Misconceptions about driving a Ferrari

It seems there are two camps here, those who empathize with others, and recognize human nature for what it is, and those , well, who don't. I wonder why so many seemingly lack an understanding of what I consider to be common sense and "real life"? Best

 

This how I see it.

IMO, owning and driving a Ferrari to a business meeting is showing you're successful (same goes for a Rolls or an expensive classic, etc).

Others feel it shows to your clients "you charge too much" or to your employees "he's getting a fortune and I'm not!"

Really? You're worried that people think you're so good you can over charge just because of the car you drive? You're worried the people who work for you will suddenly hate you because you drive a nice car and they don't?

Have we become so concerned about showing success that we can't show it anymore?

When I look at a new vendor, I look at

1) what they have done or accomplished
2) what qualifications they bring to the job
3) what they say they can do for me
4) what they will charge me for this service
5) how they compete against others who are also up for the task I need taken care of

IMO, the car they drive has nothing to do with any of those. I can't imagine I picked a vendor and then later saw his Ferrari and said to myself "gee... I'm getting screwed! I should have picked somebody else."

Being successful is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

Maybe things are "different" in Las Vegas? Something that flies in Las Vegas may not fly in Albuquerque.

 

I think this is extremely well said.

 

Oh man. Sorry to hear that...T

 

Sorry to hear. Very aggravating. However, if you've been victimized by crime and you/ loved ones are physically safe then I'd still say you are doing all right.

One thought is rather than driving Ferrari to meetings is rent a car. Some car insurance will rent you a car if your car is stolen. You should talk with your insurance.

 

There are many, many people who would indeed think "I'm getting screwed" and react to that feeling. You may not know it immediately, but there -will- be a push-back. For an employee, maybe driving that car to work puts you on the next cut list, or affects your next raise, since "they make enough for a Ferrari." If you're a consultant/business owner, maybe your next proposal is scrutinized just a bit closer than before, or a bit of goodwill burns off.

The point is, you just don't know. If one has FU money, then no harm. For many of us -- and I'm a poorboy for sure -- the reward of driving isn't worth the risk of harm.

 

Lots of good points. Only thing I would add is to remember that people like to do business with people who they find relatable. The shiny red F car can work to your advantage, but realistically in most cases will probably be to your detriment


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i was thinking about this thread today.

we have a client (current customer, pays a solid 6 digits to us) and the principals there are definitely car guys. they've brought car magazines, talk about it, etc. they've been successful as well and appreciate muscle cars. importantly, we're in the tech space; neither of our businesses have anything to do with cars)

so anyway, they flew out to our business today to meet up and discuss more potential business we could do together. they spent a solid 5 minutes talking about how they had wished for me to bring the 458s over so they could get rides etc etc. (they weren't so interested in riding around in my ford fusion!) so, now i have the opposite case: this would have probably helped further bond/develop the relationship! (vs. golf!)

 

I run a small business and I would never drive my 458 to work or let any of my clients know. Bad for business. You should be concerned about what others think if you want them to continue paying your invoices!
What's laughable is equating a Ferrari or any expensive item with success. I guess all those trust fund babies or people who didn't earn their wealth are more successful than a person who built his own wealth from scratch??

 

With all the BS going on in the Healthcare industry (thanks to our inept govt), cost spiraling out of control, driving a Ferrari (or any exotic) seems like a really, really bad idea (or smart on your part for not doing it). I can imagine someone getting a huge bill and linking that to you so you can drive your "Ferrari".

Let's face it, a lot of people are ignorant about this. An old 308 costs less than a new Audi (which would be perfectly acceptable). It just looks "rich".

It's definitely worse in some parts of the country than others.

 

Of course Mayor, and in the front of the customer office a short performance with a few high revs up to 9000 rpm, of course with a sport exhaust. Look at me, your successful consultant is here!

OMG, what a poser, soooo embarrassing!

The measure of your own success is the success and satisfaction of your customers. Everything else nobody cares.

 

Laughable?

Is is laughable to have a fancy office?

Is it laughable to have a $50K watch?

Is it laughable to live in house with a 5 car garage?

What is laughable, if not actually sad, is being a poser.

Ya know, the next time I look for a lawyer and I ask to meet him in his office, I'm going to make sure his office looks like a broom closet. Or maybe we should have a cup of coffee at the Greyhound station.

I don't want to find a nice clean efficient office with fancy computers and legal books and think I'm getting overcharged. I would NEVER equate a nice legal office to how well they do their jobs. Any slob can be a good lawyer, right? The Judge never sees his office.

Some of you need to join the "secret Ferrari owners club". You have one but you only tell the wife (maybe!)

 

Yeah, kinda like this successful scumbag, right? I'd rather do business in a broom closet than with the CEO Of ML who spent $1.2M remodeling his office with $100K rugs and $35K toilets while his company is about to become insolvent. He then went on to become a highly paid CEO of CIT group, whose stock hasn't done **** since, but at least you'd be doing business with a guy with 8 bathroom and a 12 car garage?

"Upon joining Merrill Lynch, Thain received a $15 million signing bonus. The firm announced that Thain would receive at least $50 million a year and could be paid as much as $120 million a year, based on the company's stock price. The Associated Press identified Thain, who received $83.1 million, as one of the best paid executives of S&P 500 companies in 2007. In that year, Thain earned a total compensation of $83,785,021, which included a base salary of $750,000, a cash bonus of $15,000,000, stock grant of $33,013,151, and options grant of $35,017,421.[10]

Thain suggested to the directors that he receive a bonus in 2008 of as much as $10 million, because he "saved Merrill" by selling it off to Bank of America. After the compensation committee at Merrill refused the request, Thain reportedly dropped it on December 8, 2008.[11][12]

It was revealed on January 22, 2009 that Thain spent $1.22 million of corporate funds in early 2008 to renovate two conference rooms, a reception area, and his office, spending $131,000 for area rugs, $68,000 for an antique credenza, $87,000 for guest chairs, $35,115 for a gold-plated commode on legs, and $1,100 for a wastebasket. Thain subsequently apologized for his lapse in judgment, and reimbursed the company in full for the costs.[13][14][15][16]

Thain accelerated approximately $4 billion in bonus payment to employees at Merrill just prior to the close of the deal with Bank of America. Bank of America was aware of the payment, as allowing the payment to go through was reportedly one of the conditions under the merger agreement. Speculation mounted that some of TARP fund was used for the bonus payment, but TARP recipients are yet to disclose how the funds were segregated, or what they were used for.

Sheila Bair, chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported that during a meeting with the Treasury secretary at the depth of the financial panic, Thain asked the secretary if the TARP program would impact his compensation.[17]"

 

Laughable is to mean each Ferrari driver is a succesful business man.

 

Absolutely agreed on that Daniel !

There are enough frauds driving a Maserati or Porsche or Ferrari ... dozens ...

 

Sorry I didn't read the whole thread...but my 2 cents for what it's worth..

I think It depends on the individual person. Everyone reacts differently to a ferrari given different situations. Persons reaction could be positive or negative depending on personal bias/experiences.. But generally, u should win customers thru good, honest, reliable business practices and one's exceptional character ( the whole package). IMHO a car doesn't define you or the quality of your business. Those are just the rewards/bonuses. It all depends what u bring to the table and what your trying to portray to the client. If u are a genuine person, your sales presentation, meetings etc, will likely be successful. Let your personality, and intelligence shine through. At that point, the ferrari shouldn't hurt because you've shown fantastic qualities and professionalism. But if you are a big D- bag, it will definitely hurt and make things worse and probably exponentially so! It really depends how u present yourself. People can see through BS.

And if you are a young man in your 20s driving a supercar, ppl will assume the worse.. Probably dad's car, trust fund baby etc, first impressions stick, so it's up to the individual to make the difference. Ppl are gonna assume the obvious/stereotypes.. If u break that trend, it's a breath of fresh air to people. If you're worried, u probably shouldn't take it. Enjoy it for yourself on your free time (however that may be) and don't try to impress others.. Business and pleasure shouldn't mix. Just enjoy it during your personal time

 

I really want to believe that you have a Ferrari because you like the car, not because you like to look wealthy.

 

Oh puulease. Everyone likes the car and everyone likes the appearance of being successful when driving one. I can't stand people on the board who deny that that is a part of (and an enjoyable part of owning) a Ferrari. Quit bull****ting yourself.

 

Showing off gets old. some people like to be low key but still appreciate and drive ferraris. Doesn't mean their reasons for ownership/enjoyment are invalid.

 

That is true. In my situation I never take the car out and do blockies around the popular parts in my region with the window down. I drive it and have fun. But true it's a great feeling when everyone comes and has a look at my cars.

 

Well you won't like me then! In the UK there is such negativity attached to success and wealth that I can assure you I take zero pleasure in the appearance of being successful, it is just a target for others. Sad it should be so but that is what it is now. I buy my cars to drive them and if I could do so with no one around, that would suit me just fine.