488 Pista - qualifying demands

It sounds like the dealer experience varies significantly by region and even dealers within. I don’t have any LE’s but have owned several 8’2 and 12’s, including a recently delivered 812 and I have nothing but great things to say about FofSV. They have never played the you have to buy this if you want that game. Sounds like I am fortunate to live where I do because I have heard some pretty tough stories about a dealer up north.

 

That is your bias. There are plenty of us who admire high end watches for their status, their workmanship, their commitment to traditional watchmaking techniques. Whatever the reason may be, its a valid enough reason that people choose to spend money on high end watches. Just because a nice high end watch doesn't float your boat, means nothing.

We all value different things that ridiculously priced and serve no other purpose than to satisfy ones ego. To try to proclaim your passions have validity while others do not is just ignorance and intolerance.

The same adrenaline, eager anticipation that is provided by a Ferrari, Lambo or Mclaren can be had in a rice rocket 15k Honda with 5 grand worth of turbos put in. Zero reason to spend hundreds of thousands on a car if all you are looking to do is experience a rush driving fast.

 

Not sure what you are hearing but Ferrari dealers have brand new cars sitting they can deliver. The exception might be the 812 which will change soon. Just like every other mnfr needs/wants to sell as many cars as they can. Some people dont want to accept this and fall for the BS.

Personally, I had a Lusso on order to get my Pista then cancelled it as I thought better of it. As others have said the game has changed and there are options (arguably better options).

Exclusivity is great but the pricing on these cars keeps them exclusive enough.

 

That is too subjective and an old school way of thinking. I have had multiple F cars and will have more but not because of "passion" or "heritage" but rather because it interests/appeals to me.

 

No disagreement that any dealer is in the business of selling cars, plain and simple. And suffice it to say, buyers are just simply looking to buy cars and hopefully it is the car they really want rather than buying one car first and then getting the one they really want later. I think what is missing in a lot conversations is the number of cars that a dealer is allocated relative to the demand in their area - hence the dealer playing games with cars that they have available to sell.

Not sure where you are located and what the market is like there. I am located in the SF Bay Area and have a new 488GTS, and there are no 812 or Pistas available (what they have are spoken for) - and I have asked numerous times but believe it will be available soon once they work through their allocation with their top clients. I like my 488GTS so no issue here and am just waiting for the 812 allocation when one becomes available. There is no problem getting a Lusso as there are not many takers out here for that car. McLarens are very easy to get here, all variants 570, 570s, 675, and 720s - they are sitting at the dealer and waiting for someone to walk in. I regularly get calls from the dealer about their inventory.

 

Sorry but I’m going to have to side with Dave regarding Ferrari passion.

 

I buy most of my cars in the DC area both the local F dealer and McLaren dealer have cars to sell. McLaren dealer has 2-3 new 720's and 3x that amount in 570's + a few used ones. F dealer has similar inventory for 488's and even demo Portofino's. 812's can be had but there is a wait. You cannot currently get a Pista without a Lusso order. Seems to be inline with your market.

 

That doesnt change the fact it is subjective. I dont feel anymore passion in a Ferrari than a Lambo or Mac but I am not 60+ years old either.

 

Many buyers less than 60 (in my case less than 50) feel passionate about Ferrari. It is not an intangible thing either. It is very relevant, buying any of these nonsensical cars is only about feeling, so buying into the heritage of a brand, what it represents, who has owned it and driven for it before, what its engineers have achieved both on and off the track, is quite legitimately important in some people’s minds.

 

It is certainly intangible and means nothing but to the few that feel this way. Dont get me wrong I am still a fan but I feel the driving experience anymore special than certain other cars especially these days. Perhaps I might feel otherwise in a 550 manual, 328 or 355 GTS, 599 GTO and some other models.

 

Your comparison between a genuine super car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Mclaren to a 15K Honda with Turbos all being able to provide a similar driving experience, you clearly miss the point entirely. You link driving fast with what I was discussing about the joy, pleasure and excitement of driving a super car. While speed is a component of what makes super cars so special, there is a plethora of other elements comprising the unique and exhilirating driving experience inherent in those cars.

The fact that you value expensive watches is your business. It means little to me how you and others allocate their financial resources. If it gives you pleasure, good for you.

 

You aren't getting it. It is absolutely my business to gain pleasure and value expensive watches. It is absolutely your business to gain pleasure and value expensive cars.

People value and gain pleasures from a number of different things and nor you or I are the arbitrators of that. You cannot on the one hand talk about the great value and pleasure of expensive cars while at the same time dismissing the value and pleasure of expensive watches.

Just as you can summarily dismiss the joy a certain watch brings an enthusiast, someone can just as easily dismiss the joy of driving a Performante.

But you value your nice fancy car because it brings you joy. How can you then go and dismiss the same joy that a watch may bring a collector? Fast cars dont have to be expensive. Cars that have passion and soul dont need to be multi hundred thousand dollar ferraris and lamborghinis. Watches dont have to be expensive and complex. They can be simple time pieces for a few hundred dollars.

But we all have our passions and we all have things we can justify spending our money on. No on here gets to decide for the someone else that which one can spend their discretionary income on.

 

You clearly are not reading. I do not care how you or anyone else spends their money or what you or others gain pleasure from. Whatever makes you happy is good by me.

 

I dont want to beat a dead horse but what you are posting above seems different than your comment. You are clearly making a statement that cars are ok to spend money on but watches are not.

 

That is his opinion which I thought he made clear. It's my opinion too, I don't wear watches because I ruin them and I don't like the feel of them on my wrist. My arms are long and I tend to crack faces. I would much prefer a pair of shoes or expensive leather jacket.

 

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. All Im saying is that you cant have an opinion that its ok to spend money on cars but not on watches. Someone else would say why waste money on cars, just buy a Toyota.

One luxury useless item cant be considered passionate and another useless. These are all useless items, just depends on your particular opinion.

 

I think at that point I would spend $10k to have protestors show up for the next week with a pic of the GM on the posters they would be carrying.

I’ve done that before, it was very well worth it. Not car related, I just don’t like getting screwed and I am a proponent of revenge

 

Of course a person can have an opinion that is contradictory, people do it all the time. The Ferrari isn't useless nor is the watch. They are more expensive than a watch or car that just get the job done, i.e. telling time or going from A to B.

To me a watch is useless, entirely. I already carry a phone so I don't need a watch for telling me what time it is. A car on the other hand is useful although my Ferrari isn't very useful for many trips that I make so I don't use it as often as I do the Range Rover. You could also argue the Range Rover is useless because it's a 6 figure luxury off road vehicle but I actually use it off-road and I think it's serves the purpose way better than say a Sierra 2500.

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It will be interesting to see how Ferrari's new higher pricing works out vis-a-vis depreciation.

 

I'm not sure its really "the few" who feel this way. In my experience there are varying levels of passion for Ferrari. I don't think its so simple as two groups: the few; the majority. Your list of cars is a good example. Several years ago I accidentally uttered a phrase when talking with another car friend: "it captures my imagination" and I think that is as good a phrase as any for these things. So those cars must capture your imagination. And I think when you find something that does this, whether it is due to the heritage, or the technology, or the lines, or because you just like fancy things, or- you like the deal- then that is great. In the end these are all just things, none of us really need them to survive (though we would joke it would be tough). So whatever works for you, that's great. I simply wish to suggest there are probably more than a few Ferrari owners who do feel the passion for the marque.

 

People buy cars, watches, washing machines and a multitude of goods for diverse reasons. Whatever one's motives, preferences or goals, if the buyer is ultimately satisfied with their choice, then great for them. I do not care.

 

This is hilarious. Please share the story and pics if you have them!

 

what is that reeves or pecos? You could use a mini cooper out there, a tire rut is the biggest hill.

 

That's NE Culberson about 12 miles from Orla and it's pretty hilly but the picture is taken from a high point. The two rutters out there are really tough to navigate but the Range Rover does it in style and comfort without a problem. The Sierra will shake your kidneys apart driving around out there.

 

hey you got off cheap I was told I would need to by a Lusso and they had one I could buy in stock ....I of course passed. I would like a Pista but not that bad..and I had purchased 4 new Ferraris from them.and have 4 Ferraris in my garage . life goes on If I get one I get one if not no big deal....