This is another reason why non-racing Ferraris should have manual gearboxes.

I don't know any billionaires, but lots of people with net worth in the millions. I haven't read the articles you referenced, so my experience is direct (people I know). But everything in my experience echos what you are saying.

Almost all of those I know that are worth 7 figures or more are self made. Either through business startup or through saving/investing/careful lifestyle. The only people that I know that started out with wealthy parents - are now struggling (not saying that happens in all cases, but those that I know seem to "blow it" as they come to adulthood).

I believe that it's very possible to become a millionaire in the US. Heck, they used to tell us (back in the dark ages) when I was in college, that if you invested 10% of every paycheck, by the time you hit 60, you would have a nest egg in the millions.

A little luck never hurts, but I truely believe that having a goal (retire with millions), having a plan, and sticking to that plan - will get you there. Education helps, but isn't a requirement.

The only other driving factor that I can think of is that many of us have/had parents that lived through the great depression. And, those parents had a great distrust of relying on anyone or any government agency for anything. I think they probably passed some of that paranoia to us children. I know that I (and many of my friends) have had the life-long attitude that we solely responsible for our future - and that the government and/or pension companies will only fail you.

Sid

 

Don't try to put the blame on the poor California, manual 575, 360, 612, 430 weren't selling either.

I could see a manual gearbox in a modern Dino, but a LaFerrari with stick would be laughable.

 

Part of the slow sales was probably because no one realized at the time that MT was doomed after the 612 / 599 / F430 / CA series. Thinking back on it, MT went out very quickly. Previous generation of 360 / 550 / 456 had a healthy percentage of manuals.

Main reason was most of the recent NEW buyers are collectors or posers. Those folks would never want MT, since they lack skills. Enthusiasts now tend to buy used.

Maybe if Ferrari had offered free advanced training programs with the purchase, more buyers would be interested in MT. Who knows.

Not sure if Ferrari will offer MT in Dino. It is not in the 4C nor the McLaren 570S. It is in the Porsche Cayman GT-4 and Boxster Spyder; but, Ferrari seems little interested in doing battle with Porsche these days.

 

Well, not really. 360s had about 20 percent manuals, and 456 had even fewer manuals. The 550 was only made in a manual so no choice but the 575 has very few manuals.

You are correct when you say that the majority of enthusiasts buy used but I think that has long been the case. However, as time goes on, I do believe that enthusiasts will get their hands on the newer cars that are only available in paddle shift.

 

Anyone else wonder why the world would care about some no name rapper buying a car for a girl whose famous for being famous from a family that is known--only for being famous?

I bet it's a lease. Or I'd that the girl bought it herself.

Whole story seems like bs.

 

Being able to drive a manual is not some great accomplishment. If is was for anyone here, they should probably be using transit.

 

If everyone would just ignore nonsense, perhaps the nonsense would go away.

OTOH - Boxerman - you are definitely one of my top posters. Thanks for your contributions to this forum.

 

Paul, you are an accomplished individual. I like this post on many levels.

 

It's always a shame to see someone downplaying others people's success as a means to justify their lack thereof.

 

And this is the crux of what really pisses off people who have started at the bottom of an industry and managed to have success. Nothing irritates me more than for people to call me "lucky" in my success. It totally negates work ethic, personal sacrifice and talent.

For the record, my dad grew up in an orphanage and faked his birth certificate to join the Navy at 15. My mom's dad died when she was 4, leaving her mother a widow with seven kids and an 8th grade education. My parents are retired very well, but they did not make their money until I had long since graduated college and was gone from home. As they are not dead, I have not inherited anything and quite frankly, hope not to. I'd like them to spend every dime they made.

No inherited wealth. No Ivy league educations. No wealthy friends. No sugar daddy. No riding on my husband's paycheck. And I don't know anyone who has. All of my friends who have money made it themselves. 100%.

 

For the manual experience, there is a great Petrolicious video of Derek Hill driving a 1964 250 GTO in the CA hills. Epic.


Or watch Senna's blistering qualifying lap of Monaco. Manual gear change.

 

All you ladies swooning over McQueen is definately more girly than driving a california with flappy paddles.

 

Glad someone said it. Who gives a **** what someone else would drive? Be your own man and stop swooning over a late actor/driver.



Mark

 

Hahahaha!

 

Driving a manual is easy. Mastering it is quite another story. The percentage of manual drivers who even know what a heel/toe downshift is, let alone can execute one, is very, very small.

Dave

 

As of late, we have witnessed a popular sour grapes implication by several rather infamous newer members. It goes something along these lines:

"People only buy Ferraris for the following reasons: to pose with, to flip, or because they inherited their money. I am a hard working enthusiast so it only makes sense that I don't own a Ferrari."

As I said before, in my personal experience, that couldn't be further from the truth. Some of the hardest core car guys and hard working people I know, including some that came from nothing, bought and own Ferraris. Multiple Ferraris usually and several from new. That misinformed stereotypical line of thinking just doesn't jibe with what I've seen. The only place where it somewhat lines up at all is with the people I've met that go into the dealer to buy their first Ferrari and order a new car. There are more that seem less passionate about the cars and the marque than the long time owners, from what I have seen personally. But I still haven't seen anyone who inherited their money go buy a Ferrari.

 

It has everything to do with drive and confidence and nothing to do with fallback options.

 

+1 but this thread was about how there is no experience needed to drive a new Ferrari. After about 15 minutes of training I'm sure any Jenner could drive a manual Ferrari. It is not really something to brag about. The thinking here seems to be that if you have a manual Ferrari, then you are a true enthusiast. What transmission a car has tells me zero about it's owners ability. If someone has tracked their car, again it tells me nothing about their driving ability. The need for some to categorise enthusiasts is just insecurity or jealousy. BTW Catilin Jenner could probably school most here at driving a manual. That being said, she doesn't seem to have a need for a stick.

 

You are so right! Being skilled with a manual is no biggie. The vast majority of Europeans, from the 20 year old guy to the 90 year old lady can do it!
And Caitlin is for sure a demon manipulating a stick!

 

Thank you sir, I do consider myself a product of luck and hardwork. I fully concede that one has to work hard, but the hand you are drawn can be at the very least half of one's fate.

What really made this post offensive to me, is the underlying assumptions of the Super_Dave:

1) Overwhelming majority of Affluent people got it through inheritance
2) Affluent people are those that can afford to buy a Ferrari (not including my Mondial of course, anybody one of those!) But he was talking about 488/F12s etc
3) In essence, most of you fine gentlemen here inherited your Ferrari with no hard work involved.

That really did touch a nerve. I know too many people that work their butts off and sacrifice in order to enjoy things they are passionate about. I know talking and becoming friends with many here, that we have one group of very talented hard working individuals. I saw the above views it a gross mischaracterization of reality.

On Final Note, I do have a minority of friends that inherited money. I make no judgement on them either - in the end it's how one behaves to their fellow human being. If a person got a huge trust fund and bought an Enzo, I would neither assume any negative nor positive things about that person.

But to basically say the overwhelming majority of Ferrari owners inherited their cars I think is just wrong, and I had to speak out.

 

Yes but it makes some people feel better about themselves and gives them an excuse as to why they can't afford one.

 

Are a good man.



Sid

 

Be born in places like North Korea instead of the US and having those traits may get you a little bigger bowl of rice but not much else.

There are two sides to this situation. The underachievers may very well attempt to cut down the tall poppies and that is rather sad and frustrating. But the flip side is for those targeted for this criticism to fail to acknowledge good fortune and express gratitude in areas that facilitiated their success. Their lack of humility may ultimately be their undoing.

As for the topic at hand, I remember when Ferrari introduced paddles in Formula 1 about '89(?), really cool technology. However, looking at the realities of owning an F1 gearbox in a road car...I have no interest at all. IMO this is also why Maserati has suffered monstrous deprecaition on their models in the last decade. The '05-08 Quattroporte with the Cambiocorsa box are headed toward parts-car price levels. If they had had a manual option on that car today examples with it would be selling for much more. An enthusiast wants to drive using it, and a DIY guy can more or less take care of it.

Traditional Manual = good
Torque Converter Automatic = good (depending on car)
F1 box = do not ever want
Dual-clutch box = no interest

 

You nailed it. That seems to be the mindset of (some of) the manual crowd here. I can totally understand not liking the F1/DCT; beyond that I don't get the resentment and bitterness to the extent of saying new buyers, F1-,and DCT-owners are not true enthusiasts, disconnected with the car, etc. I guess it makes them feel better about their choice.