Did you all work hard for your F car?

Not a good topic, who cares where the money came from, just enjoy what you got.

Life is not fair, get over it. There is nothing you can do about it.

 

Fascinating subject but as HK Boy said, probably not a great topic to discuss. Those who are self-made disclose it because there is no stigma or downside to that disclosure (in fact the reverse is true) while others do not disclose it in a public forum because there is no upside to doing so! It is too personal, I would suspect...

 

There's working hard and working smart.

Never forget that.

 

In free nations someone has to earn the money by bringing products and services to market that are so enticing people are willing to pay for them. Whether that person sets up his children with a standard of living they could never earn on their own or gives every dime to his favorite stripper is not only no one else's business, but it's totally irrelevant to what you and I need to do in order to enjoy one of these marvelous cars.

And don't forget that it takes a lot of knowhow and/or risk to maintain a substantial inheritance, let alone grow it, which is why so many fortunes get blown within two generations of the person that built it.

Last, there are people that have earned fortunes while enjoying what they do. They may well not feel that they've worked hard. They did, however, make contributions the rest of us found so worthwhile that they're now wealthy.

How's that for 2 cents?

 

+1

 

I have dreamed of owning a Ferrari since I was a boy. I do indeed work hard but as of this moment my finances don't allow me the pleasure of owning and properly operating a Ferrari of any vintage let alone one of the modern marvels coming out of Maranello today.

I keep my eyes on the classifieds for used Ferraris both here on on other sites. Its encouraging to see prices for great cars like the 348 become something I could manage. I work hard full time (earning just under 85k) and will quite often take on side jobs for extra money (I am a product designer/graphic artist/illustrator) to earn extra money to stash away whenever possible. I am 47 now (and admittedly years away from ownership) but I will keep hammering at it until I am handed the keys to my first Ferrari. THAT would be a dream come true indeed. And yes, unless the lottery gods decide to smile on me I will have worked VERY hard to have one.

Its coming. I know it.

 

Of course no one would disclose the money they have was just handed to them, it is not glamorous.

As long as you have no issue with life being unfair, then who cares, it is relevant how everyone got their money.

This forum is about the love for Ferrari, not where to get the money to afford them.

 

Although it may seem odd, most of the people I know who have had money handed down to them do not have exotic cars for the most part.

I think it is a 2 fold answer... although most of them have had money handed down, it comes with rules or disbursements, that for the most part prevent them from having the access to the actual sums needed to afford a modern exotic. They also don't want to be viewed as 'throwing the money away,' which is indicative of what most people seem to think happens with an exotic car (btw, they are dead wrong.... but whatever)

Also, it seems like most of the guys I know in that situation have absolutely zero desire to have these cars. I don't know exactly what that reason is... Most of the extremely wealthy people I know that had 'family' money want nothing more than a range rover and a nice house.... I think a lot of the people that worked hard or built up weath really want to enjoy all it has to offer and buy anything and everything they can... meanwhile, the people that were raised with it and handed it down... they have had it their whole lives, so it may not be as important or special to them.


Anyways, like mentioned above, I don't think you are going to have many people chiming in to say 'my dad left me a ton of money, and I just sit around all day and spend it.' It isn't something very glamourous and may diminish their perceived position or status.

 

Many here worked hard and smart. However, many others have done both and will never be able to afford a Ferrari. Life may present opportunities, and depending on individual personalities, drive, patience, risk tolerance, two people will react to similar situations differently and ultimately find themselves on different paths.

I suspect most here will rationalize they earned their Ferrari. Speaking for myeself, being poor growing up has made owning a Ferrari that much nicer.

If I were to focus in on the difference between me and others in my exact circumstance at the time, I would say they enjoyed countless nights of beer drinking and partying, while I never knew the difference between a Tuesday or a Sunday.

We all make choices. A way to look at it , is the "value" of time. Every time we go to a movie, play, sleep in on Sunday, etc., we give up time that could be spent making money. How many times in your life have you made the choice to "work" rather than play? I believe this highly correlates with monetary success . I always thought it I had an average I.Q. and everyone else worked 8 hours a day, if I worked 22 hours a day, I would eventually succeed. Usually, however, once "paying your dues", most do make money disproportionate to the time they spend. Those who have family money have a different story.

How many successful CEO's enjoy a family life and how many others lost count of the family barbeques? What is our measuring stick?

Best

 

How are you using "earn" in the above?

 

Off the top of my head, "sacrifice". If you want my definition of "sacrifice", it is avoiding what is "tempting" in favor of what is "necessary", postponing (however you define ) immediate "gratification" ,in in order to achieve your objective. It does not mean "work" and enjoyment are mutually exclusive, but the former subordinates the latter. Best

 

All I know is I will get off a plane in a few hours after a long week, get to my house, spend time with my wife, and right before going to bed walk into my garage and say to myself: "I still can't believe I have this car"

That despite setting the goal and making it happen over the last few years.

It really is a special car to me.

 

Some of my favorite posts on this thread (may be in all threads...)

 

You need to work hard, smart, and BE lucky...in most cases....read "Outliers"....[*** P&R comment deleted ***]..life is not fair...and not predictable...if you are enjoying success...enjoy the wave...I had a great run in the 90's...saved my money...but am now "rebuilding"...just sold my 430 spider...my son couldn't believe it...it's not the car...yes the car is great...but the journey is better...you realize this after you've had the car...I could go out tomorrow and buy a 458 with my savings, but I'm intentionally waiting and keeping it as a goal for future success!

I'll have my 458 spider...but after I've climbed another "Everest" in my career...have done it twice before...know I can do it again.

 

Odd topic what is anything worth if you didn't do anything to get it?.Here is your answer (Nothing).I don't take or accept anything for free If I can't buy it I consider it a debt.If I give you something for free,The first thing you should think is what why?.Because I'm going to take alot more than I gave you and most of the people I'm around think the same way so that keeps everyone in check

 

Many of has have walked in your shoes. Although we enjoy our "things", most are analogous to the frame surrounding a painting. Real life is lived elsewhere. It is also true that the persuit is often as exciting. How many men have persued a woman, "could not live with out her", and shortly thereafter (that "intimate" moment) are looking for the exit? The good news about a Ferrari is I have never been tempted to bite my arm off to escape. Good luck. Best

 

I grew up middle-class where I had to work while in college. I got started in professional career by mid-20's. Family investments in real estate provided windfall starting in the late '70s to mid-'90's in my region. For example a home that I paid $60K in 1984 is currently worth $850K. So a combination of good luck and appropriate management of resources. I retired from government service at 55 and started my own business. At age of 57 I bought my first Ferrari (2012 FF) as cash sale in combination with trade-in of my 2011 Maserati GT convertible.

Dave

 

Got it. Thanks.

 

I have a couple funny ferrari stories. At a show last fall, some guy asked me if i was the care taker for the owner. I promptly answered i was the owner's wife's personal butler.

Another teen at a benefit event asked if i inherited the car. I told him the basics of education, career building, networking and how smart money management can put anyone in that position. His eyes glazed - not expecting a lecture as a response.

 

bob: you are a sage!

 

This was the first piece to show up in evo's Me & My Car section (#148, 10/10):

 

Related:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/141157186-post10.html

 

Only a hand full of people make it. The ones who are determined and create a vision and never give up on that vision. The ones that go it because of there mom or dad will not be coming on to let you know.