Should I join Ferrari Club of America

Absolutely you should.

Then you will have firsthand knowledge of all the q's you ask.

If you don't like it, then all you're out is $135, which is a bargain to learn this much about how your personality, expectations, and goals fit into FCA, which is something no one can tell you except yourself.

 

I have. Dave is a great chef!

 

Yep! The Pacific region is a particularly active region with a monthly newsletter that is worth the price of admission all by itself IMHO. [It's typically about 12 pages, in full color] Apparently, many other regions don't have anything close to this, so your location is fortunate......

As a supplier, you can advertise in the newsletter at very reasonable rates and I suspect, if you're any good (!) it will do your business no end of good.

My 02c,
Cheers,
Ian
PS - I think the $135 also includes the "Prancing Horse" magazine, a pretty good monthly mag as well.

 

the last car shows that I went to it seems that if to do become a member that it helps your score on your car

 

I'm sorry dude, but I'm gonna have to throw the "BS card" on that comment...... I suspect you have your "reasons", possibly valid, BUT, knowing a few of the judges I'm sure thare's no "preference" for FCA member cars - AFAIK, the judges don't know who's an FCA member at these events.

As always, my 02c,
Cheers,
Ian

 

Nope...you shouldn't join. My take and two cents

 

I don't think you should. Why WOULD you?? I mean, what are you going to get out of it??

In this day and age, you can look up anything you need to on the net to research any part of Ferrari ownership there is. You can find any pic ever taken at any angle. You can show up at Santana Row and ********** and most other meets discussed on here to see the cars and talk to the owners.

So I don't see why you want to spend $135 on a Ferrari Club of America membership when you are going to be showing up to their events in a Toyota. Doesn't make sense to me. I get that it is your dream but it was the dream of every person there at those club meets. It is an exclusive club, which is why people WANT to be part of it. They wanted to finally, someday be able to be part of that club. Being part of the club means owning a car, to me.

Sure, anyone could probably join the club for the $135 price. But what does that get you? A card and a window sticker? The "honor" of feeling like you are in the Ferrari Club. If being able to tell people that you are a member is worth that, then I get it.

Yeah, you could go to the meets but you will get the cold shoulder from most. You could expect that just as you could expect strange looks from ANY group who has someone showing up without all of the prerequisites. It would be like showing up at a gun club meet without owning a gun. Joining a running group and showing up without running shoes on.

Clearly, the prestige, of the marque have people wanting to do this. I can't tell you the amount of times that I have seen people ask if they could go along on the drives when they are bringing a Honda or the like. I never got that. I was always one that felt like I would be intruding if I didn't have a Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc. So I never went. Then, when I got my first one, it made it all worthwhile because I felt like I truly belonged.

So, yeah, for $135 you can buy your membership. And you can probably go to all of the meets and functions. I can't speak for the group since I haven't been a member of the FCA for a few years but I can tell (as I stated in the PM) you that you will get the cold shoulder from many at the events. Especially if you show up with the yellow car with the Ferrari badging (even if it is promoting your work). They paid good money to be part of this. Many spent their whole lives waiting for the day that they could finally be part of such and exclusive club. Since they dreamed of what it would be like, most didn't have Chevys, Fords, etc. in those dreams. Hence, they want to keep it "exclusive" now that they are "in".

My advice?? Don't buy a membership. Why subject yourself to the looks, stares, questions, etc.. Why show up at an event where half the people will wish you weren't there? Think about it. You will be spending money to show up at a place where half the people will wish you hadn't. Take that $135 and put it towards a Ferrari. Buy a 308. With the market now, you can find a driver for just over $20k. Should cost you about $300 per month with no money down. If you can't afford that, I would question you needing a membership for $135 for a club that features a car you don't have yet.

When you get your Ferrari, THEN join the club. Being 26 and showing up with a Ferrari would be very well received. When the first guy shows up in a Honda to one of YOUR events, you will "get it" when you have that feeling of "Hey, what's that guy doing here?".

Just my $.02.

 

FCA / FOC - pure idiocy for old people who need to feel like they belong to something and really need something to do. The amount of stupidity and political idiocy that goes on for something as meaningless as those two organizations is staggering.

Frankly, you won't miss a beat and it makes NO difference in owning one, or knowing the "important" people on the scene. Actually all it really does it make sure yo uknow who isn't important

 

well maybe you don't go to these shows to make a comment like that,the last two I went to,everyone who wore a ferrari club shirt with the patch did better than those who didn't,maybe they have better cars than me but it does make a point breaker

 

Jon - I have something positive to say about the FCA.

My wife and I went to an event hosted by the FCA, while not yet members but with an interest in Ferraris. The members I met were very warm and enthusiastic about the marque. Some more than others. Overall, they did not roll their eyes when I told them I was looking for one after being given an opportunity to drive one. I came away with a positive vibe and joined promptly after purchasing my first Ferrari. My feeling was, they were reminded of that first step they themselves made when they "came into the light" and wanted to have a Ferrari .

All car clubs (I belong to several) have their share of politics. Just enjoy the company of the enthusiasts, there are many of us!

After a few years of Ferrari ownership, there's a bit of tarnish of our impression of the marque but we still enjoy the FCA events that we attend.

 

I have had fun this last year as a FCA member, I like the subscription to the different newsletters b/c of the pictures. I did not make it to most of the events, and I would rather hangout with f-chatters than 'fca-er' if I had to choose. But if you are going to go to the different events, and talk to people, you will find a nice group of people. A lot of those people will talk to you anyways, even outside of a group event. Truth is, if your cool your cool and no club will change that. Most f-chatters are cool, and this is a special 'club.' F-chat has facilitated the best experiences I have had with the car because of the people I have met through the local meets, drives, and parties. Such as SR, Monterrey, stampedes and milk runs, shows, lunches, and the random massage parlors (j/k)

 

Oh well. In regards to the FCA, I have met some of my best friends there (back in Wisconsin). I still talk once a month or so to most of them. I was very involved back in the day and was, at one time, approached about being a Chapter president by the Region President but felt it was going well with him overseeing the entire Region. So I get the FCA and can appreciate it all. I hadn't joined here due to time constraints and that fact that I could barely find time to do SR most weekends.

But somehow I have the feeling that if 9 people would have told you not to join and 1 person said you should join, you would taken that one person's advice.........

 

that was me,I went to Meeks for gloves,had to run the car,the plates say IRONDG so should've honk,maybe we could meet up someday

 

I have to agree with that,I didn't say don't join,because I'm going to some day,but also I got alot of info from fca events that I went to b4 I bought my first ferrari and those who own ferrari's most will advise you what to look for,and are very helpful,even if your showing your car,and I'm working on to have the best 308qv out there with the help of www.ferrparts.com .........

 

Stuff like the FCA mattered back before you had online communication. Today it's a relic that holds little value. There might be some romance in that, but even that is waning.

 

I do show up for the euro's but if it rains or is wet the car don't go,and lately I've been out of state but back now,the 25th is that jan or feb?