Why so many low mileage Ferraris out there? | FerrariChat

Why so many low mileage Ferraris out there?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Super_Dave, Sep 29, 2015.

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  1. Super_Dave

    Super_Dave Formula Junior

    Oct 6, 2014
    710
    USA
    Full Name:
    Dave
    So, with the typical new Ferrari buyer having the financial resources to buy (or finance) a car like this, why do so many have such low mileage?

    Is it because:
    A) The cars are impractical and not enjoyable for more than a very short drive, done infrequently
    B) The owner has so many other cars that they rotate between them and there is insufficient preference for one of their cars over others
    C) Owners have a fear of the cost of depreciation and/or maintenance on the cars and so try to minimize this by minimizing mileage -- due to always wanting to be "richer" and watching pennies
    D) Owners minimize mileage in the hopes of their purchase being an investment in the "longer term"
    E) Owners get as much, or more, psychological benefit in saying they own a Ferrari, than actually driving the car?
    F) See C) but instead of wanting to be richer, the motivation is fear of becoming poorer (i.e., they cannot truly afford the car)
    G) The owners get driven more than they drive
    H) Owners fear damage to the car due to either to cost of repair/diminished value, or because they view the car as something precious
    I) Driving the car too often makes it feel less special

    I own a few low mileage cars. For me, it is lack of a need to drive for practical reasons combined with some level of "fear" in not wanting to damage my cars (bad roads, winter, etc). I still do more than a few thousand miles a year so am curious how there are so many <3k miles per year Ferraris out there?

    Clearly many people who have these cars can afford the depreciation hit of $150-$200k if they ran up the miles... Realize many ultra wealthy get to that level or sustain that wealth by pinching pennies, but it seems rationally absurd to limit enjoyment of the fruit of that labor over sums that are unlikely to ever be financially material.

    I'm seriously curious about what people think causes so many, ultra low mileage cars, when they are typically owned by high or ultra high net worth individuals.
     
  2. tikitiki

    tikitiki Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 31, 2014
    1,160
    Windermere, Fl
    Full Name:
    Tom
    I have no idea. I drive the hell out of mine. Rain or shine. Doesn't make sense to me either. These cars should be driven.
     
  3. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2009
    24,375
    Honolulu
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    I dunno, how about these...

    1. Parking spaces are designed for sub-sub compact cars
    2. A lot of people don't respect the property of others so it's tough to let it out of your sight
    3. Out and back driving is just for pleasure and there are many pressures on ones time
    4. It's not "just a car", it's a serious experience so folks tend to wait for the right opportunity to enjoy.

    I fall into the right opportunity category. I need good weather at the right time during the week when I have nothing else to do, this is rare. Trouble is when the weather is perfect there are so many great things to choose from that a little selfish drive detracts from the family and then I feel I must detail the car after every drive which further detracts from the family time! doh!
     
  4. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    26,540
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    Sometimes you want something special for special occasions, what's wrong with that ?

    If you feel the need to out mileage on a Ferrari, I say pony up and buy the car you want and drive the wheels off of it in the rain, snow and whatever else you wish to do.

    God bless America for freedom , freedom to drive a Ferrari every day, or have it as rolling art in the garage.

    Either way - it doesn't matter why someone has 137 miles on a car, or 137,000 - buy and drive what you want.

    :D
     
  5. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    How do you have freedom to drive a Ferrari everyday in America when police harrasment is guaranteed? There are people on here who couldn't go for a few mile drive without attracting police harassment.

    America is an aweful place to own a Ferrari and it reflects in the amount of low mileage cars.
     
  6. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2003
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    Maybe you should leave South America and come to North America
     
  7. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    #7 Zaius, Sep 29, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
    Workaholic culture, Low speed limits, traffic congestion, bad roads and highly highly aggressive police in the United States keeps Ferrari's off the roads.
     
  8. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    I left North America and my God what a difference being out of that deluded police state. Have done a combined 45,000km in 1.5 years on my Ferrari's since on some of the best driving roads the planet has to offer.
     
  9. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    36,821
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    #9 Rifledriver, Sep 29, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
    What I really do not understand is why so many obsess what others do?


    To the OP's question which has been asked and answered ad nauseum here: Most Ferrari owners have several, maybe many cars and are very busy individuals. They simply do not have a lot of time to play with their toys. Most have no desire to take the Ferrari to the hardware store, the Suburban is a better choice. Few really want to drive in the rain and snow, the Suburban is a better choice. If there are kids, cant take more than one, the Suburban is a better choice. Now in that one day when everyone is gone and the weather is good which of the several or many other cars and motorcycles or boats should he play with?

    Bottom line, for most it is just one of many toys and probably not the most important one. They use it when they can, have time or feel like it and that is not very often.

    Is that OK?
     
  10. ASK328

    ASK328 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 23, 2005
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    Andrew
    All that - I have 3 currently and frankly don't have time to drive them much and 2 are at a house I get to 2 months out of the year.

    Also Ferrari's I love - however they are WAY down on my priority list and about my 10th favorite hobby. Dudes with real money and real collections multiply that times x1000.

    I saw a very impressive group of cars in Ft Lauderdale for sale and the sales guy at FFL commented the owner had never even seen the cars - Enzo, 333, etc.
     
  11. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Complete BS
     
  12. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    I'm generalizing, but for 90% of the country it is true.
     
  13. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
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    FelipeNotMassa
    I drive mine over 1k mi a month April-Oct. DD. Love it.
     
  14. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2011
    17,389
    Based on...?
     
  15. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Not buying it. If fear of the police is holding you back you have some other things to focus on before worrying about the mileage on exotic cars.
     
  16. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    36,821
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    Still BS.
    90% of the country has 10% of the cars and little to no traffic.

    I don't have trouble finding a road to drive any way I want to drive and have had very few interactions with the police and never once trouble with them.

    I get it. You don't like the US. Good for you. We are pretty happy not having you here.
     
  17. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    Personal experience.

    Ask yourself how it's possible all these exotics have such low mileage if everyone is so 'free' to use them all the time. It's because they aren't.
     
  18. DrJan

    DrJan Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2015
    553
    Grand Cayman
    Full Name:
    Dr Jan P
    For me, it is a "hobby car", one I only use in the weekends. For the daily drive ( to work - 3 minutes max) I use my "everyday car"
    Would not like to park the 575 in the parking slot in the mall where I work, too many trolleys, plus a mercyless sun!
     
  19. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    36,821
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    Yea....that must be it.
     
  20. Statler

    Statler F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2011
    17,389
    So where have you lived to experience 90% of the country and why exotic car owners in those areas don't drive high mileages?
     
  21. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
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    I'm too busy to live other people's lives.
    I barely manage my own.
     
  22. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,721
    Lake Villa IL
    Untrue, has nothing to do with low mileage cars.
     
  23. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2009
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    HA! LOL!
     
  24. proof69

    proof69 Formula 3

    Sep 14, 2014
    1,003

    I have never seen a Ferrari owner harassed by the police. The average Ferrari owner is middle aged and white. If you want to see harassment come down to Hollywood Blvd or Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles on a Friday or Saturday night and see young blacks and Mexicans sitting on the sidewalk after the police pulled them over for the most part because they are black and Mexican. Now my friend that is harassment.
     

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