The In Crowd and the Out Crowd

You make an incorrect assumption. You assume wealthy people are "elitists". You're wrong. I know a thousand college professors who are definitely "elitists" and most have no appreciable money.

You need to learn the different between having money and the true value of what it means to be a human being.

When you discover that difference, you will understand why you are wrong.

 

Elite (occasionally spelled élite) (Latin, electus - "chosen") refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence.

I said "Ferrari is an elitist, expensive brand. They DON'T care about the average consumer. They don't have to. "

Where did I say ever say that "wealthy people are elitist?" For the record wealthy people ARE an elite few....

And Where the hell do you get off telling me I need to learn the difference between having money and the true meaning of being a human being???!!!

YOU need to get off your high horse and chill out. You don't know me at all to say something that offensive...

 

Umm Bob

Elitist:
1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

Ferrari is absolutely , 100%, an elitist brand. You are mis-defining the word to have a more negative context than it actually does.

There is absolutely noting wrong with a company having an elitist attitude...thats where the money is.

 

Agree 100%. I've been to a number of invitation only reveals at at my local dealers and most of the attendee look just as penniless as I!

Ferraris aren't meant to appeal to the 'Suit Types'!

 

This...................................Funny

 

Interesting to assume that Ferrari ownership has something to do with "deserve favored treatment"

Why?


Elitest is and always has been a negative term to define a group of individuals that believe they are better than others. I would take offense to someone calling me an elitest because I own a Ferrari. my friends and i with Ferraris are nothing close to this definition and it bothers me someone would classify us here because of a hunk of metal in our garage.


I don't believe for a second that you can classify Ferrari Brand as elitist because only a certain amount of people can afford one. this happens in a lot of industries. Are people with nicer homes elitists to people with less statlely homes?

On the other hand someone that owns one and expects special treatment is an elitist and shouldnt be allowed ownership in my view but that can't be stopped. If arsholes weren't allowed to buy these things than sports car manufacturers would lose considerable business.

The good news is my friends aren't this way and most elitists buy Lambos

 

I've always thought that there is a difference between being "Elite" and being "elitist" (capitalization mine to show derision with the term). Being in an elite group is being classified is as being in a high standing, with few peers. Obtaining that "status" is usually the result of hard work, luck, accomplishment that others, most have not undertaken.

Being "elitist" seems to be a self appointment, whereby the person themselves believes they to be above others and superior to others. "Arrogant" and "haughty" also seem to follow the term elitist. I've met very few FCar owners that are elitist. They usually are in the elite groups based on income required to purchase and maintain their cars.. but are nice down to earth people. A few of the 911 + BMW owners (M and 5 series mostly) have come across in my travels as elitist... something I've found rather humorous.

my 2cents...

 

Getting back to Bitzman's original post, the best alternative to Ferrari showing their cars at public car shows is to hook up with the local Ferrari clubs.

The FCA, FOC, and FOG groups put on hundreds of Ferrari events across the country.
And many of these events are open to the public.

For example, here in the Mid-Atlantic, the FCA puts on a Spring Thaw event where we block off the streets in a popular town center area and park around 75 Ferraris for public display. You need to be a club member to attend the lunch but otherwise this event is for everyone to enjoy.
Pics of our 2011 event are here: http://www.fca-mar.com/ClubEventPhotoSet.asp?pEvent=20110416

These kinds of events are probably the best way for the public to see Ferraris up close for free and meet Ferrari owners.

Here's a pic of a couple of kids who are probably starting a lifetime addiction to Ferrari sights and sounds.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

+1

Lots of people can afford to buy a Ferrari, but choose to drive something else and spend their money on other things. Money does not make a person an elitist and neither does owning a Ferrari - it's their attitude and behavior. A subset of Ferrari owners are elitists, but that applies to any make of car.

It's unfortunate that money, social status and intellect corrupts some people's minds to make them believe that they are better than others and deserve special treatment. In the big scheme of things, it seems like it was meant to be in order for society to survive and flourish. Just imagine a world without leaders and just a bunch of followers. Imagine a world where no one aspires to "greatness." Not all leaders or superstars (any profession) are elitists, but there are plenty of examples around us. There are people who claim not to be elitists, but give themselves away by their actions and words.

 

As several people have mentioned, Ferrari goes where they can get the most mileage, so to speak. Mass auto shows just isnt it. However, they do show up at lots of events and shows all over the place. A couple weeks ago was the Highland Village Ferrari Fesival in Houston, organized by FChat members. A small show compared to the LA auto show, but the local dealer brought an FF, 599 SA Aperta, 458 race car, 430 race car, F1 car, Cali, and maybe more. They probably got more exposure to actual buyers there than if they attended the Houston auto show with Kia and Hyundai.

 

Ummmm.... Jerry. Most of the Ferrari owners I've met in 30 years of ownership are nothing but ordinary people who love the marque. They are you and me. They do not feel superior to others (elitists). They give to charity and care for others. Almost all of them are self made versus trust fund babies.

Having money does make you an elitist. Having the attitude that you are superior to others in some way does. You don't need money to have that attitude.

Sorry, in the 99% of all cases of the hundreds of Ferrari owners I've met, they do not consider themselves elitist at all.

I can't say that for most tenured professors I've met.

Yes, Ferrari's are expensive. Most luxury good are. Just because you are able to buy them doesn't make you elitist. It just means you're wealthy enough to do it.

It's not elitist. It's an expensive luxury no different than a Rolex watch or Guichi bag. Objects of desire are not elitist. They are just difficult to obtain.

 

Bob re-read my post. I never said Ferrari owners....I said the company, Ferrari.

I believe that words have particular definitions for a reason so I tend to choose them carefully.

 

if ferrari owners were truly elitist, in that they felt they deserved better treatment, they'd never put up with the abuse ferrari does to its clients!

if anything ferrari owners are self-deprecating massochists who want to be tied up and beaten with a leather and be crapped on by their russian hookers (to borrow from Triumph....oops, i mean Wax).

an elitist is a snotty Prius driver thinking he is saving the world, not realising that in reality he is a worthless little dingleberry on the backside of the planet and none of his actions will amount to more than a cow's fart. now that dear readers is elitism!

 

Spoken like someone that's purchased more than one new Ferrari

I can't answer on the hooker poop deal. That's all you

 

Well, then you're not reading the post of the person who made the claim that I am responding to. Someone said the company targets "elistists" (aka the rich and famous) and not "ordinary" people -- as if that was their market.

Well, I know a lot of ordinary people that own them.

Let me quote: "a brand that caters to a small, wealthy group. That's elitist."

He could not be more wrong and most people here agree with me.

Just because you sell a luxury goods doesn't mean you sell your product to "superior" people. Wealthier people? Yes. Superior. No.

Just because you OWN a luxury good doesn't mean you are superior. Wealthier? Yes. Superior. No.

Is it "elitist" to be a Real Estate broker marketing and selling in Beverly Hills -- or just someone selling expensive property? So, an agent in BH is "elitist" because only people of a certain wealth can afford to live there? If you met a broker from BH, would you say they are elitist because they market ("cater") and sell to a small, wealthy group?

I fail to see the difference between someone selling expensive homes and expensive cars.

So, you say they are only interested in selling to the super rich? Well, go on Ferrari.com and look at what the dealers have for sale. You'll see a lot of 360's in the mid 70's and even a few quality 308's in the low 30's. So much for the view that they are only interested in catering for the "elites". Your average Toyota dealer sells cars at that price all day long.

I won't doubt that they sell themselves as something "special". It's part of their marketing and I think most owners want something "special". But that doesn't mean they target to "elites".

 

You might know a lot of average people with ferrari's, but I'll bet none of them bought new ferrari's. Just seems common sense to me that anyone comfortable throwing down for a $300k car is going to be worth eight figures, pulling down at least $.5-1M per annum. I think we all understand each other. I see what you're all saying, and it just looks to me like you're talking past each other because you don't like the way it's being said. Ferrari sells new cars, and they don't sell them to folk of average, or even above average means, but extraordinary means.

 

Nowadays what you say is true. But it wasn't too many years ago that an owner could make money buying new Ferraris.

This is back when the cars typically sold for 50% or more over MSRP and would retain most of their value for the first 2 or 3 years.

Imagine driving a new Ferrari for 2 years and selling it for $20k more than you paid for it!
I wish I had bought some new ones back in those years.

These days, I would estimate about a 25% to 30% drop in price after the first 3 years on a new mid-engine V8 Ferrari.
So, IMHO, a new 458 Coupe will cost about $290k (assuming you get some options on it) and will likely be worth $200k - $220k three years later.

So, if a person can afford to pay around $30k to $40k per year in depreciation, they can afford a new Ferrari.
As always, there are no guarantees in life. YMMV.
.

 

Nobody of average means would have been able to take advantage then either. You'd still have to get a loan with a $5k monthly payment. You'd still have to be a person of pretty extraordinary means, or living at home with your parents making six figures.

 

Maaaa....Maaaah...more meatloaf!

guess the movie... . easy one...

 

Bdelp,
You're WAY off.
The OP was commenting on NEW car sales, not owners, not used car sales.
I didn't say that owners were elitist. I said the brand (company) is. And it is:
Wait list,
Have to sell your car back to them or get in bad graces
Have to have an existing relationship with a dealer to get a new car.
New limited edition car that you have to own 5 ferrari's to get considered for.

All sounds pretty elitist.

You're just playing semantics and trying to pick fights. If you're insecure that someone is calling "you" elitist, that's something you should deal with, but the "company" is.

 

Yeah, we're talking about NEW car sales. They only sell to wealthy people. People of ordinary means CAN'T AFFORD a new Ferrari.... Jeeze. It's elitist of "Ferrari" to only target wealthy people. It's what they do.
I'm not insulting anyone, but you're playing semantics and trying to say I am.
Maybe if you learned to read what someone is saying instead of interpreting it how you want, you would get a better idea of how to be a human being.... shhheeeshhh....

 

Hey, I'm not here to fight with you. You have to live with your own words and opinions. ("That sounds elitist"). So, here's the other side of your coin for you to consider.

Wait list... what do you suggest instead? Increasing production? A lottery? Have everyone camp out in front of the dealer like a Walmart store on Black Friday?

Sell your car back... actually, this is to help stamp out speculators who just buy and flip. Hey, you can buy and flip but it will be your last new car (bad graces as you say). So, you can sell your car back at MSRP if you want to get rid of it but you CAN'T speculate and flip. Most owners who are on long waiting lists think flippers are SCUM and in it only for a buck. Isn't trying to avoid flipping a good thing?

Existing relationship... this is a bad thing? So a frequent flier on an airline should have the same chance for an upgrade as a first time flyer? He should not be able to board the plane first either?

Limited edition cars... again, what do you suggest? Ignore your best customers requests? Nice way to treat your customers for their loyalty and support. Didn't you ever get anything special for being a good customer somewhere?

See...what you view as "elitist" is just the outcome of having a successful business which makes products that a lot of people want and will pay a lot of money for. If it didn't make popular products I can assure you that your complaints of waiting lists etc would no longer be an issue.

Since when are they the bad guy for being popular? I thought successful businesses were still well respected in America.

 

Me thinks that some here are confusing the evil connotation of the word "ELITIST" which only exists in the mind, with the very REAL meaning word of "SNOB."

The brand is, and owners and even ENTHUSIASTS are, ELITIST. There is NO argument.



Plaster the truly ugly word "SNOB" on the brand and/or owners/enthusiasts as you will.

 

Same here. I feel fortunate to be an owner and am perfectly happy as a member of the secondary-market crowd.

 

Ferrari is the only auto-maker (and one of the very few "popular brands" of all commercial products) that has never needed, and does not need, to advertise to the general public --- which puts them in a very sweet position indeed with respect to marketing concerns / expenses.

Really, the only thing Ferrari does that could be considered a form of marketing or product awareness / placement is their participation in Formula 1.

However, I would say that "Forza" magazine is Ferrari's public, marketing brochure ---- in a matter of speaking.