Could Resentment be up?

Is it just me?

Years ago when I first got my F-car it seemed there was a lot of positive feedback on the road. Any identifiable motor head gave me a thumbs up, people leaned out of their SUV's to take a picture on their phone cameras, etc. Once in a while I got "hate"; someone gave me the finger when there was no more cause than being in their sight. In general a very positive reaction to seeing a rare F-car in the wild.

Now, not so much so. The vast majority of other drivers ignore my car.

Anyone else feel this way? It is as if most people are having a hard time (I believe it is true) and they no longer appreciate in any way someone else's success. More like resent anyone with any success.

 

People's default behaviour is not to care.

Hard to expect them to deviate from the norm.

Maybe seeing a sports car on the street (Ferrari or otherwise, most don't know the difference at a glance) just isn't that special anymore.

Calling it resentment is going a little too far, I think.

 

I don't think its resentment. I believe there are a number of reasons:

1. I do believe that there is a real government movement in this country to re-distribute wealth. Take from the wealthy and give to the lesser. Some joker driving a Ferrari has too much wealth or he cheats on his taxes.

2. The "green" movement has taken a mental hold on the more liberal population to believe that anything that gets 15-16 MPG is evil. We are evil for not utilizing our planets' resources properly and polluting the air with out gas hogs.

3. All old cars as seen by the Libs should be destroyed as they are destroying our planet. (I don't know how old your F-Car is but I get this sometimes.

You know I just don't care. I pay for the fuel I use. I pay my taxes and If I earn more than the average Joe that's to bad. Work harder.

 

Devils Advocate.

Is someone just missing the attention, good or bad?

 

LOL maybe just a little sick and tired of So Cal. and the liberals that live here.

 

Ignoring the car doesnt equal resentment. Dont forget that there are many more Ferraris around nowadays so it is no longer the event it was 20 years ago (at least in most big cities).

 

I noticed it also. I think it's the sign of the times. Someone has to be the fall guy.

It's the minority being picked on by the majority.

I will say this:

If you want to get laid by a hot co-ed today, don't drive a Ferrari. Drive a Prius.

 

I think the difference is that in the past, a Ferrari was viewed more as an enthusiast's car. You owned one because you appreciated the car, even with all it's flaws (unreliable, expensive to maintain, under performing electronic systems, poor paint quality, etc) -- which were no secret. To some, these were a badge of honor.

Today it's more like a luxury brand. Justin Beiber has a much in common with Steve McQueen as Jenna Jameson has with Elizabeth Taylor.

You can appreciate an enthusiast. It's difficult to appreciate someone who's only reason to own one is to be rich enough to show it off.

 

Mayor Very well put and probably the primary reason.

I also think that these dyas cars in genral occupy a different place in most peoples minds. Today a car really is just white goods with little to dfferentiate one from another. Most people just dont care about cars, its not as aspirational as it once was, now they are more of a necsessary expense a transport module.

 

I wonder how Biebs would answer this question?

 

"My car has gotten me into a lot of trouble, you knowwww. The people love me, but this car is just troubleee. But, I love it.... I do I do. I loveeee it. I wish it would just not get me into trouble."

Personal Responsibility - 0

 

I think another issue, particularly over the past 15-20 years is access to information. 20 years ago, the only time most people would see a Ferrari would be in a magazine if one happened to be covered that month, in the occasional tv show or movie or very rarely on the streets.

Today, anyone interested can be looking at pictures, articles, videos anytime and as much as they want. Easy access will make anything less special.

And even on the roads, it's over the last 25 years or so that Ferrari has started making increasing numbers of cars so they simply less rare than years ago.

And it depends where you live. Here in Santa Barbara, my 308 doesn't get much attention - I imagine it might in other areas.

 

Households have made no progress in real wealth in over 15 years. Workforce participation is the smallest in 30 years, poverty and welfare recipients at record highs, young generation poorer then their parents for the first time in US history. Yes resentment is WAY up.

 

Not even an Enzo gets a second look in LA. Same for Miami. Ferrari's in LA are like Starbucks locations -- you see one on every corner.

When I had my F430 spider in LA, not one person ever even looked. I drove it to it's new home in Vegas and got nothing but thumbs up all the time from visitors.

LA and Miami are so spoiled. I saw a Bugatti Veyron on Santa Monica boulevard and no one even bothered to look.

One thing you notice is that people cannot tell one from another. After the 308 (which is obviously 80's iconic), most could not tell which is newer between all the cars from a 328 to F430. A guy can drive up in a 348 and people will ask: Is that new?

 

Roger Ailes just called and said your paycheck is ready.

 

+1

I get thumbs up, pics being taken all the time. Last sunday had two drivers taking pictures.

Sounds like LA, South Florida and NY Metro area are bubbles of prosperity (or faking it).. for the rest of the country an FCar is a rare thing.

Agree with the Co-ed comment although I'd like to add a Jeep or a truck. It seems to make you more "approachable"...

 

Here in Ohio, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and I have yet to experience anyone hating on me because of the 360. I've only had her for about 2 months though!

I'd say that, rather than resentment, it's probably just indifference. You can tell if someone is being resentful - just look into their eyes. Or, maybe their one-fingered salute will clue you in. Either way, there's usually some physical manifestation of resentment (flared nostrils, narrowed eyes, tense shoulders). Indifference mostly comes from people in plain-vanilla cars. But, those people have complimented me also.

I drove her on Tuesday, and I swear it was buy-one-get-one-free Paparazzi day. On a 10 mile drive, 8 people took camera phone pictures (that I caught) and the gas station attendant invited the other workers out to come and see the car - said he couldn't believe such a car was at his gas station, and asked to take pictures to prove it. I said sure - no sweat off my back. It was a little bit weird, since he was a fat older Indian guy working in a gas station, and I'm a young skinny Indian kid with a pretty Ferrari... but he was real nice.

With the camera phone pics, if it's a cute girl, I'll always smile and wave at her for her picture. Gets giggles every time. I always find myself smiling and waving to cute girls in that car! *gulp* You can still be "approachable" when driving a Ferrari - says this happily married man!

So, I haven't experienced the negativity yet - and I'm going out of my way to be courteous to the general public. I do feel like, outside of the garage, the Ferrari essentially becomes "public domain" in that everyone wants to take a look and take a picture. That's why mine is always show-car clean. People have been very respectful towards me and my car, and I like that. These cars are extremely rare here where I live and since mine is Rosso, it screams for attention. Literally screams at red line too...

 

I hate to say it but most people really don't care. Here in the midwest Ford country, Ferrari's or any exotic for that matter, are rare sights and car people notice but the majority simply continue on their way in their pickup trucks.

Also, while I won't call it resentment, when you get yahoos like Justin Beeber driving his 458 at 100mph in a neighborhood it does reflect poorly on Exotics and their owners.

 

I agree with this. Most people ( who dont know cars ) think my car is newer... its an 86 328.... I dont really notice people looking at the car when i'm driving it... once in a while at a long stop light.. but my wife says every boy from 5 yrs old to 30 is looking at the car.... I agree the girls dont care / notice... they like the Fiat Abarth .... it's cute!... Ferrari just makes them think you have a small Pee pee...

 

A good friend of mine has always said....."What counts ain't what you drive,It's what you fly."

 

I get that from time to time from the "enviro-types" around here. I explain to them that my C6 GS is a 28 mpg car all day long but they don't want to here it. So my usual reply for the e-car and hybrid crowd is... The more fuel you save the more there is for me. That usually lights their burners.
Driving one of my F cars can really ruin their day too.

 

Correct, you do have to be pretty secure in your masculinity to drive an exotic because it attracts 14 year boys and VERY few girls. My Lexus on the other hand?

 

In Chicago north suburbs very rarely my Red Scud draws attention , people seem to be oblivious to the presence of Ferrari . They just go about their business. Maybe its more common here , my subdivision alone has 4 Ferrari's,2 Maserati's and 1 Mp4.

 

I sip a non-alcoholic flrtini while I drive mine.

I'm secure.