'A Ferrari is a mistress.'

Loved the punch line!

 

"...Not that there's anything wrong with that. "Cadillac is currently running commercials that say people will look at you if you buy a Cadillac," Professor Thompson said. "Nobody has to tell you that about a Ferrari. But there's a kind of pathos to wanting attention so much that you're willing to carry around all that cultural baggage."

So: Ferrari owners = pathetically desperate attention-seekers, lugging "cultural baggage" through their lives?

A new high or low in PC-speak, depending on where you're coming from.

Professor Thompson needs an enema, I suspect.

 

good stuff...i think my wife would agree with the mistress part

 

LOL!

 

That's a good read. As an aspiring Ferrari owner, this is really the only downside I can see to the whole experience.

 

I've often thought that Ferrari owners are like movie stars. They may say (and truly believe) that all they want is to appreciate the cars, but secretly they would miss the attention and paparazzi stalkers if they went away.

 

the dali lama says, "bring on more gold rolexes". was he talking about being ostentacious?
i don't think so. he still has the one FDR gave him... he likes fine machinery!
after 40yrs. of waiting, and liking fine machinery, i think i'm entitled to my ferrari. i don't
care if people think it's a mustang, corvette, or whatever. she is history!!
the unwashed masses will always be the unwashed masses.

 

"i'll do it my way...."

 

Sad.

I asked my brother in law about the Boxster he had owned for a couple of years.. "Is that air or water cooled?". His answer..I don't know..so sad. but i imagine he thinks he looks good in it.

 

That's because if all you ever knew was the model "911" you'd be able to cover 80% of it

 

Good article. It was new to me, so thanks for the repost, if it was one.

A Ferrari is a polarizing possession. People assume you're either a snob or a driving enthusiast.
When people question why I own one, I always ask "Have you ever driven one? Would you like to?"

Whenever someone takes me up on the offer, afterward when they are sitting in the car, I ask how the experience was.
Regardless of what they say, I ask them to notice the smile on their face.
I tell them that is the primary reason to own one.
It is the kind of car that never fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it.

 

+1 I agree

 

Great article!!

 

Nice article, but the NY Times editor must be blind, or completely missed this article. WTF is a "Ferrari F355 Fiorano F1 Spyder convertible"...? A 360 Modena Berlinetta...? A 275 GT Spyder convertible...?

The atrocious misuse of apostrophes, and the butchering of Ferrari names, in addition to the superfluous "spyder" and "berlinetta" instances made this article tough on my eyes.

 

Well, with the demise of the Checker Cab motor corporation, perhaps there is another market here for the Ferrari SUV?

Afficionados of Jodie Foster would certainly be early deposits for it.

 

Not a Ferrari owner, yet. Around here, you just don't see many.

I do not think a majority of people, around here anyway, really notice all that much. But..when they do notice, I'm unsure that they're judgeing one way or another. It's more like, "Look at that. What is that? You don't see that everyday".

Kind of like the same reaction we all have when we see something unusual. They really don't know what to think.

 

In relation to the first paragraph.
Last saturday with five minutes in between I got got insulted and praised for my 328.
My wife ask me to get a dozen eggs so she can bake my favorite dessert for diner.
Sweet! I go for a ride in my 328 and get my fav dessert! Go to the supermarket, park a little off so no damage and let the car run for no more than 30 seconds so I can get my wallet and cellphone. Old lady gaze at me angrily and comes up to me saying:"When a car makes that much noise you shut the motor off on the spot!" And walks away... I go inside buy the eggs, get back in the car and fire it up. As I get out of the parking there is a guy with is hand to his ear and a big smile on his face with the thumb up with his other hand! So? This car is for me, so if some people don't like the sound of a Tubi, the h*** with them.

 

I'm open to negociation!

 

Frankly, I believe that the reporter nailed it. I could care less whether he or she understands the difference between a spyder and a convertible.

However, the problem is real. I realize that a certain number of Ferrari owners treat their cars as little more than a fashion accessory. They drive 25-50 miles over the limit, weave in and out of traffic, and then feel victimized when they are arrested for reckless driving. Moreover, another group drives 10 miles under the limit and valets their car so that it sits out in front of a swanky restaurant. More power to em.

However, there is another group of us who don't want any attention. We drive our cars because, well, it is an experience that we have not been able to duplicate in any other car. However, we also get flipped off and have to sit where we can watch our cars for fear of someone keying it. I don't know what it is about the American psychology that cause some to resent any symbol of success. Trust me, I ain't rich. I just have made some choices in life, such as I don't play golf.

The bottom line is that I'm very uncomfortable driving my car in the city. There are just way too many nutjobs out there.

Dale

 

I agree with the "mistress" part, except in my case I tend to think of the 328 as my wife! (I'm single, otherwise.) When she's good, she's very, very good, but when she's bad.....

But, maybe because it's an older model, and a well-known one at that, I don't find any disrespect. In fact, everyone I come across is glad to see the car. I know people are looking as I'm driving, but I sense that they are only looking at the car and not the driver.