What do you say when someone finds out you own a ferrari?

The reaction depends on what Ferrari I am in.

Here in Europe people usually don't think you have money galore when they find out, that you have a 25 year old 308. Most realize, that a 308 is an old car and not that expensive (at least not more expensive than other old cars). With my 308 I never met people beeing envious. I often get nice comments or questions like "is maintainance a lot of work?" or "do you everything yourself?"

But as I found out it is the exact opposit with my 430. Since taking delivery of it about 2 months ago most reacted as you described it. "Don't you know what to do with your money?" ... "Why haven't you done something reasonable with your money?"... "Who do you want to impress with your car?" ...
My answer always is, that it is not more expensive than a porsche or a mercedes, but I like it better and as everybody is that jealous of my car it obviously must be the better car. Taking a turbo s cabrio and a fine equipped sl55 as comparison I even have not lied.

But I shouldn't complain of that. Most Europeans think, that you have to prove your castration before Porsche is selling a car to you. At least they think, I am a rich eunuch with my F-car and not only an ordinary eunuch with a Porsche.

There are a lot of immigrants from Turkey in Germany in Switzerland. Actually they are the biggest minority here. It is noticeable, that the young ottoman guys buy cheap used BMW E36 to pimp them with flashy rims, loud exhausts and fancy bodywork, as much bling bling as possible.
So what is the most heard question to BMW 3 series drivers in this catholic country, regardless of which 3xx (E30, E36, E46)? "Hey, have you been to the mosque this morning and do you have a koran in your car?"

People have prejudices and want to see them fullfilled.

 

Nice to see the insight. I don't think anyone is "embarrased" to be seen in their car, rather, its the concern over negative repurcussions.

1) Someone following you home...robbing you.

2) Getting overcharged by subs/contractors. Its hard to drive a hard bargaining if someone sees you in a ferrari. They figure you could "pay more." I have seen this veiled many different ways...

3) Patients figure you are ripping them off. The fact of the matter is that a patient is charged the same by a doc driving a yugo, straight out of residency, and by a top expert. Folks don't get that. Most of these fees are fixed. I don't think any patients (yet) know what I drive. But I still have to listen everyday when they complain about their bills!!! And quite frankly - its the hospital that bills, I have NOTHING to do with it. I try to sympathize, but they still feel they are getting screwed. Now, imagine the same scenario, but I pull up to work in a ferrari. Yeah...that will work.

On the bright side, I have gotten zero grief from my family. One of my aunts even congratulated me on my new vette .

 

Live in Asia for a while, learn to bargain. They don't like the counter offer, no work for them.

 

I tell them I have wanted one since I was a teenager, and I finally can afford it. I also usually explain that being self employed, I must give myself a bonus as there is no 'boss' to get one from. I have no problem answering the normal questions (how fast, how much, etc...). It is a part of the Ferrari experience that a Ferrari owner should embrace (like the silly maintenance costs). If these things are really a problem, maybe the car is not worth the aggravation for you.
That would be sad.
BT

 

1. Its a lease, re-lease of a 10 year old car, $400/month
2. I inherited it from my uncle that died, he loved this car. Add, "I hope I can afford to keep it running".

 

Imagine how I feel. My dad and I were watching a friend's 360. We live in a college town of about 30,000. When my dad drove it, a doctor, some of his patients said they were proud to say the doc with the ferrari was their doc. The rest of the people just pointed and smiled, and every college age micheal shumacher in his ricer tried to race us.

We found it very amusing.

 

3? Hmmm....black one, silver one, and ?????

 

What's to say - most people are pretty cool about the whole thing. Owning a Ferrari is nothing to be apologetic about - just don't be an ass when someone wants to talk to you about it and above all don't flaunt your ownership.

 

I live in a small farming community- 13,000 people.

I was once asked: "Hey that car (360 spider) must have cost over $60,000 dollars." My response, "well it cost a bit more than that."

I just tell people "it's a Ferrari/Vanquish, and it's very expensive." And "yes it really is a beautiful car, a lot of fun to drive."

The bottom line is to be as polite as possible, intentionaly vague and curtly excuse yourself if you begin to feel uncomfortable- but once again, be polite.

 

...............or a moderate eunuch with a 308

 

This is always an interesting and sensitive issue, and maybe we are looking at it too much from "our" point of view. It seems like Ferrari's are almost mythical to those who don't own one, and that in turn puts the owner in a whole different light from someone who owns a more common toy. With that in mind, I always try to take the polite route first, regardless of how obnoxious someone may be. When you are perceived to be approachable and friendly, it often disarms the would-be "aggressor"! When that doesn't work, a quick, business-like exit is probably best. As for the intro of "this is so-and-so, he owns a Ferrari", just think of why anyone would lead with that...with friends like that, who needs enemies!

 

Good point Cameron

But the thing I dont understand, if a person DONT like my Ferrari...why the hell is he wasting his time of letting me know it?!?!?!?!? why can he just walk by it ???? I just cant figure that out.
I must idmit that I'm not a Porsche fan...I dont look at Porsche's cause I dont like them so much, but I dont walk up to the owner and telling him that.
So the bottom line is (IMO) if a guy tells you that your Ferrari suck...then he's probably just jealous.........and if a guy just walk by your car and dont event look at it....then he's a "non-Ferrari-fan" for real.

 

Maybe the best answer to "Ferraris suck!" is "You wouldn't say that if you owned one"

 

To those bashing M3s: They have the same issues as Ferraris, just on a smaller scale, they are an upper rung of the ladder whereas the Ferrari is the top rung. I have both an old Ferrari and an E-36 M3. Both are great cars, the BMW drives wonderfully but driving the Ferrari, even to the store, is an event.

Regarding people finding out about ownership: I think it depends on which Ferrari you own. Any 80's and newer 2 seater makes a very strong statement. An "off" color helps a lot in toning this statement down (however, a Testarosa is not a subtle car even in evening blue). I think the older cars register as something beautiful rather than something ostentatious and therefore create fewer issues. However, if someone does ask a crass question, politely answer in as general terms as possible. That said, if someone asked me if my wife was rich (or something equivalent), I would take offense based on what is implied.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Someone did ask me how I could afford it and in one of my more cynical moments answered , "No wife, no kids." (Not that there is anything wrong with wives or kids.)

 

Well, when you get involved with someone who happens to have 4 kids, 14, 18, 24, 27. and they live with their dad.
This is what you hear,
I have a friend who has 3 Ferrarirs.!!
Is that yours?
Do you let my mother drive?
What do you do for a living.?
This is from the future father in-law; I know someone who has a ferrari and pays $10,000 a year for insurance>

From the mother, well, now every body thinks I am loaded, We have 2 weddings next year, and everyone thinks I should pay for them.

My response is : Maybe you should.

Or how about this:
I have a friend who's father has 2 Ferraris with GM engines.
Yours can't be a real Ferrari, because that is what my dad says.
Did you know that GM owns ferrari and thats' why they have GM engines.

 

When someone asks, "How can you afford to drive a Ferrari?"
You answer, "How can you afford not to drive a Ferrari?"

 

I agree with Dave. Initially, my tone was apologetic when responding to such questions. Then, it hit me. I'm not a prick. I'm not a rich guy. I'm a guy that had a thing for Ferrari's and, thanks to the freedoms of this country, was able to pursue one even on a moderate income. I see a Ferrari and it fires me up. I don't think, "Wow, that dude/chick must be someone special!!" Unless that person is abusing the car, I won't look down upon them. Those who do have a self-esteem issue.

I will admit I can be a bit of a poser. I like wearing Ferrari stuff. Hell, I even have the darn cavallino stuck to my helmet and a tattoo on my leg. I don't think it's an image thing, though. I simply like the association with something so frickin' cool. Plus, it's a bonus when I run into another tifoso. In my experience, we'll usually share the same spirit.

D

 

there is no right answer, but many good suggestions have been made here.
however, the suggestion to move may be the best one yet. i live in london, and my car is looked down upon here - not expensive enough ! i get some negative reactions occasionally but i have long ago learned that this comes with the territory - no way out of it. but i cannot imagine what would happen if i drove into my granmother's little town in rural ohio - i would probably get rammed by a truck within a day or two ! jealousy is a terrible thing and unfortunately most of the population suffers from it instead of channeling that desire into an activity that would result in the same purchasing power....

the other day i heard a guy say 'oh man, a ferrari ! now why can't i have a car like that ?!' as i drove on i thought about what he said and it seemed to me that what he should have said was 'oh man, what do i need to do in order to afford to buy this car' ....but since he didnt say this, he probably won't ever be able to afford one....

 

A yellow one! OUTSTANDING!

 

Whenever someone asks me about my car hobby I expain that it is the same as having a boat or a summer home. Except the maintenance, insurance and taxes are way lower.

We all need a passion. This one you can enjoy more months in a year than many others.

Steve

 

.....and boats and homes aren't, IME, near as fun!

 

It may mean less to the person asking than you think. They just feel they somehow have license to ask. If you had a cabin in the mountains...which may cost more or less....nobody cares or even asks.

So why do they care about Ferrari? It is conspicuos consumption in a major way. There is no reason to spend the kind of dollars they charge with the existence of the M3 and 911. And there are other comparisons for older models too.

Most people, including myself, bought it because of one of three reasons:

A: Ego
B: I have enough money where it doesn't matter

or

C: I can afford it...though it maybe ain't a smart move...but I wanted one much...at least once in my life.....so made the sacrifice

 

"Hello, I am Chevy Chase...and you... are not!"

Now would that be a smart-ass reply or what?
Hey owners: whether you flaunt your cars or not, you EARNED them! You will naturally respond in kind to how you are approached, and you will get all varieties of approaches.
I feel blessed and thankful to have mine, and I fully enjoy driving them. That's all.