Hahaha - I believe this is the greatest forum thread I have ever read! I echo every sentiment I have read! A little embarrassed talking about it to people (will they judge me?), never take it to see clients for the same reasons others have said, and like seeing kids admire it and pull on dad’s hand and point as I approach. When I pull into a parking space, if I see a little kid with parent admiring the car then I go to the parent and ask if their kid would like a photo taken sat inside it behind the wheel. They can’t believe someone would let a stranger sit inside a Ferrari. I tell the parent it’s just a car. It’s amazing how many times a parent’s initial scowl turns into a smile at such a genuine offer. Family know all about it but that’s because my sisters tell everyone and post it on Facebook etc. All the family wanted that initial ride in it. All came back with a massive grin and accept that it is what it is. Some people at work know but I don’t drive it to work. I have a Smart car for for that - I get more comments about driving that car, when apparently I ought to be drivin a BMW or a Merc (though nobody except family knows that I also have an MB Pullman). People think I bought the Ferrari to pose in. Truth is, I only look forward at the lights to avoid eye contact and often only drive it to hear the sound the exhaust makes (stock 360M.F1). I own a piece of mechanical excellence and I am fortunate to be the current owner of it. Yet when the man in the street comes over to me I find that speaking in a strong local dialect helps. They see me as an ordinary joe done well, rather than the stuck-up pompous plum-in-mouth ass they were expecting (I dress well and wear a nice watch so they have preconceptions before we speak). Truth is, I work very hard for what I enjoy. And it makes me want to work even harder still. And if I can work hard enough for my staff to be able to buy a “cheap” Ferrari one day then I have served them well. I’ll probably never afford another Ferrari and so I’m enjoying every single second of ownership while I can. When it’s gone I will still be able to say” Yes I used to have a Ferrari” and that, my friends, can never be taken away from me!
ps: it amuses people that I take her out with the rear bumper/fender covered in exhaust soot - I use it!
I just got an FF so I could come out of the closet at work. 2013 cdf (gun metal). It does have shields, but black calipers (large yellow calipers + shields would scream Ferrari). Drove it to the office today and so far so good - no one has really noticed or asked me about the car. My wife and 3 year old love the car, and my friends have been really positive about the FF values (almost no brainer when compared to panameras, etc as DD) and how low key the car is. It seems this car is completely ignored (though I’ve had the car for less than 24 hours), which is perfect Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have had mine for several years now and no one at work has an idea, Heck I have been buying the same model and color Ram pick up every 3 years as my DD since 2004. My employees still haven't figured it out......
It's been a while since I visited this thread and a few things have changed in that I added a McLaren Orange 570S. Common thought would be that this would be a look at me, envy maker. It couldn't be farther from that. You would have thought that this bright orange exotic would elicit some serious hate. Hell, the Ferraris get you either a thumbs up or a middle finger. The McLaren elicits 100% positive responses and they are over the top. I can't believe that this many people actually know what the hell it is. I have yet to stop for gas and not talk to at least 3 people and had 3 more take pictures. God forbid if I happen to be driving with the flow of traffic as the cell phones are out along with the lane drifting and distracted driving. Finally, the kids. OMG. They fall over themselves and I am more than happy to let them sit in it and give rides. I even have gotten a supply of McLaren baseball hats that I keep on the parcel shelf and if a kid is extra appreciative, I ask him if he wears hats and if he does, I direct him to the shelf and tell him to take one. I still could care less what anyone thinks one way or the other. I've been into this nonsense since I was old enough to go to the newsstand and read Road & Track (cover to cover), before getting kicked out for not buying the magazine! I've had good times and bad and I've been fortunate enough to have carved out a decent life, and I'm still not going to drive a POS because of what someone (that has no bearing on my life) 'may or may not' think. I guess I've never been in the 'closet'! Image Unavailable, Please Login
its always a tough balance. there is no way to hide the cars i drive. i have been slighted, discriminated against, and had the displeasure of being the subject of a scathing article about people in my profession with me as the archetypal example because of the cars. jealousy is a terrible thing. on the other hand, life is short. i have had the best experiences in life through cars. met the most interesting people through cars. it is unlikely that i would have had the life i have had without the cars in my life. there are ways to mitigate the impact, and i have tried most of them. ultimately, you just have to live your life true to yourself. you only get one ride on this merry go round. ps. most of the negative reactions of people are apparent when driving ferraris. nothing else i have driven elicits that kind of negativity. so we do have a cross to bear. but somebody has to do it
Pretty typical day when I take the blue 360 spider to work today. Went to lunch, an older guy walked around it for about 5 minutes. Shortly after he left, a couple spent about 10 minutes taking selfies with it from every possible angle. A lady said "nice ride... I bet you get that a lot" a guy banged on his steering wheel and yelled "WOO WOO WOO" another said "hey is that thing fun to drive?" at a stoplight. Lots of stares. But I live in California so people see lots of exotics and they don't get as much attention as they might somewhere else.
When I first picked my 360 up I only told close friends to begin with. However I knew word would get about sooner or later so I just let that happen. First day back at work I told a handful of people that I brought a Fcar because everyone always wondered why I 'lived at work' and within hours the whole workplace knew. With being local I knew someone would spot me in it someday so I thought **** it and just get it over and done with. I never mention it unless someone asks about it or what plans I have at the weekend as I don't want to 'brag or show off.' Which is what I tell everyone and I also say I'm not wealthy, just work my a** off smashing as much over time in as I can which is true and I'm no different than the next person, anyone can achieve it if they really focus and put their mind to it like I did. They respect that and not see me as a flashy ****, hard work certainly pays off in the long run. All positive comments so far but I'm down to earth and not stuck up which goes a very long way and also drive sensible.
I read and liked your post until I read the last 2 words. Disappointing my friend. Lol Drive it like its meant to be driven. Congrats and keep workin hard. Cheers.
I agree with him! Driving sensible is driving fast so you don't waste time or hold up traffic. Ferrari specialty.
Hahahaha I knew soon as I wrote my comment I probably should of worded it better [emoji23] but I mean I'm not one of those who go into a busy town and shift into neutral and red line it constantly. It would just makes me look like a complete ****. While I enjoy watching others doing this which is their choice and it's their car so do whatever makes them happy. I personally wouldn't do it myself. I just don't want negative unwanted attention. On the working side it hasn't changed [emoji23] I'm still working hard and I still have time to enjoy the Fcar so win win! [emoji3] Sent from my CLT-L09 using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I know what you mean, but driving sensibly on a track just means you are going faster! [emoji4] I’m still a bit uneasy with telling people, unless I know they are gear heads or don’t care how they react. All the press about multi-million dollar+ Ferraris at auction certainly don’t help those of us with “normal” Ferraris, as if that is even a thing. Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
Having just had my Ferrari for a couple months I've so far told no family members outside of my immediate family, and have told my kids not to tell their friends about it. I'm retired so I don't drive to work so that's not an issue. I've posted nothing about it on Facebook and don't intend to. I've told a couple of my close car guy friends about it, but that's about it. By and large it's just my fun toy, and I don't really feel the need to tell anyone else about it. Eventually other family members will find out about it, but probably by accident rather than intent.
I've had my 360 for 1 1/2 years. I bought the cheapest one in the country by a decent margin at the time and have been fixing it up. I'm not wealthy. I'm 28 and live in a blue collar town in Wisconsin. I have seen maybe 5 Ferraris on the road in my life. They are rare here. I work crazy amounts of overtime to keep my dream going. I have told only a few people at work about it and have told them not to tell anyone. I never posted it on Facebook and have an Instagram that's not attached to my Facebook to document its progress. The mentality around here it seems is that it's easier to get the biggest building by tearing down everyone else's instead of building your own. I think once it is paid off I'll come out, but even not being out I still have had issues. I was basically kicked out of my car club because I was buying too nice of cars. Nobody sees the level of passion and dedication I have to this thing. I'm working on it constantly. They just see the outcome and instead of asking questions, they make assumptions.
I live in a fairly small town (35,000) and most people know I have it just from seeing me around. I still don’t talk about it much, but if someone asks I don’t deny it.
Three months into a six month tech software contract, I finally drove my Ferrari to work. I was canned the same day. Six years earlier, the same thing happened. I drove my car into work a couple of months into a tech contract and was let go the same week. I currently have a full time, permanent position and have been there for years (and everyone there knew about my car long before I was hired) but I won't make the same mistake again under similar circumstances. I also learned the hard way to leave the Ferrari hidden when a contractor comes to my house or my rental to give me an estimate on installing or repairing anything. If I need, for example, my alternator rebuilt, I'll research a cheaper model of car the alternator is compatible with, and give that to the tech over the phone when getting a quote.
I was in a coffee shop and a woman approached me if the Red Ferrari was mine. I told her yes and then she mentioned her 11 year old son was a fan and wanted to take a look. I showed the kid the car, very shy, and then asked the mother to take photos. she didn't have her phone so I took photos of him and then asked the kid, w"would you like to sit in the car?". The smile got even wider. I took a few more shots and then IM'd them to the mother. Part of me wanted to make the kids day and the other part wanted to start the indoctrination which is best done to young males . Love takeing my car out early for a long drive. Just this weekend got out a little later and had a big truck tail gating me on the freeway; not pleasant.
many people drive new BMWs costing more than my used 360. However, people definitely think/act differently about the Ferrari. BMWs, no big deal, Ferraris, how are they able to? Seems to have caused a very negative attitude to my wife from her boss when he found out...
I live by the phrase "Work hard Play hard" I drive my 91 Ferrari Testarossa and my 06 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster as absolute daily drivers. I will say the cars bring out the best and worst in people. That said, I can't live for others and this is just me having fun. Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice!
Not only that, but most (but certainly not all) 16 year old BMWs are hardly worth anything. A 16 year old 360 is still worth $60-70k. Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
I was in a similar mind set. No social media though. Now that I stopped working I'm OK if anyone finds out. They will likely hear me coming or see me at the gas station on a warm dry day. Always a fun experience out here in the country. However, at work some employees might have felt alienated so drove some other cars. When I first got it, I told my daughter to keep it on the down low and the first think she did was invite two of her male friends over and hold a garage party. I thought something was up when she went for the phone as soon as I left for work. I doubled back and they were already there. Good kids though and they were very excited. Best.
