Why own a Ferrari?

[BlackICE]

I also like cars that end in the letter "i". Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati.

You, mean like Audi, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, or Suzuki?

 

[B O N Y]

Why own a Ferrari?

Some of you may know that I recently bought an F430. I think that the question is well founded and deserving of some honest discussion. Just don't try this on the Ferrari forum :wink

After ponderous thought, I have the following theory regarding those who purchase Ferraris. This list is not exhaustive, so add to it if you'd like to.

Poseur 1: "I've made it big, and I need to demonstrate that to the world. I don't really like cars that much, but I do like prestige. I need a car that is appropriate to my youthful personality and suited to my elevated financial status. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari, and maybe a Rolex too.

Poseur 2: "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari.

Poseur 3: "I want everyone to look at me and envy me so that I can establish, once and for all that I am clearly superior to the hoardes of the hairy unwashed. I want a car that is universally recognized for its difficulty to acquire. What should I do?" Buy a Ferrari. This is especially true in the emerging markets, like China, who are soaking up a bunch of Ferrari's production.

Poseur 4: "I am a celebrity and need a car to show up at the Restaurants in so the Paparazzi can take my picture. What should I do? Buy a Ferrari. (My car was owned by a celebrity, who I will not name. He drove it 500 miles before trading it back to the dealer for a Spyder. The dealer tells me it was always driven only to the Restaurant. I think it's true. The shoulders of the tires did not show any cornering above 6 mph. i promptly corrected this :wink)

Car Guy 5: "I have read every Ferrari book in the world, know every difference between every model, and wear Ferrari pajamas when I sleep. My office is lined with Ferrari models. I bought a Ferrari, I wax it every night, and never let the sun touch its lovely red paint. What's that you say? Drive it? ARE YOU CRAZY? I didn't buy this thing for transportation, I bought it for the sake of ART!"

Car Guy 6: "I love machines and the passion they inspire. I love racing and the courage it requires. I love the cutting edge engineering of Formula 1 and its rich international history. I love the howl of a highly tuned engine as I crack through the gears and the landscape blurrs. I like unique and exotic styling that I don't see at every intersection, and I want something that provides a definite sense of occassion when I drive it. I don't mind taking my car on a cross country trip or flogging it at the track --heck, that's what the cotton pickin thing was built for. I aint savin' the car for someone else, I'm wringing every mile out of it. I don't care who sees me driving it, in fact, I want the windows tinted so people CAN'T see who's driving it. Finally, I don't care what name it's got on it, if it's a great car, I want it. The Ferrari happens to be a great car"

Sadly, my experience has been that there is a STRONG current of Types 1-5 that run throughout the Ferrari world. There are some true enthusiasts and cars guys, to be sure. But the numbers are dwindling...

Now, the real question: how many GT OWNERS qualify as Types 1-5?

Great posts, and lots of FGT and F car owners in 1-5. But that is ok. I hate when folks get pigeon holed.

 

[B O N Y]

I also like cars that end in the letter "i". Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati.

Me to,... ditto! Never owned a Lambo, came close, want a Muira but the window of opportunity has passed me by, great ones at in very high 6 figures.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Hey, you don't have a category for Pockets!

Aaaaaaah...and a tall order that would be, too! :wink :biggrin

 

[MG0427]

I have taken my car on the drag strip, on a road course. I usually drive it in the early morning hour (at around 5-7am) so no one see's me, and I can enjoy the car; just me, the car and the road. I love the look, sound, feel of this car other american muscle cars. I think F cars & Lambo are nice, but not for me. I can afford either, and most people who know me always ask me why I don't own one. They expect me to have them since I am a car nut. For me they are over priced, and the up keep is heavily taxed. I drive all my cars; I alternate them and put miles on them. I bought them so I can enjoy it, not to save it so someone else can enjoy it. If I want an investments, I'll buy a house or go to the stock market, or invest in my business to make it bigger and stronger. I believe more than 50% of the GT owners are drivers or a number 6. Were in the other brands it's more like number 1-5's. I think car were meant to be drive, if they were made to be art and static, then they wouldn't have put an engine in it or put wheels on for that matter. Just my 2 cents.

Mg

 

[911teo]

Why own a Ferrari?

Some of you may know that I recently bought an F430. I think that the question is well founded and deserving of some honest discussion. Just don't try this on the Ferrari forum :wink

After ponderous thought, I have the following theory regarding those who purchase Ferraris. This list is not exhaustive, so add to it if you'd like to.

Poseur 1: "I've made it big, and I need to demonstrate that to the world. I don't really like cars that much, but I do like prestige. I need a car that is appropriate to my youthful personality and suited to my elevated financial status. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari, and maybe a Rolex too.

Poseur 2: "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari.

Poseur 3: "I want everyone to look at me and envy me so that I can establish, once and for all that I am clearly superior to the hoardes of the hairy unwashed. I want a car that is universally recognized for its difficulty to acquire. What should I do?" Buy a Ferrari. This is especially true in the emerging markets, like China, who are soaking up a bunch of Ferrari's production.

Poseur 4: "I am a celebrity and need a car to show up at the Restaurants in so the Paparazzi can take my picture. What should I do? Buy a Ferrari. (My car was owned by a celebrity, who I will not name. He drove it 500 miles before trading it back to the dealer for a Spyder. The dealer tells me it was always driven only to the Restaurant. I think it's true. The shoulders of the tires did not show any cornering above 6 mph. i promptly corrected this :wink)

Car Guy 5: "I have read every Ferrari book in the world, know every difference between every model, and wear Ferrari pajamas when I sleep. My office is lined with Ferrari models. I bought a Ferrari, I wax it every night, and never let the sun touch its lovely red paint. What's that you say? Drive it? ARE YOU CRAZY? I didn't buy this thing for transportation, I bought it for the sake of ART!"

Car Guy 6: "I love machines and the passion they inspire. I love racing and the courage it requires. I love the cutting edge engineering of Formula 1 and its rich international history. I love the howl of a highly tuned engine as I crack through the gears and the landscape blurrs. I like unique and exotic styling that I don't see at every intersection, and I want something that provides a definite sense of occassion when I drive it. I don't mind taking my car on a cross country trip or flogging it at the track --heck, that's what the cotton pickin thing was built for. I aint savin' the car for someone else, I'm wringing every mile out of it. I don't care who sees me driving it, in fact, I want the windows tinted so people CAN'T see who's driving it. Finally, I don't care what name it's got on it, if it's a great car, I want it. The Ferrari happens to be a great car"

Sadly, my experience has been that there is a STRONG current of Types 1-5 that run throughout the Ferrari world. There are some true enthusiasts and cars guys, to be sure. But the numbers are dwindling...

Now, the real question: how many GT OWNERS qualify as Types 1-5?

Very nicely put.

Personally I do not own a Ferrari because of the majority of owner type 1-5 vs 6 (or maybe it's just MY personal perceptions that there are more 1-5 than 6).

Also I have the perception (maybe totally unjustified) that F-cars cannot take the abuse on the track the way a Porsche can.

I was a little tentative in taking the GT to the track as well. I was proved wrong and the car took it lap after lap (even though I go through tires as if there is no tomorrow, cracked a set of front rotors in 9k miles and add to install a tranny cooler).

I am also often asked why I don't own a Ferrari. On top of it I am Italian and was born and raised in Milan. A Ferrari should be at the top of my list... but sadly it isn't.

The only Italian cars I would consider today are a Maserati GT and, like Bony, a Miura SV.

 

[Kayvan]

add
TV Watcher 7: That Magnum, P.I. sealed it for me.

Babes, Hawaii, Beach....ever since then I need a 308

 

[Empty Pockets]

Very nicely put.

Personally I do not own a Ferrari because of the majority of owner type 1-5 vs 6 (or maybe it's just MY personal perceptions that there are more 1-5 than 6).

If I really wanted the car, it wouldn't matter to me what other owners of the marque were like.

Living in this area, I've only known (slightly) two F-car owners. And both of them seemed to be decent guys. 'Ran into a 1-5 type in a Lambo once - what a looser. But, that being said, I've spoken with Lambo owners at car shows who were great people. I've known/run into 'Vette & Shelby owners of both types as well.

So, it seems a person could find a 'yo-yo' or two behind the wheel of anything if one looked. ('MIGHT even be able to find a FGT owner who - Naaaaaaaaaaah! 'Not possible! :rofl)

 

[911teo]

Objection.... misleading... u cut and paste part of my response.... I state that I also think they are "fragile".

Still perception from others is a part of the ownership experience. And how big it is depends on how much of the other parts of the ownership experience you enjoy.

Tracking the car, driving to work, waxing it on Sunday, looking at it in the garage, sitting in the driver's seat making Vrooom Vrooom noises are all part of it.

 

[FB GT40]

It's remarkable how many of us are also Porsche owners. I would not have guessed that.

Howard ('76 911S)

Yeah, I'm a Porsche guy too...:thumbsup

1970 914-6 in restoration
1970 914-6 GT (3.8 RS motor)
1972 "R" Clone
1973 RS Clone
1974 911S (nicest, sweetest Porsche I own - ex- Dick Barbour)
1974 Carerra Targa
1975 race car project - 2.7 / 270 bhp
1995 993
2008 GT-3 on order.

Gordo

 

[911teo]

Gordo

I'd love to see some pics of the 72 R clone.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Objection.... misleading... u cut and paste part of my response.... I state that I also think they are "fragile".

Still perception from others is a part of the ownership experience. And how big it is depends on how much of the other parts of the ownership experience you enjoy.

Tracking the car, driving to work, waxing it on Sunday, looking at it in the garage, sitting in the driver's seat making Vrooom Vrooom noises are all part of it.

I cut & pasted the specific part of your stmt I was commenting on, teo.

 

[911teo]

I cut & pasted the specific part of your stmt I was commenting on, teo.

Larry

There was meant to be a smiley at the end of my sentence..... :cheers

 

[Empty Pockets]

Larry

There was meant to be a smiley at the end of my sentence..... :cheers

:rofl:rofl:rofl Well, all righty then! :thumbsup

 

[timcantwell]

You, mean like Audi, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, or Suzuki?

My son pointed that same observation out to me. My wife added, "What about my BMW.....330i?"

 

[timcantwell]

Very nicely put.

Personally I do not own a Ferrari because of the majority of owner type 1-5 vs 6 (or maybe it's just MY personal perceptions that there are more 1-5 than 6).

Also I have the perception (maybe totally unjustified) that F-cars cannot take the abuse on the track the way a Porsche can.

I was a little tentative in taking the GT to the track as well. I was proved wrong and the car took it lap after lap (even though I go through tires as if there is no tomorrow, cracked a set of front rotors in 9k miles and add to install a tranny cooler).

I am also often asked why I don't own a Ferrari. On top of it I am Italian and was born and raised in Milan. A Ferrari should be at the top of my list... but sadly it isn't.

The only Italian cars I would consider today are a Maserati GT and, like Bony, a Miura SV.

Good observation Mateo, I run both a Ferrari and Porsche on the track. What I discovered is that the Porsche is CHEAPER to run on the track. Durability is about the same, with the Ferrari motor being more durable with fewer problems than my GT3. I also agree with your opinion of the Maserati. I ordered the new 2008 Pininfarina designed Grand Turismo three weeks ago for Spring delivery. I also am looking to purchase a Ferrari Challenge Stradale (perhaps next week.) I guess I like all kinds of cars.

 

[roketman]

I always thought exotic and erotic were the same thing ??
Like monogamous and monotonous are the same thing??!!!

 

[FB GT40]

Gordo

I'd love to see some pics of the 72 R clone.

Matteo -Will do when I get back Stateside next week.

G.

 

[ROCK]

As many of you know I own lots of Italian, German, British and American exotic/fast cars in the modern genre. Everyone asks me, "Which car is your favorite?" My answer is always, the Ford GT. When pressed to answer "which" of my Ford GT's are my favorite...I still haven't figured out how to answer that one.

'Cause you ain't got a RED one !!!!!!!1

 

[Midnite Blu]

Turn On

I always thought exotic and erotic were the same thing ??
Like monogamous and monotonous are the same thing??!!!

Like I said on another thread: " when you turn your car on you look to it to return the favor"................%cadillac commercial. :banana