Intimidation

Anything is intimidating if you aren't educated on it. There is nothing more scary than the unknown. I did about a year's worth of research before purchasing, so I was pretty confident.

 

This often comes to mind:
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If you can 'afford' something or not is an extremely complicated and personal question. I know lots of people with fancy cars an big houses that I would say can't afford them. I also know some people with a large net worth driving a Corolla and living in a modest house. How much money you have in the bank, how much money you make, and how much money you spend are three different things that are only distantly related.

The real question is how much is it worth to someone? When someone says stuff like "They worry about the repair costs, and if they damage the body that it will total it." What that really means is they don't think its worth the cost, both monetarily and in time and energy.

I hate that quote about having to ask how much something costs. I want to know how much everything I buy costs, regardless of if I can afford it or not.

 

I suspect that a great many people in this country have money going into the bank account and then out of the bank account in equal measure. They look wealthy and successful, but as one successful middle aged drug rep mentioned to me once "there's no equity". That includes many professionals making mid-six figures.
I encounter the 20 something that knows they can't afford it but tell me "one day they'll have one" and I encounter the middle aged guy "who's always wanted one and has been shopping". I usually head the how much question off by saying it cost less than a new F150. Of course, people finance the F150 and it has a warranty.

I'm not sure intimidation is the word I'd use, it's fear that the purchase will cause them more pain than pleasure. Hence, I always say it can be bought cheap but the parts prices and the maintenance are what really defines ownership. Not many are prepared financially for the potential $10,000 hit to the wallet. Personally by only driving Porsches for decades my idea of "affordable" is seriously warped. Any repair less than a grand is a bargain..

 

And it’s value will decrease by half when they decide to sell it in 2 years.

 

It's all about priorities. There are many more people who can afford a surprise $15k visit to the mechanic than would willingly put themselves at risk of such.

 

I like the idea that I'm driving a hand grenade but would be able to afford the loss.

 

In truth, I was intimidated by a convertible top and f1 trans.
So I got a 6m Modena
I would have loved to have a convertible and sometimes regret not getting one.


unfortunately it’s really hard to tell if it’s really well sorted and well sorted is a day-to-day status anyway. Well sorted today could still run up a $10k repair bill tomorrow.

 

I was slightly intimidated at first, but the more I looked into owning one the more that intimidation faded. The desire and will trumped that intimidation.

 

I don't know about intimidated but there is certainly a lot of misinformation around. Let's face it, most people are never going to be able to afford a new Ferrari.

 

If you happen to buy Anything in life, that actually appreciates in value, then lucky for you. Most things, whether cars, jewelry, or art, will always be worth less when you try selling them. My 2 cents : if going to buy a Ferrari, buy one, drive it, love it. If ever stop to think what's its costing you, then sell it and move on.