| Author | Message | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 336 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have gotten some rather "snide" reactions to owning a Ferrari. I have a coworker who introduced me to her husband...another car nut. She said "this is Jeff...he has the Ferrari" and he looked away from me with a sort of sarcastic "whoopie" look on his face. I had to show him that I know muscle cars just as well as I corrected him on some mopar stuff. Then he warmed up to me a bit. Another reaction was when I went to a wedding reception and took the TR, parked well away from everyone's view and trying to be low key. But people spotted the car and looked at it a bit, one fellow in his fifties or so had a look of disdain. We were introduced and talked a bit, when he heard that I had spent eight months repairing and working on the car...he suddenly had a newfound respect for me, and told me this. He said his first impression was that I was just some guy with money who bought a trophy car, and he was not impressed. But when I described the things I had done, he was very interested and found it refreshing. So I would say based on my experiences...that people view Ferrari owners as having money, but no real understanding of the mechanics of the car. No real passion....just a "poser" or something. Like we don't really love the cars, but just want to be seen in one....everyone look at me aren't I just special. But with values down and us enthusiasts getting into our first fcars this is bound to change the image over time. There are still fcar owners who know nothing about their cars except where to put the key. But I see their numbers shrinking. Remember statistically everything in this world is a "bell-curve" and you'll always have the less desirable types in every group. But as for me personally....I am extremely proud to say I own a Ferrari, and very lucky to be on this board. It would be great if we could all get together in person just one time! Oh well. Thanks for listening to my rantings. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2054 Registered: 1-2002 |
For once, I have to agree with "tony" here... | ||
| Matt (Matt_lamotte)
Member Username: Matt_lamotte Post Number: 424 Registered: 10-2002 |
I came across a little bit of Ferrari resentment from a friend of mine. He met an owner that let him check out his car. I asked him if the owner was cool. His reply was "As cool as a Ferrari owner could be". I wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that but I think he meant it in a bad way. The second he said that I thought about all the cool people on here I have talked with. Though I've never met anyone here in person there are definitly some amazingly kind people on this board who I feel are genuinly good people. Everyone here knows it. It's unfortunate that some people in the world discriminate due to a car. | ||
| Ronny Jones (Ronny)
New member Username: Ronny Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
I suppose positives can be drawn from them all -as Oscar Wilde said " there is only one thing worse than people talking about you, and that is people NOT talking about you " Ron | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 419 Registered: 10-2002 |
Martin, Well said. In fact he could even remain as Tony Roberts, and be true to himself. | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 250 Registered: 8-2002 |
It's not just a UK perspesctive. I find there's 3 camps: 1. Jealous, chips on shoulders, etc. 2. Interested in history, engineering, etc. 3. generally happy to see one "Nice car man...", thumbs up, etc. | ||
| Ronny Jones (Ronny)
New member Username: Ronny Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2003 |
Although I don't own a Ferrari ( I have however been fortunate to have borrowed one once )I feel that the perception falls into two camps; Those who are obviously jealous and thus expose enormous chips on their shoulders, or Those who are genuinely interested in the engineering, history etc.. I know which group I would prefer to spend time with. Is this just a UK perspective ? Ron | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4935 Registered: 5-2001 |
This is the second meaningful post from Tony. I actually have hope for him. For you own sake I hope you re-register as a different user to avoid the bad feelings you have caused and start participating. You will be welcomed with open arms. No need to pretend. be yourself and you will find lots of friends. You surely have an interest in Ferrari otherwise you would not be here. We all (owners and non-owners) love to talk Ferrari and you are always invited for a test drive. As I said, I have hope! | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 789 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just remember: only you can change the worlds opinion of Ferrari owners--one person at a time! A) you act like an ass--WE ALL look like asses B) you are a class act--WE ALL look like class acts. | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 817 Registered: 8-2001 |
The only snobs I have met are those that are jealous of what you drive!!!!!!! | ||
| Preston Davis (Pdavis)
New member Username: Pdavis Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2003 |
Well said Tony. Frankly, I think Porshce car owners are snobs. PD | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1009 Registered: 10-2001 |
I've found Ferrari owners are snobs about their cars. So are Lotus owners and Honda owners. AND Lamborghini owners!! LOL | ||
| Lloyd (Lloyd)
Junior Member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 104 Registered: 8-2001 |
As a good friend of mine often says "there�s an ass for every seat.� | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 116 Registered: 9-2002 |
Very well spoken Dr. Shelbee, these are just cars with People who have a passion for them. | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
Junior Member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 133 Registered: 5-2003 |
Dr.. I agree... It's just a car. Until they built the 355 my Esprit could outrun any of the road cars. After working on minor things I see that it is just metal. It's art but still just a car. | ||
| thomas daniels (Castex)
New member Username: Castex Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
You own a big tent, Dr Shelbee? Can I come round and camp at yours? I'll bring the marshmallows  | ||
| Dr. Shelbee (Shelbee)
Member Username: Shelbee Post Number: 369 Registered: 12-2002 |
They are just the cars with 4 wheels. It is a previllage to own such a marquee. Owning F-car does not make anybody be a better person than others. It is just a hobby and priority. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2660 Registered: 2-2001 |
I find that a lot of people are predisposed to judge Ferrari owners as snobs. I am always friendly and outgoing but some people dont give up their preconecptions even then. Ive met cool people & jerks in every kind of car. There are probably a lot more jerks & snobs driving Ford F150s simply cus there are a lot more F150s than Ferraris | ||
| Patrick Denonville (Arizonaguy)
Member Username: Arizonaguy Post Number: 270 Registered: 4-2003 |
heh...You brought out most of our bad sides...And I don't own one...but supposedly you do. | ||
| Tony Roberts (Tony_roberts)
New member Username: Tony_roberts Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2003 |
Before I came to this site I always thought Ferrari owners were above it all. I figured they had nothing to prove. After all the cars speak for themselves. My observation now is people are people it doesn't make a difference what kind of car they drive. There are jerks driving Ferrari's and there are nice people driving Toyota's and vice-versa. In this life you can't judge a book by it's cover! |