Thoughts about driving your F car in today's economic environment...

There are no food rations, gas lines, high unemployment, kids begging in the streets, riots in neighborhoods, etc, etc.

There is no blood in the streets. Many have lost value but not money. The vast majority of Americans pay their mortgage and have a job. There is no lynch mob in the streets trying to mock a rich guy.

I still drive my car at least once a week. Then again, I don't cruise in the city any way. I take it on the road, into the mountains, going for a ride. I valet park it at restaurants in the front. Besides, it's insured...

Kai

 

In my necks of the woods including NYC and suburbs, guys are driving the family station wagon. Gas hogs and luxury are insensitive.

 

Took the F-car out on a nice ride tonight along the highways in Denver to take a friend out to dinner.

Got many, many thumbs-up along the way. Even some blown kisses.

Every F-car in America should be out there spreading good will and inspirations... Probably encouraged several tonight to go for their dream even in this climate.

Robb

 

Hey, look at it this way, the more you drive it, the more likely something will happen to it, be totaled out by the insurance company, and cover the note....eliminating that financial burden!

 

Nope no probems at all take her out everyday..OH WAIT I live in Canada oops my bad..

 

Im living normal life as usual, of course, with my CS.

So are other people here.

 

No problems here in my town. They all think my 348 is a Fiero anyway.

 

I had a press mechanic in my building this week. He makes pretty good money as a factory mechanic for $1MM and up presses. He's been coming to fix our stuff for quite a while and asked me if I ever driver the Ferrari to work. He's also a car nut, but loves to work on 60's American muscle cars.

I told him I didn't, that I thought in these tight economic times driving an expensive sports car to work might be bad form.

He said, "Why the hell wouldn't you drive it here every now and then? Your guys make good money, you pay them better than the going wage and they all understand the situation. They know you own the car, why not drive it in once in a while."

I think he's right. You bought the car to enjoy it. Your neighbors, friends ,etc, all know you own it, so if you can afford it, drive it. It's not a case of your rubbing their noses in it, it's just you enjoying your car. If you feel guilty about it, it's time to work through the guilt and enjoy what you worked hard to attain. Want to feel better? Give more money to charity, find a homeless shelter and make a donation, or a food bank.. But damn, drive the car.

DM

 

Nothing new about "this economic climate". There have always been those who resent sports cars.

In the Clinton years, I had people making comments about "conspicuous consumption" when I drove a new Alfa. And again a few years later when I added a second junker Alfa as a winter rat. (I think I paid about $600 for it -- not counting sealer for the rust spots )

New England yuppies with their nose-heavy Wagoneers never liked getting passed in the snow by a Celica (even a WRC All-Trac).

When I bought my 328 during the dot-com collapse, there were those demanding to know how I could afford "a better car than the CEO".

Then when I drove the then 20+ year old Alfa once, someone asked if I'd traded in the Ferrari for "another exotic".
I've lost count of the snide comments I've gotten from people in luxo SUVs that cost more and burn more fuel than my little 328.
People who aren't into cars just don't know what performance machines cost.

The weirdest part is that people don't want to hear that my 328 cost me less than a new Audi. They *want* to think that Ferraris cost a zillion dollars: it's their excuse for not having one, themselves -- one that's easier on their egos than "they wouldn't get the same joy out of driving it".

There will always be those who insist that you should bring yourself down to their level -- dragging others down seems easier than hauling themselves up, to people with no self confidence. People who don't like themselves very much will find any reason to dislike others.

After a couple of years in DC (after some in Boston), I've concluded that courtesy is an expression of self esteem ... and bureaucrats don't have either. While there were those in Boston who defended their god-given right to not have a clue behind the wheel, in DC they also insist that no

 

Here in South beach there are still a Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo, & Bentley on every block so I have no issues driving mine

 

Went out to a restaurant last weekend and we had to make a few stops as most all had wait lines of at least 30 minutes. So, no I don't mind driving now.

While some may be vocal about the economic times being near a disaster, there are many people still doing well.

 

The only people jealous of my car are the car nuts who admire that I do (mostly) my own work to keep it running!

Ken

 

Yesterday morning we had an earnings announcement. Guess what... not so great.
Yesterday afternoon we had a 10% cut in headcount.

Today its rather gloomy here... everybody wondering if they are next.
I just thought 'damn the torpedoes' and dug the rolex out and drove the f-car to the office today! I figure if I'm headed out the door today (or soon) I'll just go out in style.

Besides, I was looking for a job when I found this one. I have skills and am reasonably sane so I'm not overly concerned about my future.

So, to address the OP, no... instead of shying away from driving the thing, I'm driving it proudly (and a tad bit defiantly).

 

Some people are more on the edge and stressed out, I have had a few instances lately with punks blantantly tailgaiting my 355 at night in trucks with high beams on no other cars around this happened two separate occasions in the past 2 weeks, both were in residential areas so I couldn't blow them off by stepping on it, I stopped in the middle of the road while one guy passed he was burning rubber going around my car, I switched my hi beams on then and he sped away like a scared b1tch in his truck hitting side streets as I follwed him for a bit, funny some think just because you are in a Ferrari you are a p ussy

 

This is what I am experiencing with my Vintage Ferraris, it's true many have tightened the belt, but to most with knowledge these cars mean you have chosen wisely for a LONG time...people seem to listen more to my opinion on stocks and the economy too! LOL! And I know very little about that stuff.....

 

Single girls at the apartment are starting to say "hello" also....

I have also tried to increase my presence at charity functions and Art Car events as participation tends to fall off when everyone is worried.........

 

I agree. I was talking with our chief economist yesterday (I work in research and publishing) and we were discussing what it would really take to change our consumption habits and perspectives. He said that unless there's 30% unemployment, people starving in the streets, etc., we're not going to see any real change.

I don't think we all have to pretend to be destitute. (Yet...)

 

I can definately see 10% unemployment next year

2009 is going to be a PO'd Grizzly bear on steroids

 

The local horse track is busy as ever. Ditto for the local shopping mall, Las Vegas, airports... money is flowing!!! I wouldn't sweat it until the Oppression...

 

What does driving your Ferrari have to do with th economic climate? Maybe it's just me, but I see no connection.

 

Wing, your malls may look busy, but do have a look at retail figures, no one is selling anything.

Douglas, you live in MI and have no issues driving a Ferrari in this climate?

 

I've had mine vandalized numerous times, it gets worse in "down" markets....

 

My neighbor works for American Airlines, and they had a nasty round of pay cuts a while back. He was struggling to make payments on his Acura. Meantime, I have the Ferrari. We're friends but in general I could see the potential for the "rubbing your face in your misfortune" perception.

 

I don't see how it's possible. If I park my car at the local dive, I may have more money, but I'm still at the same bar as everyone else. When I go to the movies, I'm going to the same theater as everyone else. It's not like you park it across 3 spots and cover the interior with $100 bills.