stewart Transportation looks to be the better option.

I recently hauled my donor parts from the Bay Area down to San Diego. Since I had business in San Jose, most of my travel expenses were covered... I just paid for a one-way truck rental. My wife came along, and the original plan was to make it a fun road-trip, stopping off in Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, etc... However, once we hit the road in a smelly loaded Budget rent-a-truck we just wanted to get home. The only stop we made was at Harbor Freight in Ventura to pick up a hoist so I could unload the motor!

I have two tickets on Southwest that expire in July, perhaps I'll use them to get to the open house. It would be great to see the 818 in person, since it won't be at HB this weekend :( . However, not having seen the 818 or been to FFR didn't stop me from putting my deposit down and sourcing my donor... The concept of the 818 and FFR's reputation were enough to hook me.

[skullandbones]

Here's a plan that can make the trip worth it to you. Take a vacation in the New England area and include the FFR tour as a "bucket list" item. There are so many things to see it's ridiculous. I had not been to Annapolis (old town) so that was one place that you have to see. If you like the sea and ships, it's the place. I was a sail maker so it was like going to heaven. The Baltimore inner harbor area is fantastic. If you rent a car and drive up the coast, you will not be disappointed. Just a thought. Have fun. WEK.

[Xusia]

I love a good road trip, but having done many (both car & motorcycle), 3200 miles each way is just a bit too much for me (OK, it's a LOT too much for me!). And I'm not even taking into account time off.

Personally, I don't doubt even one bit that touring the factory is an awesome experience. I'm positive I would love it. And if I ever have need to travel ANYWHERE on the East Coast, I'd plan to make the drive. The problem is, I really have no reason whatsoever to travel to the East Coast... (other than to visit FFR) :(

[wleehendrick]

I actually grew up in New England (Mystic area) and sailed all over Long Island Sound, although never spent any time in Baltimore. We used to go to Boston and Martha's Vineyard all the time as kids. However, I haven't been back (except for business) in years; this would be a great reason! I have enough Hyatt and Hertz points to cover it... just have to get it approved!

[RM1SepEx]

Luckily for me it is only a 3 hr trip. I've visited 3 times... walking around with Dave or one of the crew is an awesome experience. As an engineer we end up talking like old friends by the time we leave. I can't wait for the open house and I'll be driving down with my 16 ft trailer to pick up the kit in early August (fingers crossed)

If you have the opportunity you should do it, the attitude there is infectious! They absolutely LOVE what they do and you can "feel" it in the air!

[conmech]

Any way of setting up a Virtual Tour of the shops? http://www.tourfactory.com/

I know, I know, DOES NOTHING for the senses........ but interested buyers might like seeing the shops, establishment.

$.02

[wallace18]

If you can tour the shop and pick up your 818. It is well worth it IMO. I did for my 33 and will do the same for the 818.