| Author | Message | ||
| Anthony Griffin (Redjeeper)
New member Username: Redjeeper Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have to agree with you guys on this subject. I don't own a Ferrari, but I do own a '99 Lexus GS300 and I had to put up with some snide remarks from my coworkers when I got the car. I realize that a Lexus is an expensive car but I bought mine used and paid less for it than some of the new Camrys and Accords that my coworkers drive. My wife and I are also pretty tight with our money so we are able to afford a home in a nice neighborhood without using credit cards and huge amounts of debt. I guess the whole point of this story is if you envy a possession that someone else has, you should try to get that person to show you what it takes to become successful, not talk behind their back. Some people are doomed to be poor because of their attitude. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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that is a beauty Andrew | ||
| Andrew Wass (Enzonz)
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I take my 2 cars to work a day or so per week(IT industry) and have never had any negative comments from staff or clients. I bet some wonder if I deal drugs on weekends though. F cars are made to be driven and I do so at any reasonable opportunity. Cheers Andrew in NZ | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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One time my 308 was parked in front of my work and my Dad overheard two guys talking about it. He heard them guess that it probably cost aroud 80K!! Another time I was talking to a guy and he asked "what did you pay around 60k for that" He was shocked when I told him how much I paid. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
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It's interesting to see how the various professions and businesses deal with our cars. I am a trial lawyer, who deals primarily with contigent fee cases. My car (a 96, 355tb) is usually a plus, because the prospective client sees that I've had some success. In good weather, I commute in my car at least 2, 3 times per week, and park it outside my office, under cover. I've never had a client make a degrogatory statement. I have had opposing counsel make snide remarks, and my response is usually that if they were better lawyers they could have a Ferrari also. I can see however other types of businesses where the client or customer would think that the business owner was earning too much, and get jealous. Success should be rewarded, and I think that in those types of businesses or professions, we should be careful about our cars and the effect those cars can have on client relations. | ||
| James (Jim_Red308)
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To drive it or not to drive it-this is the question. I too have wrestled with the stigma attached to ferrari ownership. And never mind you can pick up a 308 any where from low 20's to mid 40's. It's a Ferrari in the public's mind. Unknowledgable people consider them all to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's ok to drive the vet which costs considerably more (than the 308, but unfortunately doesn't get 10% of the looks that the 16 year old + ferrari does, sorry vet Owners, but you know this is true). I agree with the "just drive it" attitude. Since when do you care what others think? And besides, I agree that, at least as a professional, it shows you are successful at what you do- and lets face it...do you want the brain surgeon working on you who barely made it through med school? | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Jim, Now that I know you work for a car dealearship that answers some of the questions that I was thinking. I don't know which one of the upper mgmt.jerks ask you, in so many terms, not to bring your Ferrari to work anymore, but you were probably upstaging the guy and the dealership product line with your Ferrari, in his stupid way of thinking. I hate to say it but working for a jerk like that you may be overlooked when it comes time for a raise. | ||
| Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
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I drive my TR to work on nice day's and got a bit of a ribbing the first few times from my clients, but then they remember that I am single, with no kids and hold a high position in my company. They are more pissed that I drive a MB ML430 most of the time, as my client is BMW NA. Specializing in the Auto industry at the three letter level, they say that they are paying too much, but they always love the final product and love the car. Need to swap the ML for an X5 4.6 | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
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Whats this you say about ferraris being potentially beneficial for lawyers to drive? Ahh, forget it, my dad is too rational. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
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Wow Steve, your website and things you have done are cool. I think that would be a very pro Ferrari industry. I can't afford a FerrariChat.com commercial yet. ;) There are about 500 software engineers in my building, well about 300 after this week's layoffs, but out of those I have the only Ferrari. There are some very nice cars worth more than mine. However, in 2 years mine will be worth more than those 2001 X5's and F350's. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Should of bought her a BMW. I think Lexus in the drug world is like addias shoes -- must haves. | ||
| Mark Freeman (Mrpc12)
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I've only had my 550 Maranello a few weeks but everyone I work with knows about it already. I traded a 2001 Jag XKR for it so they have been used to me driving a nice car. Several asked for rides but no animosity so far. However, I had an interesting thing happen when I let my 17 year old daughter drive my wife's 2001 Lexus LS430 to the car wash. The kid at the car wash asked my daughter if she was a drug dealer! | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
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I have had nothing but good experiences with my Lotus, 94 S4 Turbo. Im still currently looking for a Ferrari but with the latest world situation, Im a busy Naval Flight Officer. Most comments are good about driving the car. Heck, even fewer people know what a Lotus is and alot think its a Lambo. Its fun though. Exotic cars and exotic military aircraft are a nice combination for work and for pleasure  Sports cars and aviation have always gone hand in hand. Reguardless of make all of us here, know that we are different people, willing to take a risk to really feel life in all its forms. | ||
| Steve Marcus (Marcus)
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I'm a television producer / director...do lots of shows and commercials....Most of the time I don't give a $$it what people think.....The neat part of owning great cars is that I get to put them in music videos and commercials...Many of my past Ferraris have been in national commercials. Had a few Prowlers...talk about attention getting...anyway these to have been in lots of productions.Like most of you I have worked hard, against all odds and made a great life for myself. My Dad even said I would amount to nothing and he's been working for me for 25 years. Check out the company website www.marcusproductions.com | ||
| Mark C. Gordon (Markg)
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I work at the Compaq Customer Support Center in Colorado Springs, and have had nothing but positive comments and feedback from both employees and managers! | ||
| Allyn (Allyn)
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Old classics (Corvettes, Mustangs, etc.) seem to get much more of a positive response than the "common" Ferraris, even though they're old classics too. My '72 Europa never has had one negative comment from anyone, but a late 70's 308 might as well be a 2001 Lamborghini. I think the public in general doesn't understand about Ferraris; if they did the prices would double or triple. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Very interestng topic. I had the feeling that Ferraris are much more respected in the US. I feel that most people think it is the greatest thing that I drive that car and you get a lot of Thums up. I have had several Ferraris in Germany and in Europe all together it is a different story. You have to hide your car from the neighbors otherwise they start talking. I remember I went to my parents house in a brand new Testarossa in 1991. They live in a neighborhood with 8 unit appatment complexes surounding a courtyard which has lots of small garages. I parked in the courtyard and went upstairs. A few weeks later I heard that the rumor is that I am a pimp! :-)) Here in the US I never got any bad vibes from businesses that I deal with. I drive to construction sites and most of my guys know that I drive a Ferrari. It appears that the problem is more with the type of work you do than the car itself. Probably the level of people that you deal with. I had an eye opening this weekend in Chicago. You see all these homeless on the street selling their paper. If you watch them you see that they are actually very good and persistent trying to sell you that paper or get "Change". With no inhibition to walk up to strangers and talk to them trying to sell them a useless paper for a buck, what could they achieve if they actually put their minds to it and do a real job? What I am trying to say is, it is the level of people you have to deal with that will allow you to show your car or not. Or simnply do not care! If you do not make a fuzz about it, maybe they will not either! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Disbelief is common, I was at a friends bachelor party. My friend & I pull up in my 308, So I sit at the table & 1 of the guests comments what a nice Ferrari he saw parked outside, so I say "Thanks its mine" & I get a sneer & a " No, it isn't", I just showed him the key chain & didnt talk to the jerk anymore. Usually I dont talk about my cars or my travels unless I know who I'm talking to. Ive been all over S America, Europe, & a few spots in Asia so its just a normal experience for me. A lot of people cant handle that for some reason | ||
| paul s (Pes236)
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i am also a small construction company owner - and go thru the same crap - tried to hide the 355 but - eventually people find out - had jelous employee problems - but unfortunatelly for them they couldnt find another employer who would pay them as much as me - so their still here - also get those snide comments from other people in the industry who i have to deal with - i usually just respond with - hey u go get a home equity loan and you can have one too - but yes there are tons of jelous people out here that u deal with - total strangers usually arent jelous though | ||
| Charles Gault (Knox_Charles)
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I agree, this is an interesting topic. After 8 years as an attorney in private practice, I took a job with the federal government because I didn't enjoy the "business" part of law. Regretably, in some business situations how you dress, how you speak, what clubs you belong to and what car you drive is very important. Important to your business success that is. I bought my Ferrari for reasons of my own. I don't really care that much what others think. Some people like me, a few don't and most don't care one way or the other. That I drive a Ferrari has very little impact, except for me. And I'm enjoying the hell out of it! | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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Interesting topic. I work in a welding shop with a bunch of goons. They're good guys though. They all know I own a Ferrari. But they're all cool with it. They sometimes tease me, because I'm cheap and all the money I earn I spend on my car (which is true in a sense, but that's besides the point). I wasn't treated differently before and during Ferrari ownership. My insurance restricts me from driving to work, so that solves that problem. Our resident engineerer believes to this day that I'm making it all up, that's his problem. | ||
| jim galli (Galli)
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Magoo heres the food chain GENERAL MANGER , PARTS & SERVICE DIRECTOR , PARTS MANAGER , AND ME TECH COUNTER MANAGER ( still in the trenches ) | ||
| jim galli (Galli)
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Yes guys I do agree that the car means very little its the way you treat other people. By the way my boss has left the frim...... Think I should give him a ride home in the 348 spider??????? | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
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In the past I have owned an Austin Healey 3000 Mk 3. Never had any problems except people trying to race me and leaving the top down just before a big thunderstorm. In the not too distant future, will get a Ferrari. It has been my experience that people worldwide, but especially Americans, like to deal with successful people. So I think a Ferrari would be an asset in a business situation. However, it might be viewed as too successful and too fun loving. Many people do not like others to have fun and be successful. When I lived in Hawaii managing all the Army's photography, film making, video production, and film processing in the Pacific (before I became a computer consultant), I noticed that each ethnic group in Hawaii looked down on the group that came to Hawaii 10 years later than they did. I am not that way, but it appears that the majority of people have a psychological need to look down on someone. In the business world, if someone wants to look down on you, it makes it harder if you drive a Ferrari. However, this might also lose a sale or a raise. But would you have gotten it if the people were looking down on you? What kind of working conditions would they have been? I think if one is successful and leads a fun life (the majority of time), then someone will always take a "pop shot". This is one of the prices of success. Sometimes it hurts, but isn't having a fun, successful life worth it? I have not found the cost comparising approach to work. It is still resented even if the other person has far more in total. If happy and successful, someone will always resent it no matter much you have had to sacrifice to get there (even if they would not consider making the same sacricices). I think the best approach, when get a pop shot, is to complain about how much you had to sacrifice to get the Ferrari, how you are struggling to make the payments (even if paid for), etc. It seems to bring you down to their level and makes it easier to do business. My thoughts is to use the Ferrari in business. It will hurt at times, but I think the majority of times it will make you look more successful and help business. Any thoughts, especially if I am wrong. Dave Wapinski | ||
| Charles Byrd (Vogel)
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My daily driver broke down a while back and I had to drive my 77 308 to work for a week or so. I am a network engineer and I have to go to different sites, but I managed to only go to one site for that week. I explained why I drove it to the owners of the business, I had not told anyone that I owned it, and they understood and were interested in the car, which I thought was cool. Some of the workers though do act differently now, thinking that I must make too much money and don't work that much. What they don't see is all the other work that I do at other sites and all the years I didn't sleep learning how to do what I do. It is sometimes irritating, like when some punk throws a chocolate shake on your f-car, but most of the time I get the thumbs up. Envy is out there, but I will continue to enjoy my car and let the rest of the world worry about their own. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
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I would never drive mine to work, nor tell anyone about it - there is just the perception you must have too much money if you own one - even a 16 year old one. Interestingly yesterday a middle aged man was driving the opposite way in a toyota avalon towards me and gave me the finger - I have heard of various reactions to ferraris but never this | ||
| Michael Fennell (Mfennell70)
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EDIT: Oops. Forgot I post with my real name. I probably shouldn't repeat this story. | ||
| 1989 328 GTS (Vilamoura2002)
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BretM, that works among us, don´t forget that we have one thing in common "cars are our best friends". For most people cars are for transportation and there are no feelings at all. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Jim, I really couldn't tell from your profile but you said you are the MGR. of a parts counter. Do you work for a automobile dealer? | ||
| kelly vince (Tofosi1)
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Yes, everyone tired of me talking about it. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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Tim, approximately 2% of the country holds 80% of the wealth was the last statistic I read so you have a point. Rich people are usually very hard working to get where they did and took big risks so they deserve it in my opinion. Envious people suck. Give me a break. My family can't truly afford an F50 or a McLaren F1, but if I saw someone in one I wouldn't be angry at him at all. I'd be excited as hell, asking him questions about his car, work, if he wants to hang out. I'd be happy to meet someone like that cause he could teach me a lot, just like a lot of you guys have taught me. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Tim, wealth is not distributed in this country it is earned, or in some cases given to a heir -- which means it was earned by a family member. Don't wonder about wealth, wonder about the people who have time to wonder about someone else's wealth. If they just spent that time developing that great idea they had last weekend who knows how wealthy they might be. Plus if you think getting wealth is hard work, try managing it when you finally have it-- its a 24/7 job. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Jim, Your boss is the biggest Moron I ever heard of. Sorry | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
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Whenever i see a ferrari owner i usually assume that he (possibly she) owns the car because they enjoy driving. Today on my sunday drive i saw a 456GT, i either assumed this guy was rediculously loaded and could have a 230k+ car that wasnt even that sporty. I guess he likes driving because he held gears. He finally turned onto a streed with huge houses on it. I guess what im trying to say is that when i see a ferrari i usually assume that the owner has it because of their love for driving. Sometimes though, it makes me realize how unequally the wealth is disributed in this country. I heard somewhere that 10% of the population of this country owns 90% of the wealth. Granted the wealthy usually have to work for it, it makes you wonder. I still dont think negatively about ferrari owners, unless the car is in bad shape. But i cant speak for other kids my age. They eityher think the guy is a rich prick or is just really rick and drives a fast car. They dont know that not all ferraris are expensive and fast (many are actually quite slow) | ||
| J.P. Foliguet (Jpf)
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Forget it for business... Your car to others is like apparel. If you wore a cutt off tee shirt and shorts with pumas to a bank meeting you would get looks. The car is no different. Even on social occasion where business and pleasure intersect, I often park a bit away to avoid making any type of scene. Socially, I don't care, I drive whatever I am in the mood for. Sometimes I drive my '74 ford bronco to high end cocktail parties just so I can tell whichever guest I would like to destabilize that "I wish I could afford a car like that!" when he/she pulls up/out of a Mercedes or a Jag. So it goes both ways... Forget the argument that your 348 costs less than a BMW. A Ferrari is a Ferrari. | ||
| Pauli Salmu (Psalmu)
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I don't get it either. It may be irrational to buy a 15 year old car for the price of a new entry level Lexus, but it's so insanely irrational to envy and resent only the guy with the old car. Maybe we should keep clearly visible price tags on old "cheap" Ferraris... | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Sorry Jim, I don't get it. One's about being unkept the other is about being the best in its field. As long as you understand and got his message then I guess that what matters. | ||
| jim galli (Galli)
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I drove my ferrari to work to show some friends that kept asking to see it.My boss and i had a meeting a week later to discuss my dept and he asked me this if i came to work one day with a bugger hanging out of my nose would you tell me? My answer was yes i would tell you.He went on to say me driving my ferrari to work was the same thing.In a way i understand i never met to be little anyone. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Along William's point, I would think that many ferrari owners are outsiders in society in one form or another. Whether financially successful or just having an appreciation for the engineering requires thoughts beyond "how do I look to my friends." Intelligence is interesting. There is a reason that 10 million people watch Oprah a day and there are only 20,000 ferrari owners ever in the US in 50 years. Oprah is the norm my friends, let's face that fact. I used to be careful about taking my TR to my kids school and soccer games but then realized that my chauffeured sedan got just as many stupid looks. Didn't get it -- a guy in a $80,000 750iL giving a $30,000 black sedan a glaring look. Dumb, dumb, dumb. I bet I spend less a year on a chaffeur than he spends on his car, his wife's MB and boat house. But he does fit in and I don't. Given the fact that I don't have to walk in the rain or cold from a parking spot and my kids think a limo or sedan is just another car then I'm glad I don't fit in. One thing about fitting in -- its really about networking and a bit of insecurity. Everyone I have observed who goes to fit in, needs something from the people they are fitting in with -- either a business contact, club memberships or something. I can't think of anything that any of those people can do for me that's worth fitting in for. If I need something I buy it or build it myself. If someone can help me fine, but not at the price of my individuality. That's sounds like refined socialism to me. Helping someone is fine making them feel in debt to you is another matter. Personally I don't want anyone around me that thinks they owe me just because I helped them. That's not friendship that's weird. And "fitting in" is kinda like oweing the group --i.e. you owe it to them to be like them if you want their help. Two words to that idea -- F%$# You. Also I find one thing interesting, I am always the one hiring them to do something for me. HUmmmmm............ | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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I had a neighbor giving me grief the other night about my car, then I pointed out to him what the new Suburban and new Expedition he bought last month are worth. It's all a matter of priorities. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
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I've notice that friends and relatives attitudes changed after they find out I got a Ferrari. Imagine the shock if I start a collection. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
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I guess I'm lucky. As an attorney owning my Ferrari has helped me get business I wouldn't otherwise get. I think people want to know their attorney is successful because they want me to be successful in their case. Maybe I should drive my Ferrari to work more often! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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So many people r sheep, herd animals, they just go buy their Lexus, MB, BMW, Acura so they can fit it & be accepted. Ive always been a bit of an outsider & a rebel so I like messing with peoples preconcieved attitudes about blending with the mainstream. My 512TR is a knockout punch to blending in & being a sheep. I said I was an outsider, I guess I was just lost, till I found the FCA & my friends at the race tracks. Now I know where I should have been all the time | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Too many ignorant people in this world, Its a shame we cant use them as a renewable fuel source | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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That is one of the things that bother me. There are plenty of people driving more expensive cars than my 83 Ferrari. A loaded Accord is about as expensive but like I read somewhere. The guy with the $50,000 lexus will look at your $30,000 308 and think you are the millionaire. For me it was just a matter of putting a good down payment on my car and I keep my household expenses in line. More people could own a Ferrari if they really wanted it. | ||
| 1989 328 GTS (Vilamoura2002)
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Patrick, maybe it is a coincidence. Perhaps the man is going through a bad moment,business is not always very good, that happens to everyone sometimes. | ||
| 92MondialCab (Jmg)
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Maybe he owned stock in Amazon... I woud get the occasional negative look when I was driving my Mondial (which many Ferrari guys would comment is barely a Ferrari anyway) but I figure if it is an issue for them, I am not going to let it bother me. I get a lot more positives than negatives. | ||
| Patrick S. Perry (Psp1)
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One of the reasons I brought this up: I was looking back through my billings and found a WAY past due invoice for a client. I had designed and installed about $150,000 worth of high tech electronic toys for his 18,000SQFT "house" (total budget approx $5 mil - not exactly low income housing). He paid like clockwork until one day about towards the end of the project when he happened to see me at an auto parts when I was picking up some special order parts for the TR. The guy who was helping me load up made a comment about how expensive Ferrari parts were - which was overheard by my client. Understand that this client bounces between a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo and a MB600SL, so it's not like upscale cars are alien to him. From that point on, every invoice went at least 90 days and the final one went nearly 5 months (compared to 3-4 days previously). | ||
| todd a krefeld (Tkrefeld)
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Tell them you just have good credit and the bank owns everything... | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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its funny, I have a 68 Vette & if I drive it people automatically assume i'm just your avg Blue Collar dude. Even tho its now a rare car & has a very sexy shape people dont look at me differently. When I drive the 512TR I get the feeling all eyes r on me. Occasionally I see retards sneering at me probably thinking "Rich Bastich"... Whatever | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
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I had my 328 a year before anyone in my company even knew I had it. I'm in sales and it's important I zoom in on the level of the people I'm dealing with. I call on a wide range of people from high powered executives to grunt workers who make it all work... I've known many of them for 10+ years. Not one of them even knows I own an F-car. For me, it's not a question of shame, jealousy, envy or bitterness. I bought my 328 because it's always been MY passion, not to flaunt it. I'd rather talk about things that surround other peoples lives, not my own. Besides, my F-car isn't the centerpiece of my life, my family and friends are. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
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Success is nothing to be ashamed of. | ||
| Leonardo Soccolich (Lens)
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Only close friends and family know about my 328. I decided not to tell any of my coworkers or employer. It was a tough decision because there are a few car guys at my company, and I know they would appreciate the car. But when it comes time to talk about money, I just know that I would be regarded differently. I think its just human nature to feel a certain degree of envy over things you don�t have, but others do. The irony is that those people have bigger homes, and a BMW, Audi, or MB in the driveway that is worth a lot more than my sixteen year old Ferrari! I�ve also noticed, when driving the car, that certain other drivers exhibit an attitude. They�ll either tailgate, or cut me off. I sometimes get a thumbs up or a honk from other car enthusiasts, but when I see a minivan or SUV coming, I hit the gas and try to get as far away from them as possible. | ||
| 1989 328 GTS (Vilamoura2002)
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Patrick,I have already posted about that theme.I know how you feel. It happens with me exactly the same.I have to hide myself and my "turning head" cars from everyone. I have learned to admire, clean, take care of them than to drive near my business or town were I live. When I want to drive them I go away.......where nobody knows me. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Patrick I think its a combination of jealousy & bitterness. Some people just cannot appreciate great art. Businesswise it has not been a drawback for me, but then again I own my own Co & I really dont care what others think. I try to keep it quite around the Execs but sometimes they ask me about the car & want to see them | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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That's a good lesson to be taught as long as it works for you. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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When I bought my car I was really concerned that my employees would think I was getting fat off of their work and cause some problems. They don't get that for years I worked for close to nothing and have all of the risk that goes with owning a business. I get comments every now and then about that I am driving a Ferrari and they should get this or that. I tell them to put there money at risk and live like a pauper for 4 years then take the next 2 years catching up from not making much money the first 4 years. I have gotten over this knowing that I have paid my dues and anyone that whats something can pay theirs | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Patrick there are always those people out there who will be jealous of what you have. I guess being in business you have to be somewhat careful about,what others see as flaunting it, and enjoy it in your pleasure moments and not in business engagements. Normally I would say screw them if they didn't like it but in business I would play the struggling business person and laugh all the way to the bank. Yes I do think it is all 3, envy, jealousy and bitterness. Magoo | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
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Actually I think it has helped my business. I believe that my customers feel that if I can keep a Ferrari running then I should be able to keep their Mitsubishi going as well. There is an investment counselor in my town who has a red Z3 that the tag says "invest" and I sort of resent him and I want to get a tag for my Ferrari that says "Spend" and park it next to his car. | ||
| Patrick S. Perry (Psp1)
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I'm curious if my experience is typical. I own two small businesses - a construction firm and a communications firm. As a general policy, I try not to take my 88TR to clients or jobsites, but occasionally it happens. It seems no matter what our business relationship was before, after seeing the TR, about 25% of the clients develop a "look at that car - he certainly doesn't need the money" attitude and all of the hard work goes down the drain. Now please understand I'm an enthusiast - I do 90% of the work on the car myself, and I'm not in the gold chain/image is everything/trolling for chicks category. I don't go out of my way to stick it in their face, but I do feel somewhat disingenous hiding the car. Is this envy, jelousy, or just bitterness? Have any of you come up with a compromise that doesn't alienate some people? Thanks in advance for the input! |