I refuse to own anything that causes me worry.
I've been where you are. OK, here's a piece of really crazy advice: Always check out all roads you intend to drive on especially gas station driveways. Never take the car out Saturday nights, if you do just drive no stops. As far as the car goes once you get it sorted out and dialed in you'll relax. It took me years and a couple thousand miles before I got in the rhythm of my 599. I'm sure it's gonna be fine, just take a deep breath!
4 steps 1. insure it 2. maintain it 3. drive it 4. repair it Seriously, it's just metal and plastic and rubber. Once you get a baseline fix of everything mechanical that's wrong (and "new to you" Ferraris will always have something wrong with them) and drive it regularly, it will sort out. Trust me. I'm just a poor boy, from a poor family (Spare him his life from this monstrosity) and in the worst cases I've just had to park one for several months to save money for a fix. If I can own these things, anyone can. There's a secret 5th step too: share it. Think of these things as an opportunity to evangelize.
I've owned my 2005 575M for 15 years and during the past 5 years I reupholstered the entire dash, console and rear shelf plus replaced all of the plastic switches, vents, etc. I service the car annually and sometimes twice a year for diagnostic purposes even if it's just to have my techs drive the car for several days and to assess its current condition and/or what might be needed down the road, Major service is not due for another two years. Last year we replaced the F1 oil level and resynched the clutch per factory specifications with my techs and factory technicians in Maranello. Driving her often is a joy to behold and stress free!! She will take care of you if you take care of her!!
If you look at the broader car community, every single car out there has some potential fault or flaw that is worrisome. Every single one. Best is to mitigate risk and live with it and make careful choices (PPI, history, prior ownership, service) on the one you plan on buying.
To answer your question, no you won't loosen up. Not until you get a new/way better car and then it becomes the one you stop caring about. Sorry for the bad news.
I was thinking about this today especially if leaving parked outside, is it worth getting a more discreet colour such as black or silver so when parked out for dinner it won't be as stressful? Guess car guys/gals will still know what it is and peer inside...
People who are looking to cause trouble will notice it regardless of color. Get the color that makes you happy. Driving a silver Ferrari will make zero impact except for on your personal happiness. Buy the car you want. Screw what everyone else thinks.
It took 3 Ferraris before I got over the angst of ownership although I still put miles on all of them and accepted the depreciation because they were to much fun to leave sitting in the garage! Unfortunately my 4th Ferrari an 812GTS- at first okay with it just like the SF I had before but as word of the 812 replacement came out and as its value appreciated significantly over my first 2 years of ownership, the angst made a return and unfortunately my disappointment with the car’s shortcomings (less comfortable as a GT than the SF for me due to my long legs and height) eventually kept nagging at me(not my wife-she loved the car!) I sold my first Ferrari for a profit which offset my losses on my first 3 F cars. In the end it’s all about the SPG- smiles per gallon! Drive it like you stole it and create great ride memories!
The quicker you realize that its just a car, the happier you'll be. Enjoy it. Drive it. Check engine light? Scratch? Sticky buttons? Who cares. Drive it and worry about something else.
If owning it gives you stress, I’m guessing the joy still outweighs the headache. Yet Ferraris are special because they’re expensive to maintain—yet that’s exactly what people complain about, which is ironically what makes them special in the first place. So, at the risk of sounding pithy and banal: the only real solution is to change your situation. Put yourself in a place where having a backup makes it a non-issue when the first one gets janked. No, it’s not the “cheap” fix—but it’s the right one. Only answer that actually solves the problem *if* somebody just has to have a Instagram flex worthy Rari without a care in the world about it - I believe that's the reason one stands and jumps up and down on the hood like an idiot yes? (or Rick James pounding his boots on Eddie Murphy's couch)
All cars or items of materialistic obsession will cause angst. Honestly, I don’t get any more worried with the 308 then I do the Viper, Cayman, and even my 53 Chevy truck. Ferrari? Who’s going to scratch it. Viper? Where is it going to overheat. Truck? What road will I break down on. They all have their own issues you’ll forever worry about. Best not to and just get out and enjoy it! When I take cars to car shows, I asked people to sit in it, enjoy it, get a picture. Why not? It’s a machine that’s meant to be enjoyed. Scratch? That’s why they make paint and you have insurance. Enjoy the fact you’re driving a car most will never be able to afford, so go have fun with it! cheers Dave PS: Get away from my car!!!
It's my natures to stress about my possessions. As my uncle said, my possessions possess me. My Ferrari is no different but the anxiety is simply cranked up even more. I don't even drive it. And yes, I am OK with that. I enjoy it enough as it is.