Life after obtaining your first Ferrari...

Ok, I am sure I am not the only one but after owning my Ferrari for about a month now, there is no other car out there that can measure up to a Ferrari for heritage, looks, sound, and performance all in one package. I have owned many BMW's, Porsche, NSX, and the Ferrari is the best car hands down. Don't get me wrong, those other cars are great, but they are a dime a dozen and you see them everywhere. It used to be fun searching autotrader, ebay, and cars. com for my next car--I used to change out cars like underwear. Before I became a Ferrari Owner, it was always special when you spotted a Ferrari on the road, and now that I am on the other side of the steering wheel I can see that I was not the only one who got excited seeing a Ferrari driving down the road. Now that I have a Ferrari, it's no fun looking for my next ride because I now have the Ultimate car and nothing else matches up to it. Anyone else feel like this...

 

i'm not a ferrari owner yet...
but is it safe to say that lambos have a stronger sex appeal?
EDIT: by sex appeal- i mean...i think the car is damn sexy.

 

I drive a 550. Women do not understand or care about the car. Men go crazy.

Cars have no sex appeal unless you like men.



12 cylinders or walk

 

I still feel that way after 15 months of ownership.

 

Initially, immediately after buying my 360, I was very very open to considering buying another brand of sportscar in addition to Ferraris. Such as Lambo (any model!), Pcar 911TT, Saleen S7 twin-turbo, Mosler 900 (kinda sexy), an 1100 hp Heffner's Performance tuned twin-turbo Viper, Jag XJ220, Pagani Zonda, Ford GT, 1000 hp tuned ZO6 Vette, Veyron, McLaren F1, and allegedly the quickest street-legal "production" car made - a turnkey Ultima GTR 720 (0-100-0 in under 10 seconds.)

I was like a kid in a candy store...so many great choices!

BUT, today, I'm convinced that the brand of my next sports car will be spelled F-E-R-R-A-R-I, period!

 

Absolutely!!! Heck, look in my profile - wanted cars? none...ok maybe someday another Ferrari, but for now I'm quite content

 

The Ferrari isn't really mine, it's my parents'. Like you said, before we got a Ferrari, seeing one of them on the road is really a dream come true. We also have owned some nice cars but other people who aren't enthusiast don't care about the car because its just another BMW or Benz for them. Obtaining a Ferrari is really a great accomplishment for us especially my parents. When we are at the road, we always see people looking at us cause its not just another car anymore, its the best car anybody could ever own. Best thing is that nobody tailgates us anymore because they know that they're never going to be able to catch up once we let off.. unless they also drive a Ferrari!

Lots of people say people who owns a Ferrari became arrogant, I can prove them wrong because we are still the same people who they have known for a long time. We still never look down on a person unless were helping them.

 

Are you sure that came out right?

 

Maybe for teenage boys.

Seriously, I don't think women could tell the difference in general (female FChat'ers being an obvious exception to the rule).

Yes. It would be very hard to have any other kind of sports car after this one.

 

Life after obtaining your first Ferrari...

Yes, there is life after obtaining your first Ferrari!

I purchased my 1st one 40 yrs ago, and have owned them ever since.

And I am still alive!!!!!

 

The whole Ferrari thing is intersting....to say the least.

About 3 years ago I was one of the first to buy the new Hummer H2...my first new-car ever. The attention was HUGE, people gave thumbs-up, followed me to talk about it & see the car, etc. I was proud, it was fun...and yes; being a vehicle that cost a good $25k above a basic SUV, it boldly stated that I had a bit more financial means then your average guy.

I quickly got into offroading it and in no time had brush-rake all over the paint. People openly called me a ****ing-idiot for offroading a $60k SUV...and at the same time others applauded me for it. What was more interesting is what the H2 meant to other owners: welcome to the world of your vehicle being a means of displaying your wealth. The guys on the Hummer forum we're all about the fact that they had a vehicle that related their success/wealth/status. As I think about it now, it's rather hilarious that a $60k vehicle means diddley...as I drive down the street I'm not even thinking about it.....YET there are still plenty of H2 owners cruising around thinking they are the kings of wealth with their rolling affluence. I suppose what I'm saying it that the way we see ourselves in our cars is largely based on how we think others perceive us.

As I drive the Ferrari, I often notice others checking it out....but more often then not (and I'm willing to admit this, in the beginning)...it's me watching them and many not even noticing. At first I thought it was admiration but then I started to notice the judgemental eyes.....

If you are young, you are a trust-fund baby or silver-spooner
If you are old, you are a joke living a mid-life crisis
If you are mid-age, you are some shiester businessman

OR

Maybe you're a young guy who was brilliant with a business
An older guy having some fun with his money
Or an exec who got a nice hard-earned promotion

Like anything in life, the Ferrari experience is what we perceive it to be. The car doesn't make the man, the man make the car.

It's been about 2 years and I can honestly say...my best and most enjoyed moments are when I'm alone crusing through canyons with nobody around and just open roads with the top down. The sound of the engine, the shifter stroking through the gate, the car traversing the road.....that's what it's all about. In one word: Fulfilling

 

I had owned several other european sports cars before I went to 'the Italian stuff'. Shortly after I got my first Ferrari, I was driving down a main street in Portland, OR and pulled up to a stop light next to a fantastic Jag XKE. This guy was out for a serious "DRIVE" --- donned up in tweeds and felt driver's cap, the whole nine yards --- looked like an add for British Leyland.

We glanced over at each other, he tipped his hat to me, and I saluted back to him. I turned right --- he turned left ----------- it's never gotten better than that!

 

Ferrari is one of many special European car marques. To most on the forum here, it is the most special. For me, the initial 'magic' has worn down some, but not worn off. The Ferrari is great, but compared to some of the smaller companies products, it is very refined. To me the refinement takes away from the sports car appeal but otherwise the Ferrari is outstanding.
BT

 

we do not yet own a ferrari but this topic is comming up now big time in our conversations between ourselves, and by we I mean me and my significant other. alot of our friends see our current cars as ostentatious, and when they ask what we are getting next we have told them honestly the cars weve been shopping for. with some of our friends this has been a bad idea, and caused some rifts already. I imagine that life does change when purchasing a car like a ferrari, some good some bad alot of people have preconseved notions of how unafordable a car like this is and just assume they nor anyone they know will ever buy one.

the positives for us are we love cars, we love to race cars, we love to drive cars. and in my book what gets better than a ferrari, we are drivers, but alot of people seem to think ferraris are only status, in retrospect and going forward I wont be telling people the cars I am looking to buy. people seem to get angry when faced with what they percieve as success. where from our point of view we are just getting started. which brings up one more topic what to do when you do buy one. we were planning on driving it everywhere. now I'm thinking ill have to pick where to take it,,, ie going to the family bbq is probly out.

it all seems like ethical desisions that shouldnt have to be made.

 

Fantastic!

 

Thoughts on first-Ferrari ownership:

It's been cold and rainy and now freezing and iced over here in Dallas...tangible Ferrari withdrawal symptoms for about a week now and for another forseeable week.

At my age and after having made a decision to cut off a major source of cashflow...work...my 330 is likely to be my last great ride, but if it isn't you can bet it all that the next one will be another vintage 12 with a horsey badge.

Yes, the vast majority of thumbs-up givers and car-talkers are male but it gets looks from women all the time and I've had several roll down their window at stoplights or walk over at a gas station to ask about it.

 

My Lotus gets as much if not more attention than a Ferrari may (550 etc.). Parking it in a public place always gathers a crowd with the usual questions. It's like being famous in that people want to talk to you and are always friendly and polite, and smile at you. (My Lotus being a vintage car helps; I know owners of new Ferraris and Lambos get a lot of BS on how xxxx is a better car and theirs isn't as fast as a XXXX).

Then I drive my Honda and I'm a normal guy again. It's a funny feeling...I'm no different but I'm no longer "famous". It can be humbling for real stars because they're ALWAYS on...they can't park and not get the crowd. I can see how they think it's real and not just the facade and get big headed.

Guys who have exotics can be that way too; they think it's them that's special and not the car. Their lives are their car. I am happy to say that the few Ferrari owners I've met have all be very kind and are normal guys who happen to share an enthusiasm for toy cars. I won't mention which brand the a-holes all seem to own *S*.

Ken

 

LOL!

 

Strange how different people, family, friends, view your new purchase or upcoming purchase.

Older sister; So, you’re starting to suffer from erectile dysfunction?
Brother-in-law; Be sure to get a 12 cylinder!
Younger sister; Lemme borrow it!
Best friend; You could have bought a new Lexus for a lot less.
355 owner best friend; Yeah, let’s go for a drive!
Daughter; Loves it.
Son-in-law; Averts eyes, and steadfastly refuses to acknowledge its existence!

Go figure!

 

Life after your first Ferrari??

Lots of new acquaintences that share the same passion as you. This backfills the old acquaintences that drop out after they get over the intial shock.

 

What is a correct reply when asked "How much does it cost?" By correct, I am hoping to find a reply that will not be insulting to the person asking. I just bought a 360 spider, have not driven it yet, but I know this question will arise sooner or later. How do you nicely respond?

 

Good question; for me it depends on who's asking. Some close friends or car guys I don't mind telling what I paid. But my reply for most others - 'I got a great deal on it, well under the market value'. I've also found that as the news spreads that you bought one, the rumored price you paid goes up. I've already been told that they heard I bought a $100k sports car (it's a 355 GTB). HA! not even close...then they get the market value reply.

 

I get the same 'over $100k' sports car comments (86 TR ... I wish!). I just respond by saying ..."It's not as much as you would think."

 

I say, "I got my Ferrari for BMW money, because I don't have Ferrari money."

 

I wouldn't say that is all true....

In three month into owning your first Ferrari, You'll get a Ferrari itch. It's a fever or sickness. The car is so great and fun. You can't stop thinking about it all the time. You eat, drink, sleep, go to bathroom all Ferrari... Then, the second Ferrari thought will immerge in your head. You want that dream roar classic Ferrari.... you want that F40 or 512BB, or a Ferrari that scream roar Ferrari... scream Ferrari without Tubi... and you know any classic Ferrari will do quite well.... you won't stop thinking until you get one(if your bank allow that is)