No, I did not request it. I posted in the thread that that I had answered for 1000 times the same things so we could end it once an for all. Rob shut it down -- and I think he did the right thing as it was becoming way too personal. Instead of a discussion of what is right and wrong, it went off on some bizarre tangents of attack that did not contribute to the discussion. I've said this so many times... I'm not buying a new car until they change somethings. That's my personal opinion. I have that option. I am not alone. My personal opinion also is that what I would like to see changed is also things 95% of all new car owners would like to be changed. I'm not sure why we are arguing about making things better. Better is good for everyone, including Ferrari.
Not that bad, no SD computer required. Smaller tires. No CF rotors. 458 would be much more for same track days. Also street 458 and 355 C times not that far off.
At your request the old thread was closed. So why are you on the new thread regurgitating the SAME opinions?...Alex
Rob, I did not send you or any moderator a note to end it or ask for a request in any other thread, did I? No. If you took it that way, it's fine with me. If you didn't, that was fine with me also. But I did not send a request to have it shut down as the OP is suggesting. I was referring to people responding to the thread to end it because it had all been said, not to the mods to shut it. Did I think you made the right decision and do I agree with it? Yes. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I didn't ask for the thread to be closed. This thread is clearly an attempt to keep the discussion going. I didn't start it. You might want to ask the OP.
Your QUOTE "Now can we end this thread". Can only be judged 1 way. You indicated the thread had run it's course. Now you are on this thread, regurgitating ad nauseam. Your numerous posts in the new thread are hypocritical & counter-intuitive. Your opinions about Ferrari's direction is WELL documented on the thread you started and subsequently wanted CLOSED. So why are you on this new thread with OLD Already stated opinions?...Alex
Clearly the "Can we end this thread" was semi-sarcastic and not a formal request by Bob. And, since the other thread got closed before I had a chance to read it all, I will say it here: There is nothing wrong with Bob's statement and everything he has said in his original post was 100% spot-on. I'm not done with Ferrari but I can clearly understand his point of view. If every Ferrari buyer had guts and did what he is doing, you can certainly believe that Ferrari would become a little less arrogant and, among other things, the orange peel in the paint would be taken care of. I also hate the fact that Ferrari are Sell-outs with all their baby bibs, mugs and trinkets. The fact that it is the most recognizable brand in the world (more than Apple or even Coca-Cola) is a bad thing. Ferrari's market should be small and not overexposed the way it is now. Sure they can sell accessories but if only they would limit themselves to quality garments, pens, high-end watches, luggage, etc....I'd be ok with that. But I hate that they're washing down that brand and that logo by sticking it on every damn thing they can think of and making cheap stuff....makes me sad but as long as their pockets are full why should they care? right?
Hello Daniel; You want mayor's opinion, might I suggest this thread https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-discussion-not-model-specific/424627-i-think-im-done-ferrari.html there's HUNDREDS & MORE!!! Is that ENOUGH opinion/s ??!!!...Alex
Yes, "theMayor"s behavior is odd indeed. His behavior does not reconcile. I also thought many of his comments did not reconcile and I called him on it on his thread that he openly requested be closed. No offense Mayor, you are a great contributor. But, I will call out what I believe are material inconsistencies. The whole semantic argument about closing down the other thread is silly. You even stated in this thread that you were done with it and came back. Enjoy your new vette. I hope it brings you more pleasure than your Ferrari.
You would be better served to do your RESEARCH, prior to making idiotic statements such as "The fact is Ferrari is the most recognizable brand in the world ( more than Apple or Coca-Cola)" Ferrari is "98th" your assertion about Ferrari being #1 is LAUGHABLE!!!...Alex http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/2013/Best-Global-Brands-2013-Brand-View.aspx The 20 Most Valuable Brands In The World - Business Insider
I agree with this. Not so much on your other comments but I would certainly welcome less orange peel. Ferrari is not perfect. They have come a long way. From my view, they have never been better. Therefore, I'm grateful that I am in a position to drive what I view as the most passionate maker of sports cars for the road. The fact that the 458 is beautiful is icing on the cake.
In true fairness & complete disclosure that ranking is based on... "But the ranking takes into account more than just a company's bottom line. Brand Finance also looks at margins, average revenue per customer and less tangible notions like brand affection and loyalty". The greatest factor being "Average revenue per customer"....99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of people in the world can afford a bottle of Coke,. LESS THAN .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% of the people in the world can afford a Ferrari. Go to anywhere in the remotest parts of the world & show 100 people a can of Coke & a Ferrari emblem, which 1 do you believe gets recognized the most?!...it's a rhetorical question!...Alex
Not the point. Ferrari isn't the most recognizable brand. It's the most powerful. Not of any car company, but of ANY company.
I must admit, when I got to the end of the other thread, I was very disappointed that it was closed. Now, I can't speak to The Mayor and his experiences with buying new Ferraris, as I'm just not in that price league. What I can address is my take on the march of technology that has left the cars boring or clinical or however you want to describe it, from his perspective (And others). Basically, if that's how you experience it, that's how you experience it, but that's not how I look at it at all. When I was in high school in the 70's, I had posters of a Dino 246, a 512BB, and the Sunoco Porsche (That one on my ceiling, so it was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes in the morning). I drove a '74 FIAT X1/9 (Chrome Yellow, baby), because that was as close to a 246 as I could get. Forgetting the race car, would I want a Dino 246 or a 512BB today? Would I rather have either of them than my 456M? Absolutely not (If you gave them to me, I'd sell them immediately). I wouldn't want to go back to the age before fuel injection and ABS, to tell you the truth (I'd be long ago dead if not for the ABS on one of my BMW motorcycles), and driving a Ferrari with modern tire widths without power assisted steering would be a cruel joke. Torture. Not to mention that my boring 456M cruiser would completely clean the plow of a 512BB on the track (And I drove it down US60, and it is a monster competent car on wicked roads - very confidence inspiring). So you can have your visceral experiences with old Ferraris; I get those on motorcycles. I'm getting a 612 so I can get into the next generation of progress (And the 612 would smoke a Testarossa on the track as well). I want that refinement. That's the experience I crave: Effortless control. What the guys who long for the days of yore are railing against is called mechanical efficiency. It's being a luddite, which is fine, so long as you recognize you're a luddite (I'm a luddite with guitar audio gear, for example: You can shove your Mk V Boogie and all your software plug-in effects up your a**!). Mechanical efficiency improvements are why an FF is now as fast around a track as an F40 was! If you like that old stuff, fine, I understand from my stance as a guitar luddite. But go to the nearest mirror and say to yourself, "I am a Ferrari luddite!" Say it with pride. You'll feel better about yourself. lol. Meanwhile, I'm looking for the next new sexy. Cheers, George
Why? What's it to you? I don't "call you out" or anyone else for that matter. Can't people just disagree or do you have to feel you must win? I can understand you're taking a possession of a new car and being overjoyed by it. I was too at one time. But, like most things, opinions change over time. Yours may or may not. That's for you to decide. And, it's no one's business but your own if you do, or don't. I respect your opinion, please respect those of others and everything will be just fine. The 458 is a great car. I've said it many times. It's just not for me anymore as it doesn't fit my cup of tea. I don't see what's wrong with that any more than someone saying you're crazy if you don't like it. Trust me... there will be a time in the future when you say to yourself it's time to sell or trade this new toy. 99% of all owners do. I don't think that's hypocritical at all. Its just that you decided its time to move on. What was once amazing and astounding is no longer. That's not hypocrisy -- it's human nature.
Nice post. I am passionate about sports cars. I and many others get pleasure debating what we think is best. Of course, what is best for some is not best for others as we all have different needs and desires.
I have no ill feelings at all to anyone, especially those who disagree with me. My only hope in starting the other thread was to give a voice to those who think things should change and improve. For some, changing and improving is not what they want. And, I can understand at least the changing part. Fchat is a wonderful place. Not many forums would let both pro and con mouth off as they do without stepping in or everyone posting calling each other "a troll". I never intended the old thread to be such a thorn in the side or last as long as it did. Things just happen. Now, go get your car and enjoy it as I did when I first picked mine up. What's important is not what I think but what YOU think.
If I may....... I for one am not in the purchasing bracket that the "Mayor" is in........yet I thoroughly enjoyed his take on his experiences....and although the original thread spun out of control I really enjoyed it.......it spun because it evoked strong opinions!!! ....That is one aspect that should be kept alive here....strong opinions, advice etc...lets have it......being a complete wanker....the door is to your left.
Cool down Alex! I know this thread very well, thx. Now please accept that I will decide when I have ENOUGH from Mayor's opinions. Hope that's ok for you.
