Impact of owning a Ferrari on your kids?

Unless he has social issues already that would become more aggravated, which doesn't seem the case, I would say let him deal with it.

It's a decision you are making to make yourself happier as you have earned that right. You could try and explain to him about the $$$ and how the car you're looking to buy costs the same as one of his buddies' parents SUV's, but mainly I would just explain that something like a Ferrari is the result of hard work and dedication. He'll be proud of you. Screw what the other kids think.

When I was a kid, which was not that long ago, my dad owned a Porsche - which might not seem that much to most people here, but in Brazil those cars are still a big deal in the way you are describing. I thought it was awesome, and my friends too. I didn't let anyone give me any **** for it.

 

He'll be fine. My dad owned a BMW 733.. "the ultimate driving machine" back in the mid eighties in the rural redneck area we grew up in.. it had no effect. Well.. it did make me a car guy. Or maybe that was the eighties? I don't know.

The only concern I would have as a father is if my son or daughter has a rich kid entitlement complex to begin with. That's going to be there with or without the Ferrari. It sounds like he's going to be fine either way. Beware! Middle school is a rough rough place.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. You're not responsible for what ten year old's think or say. If it weren't a Ferrari they would likely find something else to cause trouble over.

I could see it if you lived in a low-income housing project. Otherwise, live your dream.

 

Ask your son if you should buy one

 

So what if the car cost $300,000? He should be proud of his dad for being successful. He should tell all of his friends "Dude, my dad bought a Ferrari, come check it out"

I don't get being embarassed about something you purchased except for maybe sex toys or rogaine.

In the summer our daughter often texts me "Ferrari" so that I pick her and a friend or two up in the Mondial. We bought the car when she was less than ten and she drove it for the first time last week. She loved driving it even if some friends stopped in the lane next to her and watched her panic on the clutch and stall it.

We have a lot of great memories as a Family with the Ferrari and absolutely no negatives.

True we only laid out $40k for the car but no one knows that. When people ask I say it was $110k new but we bought it used for much less.

There's no hiding behind the fact the car is expensive. You can say it only cost the same as a new Suburban but that's BS. A ten year old Burban don't cost no 50k.

I'd rather say "It's an expensive and senseless purchase but I love it."

Get the car and be proud of it. Most people will see your and your son as enthusiasts, not show-offs

Dave

 

I applaud your sensitivity in considering how buying a Ferrari (or any other decision you might make as a father) will affect your son.

Everything you do will likely affect his behavior...his thinking...his attitude, both now and in the future.

You appear to be a good father, and your son is lucky to have you as a parent.


P.S. Fill out your profile so that we can know a little more about you.

 

I agree with the others, especially Angelis

I also wouldn't forbid him from talking about it. You may want to take the opportunity to explain how not everyone in the world appreciates things the same, but he needs to work out for himself how the world works.

Buy it and enjoy it with your boy.

 

I would go ahead and buy the car, if that is what you want.

Probably is best to warn your son not to brag about the car to his friends.
I remember the old saying "the spouting whale gets the harpoon".

I agree with the earlier post that middle school are the toughest years for kids.
At 10 years old, it might be a good time to enroll him in a karate school anyway.

Also, if you buy a 550 or 575, few people will know it is a Ferrari when they first see it - just say it is a new kind of Shelby Mustang (explains the horse logo on the back).
.

 

What's wrong with your 10 yr old being proud of his father owning a Ferrari? Who cares what other kids think? You should be proud of your hard work and ability to own this car and pass a similar message on to your son. I would think other kids think it's cool. My wife has taken our kids to school in the 16M.

I have 3 boys 7, 4, an 1 1/2. They know I relish in cars and racing. Recently my wife and I took them to a Motors4Toys charity event for kids in the Ferrari. They loved it ...fond memories for them.

You'll create great memories with your 10 yr old. Let him share your dream come true.

 

I have two boys. 16 & 10. I have had ferraris for all of their lives. We as a family don't wear the ferrari brand on our sleeves but we never hide the fact that we roll that way either. When my oldest hears classmates talking about the "Ferrari kid" in school he just listens. Often times he does not jump in & claim to be that kid as he figured out that many see that as bragging. Most of the time anyhow another kid will say "yeah, thats him" and point his way. When that happens he just nods & smiles. Conversations can either continue or stop there depending on the interest.

My kids have gleamed off of my wife & I that we are connoisseurs of fine automobiles and the cars are a part of our lives. If people want to share in the joy of the cars then great. If certain people are not interested in appreciating the cars then again fine. The cars are not who we are, but we do luv them. Both of my sons are known for being "car guys" - and that is a good fit - as they are car guys.

As for "haters" - well... Haters gonna hate. Both of my sons handle any discouragement well and the situations (if any) seem to diffuse themselves as quickly as they start. After all... Most their age luv Ferraris. Its the adults that you need to watch for.

 

Your concerns are not unfounded. My dad is a doc, and a pretty successful one. He made/makes a good living. We never were "rich" as I would define the word, but we certainly never weny hungry or without nice things. Of anyone in my family, I always looked the least like my parents were comfortable, and I was quiet. Still am pretty quiet.

I did take a lot of crap for being a "rich kid," especially after moving to Vegas in junior high. I REALLY took some crap from some kids who hung around in gangs.

Now, this may not be the best route to take, especially giving our country's current attitude, but what stopped it all....beating the ever living **** out of a few of them. Guess no one told the ******bags I was a very well trained martial artist who fought on a national level, power lifter, and all round athlete.

Sometimes the best way to deal with other's jealousy is to just stand up for yourself.


Mark

 

I took my sons friends for rides anytime they wanted as well as their fathers. Would have taken the moms as well. at least some of them.... The kids loved it. Having said this there will always be jealous people but don't let that stop you.

 

Our daughter is taking Driver's Ed and had to do a report on the Family car. What car do you think she chose? "Hey dad, the rear tires have almost no tread left", "Yea, don't put that in the report."

My advise is to buy the car and drop your son off at school as often as possible. This will provide great Father-son-time and with repetition he will get over being embarrassed by the car. Our Daughter was at first. Arm him with every possible spec about the Ferrari so he can hold an intelligent and enthusiastic conversation about the vehicle when students and teachers ask. He may just gain friends. Everybody is curious about Ferrari, it's just hard to find people who are willing to share the cars.

Dave

 

Buy the Ferrari & get him Jiu Jitsu or boxing lessons, nobody will pick on him

 

+1

Enrolled my daughter in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsui once she started highschool. She's been either putting me in kimuras or push kicking me ever since! I say buy the car of your dreams rather than regret anything. If your kid is seen as "the car guy" as opposed to "the rich kid" amongst his peers, then having a tifosi as a father will only get him kudos. At 10, I saved all my slushie money to buy Hot Rod or CARtoons mags at the local 7-11.

 

My 12 year-old daughter is known in her middle school as the Ferrari Kid. She actually has learned to deal with it and even sees it as something positive. I have been with exotics all my life and it did not change when I had my kids. I pick her up and drop her off in all my cars and they always cause a sensation from the kids to the moms and dads.

Kids will whip out their phones and take pictures. Or, they gather around and look and talk and when I have the time I invite them to sit in the F car and take pictures for them. They yell out their comments as I drive by "I love your Ferrari," or "cool car," or ... something else nice. Never have I heard something negative from the kids.

There is this one girl that always has a longing look whenever I drive the GT3 or the F355 by and yesterday she worked up the courage to ask my daughter to ask me to give her a short 2 block ride to the bus stop. I will offer her a ride today.

As for my kid, she has many times heard the comment "you guys must be rich." To which, I have taught her to answer "we are not rich but my dad works very hard" and that is the truth.

Don't worry about the kid. She is going to get picked on in school for something be it clothes, hair, skin color, accent, or whatever that is different from the masses. It might as well be her daddy's car. You have to help her learn that life lesson to deal with haters because she will need it in the end whether you have a Ferrari or not.

As for me, it has been a positive experience, not the other way around.

Good luck.

 

Smile on my kids face when we went to dealer to buy the car was priceless. One of the highlights of the whole buying/ownership process.

Only issues have been making time for all his school friends who always want to come around and see the car after school, never had any feedback from either of my kids that they have any hassle over their dad owning a Ferrari. Even if I do say so myself I get the impression their school mates think having dad who has a Ferrari at home is pretty cool!!!!

On a serious note however have always made sure they never start showing off at school on the subject, its all relative anyway; some of their mates go skiing twice a year, have the latest iPhone and every games console under the sun etc...which we don't have.

PS: its a UK RHD car so he is in the passenger seat!
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Interesting topic. People's perception is just something you will have to set aside with regard to ownership of an F car. I am a new owner of a 99 F355 and have seen evidence of the impact of my purchase both on my children as well as myself. Both my "kids" are now adults, my daughter being the youngest at 18.

The first night I took her for a ride, she posted a video to Instagram and Facebook of the adventure (with careful consideration not to show the speedo thank goodness as we were moving pretty quickly). The replies ranged from excitement of the car to comments about "rich kid". She blew it off, but the stigma is there. I too have experienced "sideways glances" from acquaintances (not friends) with the look that implies "really?". I find the whole matter rather silly, since I also own three BMW's, two of which were purchased at higher cost than the F car.

All in all, I think that the joy of ownership far outweighs any negativity you may encounter and I encourage you to sieze the day and enjoy the pleasures of ownership rather than saying "someday I will......."

 

My 5 yr old yellow belt won King of the Ring Weds by beating his whole class

 

Buy the car and explain the possible reactions from classmates and parents to your son. He will probably be surprised to learn that most negative reactions, if there are any, will come from the parents. A 10 year old can understand a lot.

When I was in high school (1977 - 1981), one of my classmates drove a new 308 to school that his dad gave him as a 17th birthday present. When the weather was bad, he drove the family "spare" 450sl. John was a handsome Italian kid and the girls were all over him. I never heard any of my classmates say anything bad related to John driving a Ferrari to school.

 

I pick him up in Ford GT

The little kids couldn't care less what car I drive

 

I bought my car when my kids were 3 and 6. That was 12 years ago. They've been around it their whole lives and its no big deal. I've taken LOTS of their friends for rides over the years and there was never any hostility.

 

i drive my kids to school in new and old sportscars, expensive ones and cheap ones. no big deal.

 

makes christmas shopping easy.
they just get me some sort of ferrari swag.