Ferrari prices definitely dropping....

I don't disagree. Our SUV (an MDX) is parked in the driveway most days. Used to tow a utility trailer, get yard and woodworking supplies, and for snowy trips over the mountains and to go fly fishing. Except for a once a year trip on a sketchy road, we could use something somewhat smaller that got better gas milage. That's why it doesn't get driven much. And I wouldn't buy another one.

 

Trickle down is more like pissing out a window

 

I'll confess: We own a 4runner but unlike most, it sees real off road duty that requires a low range differential. We also have a Tundra with the big motor. It gets used to pull an enclosed trailer with a car in it.

Growing up in snowy New England, 4 wheel drives were very rare. In fact, most cars in those days had one wheel drive. Somehow we survived. I learned how to power slide through drifts and the importance of momentum not to mention the art of opposite lock steering. Seems like whenever there is a snow storm, it's SUV's I see sitting in their roofs. People get the traction but haven't figured out they can't steer or stop. With a one wheel drive, we KNEW when the road was slick and drove accordingly.

Dave

 

If I had to bet, most of the folks on this board qualify. Doesn't mean crap. Let me know if you qualify for megafoundation.

Art

 

Agree 100%. SUVs are fantastic for carrying a lot of stuff (family, camping supplies for vacations) and are great if large items need to be carried around. Are they always used for that purpose? No. But they are great for that when the need arises.

Ferraris are great for traveling over 100mph. Are they always used for that purpose? No (unless you want to lose you license REAL QUICK and/or get arrested...). But again they are great for when that "need for speed" arises (at the appropriate time and place if you want to keep enjoying that beautiful Ferrari for a while...)

In the end it comes down to what you like. I like both types of vehicle and both have their place in the sun. They are both great vehicles for their niches!

Frank

 

Prices dropping?

Would you rather have the money or the Ferrari?

It's a simple question.

I would rather have the Ferrari.

 

Honestly, no offense was meant...sorry. I own a smaller V8 SUV and have owned a Ferrari that got a stellar 9 MPG. My point was that at $3.50 a gallon you couldn't give new or used SUVs away. A few short months later, now that we are plunging into a global recession and commodity prices have driven gas below $2, the same SUV is a widely acceptable purchase. The idiots are the ones who buy an SUV today rationalizing that gas can't possibly be $5.00 within 36 months. Heck, sink a ship in the Strait of Hormouz and it could be tomorrow.

Back on topic, my point is that global discretionary consumption, manufacturing and employment is dropping at an accelerating rate. For the next year, at least, you don't want to be in any business selling things people don't need. And yes, money in cars is much more fun than in markets. I bought another vintage sports car only 6 weeks ago.

 

Exactly. I grew up in Colorado and my mother worked at a ski area for years. She drove up there 6 days a week in the winter, 50 miles round trip on winding mountain roads in a 1966 Pontiac LeMans, and occasionally in a 1964 Porsche 356 B. She was a great driver and was once stopped by a cop who said he had been following her for miles and admired the way she was drifting around the corners!

 

Frank - it's nematodian to get upset. Really smart people are simply indifferent to that which is beneath their super intellect

 

Apology accepted. Yesterday was the day from hell at work and it just kind of hit me the wrong way... I'm sure you've been there yourself. I regretted the Mensa portion of my post as soon as I hit the enter key since I knew I was going to get knocked off that pedestal in no time flat.

I concur that it would not be prudent to purchase an SUV when gas was around $4/gallon and could return there easily since that threshold has already been breached...

BTW, magnificent car!

Frank

 

For what it's worth, this week's complimentary Collector Car Tracker (Keith Martin and eBay data) looks at Ferrari 1948-1988. Perhaps not the most scientific data, but kind of a fun tool:

http://www.collectorcarpricetracker.com/auctions/make/Ferrari/years/1948-1988/

 

Don't apologize, you had a very valid point. I qualify for Mensa(never joined, tho, don't give a damn), don't design DBs for anyone, and that still doesn't keep me from doing dumb/stupid stuff on a too frequent basis.

Brains <> 'smart actions'.

The average consensus intelligence of the U.S. public ain't gonna set any records, anytime soon. And, even though SUVs do come in quite handy for some uses, most of what I see on the road are single person two ton battering rams that are gonna save the occupant/driver no matter what they do on the road. Better to obliterate the 'other guy' than take a chance on responsible driver training.

Time and a place for most types of vehicles. As mentioned above, Fcars are great for sporting, SUVs great for people/thing hauling. Maybe we're finally seeing a real effort towards a third class of transportation, that being right-sized, economical wheels.

 

You mean the cars Japan has been producing for how long, and that actually many Americans were buying, hence the never ending erosion of market share for the formerly known as the BIG 3.

 

Two-ton? HA! You wish. More like three ton. Quick poundage survey says:

VW Taureg - 5412
Cayenne Turbo - 5840
Big F150 - 5900
Expedition 4x4 - 5650
Excursion 4x4 - 7700
Tahoe 4x4 - 5581
Suburban 4x4 - 5932
Escalade 4x4 - 5708

There's no rounding those down to two tons.

Now a 2008 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, that rounds up a little bit to two tons (3759).

 

I know more than a few women who love their SUVs because they feel that in one they can survive any accident. Personally I don't think this attitude fosters safe driving. Maybe all vehicles over a certain weight should come without seat belts, air bags or any interior padding.

 

I'm all for driver training, but in some cases you're screwed no matter what. When that happens, yeah, I'd prefer to be in a 2.5 ton battering ram with crumple zones and airbags. Sorry for the other guy, but really, it IS all about me. When I'm dead, you all go away
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

yesterday, I was browsing classifieds section of the Ferrari Club of America newsletter and saw numerous ads - 355 < 70k 360 < 80k and even a used F430 coupe for 140k.Although 348 consistent price between 45-50k.

 

A 360 for < 80K? Seems awfully cheap, and only a little more than a 355?

Are they THAT expensive to maintain?

.

 

Ya just HAD to BUST me down on the TWO ton thing, eh? I thought about that the day after I
posted, but didn't get around to editing...

I STAND CORRECTED...T H R E E tons and more...

 

The 355 is more expensive to maintain.

 

A Testarossa is even more expensive to maintain



Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

My Lamborghini is still more expensive to maintain


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

All are cheaper than an ex

 

Reminds me of an old joke:

What is the most frightening 4-letter word to a man?

"HALF"