Has Ferrari Lost It's Luster?

I think there is less 'greed is good' today than at any time in my 57 years

 

Were hospitals and universities more or less profit-oriented 50 years ago?
Was every single job that was not replaced by AI or outsourced to Asia seen as a lost opportunity to increase profits 50 years ago?
Was every single sports car brand building SUVs 50 years ago, because that's the way to maximize profits?

I'm not saying that people were less greedy in the "good old days", but in the last couple of decades our society has certainly changed in a way that strongly benefits the excessively greedy. For the automotive industry in the West this has not worked out particularly well.

 

you’re actually right about this.

You’re on a Ferrari chat thread. You are the excessively greedy. And to answer your question, yes universities and hospitals were maximizing profits 50 years ago. Colleges shifted in the 70’s and 80’s and hospitals in the 90’s. Tuition’s skyrocketed in the 90’s and they started taking a ton of foreign money. Nothing new

For profit hospitals started in the 80’s

 

1) Quite a statement, considering that you know almost nothing about me.
2) the 90's were 30 years ago, not 50 years ago. So if hospitals shifted in the 90's the must have been different 50 years ago, which kind of contradicts the rest of your comment.

Perhaps you might want to write your postings more carefully in the future.

 

Ok, let me apologize — clearly I overestimated the ability of people to either infer the point or take a joke. I didn’t realize that 35–50 years was considered too narrow a window to illustrate how long hospitals and universities have been driven by profit. I figured a few decades was enough to show just how deeply ingrained American greed is — but hey, maybe we should roll it all the way back to the 1800s just to make sure no one misses it. That said, I have a feeling there was a lot of American greed in the 70’s as well.

And as for my other point which was clearly not a dig, come on, you’re on a Ferrari forum. By default, we’re all guilty of either owning or lusting after one of the most excessive, elitist luxury items ever created by man.

 

Of course there are still super greedy people, but I see less of them. Far less actually. My memory of the 80s and 90s is pretty much everyone seemed to be greedy (including myself) but these days i just see less of it.

 

Ah, the classic "I was making a joke but you were too stupid to understand" - how very creative.
Wealthy and greedy are not the same thing.

Learn to make a proper argument.

 

I’d also agree that there seems to be less greedy people now than say in the 1980’s.

What I do see a lot more of are shallow, superficial narcissists. Especially in the car community here.

 

Please educate me because your “50 year argument” is just brilliant

 

Not brilliant, but easily good enough to leave you without any valid counterpoints ... so far. Ciao.

 

I look at it this way, over time things evolve and Ferrari have evolved too from what it was to what it is today, is it worse, in my opinion not because had to stayed any any particular point in time and not evolved the company would not be around today.

Its easy to look at the past with a degree of romance, the beautiful shapes of the 60's cars, the one off cars, the unique styling elements and indeed those cars and era will always be special but of far more importance is how this history is carried forward and how that knowledge is shared with the Ferrari enthusiasts today.

Do the current models appeal to me as much, not all of them but their commercial success cannot be ignored so clearly there are people who they do appeal to so from that point of view company is stronger than ever before.

My view, Ferrari owners and non owner enthusiasts have a responsibility to protect the history and the best way of doing that is to share the passion for the brand. I've sat down with owners who know very little Ferrari history and inevitably once they learn some they often want to know more and have a higher appreciation for their cars.

 

Not a fan of the new F cars. I hope they change their direction.

 

Ferraris have not lost their luster for me. Still brilliant cars to drive as far as I’m concerned. If I want a nostalgic car from simpler (possibly more elegant) times, I can certainly find one and will have to pay for it!

I didn’t read all this thread - just page one and 20, so there is a lot I probably missed.

Regarding Greed, I have seen no decrease in it whatsoever.

 

Greed has existed as long as the oldest profession. The total number of greedy people in the world is greater since our population has exploded but I would guess the percentage of greedy people has not changed much. The expression of wealth has changed a bit IMHO with the overt flashy expression of wealth being less desired by many in these troubled times. Also what the greedy want may have changed- work from home, online everything, vacations, unencumbered by houses, mortgages, kids and unfortunately cars. Ferrari has to appeal to this group- haptics,screens and “unique” looks but keep the performance using “green” tech and still try to keep us old gomer Ferrari lovers happy.
I don’t envy Ferrari.

 

Today RACE has lost some 15% and Bloomberg says exactly the same things of these 20 pages (and myself, for what it matters): https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-10-09/ferrari-your-supercar-habit-is-becoming-too-expensive?srnd=homepage-europe&embedded-checkout=true
That the new models depreciate too quickly, especially Purosangue and SF90, that the boxy F80 and 849 aren't appealing to many, that the prices have become exorbitant and that the non existent F1 results are dangerous.
In one word on one side Mr. Market pushed Ferrari to lose its nature to pursue profits, but now that the nature seems a bit lost Mr. Market bites back.
This is good for those who earned something, but for the Company it was way better to remain private.

Ciao,
Nic

 

I like almost every Ferrari up until the turn of the century, After that it is very hit and miss for me. So yes, I would say as a brand it has lost it's luster somewhat. I don't think kids today have the same enthusiasm for them as my generation did when we were kids in the 80's and 90's. They seem to be much more into Lamborghini's these days.

 

No surprise but the Stock dropped 15% today as a result of their new financial targets. Also announced 4 new models a year until 2030 which was a bit shocking. Hoping a lot of those releases are just special versions of existing models. 40% of releases will be ICE which was nice to hear.

 

20% of 14000 production is 2800 Electric per annum ...best of luck with that

 

Up until today it was 20% ICE per year. So glass half full

 

I used to not follow Ferrari and BMW closely because I wanted to stop buying cars and just enjoy what I have.

Now I don't follow them closely because it makes me sad how far they have veered away from their roots and how boring I find their big, bloated, electrified "cars".

Gordon Murray is still making amazing vehicles. If I had one car-wish, it would be that he make them for the masses.

 

I had a 458 spider for 7 years. Owning a 296 that is superior in virtually every way- I couldn’t be happier. I think the 296 is beautiful in a traditional way and it sounds great- and that is the only aspect that is weaker than the 458.

The 296 is more nimble and fun- obviously much faster with superior steering and brakes. No, I don’t long for the back catalog.

People are afraid of change and the 296 represents that in spades- which is apparent in the resale market. Reality is it’s just FUD and the only people who really know otherwise are the owners that actually drive their cars.

The car will likely age well. Why? Because it is so much better than any other regular production sports car- ever.

 

Yes market has spoken. New stuff has been a lost vision as stated previously. Unfortunately they probably only listen to stock market not owners for years.