Who is Secretive about their Ferrari Ownership?

Perhaps you are right. When a car is designed to attract people's attention, it will do so for many years to come.

My car is no Ferrari but still gets a look and a question asked every now and then.

 

I can neither confirm nor deny....

 

I don’t have to listen to these wild allegations

 

I'm 6 weeks into Ferrari ownership (355) and I've decided to tell some friends and close family only. I have deliberately NOT told people I know (incl. one or two family members) that I suspect would react negatively (or display an obvious and uncomfortable indifference). In the early stages, when I was toying with the idea of getting a Ferrari, I had a wake-up call when I mentioned it to a co-worker. We have a pretty good chit-chat working relationship and he's a contractor, so is earning pretty good money. However, his reaction was icy cold when I mentioned it... and he's a car enthusiast, so his obvious lack-lustre response (just 'uh huh') was so telling. At that point, I made the instant decision not to reveal to anyone at work that I'd purchased a Ferrari. As others have said, it's a sad fact that many people associate Ferrari ownership with obscene wealth. It's also a sad fact that some members of society find financial success objectionable... even though it is what they often wish for themselves. Sometimes, I want to tell everyone what I drive at the weekends because I get so psyched about it, but then reality hits and I think better of it. Bit like it must feel for a guy that likes dressing-up in women's lingerie at the weekend... it excites him and he'd love to tell the world, but then he considers public reaction and decides to stay in the closet, haha!

Cheers,
Ian.

 

I agree, but I live here in California where Ferrari`s grow on trees and still get the same reaction

 

Just be carefull who you share your dreams with....LOL... http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e07_1179276540

 

The longer I have it (going on 2 years), the more people I tell. I caught a lot of slack at work in the beginning, but that has changed. I'm less embarrassed about telling people now, I don't know why. I guess because I'm more comfortable with it and pround to say that I own one. Besides, a used 328 is no more expensive than a well built new car.

I still don't take it to work, but I have pictures in my office and people always comment on it.

 

bump for the Thread of the Month.... Thread?? what thread???

 

One of the main reasons for coming to the USA 20 years ago from Europe were the attitudes toward "wealth".

Where I came from, when someone saw a really nice car like a Ferrari, most people's initial reaction is to scratch the car or spit on it because they are jealuous and envious that the person has more money then themselves. He probably earned his money by oppressing the lower classes.

I always felt that here in the US, when someone sees a nice car the attitude is "one day I will be able to afford a car like this if I apply myself and work hard"

The US is the "can do" society, Europe is the "why do you have it and not I" society.

Kai

 

don't know where you came from, but out here(Holland) I can't recall such a way of thinking.

Interesting thread, I can understand the do and don'ts of spreading the news that you own a ferrari.

Owning a ferrari is a privilige.
Most owners can afford one because of a succesfull career and hard work.
It doesnt say anything on how you earned your money.
You don't need to own a mansion to have a ferrari, its a choice.

Showing off is a way of displaying your way of success, but there's more to owning a supercar than showing off!
Not everybody feels the need to show off.
A tailormade suit is class, so is Gucci, they say,,,It depends on the person,and the way they are, and what they like.

I Love the 410SA, on the other hand I don't need to be in an F50.

I am always interested in the people behind the ferrari.
Wo are they, what motivates them, where do they come from.
Is it the end of a trail, or only halfway, does it bring the joy they expected
or do they grave for more.......

What can I learn from them!

Owning a supercar is mostly the result of an accomplishment, or the luck being born with money.

I don't own a ferrari, I probably never will, The ferrari (P4, GTO) I would like to have is wayyyyyyy out of reach, and that's okay.
In a few years I could be able to afford a 308 or 360, but will not buy one.
(am running a succesfull business so that is reality)
I don't think a 308 or 430 will make me any happier than I am right now.

Thats a choice I made, I don't care what others think about that.

I've met very interesting people because of ferrari, owners, and non owners, and there are a lot more interesting F-people to meet.
Not only because of the cars.
Its about facts and knowledge, anybody paying the bill can own a ferrari!
Because we have a mutual interest, its fun to talk about it and change thoughts on several issues.

I collect ferrari modelcars, and not diecasts. I collect Brianza's, BBR's and other even more exclusive models.
Hardly anybody knows their value, and I am keeping it that way.

Appreciate Ferrari's for what they are, amazing machines, pieces of art, the result of a vision.
A man that wasn't a great driver, nor a great engineer, had the ability of being a great manager.
He got the right people in the right era at the right place! with amazing results

RESPECT IS NOT JUDGING PEOPLE ON WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE, OR SAY...
Enzo Ferrari was not known to be a very kind person.

 

perception is reality my friends...Perception is reality...

 

My ownership is top secret. So much so i don't even know........

 

I find car adverts in Europe (ESPECIALLY THE UK) don't disclose chassis numbers too freely, yet in America the majority of ads include chassis number and where relevant Assembly number, engine number, gearbox number etc

 

I've had two, but non at the moment. I didnt go out and tell anyone, but didnt hide it either. The only people i didnt tell was my staff. That would defiantely have caused issues.

 

My neighbor likes letting people know that he has a Ferrari. He picks his kids up at school in it and he will park it in front of his house when he throws parties, so all of his guests can see it. Sure he is showing off, but I truely enjoy looking at the car. I am only 15, but I'm an avid car fan! Staring at this Ferrari lets me know what I have to work towards in life!

 

i would NEVER park it infront of my house when i have a party, in fact, i would keep the garage door shut. that just SCREAMS arrogance.

 

My wife is not a "look at me" kind of person and I really wanted a V-12 Ferrari so we brought a 5-speed 400I. For us it really fits the bill, I get to enjoy a Ferrari and she can drop the kids off or pick up her sister with out people stareing.
I do not tell clients of any of my cars excpet may be the MG Midgets, they are "cute" and people are not threatend by them.

 

+1

 

Same attitude in certain areas of the US. I'm from the southern area of the US originally, and I had a roommate once who told me he would do the EXACT same thing.... scratch the side of it. Another friend of mine in college had an original Pontiac GTO, it had been painted at least 3 times for "keys" down the side.

I don't hear it as much here in Denver, but its a bit higher of a standard of living where I live now, so that might help.

Still, I'd be REALLY nervous driving it "back home".
James in Denver (formerly from AL and TN)

 

I have owned a number of Ferraris over the years. I currently own a '66 and find that most everyone expects that I still have one and pleasantly surprised that I have retained the passion. Most know that its not to impress anyone. I don't drive it to business functions but most of my clients know it exists. I have other vintage autos and feel that if they know I have other marks why should I hide the Ferrari. Although I have made it a rule not to pick up my son at school in the Ferrari or any vintage car for that matter. Fifteen year old kids seem to think they're cool because dad has a Ferrari. They're not and I don't want his friends to assume he thinks he is.

 

Your neighbour sounds like a wanker.

 

Easy Alex. Thats a 15 year old kid you are talking to.

 

When I was 16 years old I had similar "role" models. My uncle had a Jaguar dealership and let me drive the first V-12 E type they acquired. I realised at that time that I needed to study hard to make sure I went to college because I loved driving that Jag. Months later a friend of the family let me drive his Ferrari 275 GTB. He told me that he bought the car because someone let him drive one once when he was young. That was the deal maker for me. I bought my first Ferrari as soon as I graduated College and got a real job. Whatever works. -Vin

 

I agree 100%. There are many differences between Europe und Northamerica, this being one of the most remarkable differences.
Europeans do not like wealthy people in general, no matter how hard they have been working for what their money. It really pisses me off!!

There are actually only 5(!) persons who know about my car (after six months). Should I ever decide to sell my F car it will be because of this :-(