Stress of Ferrari ownership?

• If you are going to put many miles on it, you have to accept that scrapes are going to happen, and you are going to have maintenance items.
• When the car window got broken before mall security ran them off, I was pretty nervous about leaving it at places for about 6 months.
  • Dealer had the window replaced in something like 1 week, car cleaned, etc.
• We drive ours all the time. After 3.5 years, I still get a little nervous about it, but it is significantly better than before.

Best piece of advice I can give is make sure you have someone you trust to work on it and make sure you are ok with the spend. If you have those two things, live it up with the car and enjoy every moment you can. We all have very limited time here, so make it count.

 

They are cars for people who enjoy punishment. Do you enjoy punishment?

 

I was like that the first few years of ownership. It goes away.
One caveat that I gave myself.. is that it's a car and it doesn't need to be "Perfect". It's going to get bumper scraped and nudged. One day I was driving in late summer and an acorn fell down from a tree and left an oh so mild dent in the rear quarter panel. It's still there today. Haven't taken it out.

Driving her has gone from an adrenaline experience to spending time with an old friend. Still wonderful, but different. Ultimately it's just a car.

 

Those feelings get worse the higher you go in the automotive food chain, so being in a lesser priced exotic should ease that over time. I definately worry about my cars like that, it is just in my DNA. I have one car where when I bought it I had those feelings bad at first, then they eased up....but then the car started appreciating (worth 3X what I paid now) and they came back more and won't leave....like my wife's family LOL

As much as I would love to have say a CGT, I'm probably not cut out for the ownership experience.

 

Relax. honestly its a car. I have had the same worries. My first Ferrari, was a Lemon, and money pit. what worried me was how much money the next problem was going to eat from me... that is still a bit of the same thing today, but I now realize that I own the car...not the other way around. Its still irritating when something goes wrong... but I'm better. As for worrying about where to park etc... I'm past that. What I dont like is bad roads, ( In Atlanta that is pretty much anywhere in the city ) huge pot holes etc. its more the inconvenience of when things go wrong. Things will happen... its just a car. If you really cant get past it, and its more anxiety than fun... move on, unless that will cause more regret. I have a Ferrari for me... and not for anyone else. if its anything other than that... move on. I agree its a tough question to ask you self.

 

Gravity, friction, heat, weather, time, dirt, rocks, and *******s will constantly plugue those of us who wish to keep them perfect. Just part of life.

 

I recall that every time I got in my 1990 348TS there was anxiety that something would go wrong, which it often did.
My '99 Modena gated coupe was a different story. Had the car 6 or 7 years and never had a problem with it. I avoided following too close behind other cars for fear of a windshield crack, which fortunately never happened before I sold the car.
Even my current car, a 1971 365 GTC/4, creates a bit of anxiety when a take it out for monthly drives. But 2000 miles later, I am happy to report that the car starts and runs perfectly.

 

Greatest quote ever, you win the day!

 

Explain to me how marriage is different.

 

Letting a valet park it is not something I have considered (yet)!

 

Its not a modern problem.

 

I generally don't leave my sports cars unattented.

The list of people who have your best interests in mind is very short: you yourself and close family and/or true friends if you are very lucky. Typically not on this list are: mechanics, shop owners, valets and random people in public parking spaces. Less exposure = fewer troubles.

 

Other than it's 6 or more digits, pretty much the same

 

To me, *real* Ferrari ownership is part of if something happens, it’s not big deal. If it *is* a concern, then may not be for you. Cliche of who owns who?

or, just do what many other owners do, keep it in your garage and just look at it. People also like to save toys so other people can play with them when they die, doesn’t do it for me, but who am i to judge?

if just looking at a car gives you the same joy as me driving it, your money, and I’m happy for you. If driving gives you stress, what’s the point? Buy a Vette and be done with it. Chevrolets are quite good.

 

There’s the reliability/cost consideration and perfection obsession.

With regard to the first, it comes down to the specific model, state of maintenance and how you use it. My 328 kept me worrying for the first months, but as I drove it and had the routine services done the anxiety stopped. A friend with a 355 sold his (good) car because he was always worried about expensive failures. I always buy models I can afford if the worst case scenario happens.

I ultimately went back to an older 911, which I drive without concern. No significant issues, but if there were I can afford the repairs. Also, after a major service and multiple minor services the car is a known quantity to me.

As far as keeping it perfect, you can do it by taking point A-to point A trips. Or you can accept a bit of patina. Even 250 GTOs get raced at Goodwood….

 

No, we want to hear about it now!

 

The 911 to me is the answer. Miata is a close second. Vette is honorable mention. Those 3 are the best choices for sane people.

 

Mine needs a paint job. The clear is pretty faded in some spots. I just finished a full restoration on the rebuilt title viper I bought to drive everywhere and I don't want to drive it because it is flawless. I laugh when the Ferrari goes through something it shouldn't. It's seen rain,snow, sleet, mud, manure, and even human sewage when a camper tank ruptured on the highway. I don't know if I will repaint it lol.

 

Calm down Veruca....

 

You should take a leaf out of Nick Mason's book! He holds a 'garden party' open to the public at his home each year to raise funds for the Air Ambulance. Lots of his expensive cars on show and no roping off or anything.

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I will say that Brits are a bit better behaved than Americans at car shows. I will never forget at the Ferrari Fini Mondiali at Daytona, some couple walk up and put their toddler into an F1 car, to take a picture, and then let the kid bang his hands all over the body work. un believable! I did not know what to do or say - it could have been their car? but finally a mechanic came running over to tell them to stop... I would never expect that in the UK.

 

A family had their little kid using a running board as a slide on a 1948 Jaguar at a SoCal car show. Car owner was unhappy when he apotted it